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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has themes that are not my personal preference, but I read this book anyway in order to honor the author’s request of reading the series in order. If I didn’t love this series, I probably would have DNF this book just for the trope alone (see spoilers) that I personally just don’t enjoy. But, I’m glad I read it in order to experience the series as the author intended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Vomit, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book explored the grief over the death of one's partner in a believable, empathetic way. Steve grieving Heather, his wife, after losing her to cancer, was well explored. But not as much emphasis was given to Erica's grief for losing her fiance, Dominic. I loved the supportive parents and in-laws and even the unsupportive ones, because it showed the reality of having both sides of the coin.
I did not like the poker club scheming, especially as both Steve and Erica were grieving. The friends were all well-meaning, but should have backed off for a while.
I did not like the poker club scheming, especially as both Steve and Erica were grieving. The friends were all well-meaning, but should have backed off for a while.
Maggie Gates: never one to shy away from hard topics
This was a whole ball of emotion and trauma.
Erica & Steve both went through similar traumas.
Yet this book still had the found family banter in.
It’s hard to review this book without giving spoilers.
This was a whole ball of emotion and trauma.
Erica & Steve both went through similar traumas.
Yet this book still had the found family banter in.
It’s hard to review this book without giving spoilers.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
emotional
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:
Yes
OH Steve. My heart broke for him in Poker Face.
The Grumpy/Sunshine had my heart melting in every way. Be prepared for your emotions to be everywhere from sad to happy to turned the hell on.
Maggie touches on heavy situations from loss of your loved one and life after they are gone and the struggles of moving on after losing them.
10/10 and another top read thanks to Maggie.
The Grumpy/Sunshine had my heart melting in every way. Be prepared for your emotions to be everywhere from sad to happy to turned the hell on.
Maggie touches on heavy situations from loss of your loved one and life after they are gone and the struggles of moving on after losing them.
10/10 and another top read thanks to Maggie.
I keep going back to how much I adored this book. While I enjoyed the first book in the series, I felt more connected to Steve and Erica’s story. Their connection through grief and coping led to a beautiful love story. The slow burn wasn’t too slow and it really showed depth in Steve’s character. The “drama” felt a little too cheesy and resolved too quickly but overall I adored this book!
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced