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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.5
After being ditched for another woman, Tiffy is desperate to find a new place to live. Leon has a flat sitting empty at night while he's out working and is in need of extra cash. Seems like the ideal arrangement; they live together and yet have the place to themselves. It's just the rest of their lives that make things more complicated...
Picked this book up after seeing the recent TV adaptation advertised (still haven't managed to actually watch ot though!) and liking the premise. It certainly delivered upon my expectations; I was pleasantly surprised that the set up didn't feel contrived, but instead made perfect sense in the circumstances! Similarly, the exchange of messages via post-it note works really well; they have phones and know how to use them, but somehow again there was no questioning why they didn't just message or WhatsApp eachother, even when their notes become longer.
On the surface, this is a very cute story, but there are darker themes running throughout. Normally, the only thing that gets me to close the book and take a breath before continuing is second-hand embarrassment, but in this case there were a couple of occasions where I needed a moment to allow my more visceral reactions towards certain characters and actions to subside. Tiffy does go on something of a healing journey throughout the book, and so I also found myself having to revise my opinion on some of her thoughts and actions, and recognise them as almost a 'conditioned response' to a girl who can't quite let go of a guy who is clearly not good for her. I give the author kudos for illustrating the development and recovery process in such a way.
The book is very well rounded, with a number of great little sub-plots and other details that serve the main plot very well and flesh out both the main and secondary characters, making them particularly lovable (or hateable as the case may be). There's a little bit of social commentary on the state of the justice system, a story of long-lost love, and an admiration of crochet that absolutely tips this towards the 'cosy' end of the spectrum in places!
The one thing I didn't get to grips with was the way Leon's chapters were structured. The chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon's PoVs, but while Tiffy's are written in fairly standard prose, Leon's are a bit all over the place. Parts are written in abridged sentences, almost like he's filling in a patient's chart as part of his job. Speech isn't set out in speech marks, but rather prefixed with the name of the speaker, giving the impression of text messages or even a script. And other elements of the text feel more like a continuation of the post-it notes. There isn't a specific reason given for this quirky style and, while it is still 100% readable, it felt like energy needlessly wasted when it could have been set out in the same way as Tiffy's and been just as effective while being easier to digest.
I was initially torn about whether I'd keep this book or not, but the more I think about adding it to the charity pile, the stronger the feeling I get that I'll want to read it again at some point. So, for now at least, it earns a place on my bookshelf.
Picked this book up after seeing the recent TV adaptation advertised (still haven't managed to actually watch ot though!) and liking the premise. It certainly delivered upon my expectations; I was pleasantly surprised that the set up didn't feel contrived, but instead made perfect sense in the circumstances! Similarly, the exchange of messages via post-it note works really well; they have phones and know how to use them, but somehow again there was no questioning why they didn't just message or WhatsApp eachother, even when their notes become longer.
On the surface, this is a very cute story, but there are darker themes running throughout. Normally, the only thing that gets me to close the book and take a breath before continuing is second-hand embarrassment, but in this case there were a couple of occasions where I needed a moment to allow my more visceral reactions towards certain characters and actions to subside. Tiffy does go on something of a healing journey throughout the book, and so I also found myself having to revise my opinion on some of her thoughts and actions, and recognise them as almost a 'conditioned response' to a girl who can't quite let go of a guy who is clearly not good for her. I give the author kudos for illustrating the development and recovery process in such a way.
The book is very well rounded, with a number of great little sub-plots and other details that serve the main plot very well and flesh out both the main and secondary characters, making them particularly lovable (or hateable as the case may be). There's a little bit of social commentary on the state of the justice system, a story of long-lost love, and an admiration of crochet that absolutely tips this towards the 'cosy' end of the spectrum in places!
The one thing I didn't get to grips with was the way Leon's chapters were structured. The chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon's PoVs, but while Tiffy's are written in fairly standard prose, Leon's are a bit all over the place. Parts are written in abridged sentences, almost like he's filling in a patient's chart as part of his job. Speech isn't set out in speech marks, but rather prefixed with the name of the speaker, giving the impression of text messages or even a script. And other elements of the text feel more like a continuation of the post-it notes. There isn't a specific reason given for this quirky style and, while it is still 100% readable, it felt like energy needlessly wasted when it could have been set out in the same way as Tiffy's and been just as effective while being easier to digest.
I was initially torn about whether I'd keep this book or not, but the more I think about adding it to the charity pile, the stronger the feeling I get that I'll want to read it again at some point. So, for now at least, it earns a place on my bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Alcohol, War, Racism, and Sexual content
britney_l_xox's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
annieb26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Stalking
Moderate: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Medical content
samcanuel's review
emotional
funny
fast-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? No
4.25
This book got me out of a major reading slump. I really enjoyed how the narrators each had a distinct voice. This story dealt with heavy topics with grace and entwined a sweet love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Medical content, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Alcohol, and Sexual content
veskumelooni's review
emotional
funny
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Violence
vivisms_82's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
3.5
A little bit funny, a little bit witty, a little bit cheesy. Usual circle of friends you find in a rom-com. Yeah this features an emotionally abusive and manipulative ex, as well as a brother in prison for a crime he didn't do but it is still very much a light romance. Leon is sweet; Tiffy is a gorgeous, tall redhead. Nothing truly heavy or surprising happening here. Still an ok light read nontheless.
*I did the audiobook featuring Kwake Fortune & Carrie Hope Fletcher; I thought the narrators were excellent and captured the tone of the book and characters well.
*I did the audiobook featuring Kwake Fortune & Carrie Hope Fletcher; I thought the narrators were excellent and captured the tone of the book and characters well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Terminal illness
alexiconic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
really, this book did so much right. i loved the (side) characters and their relationship with our main characters, and the ways in which they brought color to the book and illuminated the main characters’ best attributes and flaws.
the story built up our main characters with great delicacy and care. the book gave us so much slow buildup - and it worked.
and then came the mid-to-end part where everything was suddenly fast-paced. that conflict just hadn’t received the same careful buildup as the rest of the narrative. and it could really have been so much better if it had.
the story built up our main characters with great delicacy and care. the book gave us so much slow buildup - and it worked.
and then came the mid-to-end part where everything was suddenly fast-paced. that conflict just hadn’t received the same careful buildup as the rest of the narrative. and it could really have been so much better if it had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Violence
maggieparedesauthor's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Violence
alisswift's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence
mslori's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Violence