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r_oy_s's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Somehow I had a hunch in the beginning that this book was meant to be savored, not rushed through to get to the end. And boy I wasn't wrong.
January Andrews, a popular romance writer moves into a lake house for the summer to spend her days by the water clearing her writer's block so that she can write her next bestseller and meanwhile comes face to face with some family secrets that upended her life. Coincidentally, she comes across Augustus Everett, a famous literary fiction writer as her neighbour who also happened to be her college nemesis. Lo and behold, Gus is also going through a tough writing process. So, together they strike a deal to get out of this rut by switching out their preferred writing genre with each other and help one another to understand the process of writing their newly assigned genre fiction. The only condition is that : they must not fall in love with each other. Righttt.
This was my first time reading an Emily Henry book therefore I wasn't sure what to expect. What drew me in was the promise of good old trope enemies-to-lovers romance. But, it was more than that. There was ample of witty, flirty and humourous banter between Gus and January that sure had me laughing but in between there were also family dramas, insecurities, betrayal, heartbreak, lust, angst, unconditional parental love, battle with terminal illness, abusive relationship, perseverance, friendship that withstand every ups and downs of life, grief of losing a loved one, joy, new found hope, second chance at love, trust, happiness and life - an amalgamation of contrasting experiences of human life skillfully captured by the author between the pages. I could relate with January on a personal level regarding her never ending grief of paternal loss. That's why when she started reading those letters from her father my heart felt like it was breaking into tiny little pieces. It was somewhat a cathartic experience nevertheless.
While January might be sometimes a little awkward, blunt who wears her heart on her sleeves, oftentimes her spurts of contemplation and maturity took me by surprise. Whereas Gus was the broody, mysterious one who prefers to keep his emotions in check and his considerateness proved that he's more than meets the eye. Although their perception of life, values, beliefs might not be the same but somehow they click together perfectly. Both of their journeys of self-discovery intertwined with the process from their disliking for one another to companionship and ultimately towards intimacy was beautifully woven. Even though the entire book is written from January's POV the few inclusion of Gus's POV made it worthwhile. The crackling tension between these two was so palpable that I was about to lose my goddamn mind. Every word coming out of Gus' mouth had me sighing, giggling, blushing and swooning! He's the true gem.
The title mi ht seem to be a deceiving one because it's not your typical fun, light beach read rather it consists of more substance and emotional depth than it suggests. It's another evidence of the author's incisive humour which was present throughout the book and her attempt to make a clever jab at the common perception of women's literary fiction. Even though the ending was wholesome, I was hoping to get more of January and Gus as a couple living together but I guess the author was mindful to pay attention to their need for happy-for-now. Regardless, the rollercoaster ride of emotions, infused with a healthy dose of sarcasm and love written with perfect pace made the journey of Gus and January and unforgettable read and they will always have a piece of my heart.
January Andrews, a popular romance writer moves into a lake house for the summer to spend her days by the water clearing her writer's block so that she can write her next bestseller and meanwhile comes face to face with some family secrets that upended her life. Coincidentally, she comes across Augustus Everett, a famous literary fiction writer as her neighbour who also happened to be her college nemesis. Lo and behold, Gus is also going through a tough writing process. So, together they strike a deal to get out of this rut by switching out their preferred writing genre with each other and help one another to understand the process of writing their newly assigned genre fiction. The only condition is that : they must not fall in love with each other. Righttt.
This was my first time reading an Emily Henry book therefore I wasn't sure what to expect. What drew me in was the promise of good old trope enemies-to-lovers romance. But, it was more than that. There was ample of witty, flirty and humourous banter between Gus and January that sure had me laughing but in between there were also family dramas, insecurities, betrayal, heartbreak, lust, angst, unconditional parental love, battle with terminal illness, abusive relationship, perseverance, friendship that withstand every ups and downs of life, grief of losing a loved one, joy, new found hope, second chance at love, trust, happiness and life - an amalgamation of contrasting experiences of human life skillfully captured by the author between the pages. I could relate with January on a personal level regarding her never ending grief of paternal loss. That's why when she started reading those letters from her father my heart felt like it was breaking into tiny little pieces. It was somewhat a cathartic experience nevertheless.
