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adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I usually like Hazelwood’s books but there was so much chasing from the FMC’s end that I lost a lot of interest by the time I was nearly finished. I liked that she kept teasing him and trying to make him jealous so that he would get over his own problems to be with her but it felt dragged out for too long. So by the time she had a breakdown and realized she couldn’t fix him I was over their relationship. Even at the end when he did realize that they could be together he still had issues with their age but that was his only argument and it wasn’t that much of a problem so I was done with him altogether. So the ending didn’t really feel rewarding to me as much I as just felt glad that the problems were resolved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This book was addicting! I really loved Maya and Conor and the struggles they go through feel realistic. The past chapters in Edinburgh were prob my favorite though.
Maya does act pretty immature at some points and the constant mention of their age gap got a little tiring but nonetheless this was a really fun read.
Maya does act pretty immature at some points and the constant mention of their age gap got a little tiring but nonetheless this was a really fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Car accident, Alcohol
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
I love Ali Hazelwood books. They are like a little ice cream treat for me. This one is no exception. Hazelwood is an instant buy for me. I also CANNOT BELIEVE she is putting out three books this year, she is a crazy woman, but she can also have all my money. Maya was so fun to read, I loved her inner dialogue and quippy comments. It was nice revisiting multiple side characters from other books, including a mention of a few from other books. Conor was a broody man. I wish we saw his perspective in the book. The setting and the characters make this a perfect summer read. Who doesn't want to spend a week in an Italian Villa with 12 of your closest friends??? Also, I need gelato. 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic friendship
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has been out for maybe a month and I've already read it twice.
Copied review from my first read:
This has surpassed Bride as my favorite Ali Hazelwood book, which honestly I wasn't sure she'd ever do. I generally have liked most everything she's written, but this one I LOVED.
Maya is my favorite FMC that Ali has written. I loved how strong, witty and sure of herself she was. She spends the book telling Connor she knows what she wants and he just has to listen to her. I thought the age-gap was done well and mainly Connor not wanting to give into their connection is where the turmoil comes in. I loved how they formed a friendship over the course of a couple years and that we got to see the flashbacks of that happening. The YEARNING sent me to space!
Connor is the perfect example of that brooding MMC that had a crap family dynamic, but he's not toxic. So many times I read this 'type' of guy but they actually just are assholes and treat the FMC horribly, so the romance comes out of nowhere. THIS IS NOT THAT! Connor despite still working through his inability to confidently express feelings all the time, is able to get there by forming the friendship first with Maya.
4.5 is about as high as I'll rate romance (unless it makes me cry which is a rare thing) but this one did have me in my feels for sure. I did at multiple points have to remind myself this was a romance so the HEA was all-but assured, but she kept me guessing for a while! Hats off Ali, MORE OF THIS PLEASE!
I also immediately went to follow the FMC narrator Elizabeth Lamont - a truly outstanding performance!
Copied review from my first read:
This has surpassed Bride as my favorite Ali Hazelwood book, which honestly I wasn't sure she'd ever do. I generally have liked most everything she's written, but this one I LOVED.
Maya is my favorite FMC that Ali has written. I loved how strong, witty and sure of herself she was. She spends the book telling Connor she knows what she wants and he just has to listen to her. I thought the age-gap was done well and mainly Connor not wanting to give into their connection is where the turmoil comes in. I loved how they formed a friendship over the course of a couple years and that we got to see the flashbacks of that happening. The YEARNING sent me to space!
Connor is the perfect example of that brooding MMC that had a crap family dynamic, but he's not toxic. So many times I read this 'type' of guy but they actually just are assholes and treat the FMC horribly, so the romance comes out of nowhere. THIS IS NOT THAT! Connor despite still working through his inability to confidently express feelings all the time, is able to get there by forming the friendship first with Maya.
4.5 is about as high as I'll rate romance (unless it makes me cry which is a rare thing) but this one did have me in my feels for sure. I did at multiple points have to remind myself this was a romance so the HEA was all-but assured, but she kept me guessing for a while! Hats off Ali, MORE OF THIS PLEASE!
I also immediately went to follow the FMC narrator Elizabeth Lamont - a truly outstanding performance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
funny
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
This is my first Ali Hazelwood book and while I thought it was ok, I wouldn’t pick up another one of her books over some of my favorite authors. It was a bit raunchy for my liking, and the age-gap trope gave me the ick. But, I loved the setting of Italy, especially since I’m there right now! The banter was also great and made it a much more enjoyable read. While I didn’t necessarily like the premise, I do think it was well done for those who don’t mind the trope. Maya was definitely annoying sometimes, but it was easier to understand why as I read along. I just wish some of Conor’s trauma and flaws were addressed before they got together, as that felt a bit unrealistic. Overall, this book was an easy summer read, but be wary of smut and an atypical age-gap trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Pregnancy
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The age gap in this was PERFECT! I was looking forward to reading this when I heard that Ali was releasing a story about Maya and Hark because I loved Not in Love so much. I loved the destination wedding aspect, the atmosphere, THE BANTER and the storyline. The banter was probably my favorite part of this book as it had my literally laughing out loud at parts. Conor is sweet hardass , Maya is spicy squishball. It’s my favorite kind of troupe.
I did feel like the ending was a little rushed however. Just my personal opinion.
I did feel like the ending was a little rushed however. Just my personal opinion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Death of parent
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent