Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel

21 reviews

mhailey07's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Such a heartwarming story! It was a quick, lovely read.

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dolphingirl6's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I loved the first book and how it handled deep issues along with its romantic comedy. This book aims to do the same. The author's note tells us that we will be dealing with mental illness and racism. I don't remember if the first book had such a note, but I appreciated that this one did. 

I believe that the book does a really good job showcasing both of those areas. I appreciate more and more reading about characters handling real-life issues. This makes the characters more relatable. 

It was great to get an update on the characters that we read about in the first book. 

I'm not sure what it was with this book, or it could have been me and the mood I was reading it in, but the book was just okay. Unfortunately, this probably isn't the book I will be touting for everyone to read. Overall, this book is a good, easy read, though. 

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nicolesreadingbooks's review

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emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I am a sucker for second chance romances and this book did not disappoint. Preeti and Daniel's relationship evolves and strengthens over time, with the both of them learning from their past mistakes that caused the end of their relationship and Preeti deciding to take a stand for herself because she is strong enough. She recognises that some events of the past were not her fault, but due to toxic family members and social circle, but she also recognises that she made mistakes and owns up to them, not letting herself fall into the same traps. Honestly, one of my favourite characters I love her so much!

Ok I feel like someone should say it but how sadistic does my boi Daniel have to be to build the dream house he designed with (or maybe even for) the love of his life even when his heart was broken by her literally 6 years ago!?! I genuinely can't imagine LIVING in a house I had envisioned with the love of my life without that person. IDK Daniel is another breed of yearning.
 

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was a pretty down-to-earth romance. I liked that this was about repairing an old love, which I feel like I don't see that much in romance. I also liked how the third act conflict wasn't annoying and was more about the leads working together as a team to resolve a conflict, rather than miscommunicating and fighting. The male romantic lead felt a little too perfect. I think the author forgot to give him a flaw of any significance, other than maybe jumping to conclusions. In any case, gave me nice feelings. Would recommend. 

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biblio_jordyn's review

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inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

First, thank you to @readforeverpub for this free #arc copy!

What could have been better?
NOW! I am not saying a romance has to have steam… BUT, there was so much sexual tension and lead up…AND THE DOOR WAS SLAMMED ON MY FACE…and I cannot stand for that 😂

What I enjoyed?

Everything else.

The main man Daniel? HE?! He was to die for. Literally so sweet, understanding, HOT, determined and just 🥵🥵 everything about him made me want to swoon, especially how he handled Preeti’s anxiety.

I loved how anxiety was handled as a whole in this book, being a person who suffers from it, I found those sections to be honest and real.

I loved how they handled racism from family when it comes to interracial dating and discrimination when it comes from two people coming from different social classes. The fear that comes from disappointing your family and possibly losing them for love.

I LOVED how both characters learned to set boundaries and stand up for themselves and each other.

I loved how the book covered the IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION WHILE DATING. I think it’s so vital.

I loved the Indian representation! I don’t have a lot of books with Indian representation! So I loved fo get a glimpse from an own voices author.

👏Favorite Quote👏

“Life is too short to keep holding back.”

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idkwhatimdoingg's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5


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antonique_reads's review

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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aryn_back's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I thought this story was so sweet! My only issue was that I felt like we didn’t hear a lot from/ about Daniel. I loved Preeti’s perspective, but felt like this could have used a couple chapters from Daniel’s POV.

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aqtbenz's review

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emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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bookishlybouv's review

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

 Preeti is a stressed out resident doctor, and the pride of her parents. She’s almost engaged to a man of her parent’s choosing, but there’s just one problem - she’s still hung up on her ex, Daniel. When fate (and a little meddling) have Preeti and Daniel briefly sharing an apartment, things start to heat up again between them. Will they come back to each other after 6 years apart, or will their families stand between them again?

I had so much fun reading this book, even more than The Trouble With Hating You! While I am not Indian or in medicine, I felt a really strong connection with Preeti from the moment she began describing her anxiety. It is so easy for depression and anxiety to cloud your thoughts and make you feel worthless. I recognize her thoughts all too well as she spiraled. The care that was given to Preeti’s journey of getting help was great - medication and therapy deserve to be discussed more!

There is a stigma on medical professionals who struggle with mental health - but that’s not realistic or helpful! Thank you to Sajni for speaking about this.

I also found the discussion of racism and respecting your elders to the point of ignoring their harmful behaviour to be very powerful. There was a lot of toxicity that Preeti and her parents had to deal with - much of which came from their own family. The idea that someone should get away with this behaviour because they are an elder is something I have a really hard time with, especially because I was not raised in a traditional Indian family.

The romance was sizzly and fun, but fades to black before we get to the really spicy bits. I loved the two together - the way that they support each other is beautiful.

CW: As stated in the Author’s Note, this book does discuss mental illness, racism, and has a brief fetal demise scene.

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