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katsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
“That’s why fiction resonates with people. It speaks to universal truths.”
"Backstory is everything."
I enjoyed this book way more than I expected to. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a romance about a married couple but turns out, it's definitely for me. I liked how the book club allowed the book to make it's own commentary on itself without taking itself too seriously. I really liked the quote "Backstory is everything." I've recently started my journey with therapy and one of my goals is to unpack the things that make me who I am and how it affects how I show up in my relationships. While this was quite oversimplified in the book, getting to know each of the characters through that lens was really intriguing. I also really liked how both Thea and Gavin were not perfect. They definitely weren't realistically flawed, in my opinion, but their issues were a main focal point of the book which was really nice.
I think my only critique is the grand gesture at the end. In general, I'm not a fan of the grand gesture, especially in contemporaries. Sometimes, fantasies and sci-fi can get away with it because stakes tend to be a lot higher in those types of stories (like the main character is saving the world kind of stakes) so it's easier to believe that the grand gesture was necessary. When the gesture is grand just to prove a point or make a declaration, it feels cringy. Maybe I just struggle to express my emotions but having something so personal on display for lots of people feels dreadful. Maybe I should work through that bit in therapy. Otherwise, this was a really fun romance. I will definitely be picking up the other novels in this series.
"Backstory is everything."
I enjoyed this book way more than I expected to. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a romance about a married couple but turns out, it's definitely for me. I liked how the book club allowed the book to make it's own commentary on itself without taking itself too seriously. I really liked the quote "Backstory is everything." I've recently started my journey with therapy and one of my goals is to unpack the things that make me who I am and how it affects how I show up in my relationships. While this was quite oversimplified in the book, getting to know each of the characters through that lens was really intriguing. I also really liked how both Thea and Gavin were not perfect. They definitely weren't realistically flawed, in my opinion, but their issues were a main focal point of the book which was really nice.
I think my only critique is the grand gesture at the end. In general, I'm not a fan of the grand gesture, especially in contemporaries. Sometimes, fantasies and sci-fi can get away with it because stakes tend to be a lot higher in those types of stories (like the main character is saving the world kind of stakes) so it's easier to believe that the grand gesture was necessary. When the gesture is grand just to prove a point or make a declaration, it feels cringy. Maybe I just struggle to express my emotions but having something so personal on display for lots of people feels dreadful. Maybe I should work through that bit in therapy. Otherwise, this was a really fun romance. I will definitely be picking up the other novels in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
dlrosebyh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
dnf @ 45%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
sarah984's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I tried to go into this with an open mind, but this book just wasn't well written. This had a very fanfiction-like writing style (hearts are just constantly thudding, lips slant over each other somehow) and the minor characters felt very stereotypical (especially the Russian, who was practically offensive to read). These characters talk like they've never met a human and the faux British swearing was so cringe-inducing to read. The main characters were all super manipulative and awful, the pseudo-feminist beats were so bad (the pumpkin spice latte defensiveness was literally embarrassing, I feel like the author is one of those people who wrote big long essays on Tumblr in 2016 about how "basic" is a misogynist slur), and every female character is portrayed in this catty depressing way.
The only thing I liked about this was the portrayal of the main hero’s stutter, which felt well done and empathetic.
The only thing I liked about this was the portrayal of the main hero’s stutter, which felt well done and empathetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Ableism
Moderate: Vomit and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Death
iamsammie27's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship
mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow! I would not classify myself as a romance reader, but I loved this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series! It is perfectly written to be light hearted with the best balance of humor thrown in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
kialynne's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A 4.5 for sure.
Every meeting of the Bromance Book Club was really great. This group is a treat. And even though I really didn't like Gavin for a while (what a putz!), the fact that the story recognised the inherent misogyny of not knowing where the towels are kept in your own house kept me reading, and it was well worth it!
Every meeting of the Bromance Book Club was really great. This group is a treat. And even though I really didn't like Gavin for a while (what a putz!), the fact that the story recognised the inherent misogyny of not knowing where the towels are kept in your own house kept me reading, and it was well worth it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
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