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divine529's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I really enjoyed this book.
This follows our main protagonist Chloe Brown, who has fibromyalgia, who almost gets hit by a car and uses that as a wake up call to "get a life" and she creates a list and enlists her lovely superintendent Red to help her with her list and things go from there.
I absolutely loved the chronic pain/illness and healing from a toxic relationship representation in this. As someone who can relate to both of those things, I really loved both Chloe and Red and saw myself in both of them.
I also loved the ending of this book. I know a lot of people really struggle with the miscommunication trope, but I thought it fit really well with the characters and their experiences and it was done well. Plus miscommunication is something that's pretty common in real life too.
As for the romance, overall I liked it, since it shows a healthier relationship and promotes loving people as they are without wanting someone to change, and all kinds of body positivity and all of that was great, however, there were some things that I felt like were just a bit much (for me personally). I don't mind smut in books, but I'm not a huge fan of public sex and lust at all times. It just makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I also wish that things between Red and Chloe were a bit more fleshed out as the pacing felt off at times (I particularly would've loved to hear more about when they first met and what it was that made them dislike each other so much, we got a little, but I needed just a little more)
I also wish we got to spend more time with Chloe's family (I know Dani and Eve get their own books, but I wanted more of their interactions with each other) and with Red's family and with Annie and Vik. I really enjoyed all of the interactions we got, but I would've loved for more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this (and honestly read this at exactly the right time) and I'm looking forward to picking up the others!
This follows our main protagonist Chloe Brown, who has fibromyalgia, who almost gets hit by a car and uses that as a wake up call to "get a life" and she creates a list and enlists her lovely superintendent Red to help her with her list and things go from there.
I absolutely loved the chronic pain/illness and healing from a toxic relationship representation in this. As someone who can relate to both of those things, I really loved both Chloe and Red and saw myself in both of them.
I also loved the ending of this book. I know a lot of people really struggle with the miscommunication trope, but I thought it fit really well with the characters and their experiences and it was done well. Plus miscommunication is something that's pretty common in real life too.
As for the romance, overall I liked it, since it shows a healthier relationship and promotes loving people as they are without wanting someone to change, and all kinds of body positivity and all of that was great, however, there were some things that I felt like were just a bit much (for me personally). I don't mind smut in books, but I'm not a huge fan of public sex and lust at all times. It just makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I also wish that things between Red and Chloe were a bit more fleshed out as the pacing felt off at times (I particularly would've loved to hear more about when they first met and what it was that made them dislike each other so much, we got a little, but I needed just a little more)
I also wish we got to spend more time with Chloe's family (I know Dani and Eve get their own books, but I wanted more of their interactions with each other) and with Red's family and with Annie and Vik. I really enjoyed all of the interactions we got, but I would've loved for more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this (and honestly read this at exactly the right time) and I'm looking forward to picking up the others!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Car accident, Sexism, and Ableism
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.0
I'm not gonna lie this book was a bit "slow" for me personally starting out. Not slow, slow like it was boring, but slow like I just wasn't feeling the atmosphere of the book in the beginning. I had thought maybe this type of setting for a romance wasn't for me. Also her writing was something to get used to as well + the use of a few British terms (nothing crazy). But I'm so happy that I started warming up to it. Reading it as an audiobook read along definitely helped. After that cat scene where she saw a cat up a tree and got herself stuck up a tree and he happen to be pasing by and help her down. I was HOOKED!
These two definitely give me soulmate energy. The way they cared for each other touched my heart especially seeing how attentive Red always was to her pain. He always made their accommodations fit within the range of what she could handle and the amount of care he had for her warmed my heart. He would cook for her, made sure she slept, listened to her, simply was there when she needed him same as vice versa. Also, the way Chloe was so affirming to him. Just like he took care of her she made sure the he was given the same care by her in return. It's obvious they were very smitten with each other.š„°
Also their banter was gold! They just seem to fit each other and every possible way; like they were made for each other. It was such a lovely experience watching them grown with one another.
Now I do have to note that this book can get pretty steamy. And although I don't prefer spicy scenes in books this one I feel like had a decent amount and a good amount to where it wasn't uncomfortable to read. But if smut isn't your thing at all I just recommend skipping over those scenes there aren't too many. Because this book was honestly too cute not read. I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series. The Family dynamic in this book was so good!
