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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
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
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored this book. I thought it was funny, witty, and charming with the characters really engaging. I think it was an excellent exploration into how political offices and campaigns can strain relationships and marriages. I also thought the dynamic between Kate and Nicole to be the highlight of the book, although Ethan and Gabe's relationship was incredibly interesting to me. I the drama and thought that this book flowed really well. Could not put it down from beginning to end.
FANTASTIC!
This book follows the stories of four individuals:
A happily married couple, Ethan and Gabe; Ethan's sister, Kate and Nicole, Kate's ex.
The book opens with Ethan announcing to Gabe that's intending to run for congress. That's not an unusual or dramatic thing in itself; but the fact that Ethan is intending to run as a Republican, when Gabe is a staunch Democrat, is. Then, there's also the fact that running for office presents a massive complication/conflict of interest for his sister, Kate, who is a political reporter.
This book illustrates the domino effect that Ethan's political aspirations have on his family; from Gabe's struggle to support his Husband's aspirations, while trying to not let his own identity and political beliefs get steamrolled by Ethan's. To Kate's employment woes. (And the fact that her bother is running in the district where her bored/unhappy ex is living with her husband) .
I LOVED Gabe and Ethan’s storyline. Gabe is such a well-developed/illustrated character. I could completely feel and understand his feelings. I adored how dedicated he was to his relationship to Ethan and Ethan’s happiness. He was also mature enough to know that supporting Ethan was the best path of action for him. I got misty eyed when he was proud of Ethan; and the way he maintained his skepticism of Nicole- UGH! What a king!
I also enjoyed Kate. The position she was in with her work wasn’t enviable. I liked that we got a brief and relevant background for each of the characters and their connection to each other. The dynamics of fundraising and the effect of publicity on, not only, Ethan but Gabe is on full display.
I wanted a bit more of Kate’s story. We know she suffers some upheaval in this book due to her brother; but we’re kind of thrust into the knowledge that she’s losing her passion for reporting, which I just wanted a bit more context into it. I also got her motivation into giving Nicole the time of day, but the whole thing between them was just messy, and the things she tells herself about it, matched up to her implied feelings like maybe…………20% of the time?... I know I’m stretching here, but I feel like I just wanted her to shout out
SHE HURT ME, SO I JUST WANT TO SEE WHERE THIS GOES BECAUSE I GIVE NO F-CKS”
But alas, this is not my book. Lol
And despite all that, I think Kate and Nicole got the ending they deserved (owed much to Kate’s taking the reins from Nicole) I was pleased.
This book follows the stories of four individuals:
A happily married couple, Ethan and Gabe; Ethan's sister, Kate and Nicole, Kate's ex.
The book opens with Ethan announcing to Gabe that's intending to run for congress. That's not an unusual or dramatic thing in itself; but the fact that Ethan is intending to run as a Republican, when Gabe is a staunch Democrat, is. Then, there's also the fact that running for office presents a massive complication/conflict of interest for his sister, Kate, who is a political reporter.
This book illustrates the domino effect that Ethan's political aspirations have on his family; from Gabe's struggle to support his Husband's aspirations, while trying to not let his own identity and political beliefs get steamrolled by Ethan's. To Kate's employment woes. (And the fact that her bother is running in the district where her bored/unhappy ex is living with her husband) .
I LOVED Gabe and Ethan’s storyline. Gabe is such a well-developed/illustrated character. I could completely feel and understand his feelings. I adored how dedicated he was to his relationship to Ethan and Ethan’s happiness. He was also mature enough to know that supporting Ethan was the best path of action for him. I got misty eyed when he was proud of Ethan; and the way he maintained his skepticism of Nicole- UGH! What a king!
I also enjoyed Kate. The position she was in with her work wasn’t enviable. I liked that we got a brief and relevant background for each of the characters and their connection to each other. The dynamics of fundraising and the effect of publicity on, not only, Ethan but Gabe is on full display.
I wanted a bit more of Kate’s story. We know she suffers some upheaval in this book due to her brother; but we’re kind of thrust into the knowledge that she’s losing her passion for reporting, which I just wanted a bit more context into it. I also got her motivation into giving Nicole the time of day, but the whole thing between them was just messy, and the things she tells herself about it, matched up to her implied feelings like maybe…………20% of the time?... I know I’m stretching here, but I feel like I just wanted her to shout out
SHE HURT ME, SO I JUST WANT TO SEE WHERE THIS GOES BECAUSE I GIVE NO F-CKS”
But alas, this is not my book. Lol
And despite all that, I think Kate and Nicole got the ending they deserved (owed much to Kate’s taking the reins from Nicole) I was pleased.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
sad
tense
medium-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
I hated every character in this book, there was no one to root for. They all deserve each other. I couldn’t see where the love between the two main couples came from and why there were staying in their relationships.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has wonderful LGBTQIA+ representation, highlighting the struggles of two different queer couples.
It was an honestly fascinating and relatable read, really hitting hard on the dynamics of what it’s like to have differing political views from loved ones in 2025.
It really leans into how a person’s moral beliefs and their political party lines can blur into one identity over time and how society has created rigid labels for each party.
The secondary plot line was a unique analysis of relationships (in the romantic sense). While linked together with the first it stands tall on its own, diving into how your romantic partner can either lift you up and make you more “you” or squash you into a pre-determined box, making “you” unrecognizable.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a family member on the other side of politics that they don’t see eye-to-eye with.
It was an honestly fascinating and relatable read, really hitting hard on the dynamics of what it’s like to have differing political views from loved ones in 2025.
It really leans into how a person’s moral beliefs and their political party lines can blur into one identity over time and how society has created rigid labels for each party.
The secondary plot line was a unique analysis of relationships (in the romantic sense). While linked together with the first it stands tall on its own, diving into how your romantic partner can either lift you up and make you more “you” or squash you into a pre-determined box, making “you” unrecognizable.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a family member on the other side of politics that they don’t see eye-to-eye with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
informative
medium-paced
On the surface, this is an easy, mildly entertaining read. I felt emotions... sometimes a snicker, sometimes anger, sometimes frustration, sometimes empathy. The flow was alright, easy to follow. The characters were distinct and on a basic level complete.
Something was missing though; a depth to the characters. We get to know them enough to be able to make it a story, but I didn't feel like they really held space: I wasn't thinking about them like real people when I walked away from the book.
(I say this as a straight, cis-woman) It seems implausible that someone like Ethan could exist, further to that I can't imagine a world where someone like Gabe (the best developed character) could reconcile the differences between him and Ethan enough to stay happy and together. But this did make me ask myself what I would do in a comparable situation with my partner.
And it felt contradictory for someone portrayed to be intelligent, experienced and reputable like Kate to make a fire-able mistake like she did. I don't feel that the participation in infidelity automatically transfers to similar behaviour in her career.
I did not enjoy the infidelity, I don't like when the gravity of such an act is utilized without a complete picture of the harm it causes. This wasn't a huge detractor, but strikes me as gratuitous. Nicole is VERY believable in all her selfish traits. I agree with another reviewer who said Nicole's reasons to stay in her marriage were weak. And I kinda wish Kate in the end would have just sent her away for good.
Something was missing though; a depth to the characters. We get to know them enough to be able to make it a story, but I didn't feel like they really held space: I wasn't thinking about them like real people when I walked away from the book.
(I say this as a straight, cis-woman) It seems implausible that someone like Ethan could exist, further to that I can't imagine a world where someone like Gabe (the best developed character) could reconcile the differences between him and Ethan enough to stay happy and together. But this did make me ask myself what I would do in a comparable situation with my partner.
And it felt contradictory for someone portrayed to be intelligent, experienced and reputable like Kate to make a fire-able mistake like she did. I don't feel that the participation in infidelity automatically transfers to similar behaviour in her career.
I did not enjoy the infidelity, I don't like when the gravity of such an act is utilized without a complete picture of the harm it causes. This wasn't a huge detractor, but strikes me as gratuitous. Nicole is VERY believable in all her selfish traits. I agree with another reviewer who said Nicole's reasons to stay in her marriage were weak. And I kinda wish Kate in the end would have just sent her away for good.