Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - First Love, Take Two

Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel

28 reviews

rd77's review

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

It was pretty good, with a couple of cute moments. Just wasn’t quite as good as The Trouble with Hating You, likely because I feel like the author couldn’t delve into certain topics as deeply as I would have liked (probably because the main topics of The Trouble with Hating You were more familiar to the author). Some of the long speeches felt a little hollow. Overall though, it was a good and interesting read, just probably not something I’d keep coming back to reread.

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callmeluh's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative sad 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

4.25

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jaybee02's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

M/F, contemporary romance, second chance, forced proximity

Props to this book for getting me out of a short reading rut and back in the romance reading game.

The forced proximity premise is very... forced. As in, it really doesn't make much sense. He's super rich and is building a million dollar house but he also is crashing with her friend even though they broke up 6 years ago? If you can suspend your need for any type of realistic scene setting you are rewarded with plenty of pining, family drama, child-of-immigrants pressure, and a variety of mental health-related self care.

Preeti is juggling a lot internally so I wanted to be empathetic but I still found myself being like: lady, USE YOUR WORDS.

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middle_name_joy's review

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

First Love, Take Two is not as good as the first in the series, The Trouble with Hating You. The characters were fine, the attention to detail regarding Indian culture was still wonderful. But there was a singular conflict, which happened six years prior to the start of the book, and the whole narrative was about dealing with the miscommunication surrounding that situation. It got very repetitive and boring. I stopped reading for a few days. Once it hit 200 pages or so, the pace picked up and stuff started to roll. Was it too little, too late...?

I really like Sajni Patel as an author, and I love the characters she's created, especially the core ladies. I did relate to Preeti with her anxiety and sense of familial duty, but tough-as-nails Liya in the previous book was a lot more fun to read about. Daniel was Rege-Jean Page in my mind's eye (*fans self*), so I totally got Preeti's infatuation with him. I struggled sometimes with the progression of their relationship, particularly the physical aspect, when she was still technically almost engaged to another guy.

Overall, it didn't feel as original and inspired as The Trouble with Hating You, but I don't regret reading it. I assume Sana will be the focus of the next story--that should be interesting.

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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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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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mbichaela's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

4.0

ENG
i love second chance romances and this one was done very well. i'm kind of mad at that miscommunication trope but we all have been in a similar situation.

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evelync's review

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Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This book picks up right after The Trouble With Hating You, with our main character Preeti as she is navigating all the changes coming to her life soon. She is about to finish her residency and is in the process of finding a job, a new place, and an impending engagement; the last thing she needs is her one true love Daniel to come back into her life, let alone to become roommates. Preeti's personal journey is truly heartbreaking, she has completely burned herself out in both her professional and personal life. As she struggles to find her voice to stand up for herself, her family, and her love, Daniel is the one that is there for her helping her cope with her anxiety. While this is a second chance romance, it is definitely more focused on Preeti's journey which ultimately allows her to be open for another chance at love with Daniel.

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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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