Scan barcode
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved Alison Cochrun’s debut The Charm Offensive, and I read it all pretty much in one sitting, but this book…. This book was different. It was special. I think it had so many more elements of things that I love in a way that it was written more for me than TCO could ever be: cross country road trips, sapphic love, friends to enemies to tentative allies to lovers, English teachers, girls with ADHD, a big dog, and of course, ABBA. An ode to grief and a treatise on love.
Sure, it’s “a romcom about death” as Alison pitched it, but it’s hard to capture how much it is both a) a romcom, that has swoony romantic moments and laugh-out-loud funny jokes, and b) still very much entirely centred around death and loss.
I cried, I laughed, and I laugh-cried. This book was so beautiful and real and heartbreaking and joyous. A eulogy that truly was a celebration of life and all of the beauty and the pain that comes with it. Delightfully and fully queer through generations.
Although you always know what’s coming at the end, that’s not the point of the story— it’s the way that you get there that’s really important, with all the detours and roadblocks that come with. It’s about the ways in which we crack ourselves open and who we allow to see our brokenness on the way.
I can’t wait for this book to come out so that the rest of the world can read it. 🩷💜🧡
Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Cursing, Excrement, Medical content, Cancer, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing
katebrownreads's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Excrement
amberlfaris's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Abandonment, and Cancer
Moderate: Excrement, Medical content, Cursing, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Lesbophobia
uranaishi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Excrement, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Outing, Car accident, Bullying, Abandonment, Cursing, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcoholism
dananana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Devastating as in: I was absolutely wrecked by the romance. Devastating as in: I was SOBBING while reading the last few chapters of the book (and really, on and off throughout the entire thing). Devastating as in: I think I busted a rib from laughing so hard at points because yes, this book is the perfect mix of deep emotions and romcom hilarity.
This romance follows Logan and Rosemary, two women with a complicated past. At one point best friends, they had a falling out that led to resentment and dislike throughout their high school years. Now, they have both found themselves back at the same high school they grew up in, but this time as teachers. And again, they find themselves at odds. When their mentor and old English teacher, Joe, tells the two women that his dying wish is a road trip to Maine with them, Rosemary and Logan must confront their difficult emotions for each other as they drive across the country.
So. I’m three for three on absolutely loving Alison Cochrun’s books. She just understands the assignment, ya know? And a big part of my love for this book is, of course, our main characters. Rosemary – uptight and in need of control – was pretty relatable to me. Logan, seemingly confident but not-to-secretly terrified of dealing with Real Emotions was endlessly compelling. And Joe – oh man. I want Joe to be my gay uncle figure.
And the romances…! (Yes, plural!) Beautiful, heartbreaking, sexy, and so, so funny. My heart was swelling and I was crying at how much I loved these characters and their relationships.
In conclusion… pick up this book if you like reading about any of the following: Longing. Repression of feelings. Complex dynamics. Learning how to face your mental health. Mamma Mia. Epic, decades-spanning romances. Journeys and odysseys. Asexuality. And yes, frequent references to Jane Austen’s most underrated work, Persuasion, which just works way too well with this story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit and Excrement