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emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, Alcohol
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The first 100 pages were magic, as always. The last 100 pages pmo so badly, which happened with last year’s book too. I’m so sad to say that. The FMC annoyed me so much in that final third of the story, and that breaks my heart.
The book mentions the concept of the world being in color vs gray because of dementia. But ironically, the MMC starts out in screaming color (keeping the Taylor lyrics going) and slowly fades to gray. All his interests, hobbies, friends, cabin trips, even his health, fade to the background and we see none of it. He gives up his whole personhood for this relationship that’s rooted in one good first date. Usually women give up everything for men, so it’s interesting to see it flipped. I will say that. But regardless, the intense codependency (and maybe trauma bonding?) got to be too much for me.
The ultimate decision that was made to fix their long distance situation disappointed me. They had a few options, but picked that one unfortunately. I’m bummed. Also, he didn’t discuss it with her before doing all that?? Like a true life partner should.
I still love Abby and will continue to read her books, but I’m sad that two in a row fell off for me after amazing beginnings.
The book mentions the concept of the world being in color vs gray because of dementia. But ironically, the MMC starts out in screaming color (keeping the Taylor lyrics going) and slowly fades to gray. All his interests, hobbies, friends, cabin trips, even his health, fade to the background and we see none of it. He gives up his whole personhood for this relationship that’s rooted in one good first date. Usually women give up everything for men, so it’s interesting to see it flipped. I will say that. But regardless, the intense codependency (and maybe trauma bonding?) got to be too much for me.
The ultimate decision that was made to fix their long distance situation disappointed me. They had a few options, but picked that one unfortunately. I’m bummed. Also, he didn’t discuss it with her before doing all that?? Like a true life partner should.
I still love Abby and will continue to read her books, but I’m sad that two in a row fell off for me after amazing beginnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Blood, Car accident
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Animal death, Death
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Abby always hurts me in the best way - her characters are always flawed in relatable ways, and they hurt like real people do. Even when her late generation-x/elder millennial humor gets hokey, Abby always manages to squeeze my heart in a vice of real, human love. I told my husband (with whom I did the LDR thing for 3 non-consecutive years) that I didn’t need to wish for the kind of love Xavier gives, because I get to live it every day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was not my favorite Abby J book, but I’m glad to have read it. Dealing with progressive illness within the family is hard to read, but very real. Maybe some of the medical hit a little too close to home. Their banter is still good, but the long distance relationship, while realistic, was also extra stressful, even knowing Abby always promises a happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Dementia
Moderate: Animal death
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated
5/5 stars!⭐️
Sooooo sweet! So soft, so heart-wrenching! The ending is beautiful. I actually really loved this more than I expected to. The romance between the main characters felt really sweet and mature, which was refreshing.
Sooooo sweet! So soft, so heart-wrenching! The ending is beautiful. I actually really loved this more than I expected to. The romance between the main characters felt really sweet and mature, which was refreshing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall I enjoyed this book. The characters are great, loved the banter, and the love story. It did drag a little for me in the middle because it felt like a resolution would never be in sight. I think I was starting to feel as tired as the characters were, but maybe this is because I’ve been through a long distance relationship and can empathize with how they were feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Physical abuse