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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
emily henry literally devouring the romance genre once again !!!
Good for millennials. Not much else.
This book was okay, but one of the most predictable, cringey, millennial books I have ever read. Had some nice elements to it, but didn’t wow me the way I expected.
This book was okay, but one of the most predictable, cringey, millennial books I have ever read. Had some nice elements to it, but didn’t wow me the way I expected.
lighthearted
relaxing
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
20 pages in, I honestly found it boring — something I’ve never experienced with an Emily Henry book before.
The highlight for me was Poppy’s family background: chaotic enough to make her the target of bullying, but layered with her guilt for feeling ashamed of them. That tension felt real and had depth I didn’t find elsewhere in the story. Similarly, Alex’s story about his mom carried more emotional weight than their romance. The backgrounds shine more than the love story.
That said, there’s some dry humor sprinkled throughout that genuinely made me laugh (always a pleasant surprise). On the flip side, the whole “puppy face” thing was pure cringe — couldn’t get past it.
I usually skim over dating montage sections in romances, but the dating series here was actually fun and surprisingly well executed.
The chemistry between Poppy and Alex took a long time to click, but by the end, I finally felt it.
The highlight for me was Poppy’s family background: chaotic enough to make her the target of bullying, but layered with her guilt for feeling ashamed of them. That tension felt real and had depth I didn’t find elsewhere in the story. Similarly, Alex’s story about his mom carried more emotional weight than their romance. The backgrounds shine more than the love story.
That said, there’s some dry humor sprinkled throughout that genuinely made me laugh (always a pleasant surprise). On the flip side, the whole “puppy face” thing was pure cringe — couldn’t get past it.
I usually skim over dating montage sections in romances, but the dating series here was actually fun and surprisingly well executed.
The chemistry between Poppy and Alex took a long time to click, but by the end, I finally felt it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Id say if you read one Emily Henry book you've read them all... Main character: flawed writer girl who is painfully in love with an impactful male friend or foe in her life. Love interest: said friend or foe, who is also somehow miraculously in love with main character girl too. 75% of the book is a painful back and forth between them teetering the edge of friends, enemies, or lovers. This book was no different, but I liked the plot more than some of her others. I wish they talked more about the places that they went, and all their cool adventures. Just to give us a break from the barely hidden sexual tension between the two main characters. There also was a loooot of back and forth between timelines in this book. Hopping between current times and past summer experiences.
Although a lot of this review sounded negative leaning, it was a cozy, quick romantic, Hallmark Network-esque read and I can't be mad at it - I knew what I was going into when I chose this book lol. After all, a happily ever after is a happily ever after and this one was well done.
Although a lot of this review sounded negative leaning, it was a cozy, quick romantic, Hallmark Network-esque read and I can't be mad at it - I knew what I was going into when I chose this book lol. After all, a happily ever after is a happily ever after and this one was well done.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
A fun romance read. Honestly I did find it hard to see the attraction between the two of them but it was an easy read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
I love them. For me, so far, this is the best example of opposites attract that i’ve ever read. It’s the way their love is showcased. How no matter where or what the other drags them too, they’ll still have fun as long as they’re together. It GENUINELY made me chuckle and i was cheesing like the entire way through. “It’s like you invented me” HOLD ME BACK PLEASE. He spent his entire adolescence caring for other people and couldn’t creat his own identity, until SHE asked he about himself. SHUT UP. My only complaint is that i felt like i needed more of their relationship at the end. There was so much pining and slow burning that like 3 pages of Poppy and Alex is not enough, i needed like an extra chapter. Also Croatia. What was that build up for Miss Henry…But please give me more poppy and Alex. 🙏
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes