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jxzmine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
allingoodtime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There is a lot of potential in this story, but at times it was difficult to get through. Not only because of certain plot points, but because there are times the writing is corny. Some of the flirting that is, I guess, supposed to be witty banter comes across as juvenile and cringe. There is definite chemistry between Juliet and Henley. It’s what kept me reading this book. This is a new-to-me author so I was trying to figure out her rhythm and give her a chance.
As I said, great chemistry. I’m not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, I like my books a bit more rivals to lovers. The reason is that I have a hard time giving a character grace after they have been downright mean or cruel to the love interest. Truth be told, the relationship between these two gets toxic and I don’t know if I fully forgave Henley, no matter what his underlying issues were. On top of that, as Henley was running hot and cold, Juliet was what we would consider a stalker if it wasn’t clear she and Henley were supposed to work out and fall in love. She was so set on making Henley fall in love with her it crossed into the creepy territory a time or two. I understand that there are many readers out there who love all these things I’m saying, this is a perfect book for those readers.
When it comes to Kingston Lane and all of its residents, as well as Juliet’s best friend, I was all in. They have a sort of family on their cul de sac and it’s both wonderful and overbearing. However, when a particular woman moves back in with her mom and flirts with all the guys on the street, the other women are catty and terrible behind her back. I felt, for a book published in 2023, there is a lot of woman-on-woman bashing going on and it made me uncomfortable. Other than blatantly flirting and throwing herself at the MMC (whom she did not know was seeing the MFC because their relationship was being kept secret), I didn’t understand the venom the other women had in their hearts when talking about her behind her back constantly.
Oddly enough, I probably will try another story by this author. I’m curious about the rest of the residents and how their HEAs will come about so it may be the next book in this series. Or I may try the first book in her The Miles High Club series as I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for that one. Her storyline and character connections are spot on so I’d like to give her another try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Body shaming, Grief, and Terminal illness
felicityvaughn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
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