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theespressoedition's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
kfmcf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
My main wish with this book is that we were able to get to know the town itself as a character. This series is about finding romance there and I didn't feel like it really mattered? I'm hoping the sequel will expand on that (though tbh I'm not excited for it to be Annie because she was annoying in this book. The swearing thing? Why.)
All in all this book was fine. There was some nice moments but it was a bit repetitive and felt predictable beyond the comfort of contemporary predictability
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Stalking, Abandonment, and Alcohol
annahamburger's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
vj_thompson's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Stalking
ellaticonstellation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
teamoxfordcomma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gah, this was so freakin' cute.
I love the movie Roman Holiday. It's perhaps my favorite classic film. So when I saw a novel was coming out pitched as taking a new spin on such a beloved classic, you know I had to get my paws on it.
In short: this book tweaked the only thing I disliked about the 50's gem, and I adored it.
This book follows Amelia, otherwise known as international pop star phenom Rae Rose, as she escapes her hectic pre-tour schedule. An Audrey Hepburn lover, she decides to follow in Hepburn's Roman Holiday footsteps and heads to the nearest Rome... which happens to be a small town in the middle of nowhere Kentucky. What ensues is a deliciously sweet romance between her and the surly owner of a pie shop.
We've got it all, folks: forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, small-town, chemistry/tension... I flew through this, and I was certainly thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading. It was sweet, sweet, sweet.
The characters are really what made this stand out to me. First of all, I absolutely loved Amelia. She was so down to earth, funny, and just everything I want in an FMC when I pick up a romcom. Noah was also a total charmer, even though he had a bit of a grumpy/surly attitude. Certainly not your traditional highly-suave charmer, but absolutely adorable nonetheless. Watching him slowly open up to Amelia and learn to trust her was a highlight for sure, not to mention how kindhearted he was, how aware of Amelia's needs and safety he was. Additionally, as with most good small-town romances, the cast of side characters was on point. I'm particularly partial to Mabel… If I'm not like that when I'm a senior citizen, I've done something wrong.
This is an excellent pick for those who don't want to see smut in their romance novels – it was a closed-door romance that at the same time didn't feel prudish. While it's no secret I certainly don't mind spice, it's great to see super solid options available for people who'd prefer not to read about the nitty gritty but still want adult romance vs. YA. I respect it.
Another point in its favor:
Plus, the epilogue in the form of an online blog post made so much sense. It was the perfect little bow to tie on a wholeheartedly sweet story.
Apparently I was in the mood to ramble today. Oh well. TL;DR: this Roman Holiday inspired romcom was a delight from cover to cover and is most certainly worth the read.
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity and Abandonment
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Abandonment