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emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment
Moderate: Vomit, Car accident
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
CW: strong depictions of mental health issues, complicated family dynamics
"Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason."
"Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason."
I think I found my romcom author. <3 And yes, I fully recognize my bias for the author being from Minnesota and representing MN in this book. I had so much fun relating to and picking out all of the nuances of living in MN which definitely added to the fun of reading the book.
However, I also want to give this author credit for her writing as well. I really appreciate her representation of this relationship. Is the relationship perfect and ideal? Absolutely not. But it is so refreshing to see the male character represented in a way that is not “over-protective” (aka toxic and controlling). Sure, Justin is clingy and clearly cares about Emma and wants to protect her. But he doesn’t have the trope of using “over-protectiveness” as an excuse to control Emma. I would compare his clinginess to young love, insta-love, new love type of clinginess and not a toxic personality problem.
I loved the best friend character, Maddy. I thought she was really funny. I think some of her choices were maybe not the best, but overall she is clearly a kind and caring friend.
I loved the best friend character, Maddy. I thought she was really funny. I think some of her choices were maybe not the best, but overall she is clearly a kind and caring friend.
I expected this book to be “escapism” (which isn’t a bad thing imo), and I was surprised to find the plot and subject matter went deeper than I expected. The ending reminds me of a couple of Korean Dramas I have seen, which I found to be an interesting twist to a typical rom-com plot structure. To be fair, I haven’t read that many romcoms of this kind, so idk maybe this book is super cookie-cutter and typical. I am definitely planning on reading more by this author, so I guess we will find out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Excrement, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident
emotional
hopeful
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: Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Minor: Car accident
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Abby Jimenez book. This was very delightful to listen too. It's nice hearing the Q&A at the end to highlight why there were certain character choices. Will be reading more from her for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanna say 5 stars no notes, but obviously I have notes🤣 I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a romance book this much- maybe a year ago? I have to say I went in a bit hesitant because it was summer themed, but I honestly didn’t mind that at all. I loved the author’s writing, how fast-paced this was, how funny it was, and I just felt like the characters were written so beautifully. The plot was so entertaining. I didn’t want the book to end and I want there to be a sequel, but I don’t think there will be because it’s an interconnected standalone series, but I have no idea tbh. I was just shook how much I liked it and that I read a 400 page book in less than a week, that’s rare for me lol. AND I am not usually a fan of romance books that are that long, and the fact that I loved this and didn’t want it to end, says a lot about how good this was💓
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
This is my first Abby Jimenez book and I liked it, mostly. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until all the other main characters showed up and very clearly referenced the other books, which I didn’t love, but for the most part it was fun. I liked the MMC a lot; I don’t read romance novels for characterization so he was a pleasant surprise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent
Technically the word c**n appears but it is referring to the animal, raccoon. But it still raised my eyebrows when it came up.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If I had to read "small" or "docking station" one more time I was going to lose my mind.
I really did not like the FMC. You mean to tell me that you have gone two decades without therapy, yet fully admit you were neglected?! And you know your emotional issues come from it?! And you're a nurse?! And you didn't do therapy?! But you want your mom to do therapy?! Yet you didn't do it for yourself?! EXCUSE ME?!
The FMC felt really immature and like she created most of her problems. Like yeah, no shit living on an island in the middle of a lake would be inconvenient. I couldn't connect with her at all.
The third act breakup was obviously coming. But the super quick resolution pissed me off. No talking about things? Just waltzing back in and you're magically forgiven and all is well?
This book clearly pissed me off. Maybe it should have been rated lower. Oh well. I've read worse.
I really did not like the FMC. You mean to tell me that you have gone two decades without therapy, yet fully admit you were neglected?! And you know your emotional issues come from it?! And you're a nurse?! And you didn't do therapy?! But you want your mom to do therapy?! Yet you didn't do it for yourself?! EXCUSE ME?!
The FMC felt really immature and like she created most of her problems. Like yeah, no shit living on an island in the middle of a lake would be inconvenient. I couldn't connect with her at all.
The third act breakup was obviously coming. But the super quick resolution pissed me off. No talking about things? Just waltzing back in and you're magically forgiven and all is well?
This book clearly pissed me off. Maybe it should have been rated lower. Oh well. I've read worse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol