Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Delilah Green não está nem aí

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Delilah Green não está nem aí by Ashley Herring Blake

170 reviews

overflowingshelf's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf

Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Performance Rating: 4 Stars
Story Rating: 2.5 Stars

CW: death of parents (past); grief; teenage pregnancy (past); strained relationship with stepfamily; abandonment; references to infidelity (past)

Dani doesn’t really care for this book. I was so excited to finally get to read this as I heard so many people rave about it, but finishing this book proved to be a bit of a struggle. I think this book was returned to the library about five times before I finally finished it.

Delilah Green has zero desire to return to her hometown of Bright Falls. Nothing is there but the memories of her lonely childhood, where she was a burden to her distant stepfamily. Her life and career as a photographer are just gaining steam in New York. But unfortunately, she needs to head back to Bright Falls to photograph her step-sister’s wedding. She plans to breeze in and out of town, but on the first night back, she runs into Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s best friends, and decides there is some fun to be had in Bright Falls. Meanwhile, Claire is dealing with raising her 11-year-old daughter and is not prepared for Delilah Green. While she knows Deliah from their childhood, she doesn’t really know her. As the two spend more time together doing wedding activities, Claire cannot resist Delilah’s charms.

So, let’s start off with the positives, shall we?

I loved Delilah and how she was unabashedly herself the entire book. She doesn’t care much about what others think and will do what Delilah Green wants to do. She has a tough, sarcastic exterior, but it’s just a shell, a coping mechanism for her, and it was nice to see her softer side as well. I felt sympathy for her as her upbringing wasn’t the easiest. It seems miscommunication and misinterpretation stopped her from having a relationship with her stepsister, something that Delilah craved after her father’s death.

Speaking of her stepsister, I really enjoyed Astrid. There was so much more to her than meets the eye. Delilah’s perspective colors your initial feelings towards her, but the more I got to know Astrid, the more I liked her. Watching Delilah and Astrid reconcile their relationship gave me lots of happy feelings. However, Astrid’s fiancé Spencer was trash, and I’m so glad everyone was united in that opinion. I loved the antics Astrid’s friends and Delilah got up to make his life a living hell. I’m curious about book two in the series, mainly because I want to see more of Astrid living the life she wants to live, not the life others want her to live.

I listened to this on audio, and Kristen DiMercurio did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Her Delilah was excellent, and I loved all the personality and nuances she brought to each character. She was one of the reasons I kept going with this book, even though the story didn’t entirely work for me.

Now on to some of the things that didn’t work for me. First, Claire and I just did not click at all. I don’t think I’ve been this annoyed with a main character in a while, but Claire annoyed me. I felt she treated her child’s father like trash CONSTANTLY. She doesn’t let him speak and always assumes the worst about his intentions. I know her reactions are based on his actions in the past, but she jumps down his throat over every little thing even though it was clear to me the guy was genuinely trying to make amends for past actions. Claire’s also the worst type of helicopter parent! The girl has major trust issues (she even acknowledges it), and it was just a lot for me. Claire is Deliliah’s total opposite, and I was hoping some of Delilah’s carefree attitude would rub off on her, but it didn’t really.

The romance in this book is very slow-burn and mellow. It also felt like something was missing from it. There is a mutual attraction between Delilah and Claire, and I liked watching Delilah develop serious feelings, as she hasn’t had those in a long time, but it was a little heavy on the insta-love. Also, would I have liked Claire to be open and honest with her friends about her relationship with Delilah? Yes. It felt like Delilah was Claire’s dirty little secret, which hurt Delilah. Delilah 100% falls first, and I was a little frustrated with how long it took Claire to realize the full extent of her feelings towards Delilah. Overall, the romance in this was fine, but not my favorite.

This book also felt long and dragged for me. A lot is going on emotionally with all the characters, but not a lot going on in terms of the plot. I wish the story centered more on Astrid and Delilah reconciling their relationship rather than Delilah’s romance with Claire, as that felt where the story’s real heart lay.

I was so disappointed that this book didn’t work for me, as I was so excited to read it! I just wanted a bit more than I got, you know?

Now, I do think I will be checking out book two. As I mentioned, I liked Astrid in this book, and I’m excited to see where she goes from here. It feels like she finally has the opportunity to lead the life she wants, and I’m excited to see that journey for her.

Content Warnings

dwoht's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-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? Yes

3.5

i avoided reading this book last year because i didn't really liked the title and the cover lol i know it's a shallow reason but i finally read it now!

i found the story cliche and predictable most of the time. i found myself rolling my eyes at some lines or whatever, but i also smiled and laughed at some scenes. it's also longer than it needs to be, but then again it's the first book in the series so i kinda understand. i didn't expect to like iris because she was mean at first, but then she became the funniest character. i'm actually excited for her book. i hope she never loses her charm.

i also loved the ending and how they all became friends, i think it was excecuted well. even better than delilah and claire's instant love story lol

i just think all of the characters would benefit in seeing a therapist. like that's all that i can think of while i was reading some parts. like babes im begging u pls see a therapist and get help with your issues!

i will read astrid's book and let's see what will happen next!

Content Warnings

danicampbell0506'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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

koinia's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

Content Warnings

nojgli's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

Content Warnings

malisac16's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

reb_curt's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Glad I did the audiobook of this story. Where some reviews of the written text have mentioned issues with chemistry of the main characters, the audiobook felt like the chemistry was ON POINT.

A fun story that I only wish delved but more into some of the character issues a bit more, but hey maybe that will come with the rest of the series

Content Warnings

katyfayyyx's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I have never thought of myself as romance girly, it has never been a genre I have ever really reached for but maybe this book is proving me wrong because I loved reading this book, I had such a fun time with it. I just loved the characters however I did keep thinking who was this many pre-wedding dates/events because girl what was the reason but that me just over thinking, a really small part of the book. It was just such a fun read like I don't really have a lot to say expect that I just had such a fun time with this book like there were actually a number of times that I laughed out loud and I didn't really want to read this book when I picked it up but I thought I am going to need to read at some point so why not now. I think a reason that this book was just so fun was that no only did I like the two main character as couple but I loved them as individual characters aswell. I do have one issue with this book and that some of the writing and words used screamed millennial like 'shit boot' like every time I read that, I cringed but I guess millennials are this age group, so that maybe have they talk but I don't know and I don't care because I didn't like it. I thought the whole sub-plot about how family is complicated and how they are not all prefect was really well done and doesn't seem to tell you or you should feel sorry for, you get to make your own decision which I liked. This book was just so funny, fun to read, wholesome and just really fluffy and truly had such a good time with this book and the ending just made me so happy, like I had like a warm and fluffy feelings and if you just want a fun, quick read that a whole lot of fun this book is prefect.

Here are some of my favourite moments...
Delilah & Claire first meeting
Claire calling Spencer out on his weird 'good girl' bullshit
When Delilah pushed Spencer into the lake after giving Claire her camera and pretending like it was an accident.
'To shitty men and the women who put them in their godamn place'
I just how this book show how quick queer women fall in love so quick like they have been together for what 10 days and they were both just so madly in love

‘A full, happy feeling filled Delilah’s chest as she looked at her friends, her partner, her home. She lifted her glass once more into the air, tipping it to each of them in turn. To us’- Chapter Thirty Three

Content Warnings

kavarnistka's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

Content Warnings

blubonby's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

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