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cxffee_addxct's review against another edition
4.0
Sammy Espinoza's Last Review is a beautiful second-chance romance novel with heavy emphasis on themes of family dynamics, healing and identity struggles.
I honestly loved this entire book. Sammy is such a relatable character, and her struggle to navigate and maintain her relationships due to lack of experience and lack of a role model was one of the most heartwrenching, close to home struggles I've read in a while. I felt for her the whole time, even when she was writing her article to submit to Esme knowing it would be betraying Max. It's so hard to detangle and unpack all of those emotions when you've been trained to expect people to leave you, and I love how Sammy, even as a good person, was imperfect and did things that hurt others. She's such a well-rounded character, and I just absolutely adore that. I wish Sammy had gotten more time with Paloma. The moment they connected and started bonding, I knew that their clock was ticking, but I still wish they'd had more time together. I cried like a baby when Sammy found her in her bed, and was in tears until the epilogue.
Tied in to ^^ that, Dina Rae's character will forever be on my shit list. The amount of just...nasty emotions I harbor towards that woman, I cannot even begin to share how infuriated she made me. The fact that she was the prime reason behind Sammy's problems and traumas and at the end, she admitted to it but still pushed for Sammy to just...let it go? Be happy for her? Go to the wedding? This woman is a nightmare and deserved to be slapped with no-contact.
Sammy's chemistry with Max is honestly so heart-warming to read. The two of them understand each other on such a deep level, even when Max doesn't remember who Sammy is, and it's so cute to see the two of them back on the road to romance even though Sammy swears up and down at the start that she won't let him get to her again. Even though they both hurt each other so badly at the end there, they were willing to work on themselves and try to move past it together. That's such a good mark of a healthy relationship, and we don't get to see that much anymore in romance novels so serious props to the author for writing such a healthy, green-flag couple.
(Side note: I love the Crosses. Can they take me in too?)
All in all, Sammy Espinoza's Last Review is a solid 4.5 star read. I fully plan on recommending this book to any and everyone I know because it deserves all of the hype! Thank you to Tehlor Kay Mejia and Dell Publishing Company for the free book and the chance to read this wonderful story.
I honestly loved this entire book. Sammy is such a relatable character, and her struggle to navigate and maintain her relationships due to lack of experience and lack of a role model was one of the most heartwrenching, close to home struggles I've read in a while. I felt for her the whole time, even when she was writing her article to submit to Esme knowing it would be betraying Max. It's so hard to detangle and unpack all of those emotions when you've been trained to expect people to leave you, and I love how Sammy, even as a good person, was imperfect and did things that hurt others. She's such a well-rounded character, and I just absolutely adore that. I wish Sammy had gotten more time with Paloma. The moment they connected and started bonding, I knew that their clock was ticking, but I still wish they'd had more time together. I cried like a baby when Sammy found her in her bed, and was in tears until the epilogue.
Tied in to ^^ that, Dina Rae's character will forever be on my shit list. The amount of just...nasty emotions I harbor towards that woman, I cannot even begin to share how infuriated she made me. The fact that she was the prime reason behind Sammy's problems and traumas and at the end, she admitted to it but still pushed for Sammy to just...let it go? Be happy for her? Go to the wedding? This woman is a nightmare and deserved to be slapped with no-contact.
Sammy's chemistry with Max is honestly so heart-warming to read. The two of them understand each other on such a deep level, even when Max doesn't remember who Sammy is, and it's so cute to see the two of them back on the road to romance even though Sammy swears up and down at the start that she won't let him get to her again. Even though they both hurt each other so badly at the end there, they were willing to work on themselves and try to move past it together. That's such a good mark of a healthy relationship, and we don't get to see that much anymore in romance novels so serious props to the author for writing such a healthy, green-flag couple.
(Side note: I love the Crosses. Can they take me in too?)
All in all, Sammy Espinoza's Last Review is a solid 4.5 star read. I fully plan on recommending this book to any and everyone I know because it deserves all of the hype! Thank you to Tehlor Kay Mejia and Dell Publishing Company for the free book and the chance to read this wonderful story.
rebicon's review against another edition
4.0
God damn this book made me cry more than once…
I really enjoyed reading this book. Sammy is lost searching for stable ground surrounding all things life, which is entirely relatable. I loved that fact that everything that she needs to work on was up front and center. Willa and Brook are the best friends/ family you need to help guide and advise you while still staying in your corner. Knowing that there is always someone is there. Paloma, Sammy’s grandma, is probably my favorite. She has that distinct personality of loving but also don’t mess with me and I’ll do what I want. Max is also pretty lost and is trying to figure things out in his life too. This book does follow trauma on both sides and unhealthy coping mechanisms that both need to face and work on.
I love how everything was described in this book so I could picture everything going on and create the scene in my head.
My only qualm about the book is that the actions towards the end from from both Sammy and Max were slightly off-putting. I felt like it didn’t match where they both were at and didn’t come together the right way in the end.
Overall, I think this is a great book with great characters that depicts someone who is trying to better themselves.
I was sent an eARC by Penguin Random House through NetGalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Sammy is lost searching for stable ground surrounding all things life, which is entirely relatable. I loved that fact that everything that she needs to work on was up front and center. Willa and Brook are the best friends/ family you need to help guide and advise you while still staying in your corner. Knowing that there is always someone is there. Paloma, Sammy’s grandma, is probably my favorite. She has that distinct personality of loving but also don’t mess with me and I’ll do what I want. Max is also pretty lost and is trying to figure things out in his life too. This book does follow trauma on both sides and unhealthy coping mechanisms that both need to face and work on.
I love how everything was described in this book so I could picture everything going on and create the scene in my head.
My only qualm about the book is that the actions towards the end from from both Sammy and Max were slightly off-putting. I felt like it didn’t match where they both were at and didn’t come together the right way in the end.
Overall, I think this is a great book with great characters that depicts someone who is trying to better themselves.
I was sent an eARC by Penguin Random House through NetGalley for an honest review.
_karinaiello_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a lovely little romance that checked all the boxes. Beware that although the author has written YA previously and the cover kinda looks YA, this an adult novel and it is a bit spicy, definitely too much for some people's kids. And by that, I mean some adults I know. ;)
Things I loved: queer rep, anxiety rep, found family, PNW setting, Mexican heritage, the food 🤌🏻😘
Things I didn't love: oh look more miscommunication trope, 3rd act breakup with bf, BFF, and Gma tooooo much! my emotions! can't handle the pain!, another shitty mom, a 30 year old who doesn't know how to cook anything besides Mac and cheese.
Anywho, it was overall really good and I wish I could remember who recommended it so I could thank them but anyway. Read this if you listened to Panic! At the Disco back in the day and if you listen to Noah Kahan now.
Things I loved: queer rep, anxiety rep, found family, PNW setting, Mexican heritage, the food 🤌🏻😘
Things I didn't love: oh look more miscommunication trope, 3rd act breakup with bf, BFF, and Gma tooooo much! my emotions! can't handle the pain!, another shitty mom, a 30 year old who doesn't know how to cook anything besides Mac and cheese.
Anywho, it was overall really good and I wish I could remember who recommended it so I could thank them but anyway. Read this if you listened to Panic! At the Disco back in the day and if you listen to Noah Kahan now.
ljoy3's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
sezillee's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Alcoholism
loudbookstore's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
First time I've been let down by reviews on this platform.
Take "Max" out of this book and this would be a pretty good book. Having the last few pages finally have the male take a little accountability for his terrible actions isn't good enough. And if it leads anyone reading this to believe that Sammy (and therefore any person in her position) is the bad guy?
... this book will do more harm than good.
And side note-- The sex was boring and very het for a queer character.
Take "Max" out of this book and this would be a pretty good book. Having the last few pages finally have the male take a little accountability for his terrible actions isn't good enough. And if it leads anyone reading this to believe that Sammy (and therefore any person in her position) is the bad guy?
... this book will do more harm than good.
And side note-- The sex was boring and very het for a queer character.
joannas's review against another edition
5.0
This was so Emily Henry coded … I cried … multiple times. 10/10
dotsiestevens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
echarp's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
youshouldreadthisif's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25