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katrinaward's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Grief, Infidelity, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Child death
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
A smorgasbord of sweet, smexy, lighthearted comedy with a dash of family angst!
Hallie has somehow acquired the title of goodtime girl. She works hard as an event planner but her warring parents just continue to disparage her profession and insert her into the middle of the divorce. Hallie has taken people pleasing to a new level and consistently gets walked all over!
Her new client, Darcy, comes from a powerful, wealthy family and is in the iddle of organising her extravagant engagement party. She accidentially sends Hallie the video diaries of her astronaut ex. Hallie knows she shouldn't be watching them but she feels such a pull towards Chris that she just can't seem to help herself.
Chris feels like such a fraud. He can't seem to give everything he needs to his NASA career, doesn't want to go back to the Air Force and feels a distinct lack of anger towards the way Darcy ended about engagement. When he's contacted by NASA about some videos he has been sent, he tells them to forward them. Now he's viewing Hallie's virtual diary, much like she watched his from space! He feels a bit of a heel but Hallie is such a breath of fresh air he can't help himself!
When Chris and Hallie finally meet the attraction is mutual but both are wary of throwing themselves into a new relationship with their relationship history. Both come up with excuses to see each other and eventually they give in to the attraction but the angst isn't quite over. Chris's father and Hallie's toxic family and ex don't seem to be willing to let them flourish!
Wonderfully emotion-filled story with humour, hot chemistry between the MC's, and fraught family ties. Chris's only real family is his aunt - who gives him everything his late mother would have - including tough love when it's needed. Similarly, Hallie's warring parents leave a lot to be desired and she relies on her bestie and her fiancee for love. Chris and Hallie may look a lot different and have different upbringings but they share a lot of values and have similar outlooks on life and that in turn makes their relationship that more realistic.
I received an early reader copy via NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
TW: Emotional/Verbal Abuse by partner/parent, cheating (not by MC's)
Hallie has somehow acquired the title of goodtime girl. She works hard as an event planner but her warring parents just continue to disparage her profession and insert her into the middle of the divorce. Hallie has taken people pleasing to a new level and consistently gets walked all over!
Her new client, Darcy, comes from a powerful, wealthy family and is in the iddle of organising her extravagant engagement party. She accidentially sends Hallie the video diaries of her astronaut ex. Hallie knows she shouldn't be watching them but she feels such a pull towards Chris that she just can't seem to help herself.
Chris feels like such a fraud. He can't seem to give everything he needs to his NASA career, doesn't want to go back to the Air Force and feels a distinct lack of anger towards the way Darcy ended about engagement. When he's contacted by NASA about some videos he has been sent, he tells them to forward them. Now he's viewing Hallie's virtual diary, much like she watched his from space! He feels a bit of a heel but Hallie is such a breath of fresh air he can't help himself!
When Chris and Hallie finally meet the attraction is mutual but both are wary of throwing themselves into a new relationship with their relationship history. Both come up with excuses to see each other and eventually they give in to the attraction but the angst isn't quite over. Chris's father and Hallie's toxic family and ex don't seem to be willing to let them flourish!
Wonderfully emotion-filled story with humour, hot chemistry between the MC's, and fraught family ties. Chris's only real family is his aunt - who gives him everything his late mother would have - including tough love when it's needed. Similarly, Hallie's warring parents leave a lot to be desired and she relies on her bestie and her fiancee for love. Chris and Hallie may look a lot different and have different upbringings but they share a lot of values and have similar outlooks on life and that in turn makes their relationship that more realistic.
I received an early reader copy via NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
TW: Emotional/Verbal Abuse by partner/parent, cheating (not by MC's)
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
catsandbookstacks's review
3.75
Samantha Young delivers a romantic comedy filled with likeable characters, toxic family relationships and an adorable setup. The novel is funny, emotional and has dual POV that allows for good character development. There is an instant connection between Hallie and Chris when they see each other on video but the relationship blooms from friends to lovers genuinely.
I loved Hallie's spunky attitude, pink hair and her growth. She moves from people pleaser to awesome badass who can stand up for her needs (even if she still feels a little guilty - I know this feeling well). Hallie adores her career as an event planner with one of the biggest NY companies, even when those she loves demeans it by labeling her as simply "party planner." Feeling like a ping-pong ball caught between her divorced parents, Hallie finally feels supported enough to step back and not try to fix everything.
Christopher, a Mexican American, who suffered the losses of both his mother and brother also feels the loss of culture and connection. He and his father have never seen eye to eye and the expectations placed on Chris are exponential. Though a greatly ambitious person (making Captain after four years and just completing a space mission), Chris finds himself unsure about his direction. The time Young spent diving into the characters allowed their growth and decisions to feel natural.
There is some withheld information throughout the novel which worked for me in the first instance but later in the novel, I found myself shaking my head a bit. The final scene was a little cheesy for my tastes but it is a rom-com. The novel follows the characters up to and after they officially begin dating, so we see their ups and downs making the relationship feel authentic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Hallie's spunky attitude, pink hair and her growth. She moves from people pleaser to awesome badass who can stand up for her needs (even if she still feels a little guilty - I know this feeling well). Hallie adores her career as an event planner with one of the biggest NY companies, even when those she loves demeans it by labeling her as simply "party planner." Feeling like a ping-pong ball caught between her divorced parents, Hallie finally feels supported enough to step back and not try to fix everything.
Christopher, a Mexican American, who suffered the losses of both his mother and brother also feels the loss of culture and connection. He and his father have never seen eye to eye and the expectations placed on Chris are exponential. Though a greatly ambitious person (making Captain after four years and just completing a space mission), Chris finds himself unsure about his direction. The time Young spent diving into the characters allowed their growth and decisions to feel natural.
There is some withheld information throughout the novel which worked for me in the first instance but later in the novel, I found myself shaking my head a bit. The final scene was a little cheesy for my tastes but it is a rom-com. The novel follows the characters up to and after they officially begin dating, so we see their ups and downs making the relationship feel authentic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
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