Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria

4 reviews

happyblkhippie's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Ok so, I picked this up purely off the beautifully designed cover art and plot. This was my first time reading Alexa Daria got more than asked for with this one. I realized after reading that this is the second book of a series. So I will be going back to read the first one.

This story follows Gabe and Michelle two childhood best friends from The Bronx, New York who've lost touch and are reconnected years later.

This is an emotional, yet fun and lighthearted read. It does talk about some heavy topics but is done so in a way that's not overwhelmingly triggering.

What I Loved

The witty banter, shared history, and dialogue between the MCs.
Defined character personalities
Realistic, nerdy, flawed characters
Diverse cast
Love the Spanglish dialogue
The narration was phenomenal! Serafina seamlessly goes from adult to children's voices, accents, and no accents. Hard to believe it's just one person with so many distinct voices.

What I Disliked

Plot-driven ending

Quotes

I'd rather be alone and focused than surrounded by people who don't believe in me.

As much as it pained her to think of him, she didn't regret opening up. Those days with him had been the most emotionally satisfying of her life. She'd allowed herself to be vulnerable, to be seen. To ask for what she wanted. How many people never felt that in their whole lives? She'd once been one of those people and now that she'd felt it, she'd always know. She deserved better and she would survive, no matter what.

Overall, excellent story! I really enjoyed this one. It also helped me brush up on my Spanish a bit too!

Spoilers

Looove that the MCs are both Bi 😍 Also, love the queer representation with one of the characters being Trans.

Ending

Not feeling the reunion with Gabe and his parents. His father is headstrong and abusive. His mother is complacent and codependent. I think it's unrealistic that he would just reunite with them after being away for 9 years so quickly. Easing back in would've been a better plot point.

Loved the ending with Gabe and Michelle. I love how much they love each other. Their friends-to-lovers story is my weakness. Gorgeous! Love the witty banter and mix of serious and playful. Their choosing to continue to build their own business, and doing a semi-long distance thing is perfect for their dynamic. I also really love that each character has their own voice and sense of personality outside the other.

Content Warnings

sarasreadingnook's review

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4.0

Second chance romance, friends to lovers, and so much fun!

Two main characters I love: Gabe (gym owner; Peurto Rican/Mexican heritage) and Michelle (freelancer and web designer; Peurto Rico/Italian heritage). Gabe is set to start a new gym in NYC and his business partner unknowingly reaches out to Michelle who has a very complicated past with Gabe.

What I really enjoyed most about this book was just how much fun it was to read and how witty it was! I feel like I just flew through it. I adored both characters which had backstory's that had depth to them and truly showed how influential their past has been for both of them, separately and together.

It’s well written, it’s funny, it’s intense – a little too much for me at times haha but it was fun to read, overall!

Content Warnings

kshertz's review

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hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

I think this was a sweet more mature romance. I liked it better than the first one. They are childhood sweethearts and that gets me every time. The only trope in here I can’t with is the: oh woah is me I'm huge and have to get magnum condoms life is so hard. But besides this, lighthearted, fun, interesting, and worth the read!

Content Warnings

andysreads's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

Content Warnings

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