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ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Abandonment
Minor: Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
hanreads__'s review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Love at first sight ✔️
He falls first and harder ✔️
She’s grumpy, he’s sunshine ✔️
Soulmates ✔️
*~*~*~*~*
I’m a sucker for a Tessa Bailey book and Lord, this cute little story did wonders for me. I absolutely adored the plot and the idea of someone being a window designer?! Like how unique is that job?
I absolutely ADORED Aiden and if I could buy him all the silly bow ties in the world, I would. This man has an actual heart of gold and I’m so sad that him and Aunt Edna aren’t real people because I so badly want to meet them. Aiden is honestly a golden retriever but in bed, fuck me, like literally, can he? The loyalty he has to Stella and the faith he has in her is heartwarming and he deserves a man of the year award idc.
I loved the Stella was an ex-con and that she had so much character development. You can tell that while she may seem rough around the edges, she’s a softie deep down, and it’s about time she had the confidence and belief in herself that others clearly do. I absolutely hated that she felt the way she did in regards to her friendship with Nicole and I was so proud of her for standing up to Nicole.
Speaking of Nicole, I was expecting a whole situation to go down but I love the little plot twist that Tessa threw in, it just made the book even better and had me smiling because it just benefitted Stella in so many ways.
The only disappointment was the lack of diversity. I NEVER see any diversity in Tessa’s books and I really wish I would for once. Sometimes it’s a little boring to see the same kind of characters over and over again rather than different characters that are representing a disability, a sexuality, a race or more. Diversity is so important in books and for me, it’s something that Tessa needs to include.
Despite this, I loved the book and I’m so glad I got it!!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
timelord10's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
1. This is marketed as a Christmas party, but besides the brief mention of decorations and Christmas parties and of the main characters' past Christmases, it wasn't all that Christmassy.
2. Aiden and Stella were constantly marveling over the fact that they can be so open with each other, yet most of their conflict was from a lack of communication. It was kind of frustrating.
3. Some of the dirty talk made me cringe.
4. There was a lot of repetitive descriptions (example: Aiden is big or he smells like peppermint).
Personally, I did like Stella and Aiden. They just annoyed me sometimes. I related to some of Stella's feelings of imposter syndrome. And I related to Aiden always wanting to please his family so that they'll maybe accept him. Not the best first book of the year, but oh well.
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Gun violence
saraavowlerr'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
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
mandaraffe's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Alcohol, Cursing, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wtv, i do enjoy tessa’s writing and cannot wait for hannah’s story AND FOX
so yeah
i’m out
bye
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gun violence and Confinement