Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Book Lovers

My favorite of Henry’s books so far. I loved the witty banter between Charlie and Nora. I saw myself and my sister in Nora and Libby’s relationship. The plot is a predictable Hallmark romance but it’s so sweet it doesn’t even matter. I found myself laughing out loud and by the end, crying my eyes out.

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kktaylor11's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

I'm not usually a romance novel person, but this title was recommended by a friend, so I gave it a chance. I'll admit I skipped over the graphic sex scenes just because that's not my personal thing -- but the story was cute, light, and easy.
Essentially the main two characters (Charlie and Norah) are both hard driven city slickers who happen to also be in publishing (Charlie is an editor, Norah is a book agent). Norah goes on a surprise vacation with her little sister (who is about to have baby #3) and in the process falls for Charlie. There's nothing surprising in this book -- everything is obvious by about 10 pages in -- but it's still cute and engaging. There is a lot of tongue in cheek "book people" talk about tropes (falling in love with a local, city girl shoes, etc...) and a nod to "not everyone wants to retire to the country" kind of city love -- but it's really just a simple, straightforward "boy meets girl, they fall in love" kind of story. Even the "oh no - drama" moments in the middle designed to make sure their path isn't too smooth aren't too troubling.
If you need a light escape - a bathtub with bubbles or flight across the country quick read, this one will do it.

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macykey's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.75

There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this book! Charlie Lastra is the best of the Emily Henry love interests so far and the way that he loves Nora fully and wholeheartedly just takes my breath away. I also loved the progression of their relationship and how there wasn’t any inserted overly dramatic conflict. There was conflict, but it wasn’t something that didn’t seem like it was only added in for dramatic effect. And I believe Nora’s one of the first female protagonists that I’ve read and right off the bat been like ‘She’s way more than she seems’. There wasn’t a point in this book that her motivations didn’t make sense to me, where her actions were overly dramatic or unnecessary. And her character growth? Chef’s kiss.

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crispfrijoles's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

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augustmaybereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad 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

5.0

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roadesntoades's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

3.75

It’s good but not great. A lot of my problems with this book has to do with it coming across as the anti-hallmark movie book where the bitchy other woman gets explored. And for the first few chapters it is that. But then, as the romance builds that whole thing gets tossed to the wayside and it becomes a hallmark movie book with the Nora even saying she would move to be with a man she loves. The very thing she criticized her past boyfriends for doing. Obviously she doesn’t in the end but still. She becomes the thing she critiqued so heavily. So for me at least, it was a bit misleading. Besides that I thought the comedy was good, the steamy scenes were steamy. It’s what I expected. I was just let down.

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bookmark3brodi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.75

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