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abbeyroad1410's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was a very fun read, and I'm glad that I Ashley picked it out for me to read the other week.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is that it doesn't just rotate between the present day and the past, but it also includes articles from both times. The articles really push the theme of reputation, and readers can see how the media portrays both characters despite not knowing anything about them or their relationship. It is also fun to see how Chani herself plays into her role as a journalist and painting a picture that is slightly less than true from her articles. My only disappointment on this front was that we didn't get Chani's follow-up article on Gabe Parker - the main plot point of the book.
Of course, this book loses me at times because I have a lot of trouble believing that characters can fall in love in such a short time. This isn't quite the insta-love that really takes me out of a novel, but it is very quick. I think this book strengthens the plot by having Chani ask the same questions the readers may have about how quickly things progress.
Additionally, I was very upset because the novel had me convinced for awhile that the dog was dead, and the whole time I was thinking "but she would only be 10! She has to still be alive." Dog death messes with my anxiety.
However, this novel had one of the strongest romance novel endings that I have read. I love the idea of Gabe watching an article for the newsletter and getting his perspective rather than Chani's to end the novel. The ending is heartfelt, emotional. One quote hit me so hard that I texted my boyfriend about it.
Overall, this book is worth the read and was a nice light-hearted book for exam week.
One of my favorite parts of this novel is that it doesn't just rotate between the present day and the past, but it also includes articles from both times. The articles really push the theme of reputation, and readers can see how the media portrays both characters despite not knowing anything about them or their relationship. It is also fun to see how Chani herself plays into her role as a journalist and painting a picture that is slightly less than true from her articles. My only disappointment on this front was that we didn't get Chani's follow-up article on Gabe Parker - the main plot point of the book.
Of course, this book loses me at times because I have a lot of trouble believing that characters can fall in love in such a short time. This isn't quite the insta-love that really takes me out of a novel, but it is very quick. I think this book strengthens the plot by having Chani ask the same questions the readers may have about how quickly things progress.
Additionally, I was very upset because the novel had me convinced for awhile that the dog was dead, and the whole time I was thinking "but she would only be 10! She has to still be alive." Dog death messes with my anxiety.
However, this novel had one of the strongest romance novel endings that I have read. I love the idea of Gabe watching an article for the newsletter and getting his perspective rather than Chani's to end the novel. The ending is heartfelt, emotional. One quote hit me so hard that I texted my boyfriend about it.
Overall, this book is worth the read and was a nice light-hearted book for exam week.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Addiction, and Alcoholism
abbiebelen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Car accident, Homophobia, Bullying, and Cancer
addimop's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
fun easy read nothing special
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
merryfaith's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
this was just okay for me. the then-now perspective on this one was a little difficult to follow on audio, and i had to restart the book like 15% in because of how confused i got. i honestly don't remember much of what happened in this (this review is being written like 3 weeks later), but i know it just wasn't for me. i was bored a lot, but i think i will read elissa's next book.
⚠️: alcoholism, addiction, death of parent, misogyny, body shaming, homophobia
⚠️: alcoholism, addiction, death of parent, misogyny, body shaming, homophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Homophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, and Misogyny
annabananadel's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
2.75
"there is nothing just about you."
Bought this book earlier this year and it's been bumming me out that it's been sitting on my TBR for that long already so I decided, finally, to grab it and read it at the start of August. For some reason, it took me a while to finish this book just because I was not being pulled to reading it. Imagine I was on a vacation and I wasn't able to dent it so hard during the trip, that's already speaking a lot. Story-wise, it was a whirlwind, both in a good way and in a bad way. In a good way, because that's how the story is intended. In a bad way, because it was a then and now kind of book set-up and sometimes some Then chapters does not correlate with the Now chapters. I was lost at some point in the story wherein, I was confused what really happened between the two of them. In my opinion, it could have been solved simply by talking about it. But little adults like us don't immediately talk to solve a problem and that's how a book is made up.
To be honest, it's a love and hate relationship for me for the both MCs. I didn't love them but I also didn't hate them. I'm just there listening on how their stories unfold and I'm just existing as a reader. Somehow I didn't feel anything positive when I was reading this book? If that makes sense?
On the positive side, I understand why it's on the pricier side of the books, the physical quality is dead on, the best I've ever held on my hands. I'm also happy that I've read this because I don't have to look at my TBR again and see this on my unread pile. :3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
fionasmith's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
charlotte_'s review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
krystalanddogs's review
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
3.0
This is a little more love at first sight and miscommunication than I really like normally, but I like when a story is told with flashbacks. I liked the main characters, they both made sense to me. It was silly and fun enough that even with the things about it I found annoying, I couldn't really rate it lowly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
alexcooper88's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual harassment