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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.
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
mariepie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
redlippie_and_literature's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
penguins_save_lives's review against another edition
4.0
While marketed more as a romance, this is more of a novel of self-discovery. Our main character, Nora, is in a dead end job and feels generally stuck in her life. She struggles to maintain her mental health, which under constant threat from a stressful job and trying to make ends meet. When she is put on a reduced salary, she starts a second job. The only problem is that the second job is clearly a conflict of interest at a competing publishing house. What ensues is a slow discovery of who she is, who she wants to be, and learning how to bridge the gap between them. Since this wasn't quite what I was expecting, it took me longer than usual to get through it. Once I settled into it, it truly was a lovely story.
jmasur's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25