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seastheday's review against another edition
Nora was unlikable. She didn’t have any part of her that drew you in & made you want to keep rooting for her. She just constantly lied to everyone around her & used them. The miscommunication trope was poorly utilized- if you could even call it that. It was more of on purpose miscommunication with everyone around her- she could’ve easily kept/fostered her relationship WHILE having work issues & the book would’ve been better for it. But she’s just a poor, deeply unhappy woman that doesn’t know how to be a friend, co-worker, or a girlfriend. Everything came to a head & I couldn’t find it in myself to care about it. So I returned it to my Libby library and feel no remorse, wishing or longing to know how it ends.
jg34's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
What I thought based on the cover to be a lighthearted romance was actually a really meaningful exploration of living with depression and navigating what feels to be a meaningless life. So incredibly relatable and real. And there was a little romance as a bonus as well which was very lovely. I have no notes!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
hannavos18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ejgsarsozo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the book but I feel like Nora deserved a better, more resolute ending. I get that how it ends is supposed to offer hope for her future but literally everything is kind of still in the air. Even an epilogue with a fast forward to November and lunch with Andrew would be an improvement.
joannas's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
Ok so, as many others have stated already, the summary and blurbs about this book are quite misleading. It is not a cute and lighthearted rom-com, as it deals with some pretty heavy topics.
TW: su!cide, dark thoughts, depression
I enjoyed the book, and Nora’s journey to find herself and a more fulfilling career. I’ll admit, it was kind of hard to root for her at times, because she was just lying to everybody it seemed like, but I also sympathize with her struggle with her mental health. I also think that mental health doesn’t necessarily excuse you from being a bad person (on that note, Nora’s struggles with depression were referred to as a ‘dark create’ or something like that, which can be accurate, but is also kind of dancing around the issue too). I’m glad Andrew Santos gave her lots of self-help/care books about raising her happiness scale, but that’s not enough to ‘handle’ your mental health. I am glad that Nora decided not to jump into a relationship with Andrew right away, and to focus on herself more—it was a great message about finding yourself first, and then your partner. Andrew was super understanding and sweet, and he was a great fit (I kinda wish this actually was more of a rom-com but oh well)
As for the commentary about jobs (do dream jobs even exist… nah I don’t think so!! smh capitalists), it was very spot on and helpful (as someone with NO idea what they wanna do post-undergrad). Definitely not juggle two publishing jobs at the same time and with a conflict of interest lol (also that part… bruh it SUCKS having to get a second job and that should be illegal in and of itself, but you couldn’t have chosen something ELSE? Ma’am CONFLICT of INTEREST?)
Also PS what ever happened to her roommate (did they restart watching the Great Baking Show again? Is she ok?
Ok so, as many others have stated already, the summary and blurbs about this book are quite misleading. It is not a cute and lighthearted rom-com, as it deals with some pretty heavy topics.
TW: su!cide, dark thoughts, depression
I enjoyed the book, and Nora’s journey to find herself and a more fulfilling career. I’ll admit, it was kind of hard to root for her at times, because she was just lying to everybody it seemed like, but I also sympathize with her struggle with her mental health. I also think that mental health doesn’t necessarily excuse you from being a bad person (on that note, Nora’s struggles with depression were referred to as a ‘dark create’ or something like that, which can be accurate, but is also kind of dancing around the issue too). I’m glad Andrew Santos gave her lots of self-help/care books about raising her happiness scale, but that’s not enough to ‘handle’ your mental health. I am glad that Nora decided not to jump into a relationship with Andrew right away, and to focus on herself more—it was a great message about finding yourself first, and then your partner. Andrew was super understanding and sweet, and he was a great fit (I kinda wish this actually was more of a rom-com but oh well)
As for the commentary about jobs (do dream jobs even exist… nah I don’t think so!! smh capitalists), it was very spot on and helpful (as someone with NO idea what they wanna do post-undergrad). Definitely not juggle two publishing jobs at the same time and with a conflict of interest lol (also that part… bruh it SUCKS having to get a second job and that should be illegal in and of itself, but you couldn’t have chosen something ELSE? Ma’am CONFLICT of INTEREST?)
Also PS what ever happened to her roommate (did they restart watching the Great Baking Show again? Is she ok?
megshomelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
I would like a lifetime subscription to anything Shauna Robinson writes. This is Shauna’s first book, and my second that I’m reading by her. Both have been books about books, which are one of my favorite book types.
Must Love Books is about a woman navigating a job at a publishing company that’s making cuts and downsizing. Her story is all too relatable: this job is all that she has experience in but it’s draining her soul, leaving her a 3 out of 10 on a happiness scale. Her job lets her know there was a pay cut for her position (not to mention more work to take on from the other cut positions and people quitting) and she has to look for more income to make ends meet and not lose her apartment.
The search for more work turns into a sticky situation and a lot of self doubt, but she has some incredible friends and colleagues and tries to figure out what makes her happy.
Nora is one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read. I love her and already miss her now that the book is finished.
Must Love Books is about a woman navigating a job at a publishing company that’s making cuts and downsizing. Her story is all too relatable: this job is all that she has experience in but it’s draining her soul, leaving her a 3 out of 10 on a happiness scale. Her job lets her know there was a pay cut for her position (not to mention more work to take on from the other cut positions and people quitting) and she has to look for more income to make ends meet and not lose her apartment.
The search for more work turns into a sticky situation and a lot of self doubt, but she has some incredible friends and colleagues and tries to figure out what makes her happy.
Nora is one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read. I love her and already miss her now that the book is finished.
thebaltimorebookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ssinforshort's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
A coming into self story with ups, downs, and the beginnings of a love story.
Nora's journey is relatable and enjoyable. I'm rooting for her, and I want a sequel.
Nora's journey is relatable and enjoyable. I'm rooting for her, and I want a sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
princesscinna's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5