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winterdream1999's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought the story was really good and I enjoyed reading the dynamic between reading about the past and present versions of Macy and Elliot. It felt like I grew up with them and experienced their struggles (I loved both of them and loved their love for reading).
While I enjoyed the core part of the story, I felt that the ending was very rushed. It felt like we had just reached the climax, only for the story to declare that it was complete. I went from crying to confusion after realizing the story was done. I feel that Christina Lauren could’ve added more to the revelation part and really tie the loose ends (we did kind of get a closure from the epilogue-ish section but it wasn’t enough to feel complete). The major root of their conflict came and went so fast I wondered if I missed something.
Something I liked about this book was the communication between Macy and Elliot. I liked that they were comfortable enough to communicate with each other and not hold back. Sure it was difficult sometimes, but communication is hard and I respect the fact that they talked. The problem is that they communicate so well sometimes and more often than I’d expect that it felt unnatural. Maybe it’s because I’m used to miscommunication or lack of communication, but the fact that they talked about their feelings and insecurities so often felt so foreign. Honestly I was just shocked. Like even the communication with Sean felt unnatural (if you read the book you’d know what I mean).
Overall the story was really good. Even if the end was rushed, the other parts made it so much worth it. I couldn’t put it down and I fell in love with most of the characters (all of the important ones at least). I would recommend it.
While I enjoyed the core part of the story, I felt that the ending was very rushed. It felt like we had just reached the climax, only for the story to declare that it was complete. I went from crying to confusion after realizing the story was done. I feel that Christina Lauren could’ve added more to the revelation part and really tie the loose ends (we did kind of get a closure from the epilogue-ish section but it wasn’t enough to feel complete). The major root of their conflict came and went so fast I wondered if I missed something.
Something I liked about this book was the communication between Macy and Elliot. I liked that they were comfortable enough to communicate with each other and not hold back. Sure it was difficult sometimes, but communication is hard and I respect the fact that they talked. The problem is that they communicate so well sometimes and more often than I’d expect that it felt unnatural. Maybe it’s because I’m used to miscommunication or lack of communication, but the fact that they talked about their feelings and insecurities so often felt so foreign. Honestly I was just shocked. Like even the communication with Sean felt unnatural (if you read the book you’d know what I mean).
Overall the story was really good. Even if the end was rushed, the other parts made it so much worth it. I couldn’t put it down and I fell in love with most of the characters (all of the important ones at least). I would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Rape
michaela_nelly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, and Cancer
Minor: Vomit
notes_pages13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Rape
annieb26's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Sexual content, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Rape, and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Ableism, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
avvamapia's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Honestly, I only read this book because my friend recommended it, I don't think I would have picked it up on my own and I wish I never did.
Definitely mind the tags and trigger warnings if you're thinking of picking up this book.
I was definitely skipping every time Macy and Elliot had teenage sex. At my ripe old age of 21 it was incredibly uncomfortable and honestly completely unnecessary every time it popped up in the book.
The reason why I'm giving this book 0 stars is because at the end we find out that the reason why Elliot and Macy broke up was because he had drunken with another girl thinking that she was Macy. This is rape and it's never brought up as such??? Idk the book is kind of like "uwu sweet baby Elliot" When he's a sex offender??? Idk this soured whatever good was in this already mediocre book.
Definitely mind the tags and trigger warnings if you're thinking of picking up this book.
The reason why I'm giving this book 0 stars is because at the end we find out that the reason why Elliot and Macy broke up was because he had drunken with another girl thinking that she was Macy. This is rape and it's never brought up as such??? Idk the book is kind of like "uwu sweet baby Elliot" When he's a sex offender??? Idk this soured whatever good was in this already mediocre book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Rape
somebodys_fool's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
cathyo_113's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Car accident
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
kokobean_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
cali_harvey's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Sexual content
nuttus's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The amount I hoped the book would end where Elliot walked away and was mean to Macy is ridiculous.
Macy has no personality other than jealous and sorry for herself, a wet gray rag. She is so self centered and focused only on herself that I don’t understand what Elliot saw in her. Macy was always so sure that Elliot would chace after her that she was dumbfounded when for once he didn’t do it. She never ever stopped to think and take responsibility for the fact that she hurt Elliot. For fucks sake, Elliot was raped and clearly traumatized and she threw a fit that he cheated. Then she didn’t even bat an eye about it but just went on to tell that her dad died and once again, Elliot had to be there for her. She hasn’t done anything nice to Elliot, only strung him along for years making excuses and then wanted to be coddled. Was Elliot some sort of replacement of her mom or what, I don’t know but it didn’t feel like romantic love. Both were acting like robots, with weird and frankly child-like (not teen-like, child-like) honest communication without being honest about everything after all. It was not realistic in any way.
And what it comes to Elliot, he is a dumbass for clinging on to Macy for apparently clingingness-sake. There was no chemistry between them, other than sexual. And even the sexual chemistry wouldn’t translated without Macy constantly telling that. It felt more like Macy is just horny and it doesn’t really matter who or what Elliot was. She had just decided that yea, it needs to be Elliot.
Many have said that Every summer after was a better book and a copy of this one and commented on the reviews of that one that this is better and without the cheating. I strongly disagree. This one was unnecessarily dragged out. Not much happened and half of the pages could’ve been ripped out without the loss of nothing of value to the overall plot. The flashbacks didn’t connect to the present bits in any way, unlike in Every summer after. And that one didn’t have rape that was just brushed over with another trauma dump and angst Olympics by Macy.
In my mind the book ended where Elliot for once had a spine, told Macy off and Macy was shocked that for once someone did that to her. Not every romance book couple deserves or needs a happy ever after
Macy has no personality other than jealous and sorry for herself, a wet gray rag. She is so self centered and focused only on herself that I don’t understand what Elliot saw in her. Macy was always so sure that Elliot would chace after her that she was dumbfounded when for once he didn’t do it. She never ever stopped to think and take responsibility for the fact that she hurt Elliot. For fucks sake, Elliot was raped and clearly traumatized and she threw a fit that he cheated. Then she didn’t even bat an eye about it but just went on to tell that her dad died and once again, Elliot had to be there for her. She hasn’t done anything nice to Elliot, only strung him along for years making excuses and then wanted to be coddled. Was Elliot some sort of replacement of her mom or what, I don’t know but it didn’t feel like romantic love. Both were acting like robots, with weird and frankly child-like (not teen-like, child-like) honest communication without being honest about everything after all. It was not realistic in any way.
And what it comes to Elliot, he is a dumbass for clinging on to Macy for apparently clingingness-sake. There was no chemistry between them, other than sexual. And even the sexual chemistry wouldn’t translated without Macy constantly telling that. It felt more like Macy is just horny and it doesn’t really matter who or what Elliot was. She had just decided that yea, it needs to be Elliot.
Many have said that Every summer after was a better book and a copy of this one and commented on the reviews of that one that this is better and without the cheating. I strongly disagree. This one was unnecessarily dragged out. Not much happened and half of the pages could’ve been ripped out without the loss of nothing of value to the overall plot. The flashbacks didn’t connect to the present bits in any way, unlike in Every summer after. And that one didn’t have rape that was just brushed over with another trauma dump and angst Olympics by Macy.
In my mind the book ended where Elliot for once had a spine, told Macy off and Macy was shocked that for once someone did that to her. Not every romance book couple deserves or needs a happy ever after
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Rape and Car accident