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zamzamzebra's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Suicide
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Infertility
laurynsmith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.25
I received an arc of this book from NetGalley around a year ago and never picked it up (oops), but I am so glad that I finally did. This was such an original yet powerful premise. From page one, my heart was heavy, but I will say that it wasn't as sad and difficult to read as I anticipated it being. Leesa Cross-Smith writes about a difficult subject matter so effortlessly and I appreciated that we continued to learn more and more about Tallie and Emmett throughout the course of the novel. I also thought the author did a great job shedding light into the intersection of racism and mental health. I'll admit that the middle kind of lost me there, but the ending certainly made up for it and felt realistic in my opinion. I would definitely recommend you pick this up if you are looking for a character-driven book that makes you think, though make sure you are in the headspace for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death and Infidelity
b_mitro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
lindsloveslit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
3.0
Never have I ever read a book I'm not sure I like, so quickly. Talk about an EMOTIONAL WHIRLWIND. I was expecting a contemporary love story, which is NOT WHAT THIS IS. That said, I appreciated that Cross-Smith wrote a book based on mental health, suicide, and therapy. In general, that isn't something that's talked about enough, and reading about the juxtaposition between hopelessness and hope was... important. But man, oh man, oh man I have a alot of qualms about Tallie (one of the main characters). Her choices consistently seemed problematic - specifically because of her profession - and made me very uncomfortable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
novellybritt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Oh boy, did this book make me emotional. It didn't completely break me like I thought it would but it definitely got me in my feels. It's a great example of how people can come into your lives for a short period of time and make an impression that lasts a lifetime. This is a slow burn book, the entirety of it lasting over one weekend, but it pulls on your heartstrings. You really get to know these two characters and seeing them help each other get through of a tough time is really beautiful. While I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, this one is done extremely well. A huge plot of this book is mental health with suicide attempts, thoughts, therapy and so on. I personally don't have any experience with this but I thought that it was well done and the author did a great job about highlighting a very important and sensitive topic.
If you love slow burns and books that focus heavily on characters, I'd highly recommend this. Again, please be warned of the sensitive topics this book discusses because with the volume it's mentioned, it could be extremely triggering for some.
If you love slow burns and books that focus heavily on characters, I'd highly recommend this. Again, please be warned of the sensitive topics this book discusses because with the volume it's mentioned, it could be extremely triggering for some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol
jackelz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Fate is something I whole heartedly believe in, and that is definitely what brought these characters together.
This was a story I didn’t want to end. It was such a powerful, vibrant novel about the life-changing weekend shared between two strangers. It was uplifting yet heartbreaking; there was hope found in the most unlikely places; and you really see the magic of human connection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
lulyslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Meet Tallie Clark, a divorced therapist on her way home from work when she spots a man at the edge of a bridge. She convinces the man to grab a cup of coffee and not make a terrible mistake. The man? only willing to say his name is Emmett. Over the course of 4 days, both find comfort and safety with each other. But is that safety just an illusion? Only time will tell.
This is my first time reading Leesa Cross-Smith's writing and the way she is able to create an atmosphere is astounding. Truly it felt as though you were being wrapped in a warm cozy blanket the entire time. Leesa was able to also give both Tallie and Emmett their own distinct voices which can be difficult to accomplish with a dual perspective novel.
Tallie as a character reminds me so much of myself. She is such a well-intentioned, inviting individual who can help others easily but struggles to help herself. Emmett was a difficult character to really warm up to but I feel as though that was intentionally done by the author to create the imagery of an individual who is closed off and lost in depression. The most unbelievable part of this novel is how Tallie just invites a complete, possibly dangerous, individual to stay in her home. However, I recognize that while some literary fiction is meant to be very realistic I feel as though the author creates this bubble of curiosity for readers that asks "but what if this did happen?". The ending had me completely frustrated in the best way! I craved and still do crave more from Tallie and Emmett's story.
This is my first time reading Leesa Cross-Smith's writing and the way she is able to create an atmosphere is astounding. Truly it felt as though you were being wrapped in a warm cozy blanket the entire time. Leesa was able to also give both Tallie and Emmett their own distinct voices which can be difficult to accomplish with a dual perspective novel.
Tallie as a character reminds me so much of myself. She is such a well-intentioned, inviting individual who can help others easily but struggles to help herself. Emmett was a difficult character to really warm up to but I feel as though that was intentionally done by the author to create the imagery of an individual who is closed off and lost in depression. The most unbelievable part of this novel is how Tallie just invites a complete, possibly dangerous, individual to stay in her home. However, I recognize that while some literary fiction is meant to be very realistic I feel as though the author creates this bubble of curiosity for readers that asks "but what if this did happen?". The ending had me completely frustrated in the best way! I craved and still do crave more from Tallie and Emmett's story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Minor: Infertility
alyssayoho's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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: Suicide
amazinggrace1455's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
raisareads_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I binge-read this book, and I loved every minute of it. It's a great, romance-but-not novel written by a Black author about Black characters. The two main characters are extremely lovable, and you are immediately rooting for them both from the very start. Leesa Cross-Smith writes masterfully about their inner turmoil so much so that you come to love even their imperfections. The ending is not predictable but is still gratifying, and I love that in a book. I only wish it had been a little longer! I would definitely read her next book. I hope there is a next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Drug use
The author handles this content sensitively, and pretty much none of the content warnings listed above happen in real time. Nearly all of them are flashbacks. The content warning is serious only because of the reflective nature of the book; the events will make you reflect on them and that could prove harmful for some folks.