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meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Going in, I don't know why, I'm still unsure if it was me or the book, but for the first few pages I just couldn't get into it. I wasn't vibing with the writing and I wasn't vibing with the way it started and I seriously don't know why. Like I kept starting and stopping the book and I was so close to dnf-ing it cuz I just wasn't feeling it (so glad I didn't dnf it). And, that was my experience for the first 30 pages or so and I think after that it picked up a little for me. Now although it picked up, I would say it was around the 130-page mark is where I really started to feel for the characters.
And then after that, I was just enthralled. Each POV provided a different perspective and after reading the book it really established that there was no one "bad guy" in this book. Both characters had a role to play in the demise of their marriage.
And to be quite honest, in my opinion, I felt like doing the divorce was needed for Yasmen to develop into the person that she is now. She was so distraught from all this death and sadness in her life while also having her own husband not understand. Stuff like that can feel suffocating and I'm glad Kennedy also explored both the mental and physical implications depression can have on you. So, although her decision to end her marriage was rash and something she later regrets, I think without doing that she wouldn't have been able to better herself the way she did. I'm also glad the author acknowledged that although Yasmen regrets her decision, she also had to sit in it and acknowledge the consequences of her actions, while also being aware that she can't sit in the past and that she needs to be kind to herself.
On the other hand, although I sympathized with Yasmen throughout the entire book. Josiah's claims of frustration are so valid and I'm so happy that his grievances were illustrated in his POV because it really made me empathize with him a lot.
Now, the only reason this wasn't a five-star is like I said in the beginning was pretty slow for me. Still not a big fan of Kennedy's writing style weirdly enough, but maybe it's just me because this was my first book by her. I wish we got more therapy chapters, but towards the end we got more which may be the reason why I enjoyed the later half of the book more than the former. And although I sympathized and empathized with Yasmen and Josiah, for some reason I didn't completely connect with them. Like I really enjoyed them and going through their journey to becoming better people and finding themselves and I genuinely believe they belong together, however, for some reason, I just wasn't obsessed with them. And I think this has to do with the fact that this book doesn't follow the "typical romance format". This read more so like a contemporary fiction story with a huge romance plot. A lot of development that happened between Josiah and Yasmen happened with them individually instead of as a couple which is why they were able to come together and be stronger for one another and their kids toward the end of the book. And I'm not knocking that decision because it did make sense for the premise of the book, but I think that's why I wasn't over the moon about them until the end where they finally started having discussions with one another and finally letting their emotions rip out. Also, this is just a me thing, but at times it completely boggled me how someone could stay stuck on someone for that long. This mindset might be attributed to the minimal relationship experiences I've had, who knows? Overall, I highly recommend this book.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (much more prevalent in the later half of the book so watch out for that; also there a lot of sex talk throughout the book so beware of that too)
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Death, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
booksalacarte'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
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Alcohol, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Death, and Grief
bookdragonkatie'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: Cursing, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
louisekf'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
4.25
This is not a light read, but a powerful examination of a marriage. While Yasmen has faced her feelings, Josiah has repressed them. I loved how the author focused on psychology/therapy as a positive force. The story is told from both perspectives, with some chapters narrated by Yasmen and others by Josiah. There were some great side characters, including Yasmen’s two friends: Hendrix and Soledad, and young teen Deja.
Warning: graphic depiction of pregnancy and miscarriage/stillbirth; lots of curse words (for those who don’t like that sort of language in books); graphic open door “spice.”
I was surprised to find some recipes at the end of the book, as I’ve usually only seen those in culinary cozy mystery books They sound delicious!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was very late to it. With the next book in the series coming out shortly, I guess I had the incentive to finally read this one! I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem. All opinions are my own.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bunnyreads3'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Self harm, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Grief, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Infertility, Cursing, Death of parent, and Mental illness
gabichatslit'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
My first Kennedy Ryan read and I am forever changed. This is my favorite read of the year. This book was amazing. It was emotional and sad and funny and loving and real and raw. Yas and Josiah, and all their friends and family felt so real. And I absolutely love them and reading their love story. I have never giggled and blushed and kicked my feet and screamed and cried as much as I did reading this book. I don’t remember the last time I read a 300+ book in one day. Like any free moment I had, I was picking this book up. I’m about to go listen to the audiobook while I cook breakfast rn just because I’m not ready to leave these characters and Skyland. I’m so excited for Sol’s story, March can’t come quick enough lol and I’m glad I preordered my copy the other day (before I had even started the book mind you lol)
Ryan is easily one of my favorite authors. She has this way with words that I can’t even put into words. It’s just beautiful and tender and I’m just so glad I picked this book up. I’ll have more thoughts later. But yeah, my number 1 of 2023 for sure.
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
jikuuu08'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
4.25
the dialogue of every character was so distinct and though the topics varied through heavy and emotional situations, the lightness and fun sprinkled into the story was delightful.
the narritive comes full circle and in the end is so heartwarming and satisfying.
i learned that love is not how inherently good it is, but it is more how you can fight through the bad and find your way back to eachother when times are tough.
Graphic: Self harm, Car accident, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
kerrygetsliterary'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: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Child death, Cursing, Grief, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
michelle_my_belle'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: Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Child death
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Dementia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
books_withblooms'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
4.25
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Grief, Mental illness, Child death, Death, and Cursing