These two definitely give me soulmate energy. The way they cared for each other touched my heart especially seeing how attentive Red always was to her pain. He always made their accommodations fit within the range of what she could handle and the amount of care he had for her warmed my heart. He would cook for her, made sure she slept, listened to her, simply was there when she needed him same as vice versa. Also, the way Chloe was so affirming to him. Just like he took care of her she made sure the he was given the same care by her in return. It's obvious they were very smitten with each other.š„°
Also their banter was gold! They just seem to fit each other and every possible way; like they were made for each other. It was such a lovely experience watching them grown with one another.
Now I do have to note that this book can get pretty steamy. And although I don't prefer spicy scenes in books this one I feel like had a decent amount and a good amount to where it wasn't uncomfortable to read. But if smut isn't your thing at all I just recommend skipping over those scenes there aren't too many. Because this book was honestly too cute not read. I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series. The Family dynamic in this book was so good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Classism, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I can always count on Talia Hibbert to give me a book with a great balance of sweet and steamy!
Chloe was a great heroine: strong, complex, prickly but deeply loving. Red was Chloeās opposite in some ways ā a sweet, golden retriever of a man who always has a kind word for everyone ā but alike in that he is also dealing with trauma from his past. I loved that he was so caring and attentive to Chloeās chronic illnesses and willing to apologise for his mistakes. They made a great complement to each other and worked well together as a couple. The last conflict felt a bit contrived and unnecessary but I think that about 99% of third-act breakups, so... thatās probably a me thing.
Talia Hibbert writes some of the best sex scenes out there. Utterly consensual, hot, tender... She could do a masterclass.
I adored the sibling relationship between Chloe and her sisters and canāt wait to read their stories!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Ableism, Mental illness, Classism, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Minor: Car accident and Grief
hrtlss_grl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
cady_sass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
1/4/23: DNF at 11% - I tried with the audiobook but Iām just hating it, Iām so sorry. I will try to pick up a physical copy and see if I like it better.
Update 4/17/23:
I am SO glad I gave this one a shot! Itās so fun and sexy but also relatable and inclusive. The main protagonist is chronically ill and not ātraditionallyā pretty/thin (ie western beauty standards) but neither of those things are the focus- they just are. And a love interest who just gets it and is a human about it? The bar is on the floor, ladies, I know. But thatās sexy and hell.
Also, side notes: Iām not sure why but I thought (perhaps some mixture of the title and cover art? Idk) and it is NOT. this book is spicy as hell. š„µ
Take my audiobook sensitivities with a grain of salt but I actually believe this audiobook is legit horrible so just skip that and read the book/ebook
Update 4/17/23:
I am SO glad I gave this one a shot! Itās so fun and sexy but also relatable and inclusive. The main protagonist is chronically ill and not ātraditionallyā pretty/thin (ie western beauty standards) but neither of those things are the focus- they just are. And a love interest who just gets it and is a human about it? The bar is on the floor, ladies, I know. But thatās sexy and hell.
Also, side notes: Iām not sure why but I thought (perhaps some mixture of the title and cover art? Idk) and it is NOT. this book is spicy as hell. š„µ
Take my audiobook sensitivities with a grain of salt but I actually believe this audiobook is legit horrible so just skip that and read the book/ebook
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Medical content, Body shaming, Classism, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
samcanuel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book was sweet, funny, and sexy! It read like a great rom com. I loved the characters (especially Gigi). I would recommend this book to any rom com lovers, especially those who want more diversity in the genre, or anyone who loves a strong woman-led romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Classism
ell_n's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
I love these characters and how they develop through the book. I thought that it was a great insight into living with a chronic illness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Classism
summerslittlelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Chronic illness
Minor: Classism and Gaslighting
moonieness12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Death, Racism, and Grief
haylzno's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
By far my favorite of the Brown sister stories. I loveeeeeed Chloe and Red. I saw a lot of myself in Chloe so maybe that's why but this was definitely my favorite of the 3 books. Grumpy sunshine is 100000% my thing and I fell for Red right away. Chloe's sense of humor was right up my alley as well. I binged the entire trilogy in 3 days so yea, there's that š
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Car accident, and Classism