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brielleborgia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
marybsimp's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
lostinpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
it was good, however, i was expecting more. i didn't cry when forest died and i wanted to so bad i just didnt feel as connected with the characters the plot was average and the book didn't really stand out too much for me. it also was the excessive amount of unimportant details that ruined it for me.i dont really care how many pancakes he made for her or how he bent down to tie her shoe, it just makes the book repetitive and boring. i also hate how Salem did Caleb dirty. he was actually a sweet boyfriend and didn't deserve it, i would have been more comfortable if she would have broken up with him first </spoiler > ALSO PLEASE READ THE TWS *THIS IS NOT A SOFT BOOK LIKE BIRTHDAY GIRL OR ANY OF THE SORT.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
psyched_np's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely heartbreaking. Have the tissues ready.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Alcohol, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
khloereads86's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I really didn’t feel anything from this book. Usually with a good romance book I catch myself smiling at their interactions or swooning over something the mmc says to her, but I never felt that here. It’s not even the age gap so much that I would have a problem with if I had felt like the characters actually really connected at all, but they didn’t seem to. The whole drama with Caleb seemed a bit ridiculous, and I don’t understand why she wouldn’t just break up with him instead of cheating. I thought it was ok enough for maybe 3 stars until the last 10% of the book, and now I’m not even sure I want to give it even this.
What kind of book uses a child’s death so lightly? As a plot device to cause problems in the relationship?! I was honestly a little disgusted that this was where the author went with it. Then Thayer and Caleb fighting made me roll my eyes. That final plot twist of “oh look, I’m pregnant!” finally put the nail in the coffin.
It honestly just felt like the author threw as much drama and tragedy into the book as possible
• Abusive father who died of cancer
• Mother gets cancer
• Sister’s toxic relationship
• Cheating on Caleb
• Forrest’s death
• More Caleb vs Thayer drama
• Accidental pregnancy
• Abusive father who died of cancer
• Mother gets cancer
• Sister’s toxic relationship
• Cheating on Caleb
• Forrest’s death
• More Caleb vs Thayer drama
• Accidental pregnancy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child death, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, Cancer, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
neermboop's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, and Rape
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
The age gap (18W & 31M) was hard for me to read. She could’ve been 20 with equally high stakes I feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
bribreez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
*Trigger warning ⚠️: Childhood sexual abuse, cancer & death
When I came across this book, all I heard was Grumpy/Sunshine, Age Gap, Single Dad, and the potential to leave me in tears and in a emotional wreck… I was ready to dive into this book. I would say Grumpy/Sunshine is my top favorite trope of all, and Thayer Holmes lived up to it, and it felt like a unique take on the beloved trope. While Thayer was a man of few words, he was genuinely kind and thoughtful when it came to Salem. Some grumpy characters tend to be more angry with their female leads and eventually work towards admitting their feelings, but with Thayer it was a combination of being slightly grumpy, but not too much that Salem found him un likable.
From the beginning of the prologue, it was set up in a way that hinted at the dark topics that were going to be mentioned in the story, but also revealed a little about Salem and her family’s past. It was safe to say that in the present where Salem, her mom, and sister were living their lives was peacefully and without fear hanging over them.
I found Salem to be a sweet, curious, and wise character. Salem wasn’t your typical eighteen year old teenager. Yes she still hung out with her friend, boyfriend, and maintained her own life, but the things she said such as, feeling older than her age or even younger than her age really spoke to me. At times, I’ve found myself feeling the exact same way of feeling like I’m older or younger than I really am, so in a way I could understand what Salem meant by that. Salem was content with life, but at the same time was trying to find her own path as opposed to the traditional route that most people would take like her boyfriend, Caleb going off to college in Boston. I admired Salem’s independent nature, and how she refused to follow Caleb to Boston just for the sake of being with him, she wanted to make her own choices, and figure out what she truly wanted (albeit it wasn’t always easy to figure out what she wanted to do).
I loved seeing Salem bring out a more happier, lighter side to Thayer. Yes Thayer was already a happy man when his son, Forrest, but the way Thayer was so carefree and smiling around Salem made me smile so much. I also enjoyed the build up between Salem and Thayer especially because before, both of them were kind of at a blurry edge where they were both clearly attracted to one another, but didn’t want to cross that line. Cut to Salem and Thayer having an impromptu movie night and suddenly all the tension went out the window, and Salem and Thayer could no longer deny their desires for one another. Seeing how they craved one another, and just the pure passion came across the pages had me blushing and gasping. I realize for some people the age gap could be a little bit concerning, but I personally found out it ok because, one, Salem was eighteen and legally an adult, two, Thayer was always respectful and making sure to ask Salem if she was sure about moving forward (whether it was them being intimate or talking about her struggles,etc.) I always say I’m a hopeless romantic and Thayer and Salem’s blossoming relationship made me giddy and having the biggest smile. For example, the little things Thayer did for Salem spoke so much of how much he deeply cared for her, and come on, a total gentleman *me swooning! In addition, the slight bit of spice was *chef’s kiss, I just loved reading how Salem could make such a strong man like Thayer absolutely lose his control, and give his everything to her! Of course, while the spice was fantastic, I also loved the underlying feeling of Salem and Thayer clearly falling in love with each other the more time they spent together *cue the AWWW sound.
This story was a rollercoaster of emotions. Towards the end, just when I thought everything was going to end on a happy note… things took a turn for the worse. I wasn’t expecting the story to go in the direction that it did, and not to mention the cliffhanger?! Phew Micalea Smeltzer truly put me in the ringer, and had me gasping and I was in pure shock of it all. Overall, this was such a compelling story, and now more than ever I need the second as soon as possible! I have so many questions that I need answered!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cancer, Death of parent, and Death
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