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sammyx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
gabrielastbr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
sbn42's review against another edition
4.0
TL;DR: Fast, gut-punch read about millennials dealing with life.
We follow a tight-knit group of four people that have been friends since high school. They are now mid-30s and two things happen almost simultaneously to rip them apart - one a betrayal and the other a death. There are few comedic bits in this "rom-com". It is instead mostly a study of grief, desperate relationships, long term effects of abuse, and coping with a parent's dementia. The topics are all intertwined, then carefully teased apart.
The author does a skillful job of pulling in your interest, to the point that I read it all in two short sittings (had a social engagement of my own to deal with IRL).
My only complaint is that the Scottish author tried to americanize bits of it. Why did they use US brands and terms on a road trip? I was scratching my head and trying to figure out if the story had leapt the Atlantic as they talk about leaving the the country. Yes, I know England and Scotland are actually two countries.
We follow a tight-knit group of four people that have been friends since high school. They are now mid-30s and two things happen almost simultaneously to rip them apart - one a betrayal and the other a death. There are few comedic bits in this "rom-com". It is instead mostly a study of grief, desperate relationships, long term effects of abuse, and coping with a parent's dementia. The topics are all intertwined, then carefully teased apart.
The author does a skillful job of pulling in your interest, to the point that I read it all in two short sittings (had a social engagement of my own to deal with IRL).
My only complaint is that the Scottish author tried to americanize bits of it. Why did they use US brands and terms on a road trip? I was scratching my head and trying to figure out if the story had leapt the Atlantic as they talk about leaving the the country. Yes, I know England and Scotland are actually two countries.
sunnieangel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
wish we got to see more of fin and eve </3 some parts were slow ngl but i really started to enjoy it towards the end
mungbean's review against another edition
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
waiehse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
hopeglow's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
“It’s like my whole life was about traveling back to you.”
Special thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow/Custom House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first read from McFarlane and her approach on loss, grief and recovery was great.
I enjoyed this read especially as the story picked up and progressed. My favorite part has to be the talk between Finley and Eve. Whether it’s about them getting to know one another or it’s about them grieving, learning and just listening to one another, I love it all. Those scenes and their dynamic were stellar. Which I will also complain about a bit is that the romance was not enough for me, I wish there was more because I’m greedy like that and I thought that the story really picked up once we met Fin which was really nice.
Some moments during the book, I found moved a bit too fast and it could’ve been prolonged more to leave impact which was why it didn't get full 4 stars from me. And personal bias speaking here but would have love a different outcome for Ed, in my opinion Ed could be blame for the rating on this book too if we had to point fingers. Eve development and growth and her realization by the end of the book was one of my favorite thing to read about aside from the romance and learning about who Finley Hart was as a character. Overall a good read.
“It’s like my whole life was about traveling back to you.”
Special thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow/Custom House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first read from McFarlane and her approach on loss, grief and recovery was great.
I enjoyed this read especially as the story picked up and progressed. My favorite part has to be the talk between Finley and Eve. Whether it’s about them getting to know one another or it’s about them grieving, learning and just listening to one another, I love it all. Those scenes and their dynamic were stellar. Which I will also complain about a bit is that the romance was not enough for me, I wish there was more because I’m greedy like that and I thought that the story really picked up once we met Fin which was really nice.
Some moments during the book, I found moved a bit too fast and it could’ve been prolonged more to leave impact which was why it didn't get full 4 stars from me. And personal bias speaking here but would have love a different outcome for Ed, in my opinion Ed could be blame for the rating on this book too if we had to point fingers. Eve development and growth and her realization by the end of the book was one of my favorite thing to read about aside from the romance and learning about who Finley Hart was as a character. Overall a good read.
breannamm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
paperback_whiplash's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0