Scan barcode
strawb3rrysugar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although I've heard of Emily Henry all over the internet (BookTok, BookTube, etc etc), I borrowed this from the library because I had an upsetting day and needed something lighthearted to take my mind off my worries.
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I don't typically like books only described by loosely-strung tropes and insert-template-here characters. However, beneath a story described as an enemies-to-lovers romance about a cold-hearted literary agent is an earnest, humorous, and emotional story about how grief and fear shapes a person, and learning to accept change and challenges as they come.
The characters of the book were the highlight for me. They felt fleshed out, real, and I could resonate with their desires and understand their actions. I actually liked Charlie! Usually, "dark and brooding" translates into most books as "abusive, boring jerk with no personality," but Charlie is a genuinely solid character with wishes and conflicts of his own, and god I appreciated that. I'm also very biased towards emotional storylines about sisterhood, and Nora and Libby's arc throughout the book made me laugh and pulled a few heartstrings.
My only cons are as follows:
1) I do not understand the trope of signing someone up for a dating app and setting them up on a date without their prior knowledge. It will always be an ick of mine, as it just kind of seems irresponsible and rude. (I guess it's the modern equivalent of a blind date? Maybe.)
2), there's a subplot of Nora having to read one of her client's books that's basically based off her, and she describes it like her client has written Infinite Jest. I found those passages to be very uninteresting and bland, but they were thankfully brief.
And 2.5) because it wasn't that big of an issue, but seriously Nora? Getting hot and heavy with a coworker in an office? That felt like such a "right in my salad?" moment, but that's very much a nitpick.
Do I think Emily Henry is reinventing the wheel of romantic literature? Not really. Is it cheesy and kind of corny sometimes? Very much so. But it's well written, with characters I could root for, and it's not afraid to just be a romance novel. It goes by quickly for almost 400 pages. If you're a big fan of romance novels, this would be a nice addition.
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I don't typically like books only described by loosely-strung tropes and insert-template-here characters. However, beneath a story described as an enemies-to-lovers romance about a cold-hearted literary agent is an earnest, humorous, and emotional story about how grief and fear shapes a person, and learning to accept change and challenges as they come.
The characters of the book were the highlight for me. They felt fleshed out, real, and I could resonate with their desires and understand their actions. I actually liked Charlie! Usually, "dark and brooding" translates into most books as "abusive, boring jerk with no personality," but Charlie is a genuinely solid character with wishes and conflicts of his own, and god I appreciated that. I'm also very biased towards emotional storylines about sisterhood, and Nora and Libby's arc throughout the book made me laugh and pulled a few heartstrings.
My only cons are as follows:
1) I do not understand the trope of signing someone up for a dating app and setting them up on a date without their prior knowledge. It will always be an ick of mine, as it just kind of seems irresponsible and rude. (I guess it's the modern equivalent of a blind date? Maybe.)
2), there's a subplot of Nora having to read one of her client's books that's basically based off her, and she describes it like her client has written Infinite Jest. I found those passages to be very uninteresting and bland, but they were thankfully brief.
And 2.5) because it wasn't that big of an issue, but seriously Nora? Getting hot and heavy with a coworker in an office? That felt like such a "right in my salad?" moment, but that's very much a nitpick.
Do I think Emily Henry is reinventing the wheel of romantic literature? Not really. Is it cheesy and kind of corny sometimes? Very much so. But it's well written, with characters I could root for, and it's not afraid to just be a romance novel. It goes by quickly for almost 400 pages. If you're a big fan of romance novels, this would be a nice addition.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Vomit
There's a brief scene where Nora throws up during a run after a night of drinking.scfrederick33's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
im_just_vidu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This feels like a dream. It absolutely took me to heaven and threw back to earth, but in a good way. Nora: the main character and Libby: her sister, has the most amazing sibling relationships ever. The way they care for each other, worry about each other, put each other before everything is absolutely marvelous.
Nora has this big sister aura, that you feel instantly protected. I would like to have a sister like Nora. Libby on the other hand, doesn't seem to show it that much, but also deeply care for her sister. The story runs through with the suspicion of what happens and why would Libby suddenly wants to spend a vacation with her sister.
And Charlie....
He's just.... Damn. I just don't have any words to describe him. He's the guy who has correct intuition, best words at perfect timing and doesn't even know he's good. Typical small-town grumpy boy.
The fact that they are book lovers, and the way they describe their love for reading and books, gives me euphoria. As a reader myself, knowing someone's feelings towards books is such a beautiful thing. It has nice flowing, easy to understand language and good writing.
Nora has this big sister aura, that you feel instantly protected. I would like to have a sister like Nora. Libby on the other hand, doesn't seem to show it that much, but also deeply care for her sister. The story runs through with the suspicion of what happens and why would Libby suddenly wants to spend a vacation with her sister.
And Charlie....
He's just.... Damn. I just don't have any words to describe him. He's the guy who has correct intuition, best words at perfect timing and doesn't even know he's good. Typical small-town grumpy boy.
The fact that they are book lovers, and the way they describe their love for reading and books, gives me euphoria. As a reader myself, knowing someone's feelings towards books is such a beautiful thing. It has nice flowing, easy to understand language and good writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, and Grief
shanban0303's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Amazing book. Got goosebumps at the end. Can’t wait to seek out even more of Emily Henry’s books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
rat_girly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
📚📝👩🏼💻👨🏻💻👠🌲🌄❤️
Didn’t expect to like this book so much given its “Hallmark Christmas movie” type plot, but I loved the characters, their backstories, the familial and romantic love, and the ending
Didn’t expect to like this book so much given its “Hallmark Christmas movie” type plot, but I loved the characters, their backstories, the familial and romantic love, and the ending
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Bullying, and Drug use
memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was my favourite emily henry book of the three i’ve read. i loved the two mc’s, their quick wit had me laughing out loud quite a few times. the tension was pretty good too. the one full spice scene was a little underwhelming but didn’t dampen the experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Infidelity, Bullying, Cursing, and Vomit
annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“If I had to pick one person to be in my corner, it’d be you. Every time.”
I'm happy to have this as the last book I've read in 2023. Emily Henry just writes the cutest characters with a tint of a deep backstory. There's so many quotable quotes from these two especially all the book related lines! I'm living for it. Emily Henry really knows how to stir up her readers. The book isn't just about the two main character's love story but also more of a family-focused type of story. Nora with her sister, who seems to be having family related problem and she really needs to solve this problem that her younger sister is keeping, and Charlie, who has a father who needs medical help and a mother who needs him to manage the business. So it's really not a priority for them to have significant others at the moment.
The angst between the two can be evidently seen only a few chapters in and it has an enemy to friends to lovers trope which I love so much in a story. The author showed us a sneak peek at the first thirds of the book that made me want to read more of their chemistry and how they'll come to be together given the several reasons as to why they are not to be together. Then the dynamics when the two families are joined together in the same setting. I love how it's the complete opposite of small town romance because the both of them are city people - they love the city and would *not literally* die if they got to stay in that small town for a few more months. Additionally, it would have been so relatable for people who are the eldest in their family. Emily Henry wrote the struggles of being the bread-winner and the person responsible for their siblings had their parents died or simply just left and not cared anymore. Nora was that eldest sibling who really wanted nothing but to see her younger sister happy.
Overall, would recommend more than her other books, imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual content
romantasybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Literally so funny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
gabriella_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What can I say, it was cute and fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content