While January might be sometimes a little awkward, blunt who wears her heart on her sleeves, oftentimes her spurts of contemplation and maturity took me by surprise. Whereas Gus was the broody, mysterious one who prefers to keep his emotions in check and his considerateness proved that he's more than meets the eye. Although their perception of life, values, beliefs might not be the same but somehow they click together perfectly. Both of their journeys of self-discovery intertwined with the process from their disliking for one another to companionship and ultimately towards intimacy was beautifully woven. Even though the entire book is written from January's POV the few inclusion of Gus's POV made it worthwhile. The crackling tension between these two was so palpable that I was about to lose my goddamn mind. Every word coming out of Gus' mouth had me sighing, giggling, blushing and swooning! He's the true gem.
The title mi ht seem to be a deceiving one because it's not your typical fun, light beach read rather it consists of more substance and emotional depth than it suggests. It's another evidence of the author's incisive humour which was present throughout the book and her attempt to make a clever jab at the common perception of women's literary fiction. Even though the ending was wholesome, I was hoping to get more of January and Gus as a couple living together but I guess the author was mindful to pay attention to their need for happy-for-now. Regardless, the rollercoaster ride of emotions, infused with a healthy dose of sarcasm and love written with perfect pace made the journey of Gus and January and unforgettable read and they will always have a piece of my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
leannanecdote's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Mental illness, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Suicide
sophieamreacher's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5
I enjoyed the characters and the relationship with family but I found this book very slow and also that not a lot was going on.
I enjoyed the characters and the relationship with family but I found this book very slow and also that not a lot was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Car accident, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Violence
emlefe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have read multiple Emily Henry’s book and I can say that this one did not disappoint either! I love the two main characters, their banter, the humour and how they navigate through life and their respective struggle. It was so well written and we could understand their emotions going from love, joy, sadness, grief, etc.
I only wish we had seen Gus POV.
I only wish we had seen Gus POV.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
alexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was a fun, wholesome read and there was a lot that I loved: Gus and January's chemistry, the premise (I was in the same predicament of writing on a deadline), two very different people trying to write as though they are different... it was a great way to have the characters spend time together and to make "enemies" or rivals to lovers work.
But...
The ending was too rushed: In the second half of the book, the problems felt way too serious for such a fast resolution! I didn't always enjoy January's character (a personal peeve) or the miscommunications between Gus and January, although those were often, blessedly, quickly resolved.
also, sleeping and sexing in a tent next to a burnt out cult home? are we supposed to think this is hot??
But...
The ending was too rushed: In the second half of the book, the problems felt way too serious for such a fast resolution! I didn't always enjoy January's character (a personal peeve) or the miscommunications between Gus and January, although those were often, blessedly, quickly resolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Cancer, Physical abuse, Car accident, and Violence
juphip's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Physical abuse, and Vomit
c_ary's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Infidelity, Cancer, Child abuse, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Domestic abuse
memoirsofabooklover's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i enjoyed this. i was scared that finally reading emily henry, it wouldn’t live up to the hype but this was a really lovely love story. i loved that they were writers and they spent the plot trying to write in each other’s genres, whilst both trying to work through their own grief. despite all of this they grew and changed but became perfect imperfect versions of who they already were. the spice was pretty good and there was some pretty writing in there too. it was a quick and easy read, with emotions but not heart-wrenching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Cancer, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Vomit, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Physical abuse, Deadnaming, Alcoholism, and Fire/Fire injury
multiple discussions about a cult and people who had been onekespittia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Physical abuse
witcheslovingwitches's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
it’s always books with the silly little cartoon character covers that end up shattering your heart. what a feat of the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Cancer, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit