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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Between this an Emily Henry's "Long Story," I might have misjudged the modern romance genre. A lot of Booktok and Bookstagram tends to focus on the steamy/dark romance stuff geared toward young adults, so that soured my opinion of the genre a bit. But I'm glad that my book club chose stuff like the aforementioned Henry book and this one to show that there is a lot of neat stuff in this genre I was not aware of.
The characters are entertaining, and the romance, while of course mushy, was a lot of fun to follow. The story follows some of the usual romance plot beats, while also doing its own thing and focusing on generational trauma and breaking the cycle. I also didn't realize that all of Jimenez's books are connected through recurring characters, which actually makes me want to read her other stuff to fully understand all of the references. Apparently, this is the third book in a series, but there's enough context here so that newbies (like myself) aren't completely lost.
Overall, I liked it. It's a very cute story that in the end, gives the reader those fuzzy feelings that a love story should give.
The characters are entertaining, and the romance, while of course mushy, was a lot of fun to follow. The story follows some of the usual romance plot beats, while also doing its own thing and focusing on generational trauma and breaking the cycle. I also didn't realize that all of Jimenez's books are connected through recurring characters, which actually makes me want to read her other stuff to fully understand all of the references. Apparently, this is the third book in a series, but there's enough context here so that newbies (like myself) aren't completely lost.
Overall, I liked it. It's a very cute story that in the end, gives the reader those fuzzy feelings that a love story should give.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
This was heavier than I expected but it was somehow still lighthearted to me. If I experienced the same things Emma did though it could have been very triggering.
The premise of the book and how the relationship started was so fun. I like how they felt so at ease fairly quickly but the relationship didn’t feel rushed.
I appreciated Emma’s outlook on life and how she chose to frame her experiences to a certain extent because eventually she did really frustrate me. This is why I loved Maddie though because she was there for Emma but also told her the cold hard truth. Justin was a great MMC lowkey a little too perfect though. I wish I got a little more of him dealing with his trauma but ultimately it’s fine.
I really wanted Maddie to rip Amber a new one because OH MY GOSH that woman almost made me pull my hair out. I knew the Amber blow up was going to be bad but wow was it so much worse than I imagined. So glad Emma was able to get what she needed and DESERVED in the end but oof that was rough.
The premise of the book and how the relationship started was so fun. I like how they felt so at ease fairly quickly but the relationship didn’t feel rushed.
I appreciated Emma’s outlook on life and how she chose to frame her experiences to a certain extent because eventually she did really frustrate me. This is why I loved Maddie though because she was there for Emma but also told her the cold hard truth. Justin was a great MMC lowkey a little too perfect though. I wish I got a little more of him dealing with his trauma but ultimately it’s fine.
I really wanted Maddie to rip Amber a new one because OH MY GOSH that woman almost made me pull my hair out. I knew the Amber blow up was going to be bad but wow was it so much worse than I imagined. So glad Emma was able to get what she needed and DESERVED in the end but oof that was rough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
The way I just LOVED this book. It is the second one I picked up this year because I saw my other two besties read it around the same time and both give it 5s. Abby Jimenez is becoming a must read author (and now I am going to have to go and get all her backlist books aren't I?)
We love a fake dating trope, and a summer romance. I loved the premise for this one too, though I do believe it has been done before; both characters seem to have this terrible curse; the people they break up with finding their soul mates right after. When the male MC posts about his dilemma on Reddit, and it goes viral, the female MC slides into his DMs to say the same thing happens to her all the time. Convinced that dating each other and then breaking up will solve this problem for the both of them, the female MC convinces her best friend and fellow traveling nurse, to change their next assigned location to Minnesota, so that she can give this a real shot. Some may find this cringey or cheesy but I just loved the cute little pre and post surveys he sent her, and the really stupid call back to the ugly billboard outside his window. The unhinged mother tearing through her temporary life here in Minnesota like a hurricane was a nice touch of drama that kept the story moving.
The way Abby weaves genuinely funny and cute romance into sometimes pretty serious, and real, issues is so refreshing. Let's face it, real life is not as picture perfect as the movies. Sometimes it isn't as dramatic either. Instead there are some very real problems that good, healthy relationships have to figure out to navigate, and I love that that is something that plays out for us in her books.
We love a fake dating trope, and a summer romance. I loved the premise for this one too, though I do believe it has been done before; both characters seem to have this terrible curse; the people they break up with finding their soul mates right after. When the male MC posts about his dilemma on Reddit, and it goes viral, the female MC slides into his DMs to say the same thing happens to her all the time. Convinced that dating each other and then breaking up will solve this problem for the both of them, the female MC convinces her best friend and fellow traveling nurse, to change their next assigned location to Minnesota, so that she can give this a real shot. Some may find this cringey or cheesy but I just loved the cute little pre and post surveys he sent her, and the really stupid call back to the ugly billboard outside his window. The unhinged mother tearing through her temporary life here in Minnesota like a hurricane was a nice touch of drama that kept the story moving.
The way Abby weaves genuinely funny and cute romance into sometimes pretty serious, and real, issues is so refreshing. Let's face it, real life is not as picture perfect as the movies. Sometimes it isn't as dramatic either. Instead there are some very real problems that good, healthy relationships have to figure out to navigate, and I love that that is something that plays out for us in her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first Abby Jimenez book I've read, I really enjoyed it and read it in a day. The characters felt well developed and had back stories and traumas that were realistic and helped to drive the plot. There was a little bit of show and not tell which annoyed me a little bit but it did help to drive the plot so I understand why it was done. Is a great book for a beach read however there are some potential triggers in this book which are worth looking at before reading. Overall I'd really recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Physical abuse, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
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, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Vomit, Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Dementia, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
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
A romance novel that stands out because it doesn't romanticize anything. This book follows two protagonists who have undergone significant trauma as they meet, suffer through more painful life events, and take on all the gory, unglamorous parts of life together. I wasn't sure about it at first, as it's pretty heavy for a rom com, but it grew on me as the characters did. If you want to read this, definitely check the triggers first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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 would be a great book club pick. The novel adeptly navigates complex family dynamics, attachment theory, and healthy new love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury