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saiw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is my first foray into Emily Henry's work, and I can truly see what the hype is all about. Loved it! Both Nora and Charlie were very well developed, and Henry did a great job of revealing character details gradually but not in a "plot twisty" way so you feel you're getting to know them like you would with a new friend.
It was fun how the characters knew about the romance novel tropes and played into some but subverted others. It kept me on my toes how Nora might find her happy ending, and I really enjoyed the way it turned out.
It was fun how the characters knew about the romance novel tropes and played into some but subverted others. It kept me on my toes how Nora might find her happy ending, and I really enjoyed the way it turned out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This rating is coming from someone who could give or take Hallmark movies. Story gets from point A to B, albeit a predictable one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
stacylaughs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
krows_ink's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Do I need to even say anything? It’s an Emily Henry book. Of course it’s going to be a five star read.
Okay but in all seriousness — this book had me by the throat. I read it in three sittings. The relationship between Nora and Libby hurt and resonated with me deeply. As someone who’s always been “too intense” for most people this book was something I didn’t know I needed. Nora was someone I didn’t know I needed to read from and live in despite her skin not being too much different from my own.
I don’t know if I actually cried or if I just felt like I was under rolling waves in the ocean, but I loved this book. What another wonderful romance that is about so much more.
Okay but in all seriousness — this book had me by the throat. I read it in three sittings. The relationship between Nora and Libby hurt and resonated with me deeply. As someone who’s always been “too intense” for most people this book was something I didn’t know I needed. Nora was someone I didn’t know I needed to read from and live in despite her skin not being too much different from my own.
I don’t know if I actually cried or if I just felt like I was under rolling waves in the ocean, but I loved this book. What another wonderful romance that is about so much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
ohtoasty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I am consistently a sucker for enemies to lovers, so I knew I was going to like this book from the jump because that is it's entire premise. I don't usually read heterosexual enemies to lovers though, so this book had a higher bar than most to keep my interest and wow me. It didn't disappoint, there are things that could have been better, but the writing was an upgrade for what I normally read. I like Henry's use of one point of view, I think that adds a lot more uncertainity because we only know how one character is feeling for the entire time. I found the ending satifsying, although a little bit slow to a really obvious solution.
Nora is our main character here, and you read everything from her perspective. She is smart, driven, witty and we get it, she likes the city. I was very convinced of that early on, and mentioning it as a plot point to ensure she would never leave the city occasionally is fine, but it was definitely shoved down the readers throat more than it needed to be. I am glad it did not end with Nora wanting to leave the city and completely abandon her values, that would have been frustrating, so we avoided that one nicely done. I like that overall Nora doesn't change too much about her personality. She grows quite a bit in terms of letting room for others around her to care about her, instead of trying to be a one woman show for everyone she cares about. She finally goes for her dream job and doesn't do the safe thing once in her life, this was very good growth I really enjoyed reading. Her as a main character was satisfying enough. She tries not to mess with Libby's life and choices too much, letting her find her way, even though she is incredibly worried. She still tries to make things happen for Libby more than she needs to though, which at times is frustrating, she figures it out though.
Libby as a sister was an important character, I wish we got more conversations from her overall. The reveal at the end of the book was really surprising about her move. I did not catch on to that at all and everything clicking in and making sense at the end was nice. I like being surprised in the book. I was convinced alongside Nora that maybe she was divorcing her husband, I was really confused about all the personal time she demanded, and happy to have everything make sense in the end. I understood her frustrating about Nora worrying all the time, so not wanting to tell Nora everything for her to worry. But a big health issue for someone who is pregnant that then needs to be on a specific diet is an absolutely wild and unbelievable thing for Libby to do. I understand all characters have flaws, but that one felt too far. We didn't really hear enough from Libby consistently for me to be convinced of that. I liked Libby's ending overall, choosing something different for her family and having to make that tough choice.
Charlie was interesting enough. I'm glad we didn't get his perspective throughout the book, it was really clear how he felt for Nora and I don't think I could have taken more pages of him pining for her but not being able to have her in that kind of way. It was sweet that he was trying to step in for his parents, struggling that he wasn't the kind of son they needed but still trying to be there for them. He was very patience with Nora in the will they won't they situations, but I think should have been more clear from the jump as to why he was interested but from a mental distance almost. I loved his banter, he was funny and I really saw the chemistry between the two of them and what they were both all about.
Overall very satisfied with the book, sans a few decisions here and there. Surprised overall how much I liked it.
Libby as a sister was an important character, I wish we got more conversations from her overall. The reveal at the end of the book was really surprising about her move. I did not catch on to that at all and everything clicking in and making sense at the end was nice. I like being surprised in the book. I was convinced alongside Nora that maybe she was divorcing her husband, I was really confused about all the personal time she demanded, and happy to have everything make sense in the end. I understood her frustrating about Nora worrying all the time, so not wanting to tell Nora everything for her to worry. But a big health issue for someone who is pregnant that then needs to be on a specific diet is an absolutely wild and unbelievable thing for Libby to do. I understand all characters have flaws, but that one felt too far. We didn't really hear enough from Libby consistently for me to be convinced of that. I liked Libby's ending overall, choosing something different for her family and having to make that tough choice.
Charlie was interesting enough. I'm glad we didn't get his perspective throughout the book, it was really clear how he felt for Nora and I don't think I could have taken more pages of him pining for her but not being able to have her in that kind of way. It was sweet that he was trying to step in for his parents, struggling that he wasn't the kind of son they needed but still trying to be there for them. He was very patience with Nora in the will they won't they situations, but I think should have been more clear from the jump as to why he was interested but from a mental distance almost. I loved his banter, he was funny and I really saw the chemistry between the two of them and what they were both all about.
Overall very satisfied with the book, sans a few decisions here and there. Surprised overall how much I liked it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
julells's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
The perfect book for a fun summer read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Pregnancy
bkeroackreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Loved this book! There was so much more to the plot than just the romance, and I appreciated that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
tnemelce's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
pikkumarja's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Oi, miten ihana kirja! Oon lukenut Henrylta aikaisemmin "Lomalla kaikki on toisin", joka ei ollut ihan oma juttuni, eikä romanttinen kirjallisuus yleensäkään ole, mutta tässä suurin osa jutuista meni oikein nappiin ja oikeasti nautin tästä kevyestä hömppäkirjasta, joka on taitavasti kirjoitettu.
Ehkä tällaisella kirjasomekielellä tämä kirja on rivals to lovers ja pikkukaupunkiromanssi. Tavallaan myös työpaikkaromanssi, vaikka tässä työpaikalla viittaan vaan kirjabisnesmaailmaan. Kemiaa päähenkilöiden välillä todella on ja välillä se saa potkimaan jalkoja.
Ja tietenkin ihana sisaruussuhde, josta tuli lisää syvyyttä kirjaan. Surun eri muodot ja toisesta huolehtiminen ovat sisarusjuonen kantavia teemoja.
Ehkä tällaisella kirjasomekielellä tämä kirja on rivals to lovers ja pikkukaupunkiromanssi. Tavallaan myös työpaikkaromanssi, vaikka tässä työpaikalla viittaan vaan kirjabisnesmaailmaan. Kemiaa päähenkilöiden välillä todella on ja välillä se saa potkimaan jalkoja.
Ja tietenkin ihana sisaruussuhde, josta tuli lisää syvyyttä kirjaan. Surun eri muodot ja toisesta huolehtiminen ovat sisarusjuonen kantavia teemoja.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Medical content
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent