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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
I read this book for a book club. If I had been reading this as a personal pick, I probably would have DNF’d 10% into it. Even for book club, I was strongly considering DNFing up through about 60% into the book. There was a small part of me that was curious (and I suppose still is) as to how this book has so many 5 star reviews (because I knew from the very start this was going to get a very low rating from me).
Let’s start with the positives. Things I liked about this book:
-I liked the dual narration and how most of the book was from Raphael’s POV but then we had a few interludes to see what was happening in Jae’s mind, and I liked that they were called interludes and fit the music theme
-the sex scenes were kind of hot
The things I didn’t like (but are my usual nit-picking in books):
-for them both being musicians, we didn’t talk about music all that much. Like these guys could totally have been accountants or any other job, music didn’t seem integral to either of their identities
-I’m so annoyed that we didn’t get to read thelingerie scene at Christmas . It was alluded to so many time as something Raphael wanted so I’m annoyed that then we just glossed over it actually happening
-the side characters were almost completely dropped (what in the world happened to Cleo? To the band in the end?)
-I just didn’t vibe with the writing style and there were a lot of weird verb tenses that were hard for me to process
-it didn’t honestly seem like Raphael and Jae connected much outside of sex? Like we didn’t really see them just hanging out and getting to know each other, all they did was fuck
Things I genuinely hated about this book and are why I’m giving it such a low rating:
-THE MAIN CHARACTER EMOTIONALLY CHEATS ON HIS FIANCÉE FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN ACTUALLY CHEATS ON HER FOR 75% OF THE BOOK
-literally there’s not a single scene in the book where Raphael isn’t drunk or high
-the fact that Camillewasn't even mad at Raphael once she found out he was seeing a guy????? Like I’m sorry I’d be mad if I found out my partner was cheating regardless of who it was with
-the fuckingpregnancy plot line was so stupid, I hate third act conflicts in general but this was bad
-overall Camille’s character was so unnecessary and if she hadn’t been part of this book it would have removed like 90% of my problems with the book because then THERE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN SO MUCH CHEATING
-the use of ‘dude’ as a pet name was just weird
-that weird line where Raphael says to himself “I’m a gen z-er, I can’t leave without my phone” was so cringey
-the use of the word ‘mewls’ during all the sex scenes at the beginning 🥴
-the fact that it was this huge thing of “oh I can’t follow you people are gonna notice” and then that plot line was just dropped
-the fact that Raphael is a terrible partner and friend and band mate and doesn’t have any redeeming qualities and is all around just an asshole
-Raphael’s sexuality was barely addressed and it very quickly went from “I’m straight and just like this one guy” to “I’m out and bi and proud!” and felt unrealistic
-the phrase “due back soon” was used so much and felt so awkward
-again, THE FACT THAT RAPHAEL WAS CHEATING FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE BOOK
Alright I think this covers everything, rant over.
Let’s start with the positives. Things I liked about this book:
-I liked the dual narration and how most of the book was from Raphael’s POV but then we had a few interludes to see what was happening in Jae’s mind, and I liked that they were called interludes and fit the music theme
-the sex scenes were kind of hot
The things I didn’t like (but are my usual nit-picking in books):
-for them both being musicians, we didn’t talk about music all that much. Like these guys could totally have been accountants or any other job, music didn’t seem integral to either of their identities
-I’m so annoyed that we didn’t get to read the
-the side characters were almost completely dropped (what in the world happened to Cleo? To the band in the end?)
-I just didn’t vibe with the writing style and there were a lot of weird verb tenses that were hard for me to process
-it didn’t honestly seem like Raphael and Jae connected much outside of sex? Like we didn’t really see them just hanging out and getting to know each other, all they did was fuck
Things I genuinely hated about this book and are why I’m giving it such a low rating:
-THE MAIN CHARACTER EMOTIONALLY CHEATS ON HIS FIANCÉE FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN ACTUALLY CHEATS ON HER FOR 75% OF THE BOOK
-literally there’s not a single scene in the book where Raphael isn’t drunk or high
-the fact that Camille
-the fucking
-overall Camille’s character was so unnecessary and if she hadn’t been part of this book it would have removed like 90% of my problems with the book because then THERE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN SO MUCH CHEATING
-the use of ‘dude’ as a pet name was just weird
-that weird line where Raphael says to himself “I’m a gen z-er, I can’t leave without my phone” was so cringey
-the use of the word ‘mewls’ during all the sex scenes at the beginning 🥴
-the fact that it was this huge thing of “oh I can’t follow you people are gonna notice” and then that plot line was just dropped
-the fact that Raphael is a terrible partner and friend and band mate and doesn’t have any redeeming qualities and is all around just an asshole
-Raphael’s sexuality was barely addressed and it very quickly went from “I’m straight and just like this one guy” to “I’m out and bi and proud!” and felt unrealistic
-the phrase “due back soon” was used so much and felt so awkward
-again, THE FACT THAT RAPHAEL WAS CHEATING FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE BOOK
Alright I think this covers everything, rant over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
“I love you too,” I whisper to no one. “In another life I would have chosen you.”
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
It's like a 4.5 but honestly, fantastic read and listen!
I was listening to the audio which was fantastic but I was at work and I had to get on the phone. So, I had to switch to Ebook!
Both versions were amazing in different ways. I think the overall story and characters were really thought out and I loved how much it changed but were there for eachother.
I loved how it started out as in interview for Raphael and you hear from him how he and Jae met and fell in love.
The details for the characters and the growth between them all.
I always smile like an idiot on sweet moments.
Side note: Raphael's mom's reaction to her son coming out made me laugh so much!
Thank you so much for this story!
I was listening to the audio which was fantastic but I was at work and I had to get on the phone. So, I had to switch to Ebook!
Both versions were amazing in different ways. I think the overall story and characters were really thought out and I loved how much it changed but were there for eachother.
I loved how it started out as in interview for Raphael and you hear from him how he and Jae met and fell in love.
The details for the characters and the growth between them all.
I always smile like an idiot on sweet moments.
Side note: Raphael's mom's reaction to her son coming out made me laugh so much!
Thank you so much for this story!
I loved this book! It was amazing. It was like a scenario in my head.
I took 0.5⭐️ because I feel Raphael could have communicated with Camille better during the cheating period and I wanted more of Jaehyun’s pov. But it was amazing. It literally fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.
I took 0.5⭐️ because I feel Raphael could have communicated with Camille better during the cheating period and I wanted more of Jaehyun’s pov. But it was amazing. It literally fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
emotional
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No