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readingwithtrey's review
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is one of those books that I had to sit and think about after finishing. I’m still not quite sure about my feelings on it, but I know overall, it wasn’t for me.
Sadie was not a lovable character at all. She was a lot. In the beginning of the book, she was so much of a brat that I seriously thought I’d have to call it quits on this. One thing that was really off putting for me was that her and her 2 girl friends used a certain word as a term of endearment excessively. This along with the overuse of modern cliche phrases, really made me second guess continueing to read. But when Sadie accidentally responds to a roommate listing (thinking she’s on a dating app), I thought the story would get better. It was a unique plot line with a lot of potential.
I didn’t buy the relationship between Jack and Sadie. Jack’s character completely fell flat. He really lacked a personality so we didn’t get to really know him. Due to this, it seemed to come out of left field when the relationship started to turn romantic.
The were a couple of nods to diversity in this book. When I came across the first one I thought “wow, unexpected diversity. Go author.” But then it’s literally just like 2 sentences. It really read as though the author was just checking off representation boxes without going deeper than surface level.
I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars because I know that some of the things that bothered me may not bother others & I try to keep that in mind when rating books. I settled on 3 stars because I did want to know how it ended; but honestly, I probably wouldn’t recommend it🥴.
Sadie was not a lovable character at all. She was a lot. In the beginning of the book, she was so much of a brat that I seriously thought I’d have to call it quits on this. One thing that was really off putting for me was that her and her 2 girl friends used a certain word as a term of endearment excessively. This along with the overuse of modern cliche phrases, really made me second guess continueing to read. But when Sadie accidentally responds to a roommate listing (thinking she’s on a dating app), I thought the story would get better. It was a unique plot line with a lot of potential.
I didn’t buy the relationship between Jack and Sadie. Jack’s character completely fell flat. He really lacked a personality so we didn’t get to really know him. Due to this, it seemed to come out of left field when the relationship started to turn romantic.
The were a couple of nods to diversity in this book. When I came across the first one I thought “wow, unexpected diversity. Go author.” But then it’s literally just like 2 sentences. It really read as though the author was just checking off representation boxes without going deeper than surface level.
I went back and forth between giving it 2 or 3 stars because I know that some of the things that bothered me may not bother others & I try to keep that in mind when rating books. I settled on 3 stars because I did want to know how it ended; but honestly, I probably wouldn’t recommend it🥴.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident, Death, and Death of parent
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse and Car accident
alibookedup's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Death
ariana_m's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
This was great! Really lighthearted and enjoyable. I loved everyone in this book. There was not a single character I disliked and I had zero complaints. I can't believe this was a debut novel from this author because it was so good and I can't wait for her next book. I think this author will be a new favorite. I loved Sadie and Jack so much. Jack and is the definition of a cinnamon roll hero lol. He was so sweet from start to finish. If I was annotating the book, I would have highlighted everything he said lol. I loved Sadie too, she was so funny at times. I also loved the found family aspect of this as well. Overall I loved this book a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
heddaah's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Car accident
katilette's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Grief, and Car accident
mandapanda816's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
kristin_bee's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
-3 good things: friends to lovers, humor (especially side characters), longer time frame
-2 sentence summary: Sadie’s life basically folds in on itself after getting passed over for a promotion. She lucks into a room in a brownstone owned by Jack, who, like Sadie, is struggling—together they help each other start to heal.
-1 word to describe the book: Friendship
-2 sentence summary: Sadie’s life basically folds in on itself after getting passed over for a promotion. She lucks into a room in a brownstone owned by Jack, who, like Sadie, is struggling—together they help each other start to heal.
-1 word to describe the book: Friendship
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Car accident
maddysbooks_'s review
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? Yes
4.0
this was a really great comfort rom-com. at the beginning, i wasn’t a giant fan of the main character, she seemed to me like she was going to be very annoying and full of herself, however after reading more you learn that that’s a part of a facade which really helps to add to her character development and makes you sympathize with her a lot.
i also enjoyed that the mc’s friends were very fleshed out characters and you got to see a little bit into their own storylines throughout the book.
i also loved the relationship between the mc and her love interest, jack. it had a ton of buildup and tension that led to a great relationship that didn’t seem like it just came out of nowhere.
the only thing i didn’t love was the conflict at the very end of the book. it seemed to me very pointless and as if it didn’t really need to be there.
that being said, i really did like this book and i would probably come to this as a comfort read again.
i also enjoyed that the mc’s friends were very fleshed out characters and you got to see a little bit into their own storylines throughout the book.
i also loved the relationship between the mc and her love interest, jack. it had a ton of buildup and tension that led to a great relationship that didn’t seem like it just came out of nowhere.
the only thing i didn’t love was the conflict at the very end of the book. it seemed to me very pointless and as if it didn’t really need to be there.
that being said, i really did like this book and i would probably come to this as a comfort read again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Emotional abuse
Minor: Car accident
mintcheoco's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Car accident