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bdubya's review against another edition
2.0
the concept was intriguing but it was not thoroughly written out. I can't get over the pacing and how nothing really is happening and then somehow they magically fall in love in three chapters at the end? WHAT?
sophbuckleyy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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? No
2.75
jrv45's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
spaces_and_solaces's review against another edition
3.0
Let me start off by saying the plot is pretty romantic. A boy falls in love with a girl he’s never met only through her words (text messages), how cute and pure is that??
Clara, the female protagonist, has recently lost her fiancé Ben to an accident/suicide. She feels raw, vulnerable and as the story progresses Clara gets to know it was indeed suicide – which leads her to develop trust and self-esteem issues.
The author has done an absolutely amazing job of navigating the stages of grief along with the survivor’s guilt that Clara experiences. It was easy to feel her pain, such is the testament of the author’s talent. To move past grief and still feel connected to Ben, Clara starts texting Ben’s old number.
Surprise Surprise, these messages go out to Sven who comes off as a somewhat disgruntled employee about to snap and have a mental breakdown. He’s a renowned journo who has lost his passion for anything and everything and these texts from Clara kinda bring him back to life.
The narrative arc of this tale is a well-trodden path, leaving little room for surprise or suspense.
Yet, what I yearned for was the gradual and tantalizing unfolding of Sven and Clara's love affair. They don’t even meet until the very end of the book, so their connection comes off as way too abrupt. Add in another 50 pages to wove in Sven & Clara’s story together and this would’ve been a much better book!
Clara, the female protagonist, has recently lost her fiancé Ben to an accident/suicide. She feels raw, vulnerable and as the story progresses Clara gets to know it was indeed suicide – which leads her to develop trust and self-esteem issues.
The author has done an absolutely amazing job of navigating the stages of grief along with the survivor’s guilt that Clara experiences. It was easy to feel her pain, such is the testament of the author’s talent. To move past grief and still feel connected to Ben, Clara starts texting Ben’s old number.
Surprise Surprise, these messages go out to Sven who comes off as a somewhat disgruntled employee about to snap and have a mental breakdown. He’s a renowned journo who has lost his passion for anything and everything and these texts from Clara kinda bring him back to life.
The narrative arc of this tale is a well-trodden path, leaving little room for surprise or suspense.
Yet, what I yearned for was the gradual and tantalizing unfolding of Sven and Clara's love affair. They don’t even meet until the very end of the book, so their connection comes off as way too abrupt. Add in another 50 pages to wove in Sven & Clara’s story together and this would’ve been a much better book!
marshcooke1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? No
4.0
wagenstreep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
misspippireads's review against another edition
It was an okay read for me because I did not like the writing style. The chapters swapping between Clara and Sven was fine, but both being in 3rd person limited narratives it felt odd. It's going to be coming out as a movie, Love Again, in May 2023. I am interested to see how this translates to film.
Originally published in Germany.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Originally published in Germany.
Reviewed from a library copy.
caseyflemingo's review against another edition
2.0
This was a weird one. The premise had me instantly intrigued, and I really enjoyed the start of the book, but as it went on, I liked it less and less. The relationship between the two main characters felt very lacking, and almost felt like it should have been a horror story instead of a romance.
My favorite part of the book was Clara’s story and her dealing with grief from Ben’s passing. There are some really hard hitting emotional moments in that part of the story.
Sven was really the downfall of this book. He wasn’t very likable and didn’t seem to have much of a personality, and anything he did show was pretty negative. He was kind of a creepy stalker for a long part of it.
Overall, I don’t really recommend this one. Interesting idea that falls flat, and a little creepy.
My favorite part of the book was Clara’s story and her dealing with grief from Ben’s passing. There are some really hard hitting emotional moments in that part of the story.
Sven was really the downfall of this book. He wasn’t very likable and didn’t seem to have much of a personality, and anything he did show was pretty negative. He was kind of a creepy stalker for a long part of it.
Overall, I don’t really recommend this one. Interesting idea that falls flat, and a little creepy.
rtdarden2's review against another edition
2.0
A rather underwhelming story. There is no depth to the characters and the book is all rising action, then the climax to conclusion occurs in the last 15 pages and without evoking much of any feeling. Overall, the story and the characters are very shallow.
theashleymeek's review against another edition
1.0
No. The pacing is so weird. Drawn out. They barely met before the book ended. I cannot fathom how these characters and this storyline will come together on the big screen. Sven is so angry on the page. It’s not even close to a favorite book. I should have stopped reading it.