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chalkletters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Flatshare is very unlike those instalove romance novels where the characters are immediately and overwhelmingly attracted to one another and can’t stop thinking about getting intimate. Tiffy and Leon’s only understanding of the other’s appearance comes from Facebook photos, descriptions and context clues. Needless to say, their attraction builds slowly, and is based on personality rather than physical chemistry.
The epistolary elements came as a very pleasant surprise. While Tiffy and Leon’s notes aren’t as amusingly eccentric as Jaclyn Moriarty’s use of post-it notes, they are full of character. Beth O’Leary distinguishes between her two characters’ voices excellently, though the switch between Tiffy’s effusiveness and Leon’s spare use of words can be a little jarring.
As is probably necessary in a story where the two leads can’t meet face-to-face, both Tiffy and Leon have a number of things going on in their lives outside their interest in one another. While Tiffy’s life as an assistant editor is rather more glamorous (and involves rather less actual work) than is realistic, Leon’s relationship with his brother is a foundational element of the novel. All the threads of plot and subplot are woven together expertly, with Tiffy having a place in Leon’s stories, as well as he in hers.
The climatic misunderstanding, necessary in all romance novels, involves a huge heaping of dramatic irony. It’s certainly tense enough to keep readers on the edge of their seat, though whether that’s pleasurable or painful might depend on individual tastes. The ending is predictable, of course, but effective and very sweet.
This was a fun change of pace for me, and I appreciated how easy to read it was at a time of year which can be pretty hectic.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, and War
tays_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing and Alcohol
technicallyaly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Cancer
rhythmofryn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
daisymayl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Stalking
em_davies7019's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness, Medical content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also saw they cast Lady Sybil as Tiffy in the TV adaptation and I just…don’t see that. AT. ALL.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia
hannahnasir's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer
vanesst's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Alcohol
ruby_the_gem's review against another edition
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Stalking
Minor: Cancer