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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Something about the way Ashley Poston does magical realism never fails to amaze me. And then add the musical romance elements?! Ughhh I loved this.
I really enjoyed the characters. And reading about they could hear each other’s thoughts. That was fun and something I don’t think I’ve ever read before. Joni’s relationship with her mom (and the rest of her family + gigi) had me sobbing. When we finally found out how the two main characters were connected more than we originally thought, I was sobbing more. A lot of sobbing. The way she writers grief and loss will NEVER fail to make me tear up. Emotionally wrecked.
I got this as an arc, thank u net galley!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
No
I cried at the author’s note 😭
The story was achingly sweet and beautiful - to be able to be inside the mind of your loved one and they can just understand you without your stupid mouth getting in the way! Why is it that between the brain and the mouth the communication gets so dishonest?
Both MC’s are loveable and watching them fall in love over a song is a delight to read, due to Ponston’s magical way with words and love. The music references were pure joy!
The heavier themes of living your parent’s dreams, living with dementia and grief, they were heavy but beautifully written. I know what it is to live your parent’s dreams for you and have those last words be a stab in the heart. So yeah, absolutely broken by the author’s note. And if that isn’t writing a book that is relatable and loveable, I don’t know what is.
The story was achingly sweet and beautiful - to be able to be inside the mind of your loved one and they can just understand you without your stupid mouth getting in the way! Why is it that between the brain and the mouth the communication gets so dishonest?
Both MC’s are loveable and watching them fall in love over a song is a delight to read, due to Ponston’s magical way with words and love. The music references were pure joy!
The heavier themes of living your parent’s dreams, living with dementia and grief, they were heavy but beautifully written. I know what it is to live your parent’s dreams for you and have those last words be a stab in the heart. So yeah, absolutely broken by the author’s note. And if that isn’t writing a book that is relatable and loveable, I don’t know what is.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
Some parts worked for me, some parts didn't. The whole magical realism aspect made the romance feel a little too...easy? Instant? Not bad, but not great, either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
Listen this one was just fine
All the Cs:
- Cliche
- Cheesy
- Corny
And if I hear ‘Heart’ one more dang time 🙃
All the Cs:
- Cliche
- Cheesy
- Corny
And if I hear ‘Heart’ one more dang time 🙃
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Death of parent
While this wasn't my favorite book of Poston's, I really enjoyed it. Even teared up a little at the end - she just knows how to hit you in the feels!
Where this book shined for me was in the little moments. The moments of Joni and her mom, her mom and her dad, Sasha's past. I think the Poston writes complicated relationships extremely realistic and doesn't shy away from the hardships. Family is tough. Life is tough. And that's all found in this book. While the MC may not deal with it in a way that I like, it's good to remember everyone handles circumstances differently.
And speaking of MC's, Joni was a tough cookie. She was really hard to root for for most of the book because she just kept making horrible choices and pushing everyone away. It became frustrating and extremely repetitive. But I was glad to see growth in her character towards the end of the book as she finally came to terms with her emotions.
This book also tackled the extremely difficult topic of dementia. Having had family members suffer from forms of this, I felt very close to the topic and parts hit a little harder reading those. I felt that Poston handled this beautifully and respectfully, but also showed us hard it is on not just the family but the person suffering as well.
And of course, the romance was pretty darn good. Sasha and his Hawaiian shirts had me.
All in all, another solid book from Ashley Poston. She continues to be an instabuy author for me.
Where this book shined for me was in the little moments. The moments of Joni and her mom, her mom and her dad, Sasha's past. I think the Poston writes complicated relationships extremely realistic and doesn't shy away from the hardships. Family is tough. Life is tough. And that's all found in this book. While the MC may not deal with it in a way that I like, it's good to remember everyone handles circumstances differently.
And speaking of MC's, Joni was a tough cookie. She was really hard to root for for most of the book because she just kept making horrible choices and pushing everyone away. It became frustrating and extremely repetitive. But I was glad to see growth in her character towards the end of the book as she finally came to terms with her emotions.
This book also tackled the extremely difficult topic of dementia. Having had family members suffer from forms of this, I felt very close to the topic and parts hit a little harder reading those. I felt that Poston handled this beautifully and respectfully, but also showed us hard it is on not just the family but the person suffering as well.
And of course, the romance was pretty darn good. Sasha and his Hawaiian shirts had me.
All in all, another solid book from Ashley Poston. She continues to be an instabuy author for me.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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