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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
This might not be my most favorite book of the year, but it was a cute little story that served to keep me invested and entertained, and managed to do so because it's a fairly light, digestible read. I should say that I have a very specific relationship with most YA contemporary and contemporary romance (this isn't YA, but the two genres function in very similar ways for me in my brain). They are just easy, largely pleasant reads, which often have more inclusivity and are less problematic than most other contemporary fiction (and even some pure sff). As a result I always come back to them even if they never really creep over into true faves.
This book, like all the rest, fits that bill. It's got easy, digestible prose, comfortably predictable storylines, and effortlessly incorporates people who are queer, non-white, or disabled (and this book prominently features characters that hit a bunch of different identities without making a big production out of it or ever becoming an "issue" book). The thing I like best were the unique, quirky, personality-filled cast of characters. And the way the romance felt imperfect in realistic ways, while still being one I couldn't help but root for.
I especially loved the main love interest! He was cute, but smart in a dry, imperfect way. He didn't always know the right thing to do or say, but still came across as someone you could understand the MC falling for. The MC herself had a more complicated storyline than I expected when I picked it up - one part romance, one part self-discovery, one part grief. The conceit of the app didn't entirely work for me, but I didn't expect much from it. The scifi of it all wasn't really the main part of the story, so it didn't do much to drag down my reading experience.
I guess I'd say content warnings for... maybe infidelity, if you squint? The main character is actively dating around over the course of the book, trying with inconsistent interest to find "the one" that her app is insisting upon. This occasionally leads to some complicated mixups and moments of jealousy, but nothing long-lasting. There were some other aspects of both romantic and sexual relationship portrayals that I'm not sure if pressed I'd cosign, but they seem pretty minor and like I'd probably be nitpicking to point them out.
Like I said, while I do read the occasional light-hearted, easy-to-read contemporary story, I'm not necessarily great at recommending them or knowing what die-hard contemporary readers think is good or are looking for. So I can only say that if you are a contemporary reader looking for a lot of diversity (including a love interest who's bi, and side characters who are disabled, nonbinary, non-white, and other types of queer), it would be strange not to give this one a try. If you like stories about late-twenty-somethings going through major life changes and having to build new communities from scratch, or about 20-somethings going through grief from losing a friend, this might be a good choice for you, too.
But if you're going to be weird about reading a book that has diversity, maybe just go ahead and sit this one out. Or if you're someone for whom consistency/believability/lore really matters when scifi or fantasy elements are in play, take a pass.
This book, like all the rest, fits that bill. It's got easy, digestible prose, comfortably predictable storylines, and effortlessly incorporates people who are queer, non-white, or disabled (and this book prominently features characters that hit a bunch of different identities without making a big production out of it or ever becoming an "issue" book). The thing I like best were the unique, quirky, personality-filled cast of characters. And the way the romance felt imperfect in realistic ways, while still being one I couldn't help but root for.
I especially loved the main love interest! He was cute, but smart in a dry, imperfect way. He didn't always know the right thing to do or say, but still came across as someone you could understand the MC falling for. The MC herself had a more complicated storyline than I expected when I picked it up - one part romance, one part self-discovery, one part grief. The conceit of the app didn't entirely work for me, but I didn't expect much from it. The scifi of it all wasn't really the main part of the story, so it didn't do much to drag down my reading experience.
I guess I'd say content warnings for... maybe infidelity, if you squint? The main character is actively dating around over the course of the book, trying with inconsistent interest to find "the one" that her app is insisting upon. This occasionally leads to some complicated mixups and moments of jealousy, but nothing long-lasting. There were some other aspects of both romantic and sexual relationship portrayals that I'm not sure if pressed I'd cosign, but they seem pretty minor and like I'd probably be nitpicking to point them out.
Like I said, while I do read the occasional light-hearted, easy-to-read contemporary story, I'm not necessarily great at recommending them or knowing what die-hard contemporary readers think is good or are looking for. So I can only say that if you are a contemporary reader looking for a lot of diversity (including a love interest who's bi, and side characters who are disabled, nonbinary, non-white, and other types of queer), it would be strange not to give this one a try. If you like stories about late-twenty-somethings going through major life changes and having to build new communities from scratch, or about 20-somethings going through grief from losing a friend, this might be a good choice for you, too.
But if you're going to be weird about reading a book that has diversity, maybe just go ahead and sit this one out. Or if you're someone for whom consistency/believability/lore really matters when scifi or fantasy elements are in play, take a pass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Medical content
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute!
I don't foray into rom-com books frequently, but this was a fun, quick read, and I especially appreciate the diversity the author took care to include.
I don't foray into rom-com books frequently, but this was a fun, quick read, and I especially appreciate the diversity the author took care to include.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I kindly received an eARC advance copy of this book to read and review though NetGalley.
Corinne lived in Chicago when she was young but her family moved to Houston after her parents’ divorce. After her best friend Joelle dies, Corinne decides to move back there, needing a change and somehow being closer to the city where they were first friends makes sense.
Corinne has given up her stable job and is temping, in need of making new friends, starting with a family friend who introduces her to a whole new circle of people.
One day she drops her phone and a strange new app called Met is loaded there that she can’t remove. It opens up the possibility that her soul mate is one of four people she has already met. But who is the fourth person?
Corinne finds emotional healing in this story, new friends, and someone that loves and supports her unconditionally. It’s an easy read and the story and plot moves quickly. I loved it!
Corinne lived in Chicago when she was young but her family moved to Houston after her parents’ divorce. After her best friend Joelle dies, Corinne decides to move back there, needing a change and somehow being closer to the city where they were first friends makes sense.
Corinne has given up her stable job and is temping, in need of making new friends, starting with a family friend who introduces her to a whole new circle of people.
One day she drops her phone and a strange new app called Met is loaded there that she can’t remove. It opens up the possibility that her soul mate is one of four people she has already met. But who is the fourth person?
Corinne finds emotional healing in this story, new friends, and someone that loves and supports her unconditionally. It’s an easy read and the story and plot moves quickly. I loved it!
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
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:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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