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abby_shupe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I now worship Helen Hoang. I basically could end this review here, because everything about this book was perfect - no complaints.
I did find the two main characters unlikable at first, I was asking myself if I could even imagine them together but boy was I wrong.
Everything from the relationship, to the twists in the plot, to every character, was so well done, and I even see improvements in Hoang’s writing since The Kiss Quotient; Which got five stars from me.
I LOVED that we got to see Stella and Micheal’s wedding, I really enjoyed getting another snippet of their relationship. And by far my favorite character in both books has been Quân, so I’m incredibly happy I get to read his book after I finish this review!
Relating to why I liked this so much was the uniqueness of the relationship origins. I’m used to reading a lot of enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, et cetera, romance; But this was different and I loved it. I don’t really know how to categorize the start of Khai and Esme’s relationship but I guess arranged marriage? Anyways it was a trope I haven’t really come across before and I gobbled it up.
The only possible critique I have is that the ending was severely rushed, I think 3 plot twists for the MCs were introduced in one page. I personally liked that but because this book was short and sweet, I also wouldn’t have minded if it was slowed a bit.
The epilogue was written beautifully as always, and I highly recommend this book!
I did find the two main characters unlikable at first, I was asking myself if I could even imagine them together but boy was I wrong.
Everything from the relationship, to the twists in the plot, to every character, was so well done, and I even see improvements in Hoang’s writing since The Kiss Quotient; Which got five stars from me.
I LOVED that we got to see Stella and Micheal’s wedding, I really enjoyed getting another snippet of their relationship. And by far my favorite character in both books has been Quân, so I’m incredibly happy I get to read his book after I finish this review!
Relating to why I liked this so much was the uniqueness of the relationship origins. I’m used to reading a lot of enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, et cetera, romance; But this was different and I loved it. I don’t really know how to categorize the start of Khai and Esme’s relationship but I guess arranged marriage? Anyways it was a trope I haven’t really come across before and I gobbled it up.
The only possible critique I have is that the ending was severely rushed, I think 3 plot twists for the MCs were introduced in one page. I personally liked that but because this book was short and sweet, I also wouldn’t have minded if it was slowed a bit.
The epilogue was written beautifully as always, and I highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a cute read! It dealt with some difficult topics and had some really great characters.
I think my main issues were where we didn't get the full extent of the backstory for Khai until the very end - I would have liked that far sooner as the reader. And I tend to not like when there is miscommunication used to drive the plot. I understand how it was integral because they were coming from different situations and there was a complete misunderstanding between them. But my true frustration was in how it was never discussed or dealt with? It felt almost like it just disappeared and didn't have to be discussed at any point which I think is an issue for how Esme thought she was being treated and why...
I think my main issues were where we didn't get the full extent of the backstory for Khai until the very end - I would have liked that far sooner as the reader. And I tend to not like when there is miscommunication used to drive the plot. I understand how it was integral because they were coming from different situations and there was a complete misunderstanding between them. But my true frustration was in how it was never discussed or dealt with? It felt almost like it just disappeared and didn't have to be discussed at any point which I think is an issue for how Esme thought she was being treated and why...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Car accident
It's not a car accident, but there is mention of someone dying in a motorcycle accidentkenziewol's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Death
Minor: Car accident and Abandonment
seawarrior's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
This book was so refreshing and affirming to read. Khai and Esme quickly endeared themselves to me, and it was almost painful to read times where they misunderstood each other's emotions, and their own. Their love for each other was so rich, but expressed in simple gestures. I think that made it even easier to feel immersed in their story.
I felt empowered and understood reading a story where an autistic young man was learning to detangle his emotions and accept that the absence of love he thought he felt for others was really an abundance of it that he never knew how to process. Shamefully, there are some people who still think autistic individuals don't know how to experience love for other people, and this gross misunderstanding can sometimes seep into our own views of our emotions as well. It's such a relief to read a story that passionately pushes against that mistruth, and with writing that was so sharply relatable.
I also enjoyed that Esme was such a strong character. She was determined, witty, and hardworking, but also vulnerable and incredibly loving towards herself, her family, and Khai. It came naturally to wish her all the success she was after.
I highly recommend this book to other readers. I felt like it spoke to my soul in a way, and would love to read it again.
I felt empowered and understood reading a story where an autistic young man was learning to detangle his emotions and accept that the absence of love he thought he felt for others was really an abundance of it that he never knew how to process. Shamefully, there are some people who still think autistic individuals don't know how to experience love for other people, and this gross misunderstanding can sometimes seep into our own views of our emotions as well. It's such a relief to read a story that passionately pushes against that mistruth, and with writing that was so sharply relatable.
I also enjoyed that Esme was such a strong character. She was determined, witty, and hardworking, but also vulnerable and incredibly loving towards herself, her family, and Khai. It came naturally to wish her all the success she was after.
I highly recommend this book to other readers. I felt like it spoke to my soul in a way, and would love to read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Death, and Xenophobia
martinaaw's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
rini's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, and Suicide
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