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cathyo_113's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
**For me, this is not a romance novel** There’s no HEA, and whether this is an HFN is arguable. I would categorize this as contemporary or women’s fiction with a love story and romance elements.
I had high hopes for this book because of the use of some elements of magical realism, and while I didn’t like the ending of “In Five Years,” I felt thoughtful about the story itself. In this, Daphne’s life and relationships shaped who she’d become, and how the story unfolded kept me engaged as a reader. But I hated Daphne as the MC at about the 75% mark. I won’t include spoilers, but that’s around when a major plot twist occurs. After, I was left disappointed in Daphne and the remaining story.
I had high hopes for this book because of the use of some elements of magical realism, and while I didn’t like the ending of “In Five Years,” I felt thoughtful about the story itself. In this, Daphne’s life and relationships shaped who she’d become, and how the story unfolded kept me engaged as a reader. But I hated Daphne as the MC at about the 75% mark. I won’t include spoilers, but that’s around when a major plot twist occurs. After, I was left disappointed in Daphne and the remaining story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
iovreads's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
unfortunately this just was not for me. rebecca serle does food descriptions like no one else and the premise is cute, but i honestly felt like once the “twist” was revealed this book started to fall apart for me.
i like a complicated main character but daphne just fumbled through life thinking she knew everything without actually questioning anything that was happening to her. that kind of hands off approach to your own life just felt so off-putting to me that i didn’t feel like i was emotionally connecting with her as a character
i like a complicated main character but daphne just fumbled through life thinking she knew everything without actually questioning anything that was happening to her. that kind of hands off approach to your own life just felt so off-putting to me that i didn’t feel like i was emotionally connecting with her as a character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
sk8r2natls's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Incredible. Just when you think you know everything about the A storyline, it truly knocks you off your feet and makes you re-think everything you think you know. You feel all the feels and come out hopeful at the end. Truly lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Medical content
hillgoodharv's review against another edition
emotional
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Death
bringmybooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨Bring✨ | Borrow | Bypass
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Review: Rebecca Serle's books seem to be finding a particularly formulaic groove, but I don't know that I mind it too much - it's predictable in it's way, but it works so well for her that it's not a problem. As in her previous books, I genuinely loved these characters and enjoyed watching the back and forth between them (as well as really enjoying the now and then of the storytelling, and getting to see each of her relationships since the letters started arriving).
There were a couple of quibbles I had with some parts at the end, and that's where it kind of lost me on the enjoyment, plot, and pacing factors - but overall it is definitely recommended (and with a "Bring" rather than "Borrow" because her covers are just too good!)
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Review: Rebecca Serle's books seem to be finding a particularly formulaic groove, but I don't know that I mind it too much - it's predictable in it's way, but it works so well for her that it's not a problem. As in her previous books, I genuinely loved these characters and enjoyed watching the back and forth between them (as well as really enjoying the now and then of the storytelling, and getting to see each of her relationships since the letters started arriving).
There were a couple of quibbles I had with some parts at the end, and that's where it kind of lost me on the enjoyment, plot, and pacing factors - but overall it is definitely recommended (and with a "Bring" rather than "Borrow" because her covers are just too good!)
Overall Rating: ★★★★ / 3.88
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★
Writing ★★★★
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★★
Logic ★★★★
Enjoyment ★★★
Pacing ★★★
Dialogue ★★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Infertility, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death
jjoyce's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Quick read but didn't really like this at all. I've heard criticism that the main character is unlikeable...I thought she was just relatively flatly written. Even though, especially after the twist, we knew a lot about her, I still didn't feel like I had a good sense of who she was. Or maybe, on further examination, I do have a sense of who she is/what her motivations are, but I just didn't care about her? Generally don't mind a "magical realism" element like the one in this book not being explained, but the juxtaposition of the premise of the book with that premise being turned upside down by one character's actions didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
xoxojordanisabella's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i went into this truly expecting to fall in complete love with this book, and for the first half, i really did. there was a solid two days where i couldn’t put it down. around halfway through, though, it felt like there was a sudden tone shift. the more i read, it felt like the author may have written the whole first half and worked out her ending, but put down writing it for another project before she finished the third quarter.
right around when daphne reveals her illness is when it starts to feel rushed. the whole plotline felt like a cheap way to start wrapping up the story without having to come up with a meaningful reason why her relationship with hugo failed. i was honestly expecting her to kill off daphne as a way not to make her choose between jake and hugo. the whole thing started feeling very wattpad very fast, which SUCKS, because i think if that plotline had been a little more well rounded, it could’ve added a lot of meaningfulness to the book as a whole.
overall, it was worth the time i spent reading it, but i probably won’t be giving it a second read and i’m really glad i borrowed it from the library instead of buying it.
overall, it was worth the time i spent reading it, but i probably won’t be giving it a second read and i’m really glad i borrowed it from the library instead of buying it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Medical content
Minor: Medical trauma
allisonmz's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Chronic illness
winealittlereadalot's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Medical trauma
bookaddictang's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
I received this as a NetGalley, thank you Atria books!
From the publisher description: "Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together."
I really enjoyed this book so much. While it was light in the beginning, it did grapple with challenging topics. What does it mean to be in love? What are you willing to compromise for someone you believe you are meant to spend forever with?
Told from Daphne's point of view, we jump between present time and past relationships to see how the universe intervenes (or doesn't). I found this to be more character driven than plot driven and loved it. It was just the right pace with the question of , "will they/won't they" still prickling in the back of my mind.
While reading, you learn so much about Daphne, and how Daphne learns about herself too, and about how she interacts with those around her, which was refreshing.
From the publisher description: "Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together."
I really enjoyed this book so much. While it was light in the beginning, it did grapple with challenging topics. What does it mean to be in love? What are you willing to compromise for someone you believe you are meant to spend forever with?
Told from Daphne's point of view, we jump between present time and past relationships to see how the universe intervenes (or doesn't). I found this to be more character driven than plot driven and loved it. It was just the right pace with the question of , "will they/won't they" still prickling in the back of my mind.
While reading, you learn so much about Daphne, and how Daphne learns about herself too, and about how she interacts with those around her, which was refreshing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, and Death
While keeping this review as spoiler free as possible -- I am sharing a mild/moderate trigger warning for those that may need it: