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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Ok, I am not sure what it was, but I simultaneous enjoyed this book and also didn’t. Though based on my reading speed (finished in two days) you wouldn’t guess that.
Something about how this book unfolded/was written just had me feeling all over the place. It starts with a lot of reference to the previous book which had me a little confused. And then some of the progression of the relationship felt a little chaotic (not the relationship but the way it happened if that makes sense..).
Things I liked — seeing Preeti and Daniel reconnect, and stand up for their relationship; the scenes with the group of girlfriends; the discussion about mental health.
Overall, this one just wasn’t quite it for me, though there were some areas that were ok. I think this is more of a me thing than the book though. I have trouble with second chance romances and how/why people hold onto relationships for so long (again that is a me thing).
[3.5 rounding up if we really want to split hairs on why my star rating is what it is].
Something about how this book unfolded/was written just had me feeling all over the place. It starts with a lot of reference to the previous book which had me a little confused. And then some of the progression of the relationship felt a little chaotic (not the relationship but the way it happened if that makes sense..).
Things I liked — seeing Preeti and Daniel reconnect, and stand up for their relationship; the scenes with the group of girlfriends; the discussion about mental health.
Overall, this one just wasn’t quite it for me, though there were some areas that were ok. I think this is more of a me thing than the book though. I have trouble with second chance romances and how/why people hold onto relationships for so long (again that is a me thing).
[3.5 rounding up if we really want to split hairs on why my star rating is what it is].
Why is it that I always have the hardest time writing a review for a book that I adored and/or that put me through the emotional ringer? What to say about this book? It was an emotional journey, and one I couldn’t put down. There’s something about second chance love stories that always gets to me. They feel like you’re talking to a friend, hearing their story. You get to see the growth and emotional work, and it just feels that much more real. While, obviously Preeti and Daniel's love story is the central focus, this book had so much more depth: family dynamics and issues, friends, culture, racism, mental health and anxiety, touch aversion, feeling like you need to solve all the problems yourself. The meddling friends, and forced proximity definitely helped provide the some levity and spark to the story. Also did I mention there’s an acoustic guitar, only one bed….
After my mini review on When Sparks Fly I have been DMing with some many people who had similar feelings on the book/ Declan…. The theme of those discussions are how we need more leading men who are actively working on their “stuff” and have already put in the work, are in it for the long haul, vs those looking for our heroine to do the hard work to save them. Daniel solidly falls into that camp, of having put in the work, and what he does as support of Preeti is 100% what we need more of!!! Have you read this yet? I’m anxious to hear what you think!
After my mini review on When Sparks Fly I have been DMing with some many people who had similar feelings on the book/ Declan…. The theme of those discussions are how we need more leading men who are actively working on their “stuff” and have already put in the work, are in it for the long haul, vs those looking for our heroine to do the hard work to save them. Daniel solidly falls into that camp, of having put in the work, and what he does as support of Preeti is 100% what we need more of!!! Have you read this yet? I’m anxious to hear what you think!
This was cute. Sometimes I like just a light, cute story of two people in love trying to figure it all out. 3.5 stars.
First Love, Take Two is a second chance story about two very successful people who fell apart due to non communication, and familial obligation and expectations. After reading book one in this series I found myself really excited and interested in Preeti and Daniel's story. I'm not always a fan of second chance romance but I thought this one was done well. You could see how much both Preeti and Daniel really still loved each other so much and how much each of them hated that the relationship ended, and the reason the relationship ended felt very realistic. This book tackles racism and classism from both of the main characters family and friends, and I thought that it was handled well. One thing that I really appreciated as a Black reader was how Sajni Patel wrote Daniel; everything from the way she described his appearance to his demeanor. It wasn't a comment about his brown skin once and then nothing else, and he wasn't written in a stereotypical way. This book is full of so many tropes that I love including forced proximity, second chance and roommates to lovers. Just like the first book in this series there is an amazing friend group, and I am really hoping we get a third book in this world.
DNF at page 236. I found the premise interesting, love the one bed trope and second chance romance, but the plot didn’t move forward for ages and then it was closed door. Not for me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
I adored the first book in this series and immediately knew I needed to start this one when I finished. As in, I started less than an hour after putting The Trouble with Hating You down.
First Love, Take Two follows Preeti who is so close to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor. When her friend Liya offers Preeti her apartment, it seems like her life is coming together perfectly. Until she realizes her new roommate is her ex, Daniel, who she never completely got over.
Sajni Patel is amazing at creating characters who seem so relatable. She doesn’t shy away from challenging topics, but writes about them in a way that feels so real. In this book, I appreciated the way she handled Preeti’s anxiety and some of the challenges of being in an inter-racial relationship. Aside from that, I adored this romance. Despite all of the things going against them, I was rooting from Preeti and Daniel from the start. I loved them together. I adored how Daniel was so caring and patient with Preeti’s anxiety. But most of all, I loved Preeti as a main character. Her growth throughout the story is so beautiful. I could keep raving about this book, but I’ll let y’all read it for yourselves.
Thank you to Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies.
First Love, Take Two follows Preeti who is so close to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor. When her friend Liya offers Preeti her apartment, it seems like her life is coming together perfectly. Until she realizes her new roommate is her ex, Daniel, who she never completely got over.
Sajni Patel is amazing at creating characters who seem so relatable. She doesn’t shy away from challenging topics, but writes about them in a way that feels so real. In this book, I appreciated the way she handled Preeti’s anxiety and some of the challenges of being in an inter-racial relationship. Aside from that, I adored this romance. Despite all of the things going against them, I was rooting from Preeti and Daniel from the start. I loved them together. I adored how Daniel was so caring and patient with Preeti’s anxiety. But most of all, I loved Preeti as a main character. Her growth throughout the story is so beautiful. I could keep raving about this book, but I’ll let y’all read it for yourselves.
Thank you to Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies.