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catnapping's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had a hard time relating to the characters in this novel, which colors my perceptions of it. That said, there were things that I enjoyed:
- The narration for the audiobook was phenomenal.
- The author did a wonderful job of creating an environment and drawing the reader into it. Everything was beautifully described in a way that really made me feel a part of it.
- The descriptions of art in the book were so engaging that it felt like I was experiencing the exhibits. I'm not usually that into art but there was something very moving about how it was portrayed in this book.
- I wanted to eat all of the food Alim prepared. It sounded amazing.
- Alim had such well developed emotional intelligence and we could probably all learn something from how he communicated at certain parts of the book.
I don't know that I'd recommend this book, but it did make me very interested to read other books by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Sexual content
keeganrb's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Death
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Death
nukie19's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Grief
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Homophobia
jodierose14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Biphobia, and Homophobia
faithbee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, and Car accident
carla_reads_books's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I think some of the writing was really beautiful, i loved the style and was very easy to read, but I didn’t buy the romance - all felt very unbelievable. Just not for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Akwaeke Emezi is such a dynamic author- I'm all in.
Romance is def not my typical area of enjoyment, but this was so entertaining and the overall message was heartfelt. I really want to see this on screen! There also seems to be a pattern of me enjoying food focused romance??
The amount of growth and healing that happens across the board, even with periphery characters, is so good to see. With the numerous shenanigans and circumstances Feyi gets into, it does get comedic, but never degrading. I love the honest and upfront relationship Feyi and Joy have, we all need someone like Joy! The family drama is raw and painful, the matter of consent is constant and normalized, the writing and descriptions are gorgeous. I also loved that we get to see closure across the board and that Feyi is not the only focus!
The beginning is hot and heavy, but the rest of the story is mostly steam-free aside from imaginings and a few happenings later on.
Romance is def not my typical area of enjoyment, but this was so entertaining and the overall message was heartfelt. I really want to see this on screen! There also seems to be a pattern of me enjoying food focused romance??
The amount of growth and healing that happens across the board, even with periphery characters, is so good to see. With the numerous shenanigans and circumstances Feyi gets into, it does get comedic, but never degrading. I love the honest and upfront relationship Feyi and Joy have, we all need someone like Joy! The family drama is raw and painful, the matter of consent is constant and normalized, the writing and descriptions are gorgeous. I also loved that we get to see closure across the board and that Feyi is not the only focus!
The beginning is hot and heavy, but the rest of the story is mostly steam-free aside from imaginings and a few happenings later on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Car accident
boba_n_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spice Rating: 🌶️ .5 / 5
This is one of the most raw and complex novels I've read in a while. Emezi is a phenomenal writer with a knack for diving into the unknown.
It's been 5 years since the car accident that killed the love of Feyi's life. Now her best friend and roommate, Joy, is insisting that Feyi get back onto the dating scene. Once she gets a hang of things again, Feyi starts seeing someone who has potential to be a long-term partner. Even better--he invites her to come with him for a few weeks to the tropical island where he grew up.
I don't want to give away too much because I'm really glad I went into this book blind and hope you do as well. Emezi somehow tackles the huge subject of grief and pairs it with a romance that was messy but beautiful. I'm really glad I gave this one a chance.
This is one of the most raw and complex novels I've read in a while. Emezi is a phenomenal writer with a knack for diving into the unknown.
It's been 5 years since the car accident that killed the love of Feyi's life. Now her best friend and roommate, Joy, is insisting that Feyi get back onto the dating scene. Once she gets a hang of things again, Feyi starts seeing someone who has potential to be a long-term partner. Even better--he invites her to come with him for a few weeks to the tropical island where he grew up.
I don't want to give away too much because I'm really glad I went into this book blind and hope you do as well. Emezi somehow tackles the huge subject of grief and pairs it with a romance that was messy but beautiful. I'm really glad I gave this one a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Blood and Car accident
imlfox's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Violence