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mybookishlife2'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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
imds's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
madele's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
bookishdreamer61'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
3.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
krutikasurve'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
3.75
Also to have a white man be invested in your culture, friggin' bonus.
The book was enjoyable. Again, you know what's gonna happen. But you enjoy the ride.
Also, smut.
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
tantowel's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
annreadss's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
allyhoo811's review against another edition
- 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
I was NOT disappointed. This book was such a treat. The humor and writing style that I loved from the author's debut were on full display, and most of the problems I had were much improved. This was leaps and bounds better!
What I liked:
1) No insta-love: This was a contemporary romance where the characters actually had a history together. It wasn't just boom meet cute and married a few weeks later.
2) The friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers combo tropes: You will understand if you read.
3) No ridiculous miscommunications: Sure there was some miscommunication (mainly from their past as teenagers); however, it wasn't overdone. For the most part the two main characters would talk out their problems and not let things fester.
4) The male lead wasn't crazy possessive: Sure Liam felt jealousy when other men flirted with the girl he liked, but he didn't immediately jump to wanting to pummel them into oblivion.
5) The family interactions: These are some of my favorite parts of Desai's novels.
What kept it from being a five star read?
1) Both books in the series seem to be trying to get away from the typical romance heroine "type", while appreciating diversity in women. This is great and one of the things that drew me to the series in the first place. However, I'm noticing a trend where in order to accomplish this goal women who would be considered conventionally attractive (blonde, blue-eyed, thin, etc.) are being portrayed in a very negative light (vapid, sexually inappropriate, petty, cruel). The overall vibe given is that women who look like this are bad people, who can't be trusted. We shouldn't have to build people up, by pushing others down.
2) Interestingly, the male protagonists in the novels are very much the traditional perfect male leads (tall, handsome, intelligent, wealthy, chiseled abs, etc.), and the female characters put down other less perfect men for their looks as not good enough.
Neither of these things are a good look when you are celebrating diversity in your characters.
Hope this changes in future books.
*********************************
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I hope this author keeps improving. Will read more.
Graphic: Car accident and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Infidelity
edavis0423's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Medical content and Car accident
rcpope's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders