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k327's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
diana_raquel's review against another edition
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
3.5
“But most of us are too scared to even ask what we want, in case we can't have it.”
That's it!
Friends-to-lovers it's not my favorite prompt! And this book proves it! The only reason why I'm giving this book a 3.5 stars rating is that I liked the interaction between Poppy and Alex as friends. And I think that I'm being a little generous here. Look, I know that the end game of the book is romance, but do they have to be a couple? Why couldn't they reconnect and stayed friends?
I admit that, at first, even knowing that this was a friends-to-lovers story, I was having fun. I was entertained. I liked the writing style and I have to say that the characters are well-developed. Another thing that I really liked was the non-linear story because, that way, I felt like we were knowing more about the characters and kept the reason why Alex and Poppy were no longer friends a secret for a little more time. However, Alex's love for Poppy seemed a little on the obsessive side. Not to the point of being a red flag, but it's a little creepy. And that put me off.
So I would not recommend this book, but I'm willing to read Book Lovers. Maybe I'll like it!
That's it!
Friends-to-lovers it's not my favorite prompt! And this book proves it! The only reason why I'm giving this book a 3.5 stars rating is that I liked the interaction between Poppy and Alex as friends. And I think that I'm being a little generous here. Look, I know that the end game of the book is romance, but do they have to be a couple? Why couldn't they reconnect and stayed friends?
I admit that, at first, even knowing that this was a friends-to-lovers story, I was having fun. I was entertained. I liked the writing style and I have to say that the characters are well-developed. Another thing that I really liked was the non-linear story because, that way, I felt like we were knowing more about the characters and kept the reason why Alex and Poppy were no longer friends a secret for a little more time. However, Alex's love for Poppy seemed a little on the obsessive side. Not to the point of being a red flag, but it's a little creepy. And that put me off.
So I would not recommend this book, but I'm willing to read Book Lovers. Maybe I'll like it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Sexism, Medical content, and Classism
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is extraordinary. So offen when reading romance books I say in my review that they are "good but nothing special." That usually means most people will find some way to enjoy it in my opinion.
With this book however I don't think it's for everyone. It definitely is NOT a cute quick romance book.
This felt more like a contemporary book about two people who happen to be in love with each other.
That being said I absolutely love this book. I enjoyed every minute of the audiobook and I definitely want to reread it and buy a physical copy!
This book makes me wonder why I ever thought enemies-to-lovers is the best type of romance. I still love it but mostly in fantasy settings.
Bestfriends-to-lovers however - wow! I absolutely loved Poppy and Alex's dynamic. The way they could truly be themselves around each other and how they adored each other is just something so special.
What I also loved about this book is how real and human it felt. There are still a few romancy tropes but all in all the stories and the feelings are something I could relate to so much.
I feel like this just made it's way into my favourite books of all times list.
With this book however I don't think it's for everyone. It definitely is NOT a cute quick romance book.
This felt more like a contemporary book about two people who happen to be in love with each other.
That being said I absolutely love this book. I enjoyed every minute of the audiobook and I definitely want to reread it and buy a physical copy!
This book makes me wonder why I ever thought enemies-to-lovers is the best type of romance. I still love it but mostly in fantasy settings.
Bestfriends-to-lovers however - wow! I absolutely loved Poppy and Alex's dynamic. The way they could truly be themselves around each other and how they adored each other is just something so special.
What I also loved about this book is how real and human it felt. There are still a few romancy tropes but all in all the stories and the feelings are something I could relate to so much.
I feel like this just made it's way into my favourite books of all times list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
bectothebooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
sam_rami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
(early plotline spoilers)
3.5 stars!
This book! I loved it! This goes through the relationship of two college best friends who had summer trips but then suddenly two years ago they stopped talking meaning their yearly summer trips no longer existed. Poppy, who works for a travel magazine is stuck in a rut and wants to get out of it invites her best friend Alex for one more trip, but the feelings about what happened on the trip they stopped talking starts to affect them. This is kind of a friends - enemies - lovers situation. It is beautiful I love this trope. The way Alex cares for Poppy is just so cute and I love it so much. I just wish the flashback chapters would be set up differently, that is just a personal preference because over time I got kind of confused on which summer we were on or what was happening. Their romance totally made up for it and Croatia... I completely recommend this book!
3.5 stars!
This book! I loved it! This goes through the relationship of two college best friends who had summer trips but then suddenly two years ago they stopped talking meaning their yearly summer trips no longer existed. Poppy, who works for a travel magazine is stuck in a rut and wants to get out of it invites her best friend Alex for one more trip, but the feelings about what happened on the trip they stopped talking starts to affect them. This is kind of a friends - enemies - lovers situation. It is beautiful I love this trope. The way Alex cares for Poppy is just so cute and I love it so much. I just wish the flashback chapters would be set up differently, that is just a personal preference because over time I got kind of confused on which summer we were on or what was happening. Their romance totally made up for it and Croatia... I completely recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, and Medical content
negs's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Death of parent
ktc97's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
This book lived up to all of the hype! The characters are lovable, the writing is snappy, and the comedic timing of the book is perfect. It had me laughing out loud and crying real tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
larareads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
eligru's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So raw, honest and just all-round relatable! (not the going-on-vacation-after-vacation part, but the people, their struggles and emotions). I always enjoy stories about friendships/relationships that span years and show how people change, grow over time and still fit together in unexpected ways. Still I would have liked to learn more about their current/future lives and a bit less about all their past adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Bullying, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Things I liked:
-I absolutely adored Poppy and Alex. They were wonderful characters, and I loved taking our time getting to know them and how their relationship formed and grew.
-I loooove a good friends-to-lovers story, it is my favorite trope. These two had such a deep and abiding friendship, and I loved how they loved each other unconditionally, platonically and in pining for each other.
-Excellent banter. Truly wonderful dialogue.
-Characters going to therapy to work on their shit!
-Time slip - I really like stories told in time slip, I'm finding. I did have a little trouble keeping all the stories from the past straight, perhaps because of the way my brain processes, combined with the fact that there were so many of them and most of them took place while traveling (even though it was to different locations), as did the "present" timeline.
-Emily Henry wrote to a lot of the emotional struggles millennials have in just pretending to adult but being convinced everyone else has it together, feelings of loneliness and longing and confusion over what to do with your life and where you want to be in the world.
-Vasectomy portrayal!!! I had never seen this portrayed in a book before and it just immediately made Alex a king among men
Things that fell short for me:
-Croatia was so built up throughout the book as The Event That Ended Their Friendship, and then I thought what happened was very anticlimactic. I didn't believe the ten-year friendship she'd portrayed would have ended after that. Emily Henry came and visited the Bad Bitch Book Club and said it wasn't so much Croatia as what happened in Tuscany, which I get, but then that wasn't what was built up in the 90% of the book before we get to that point; we kept hearing Croatia as the turning point.
-I struggled to buy that these two were so incompatible as to just pine for each other for 10 years but not do anything about it, since they get along so well when they're in person together. JenReadsRomance's review named with succinct clarity a big aspect of this, which is that there has to be buy-in for the question of why two characters can't be together right now, and if the answer isn't convincing, you lose something crucial to the storytelling.
-This is absolutely a personal preference thing, but I hate when The Big Declaration Of Love happens in front of other people in public. *insert laughing emoji* *insert nope emoji*
-Within Poppy's declaration of love, there were a lot of things that made me go, "Huh??" as her trying to explain herself to him. I'm mainly thinking of her "I love travel 'cause I love meeting other people in those places." I mean, that had been portrayed throughout their trips, but...we never had any indication from Poppy's inner monologue that that was having a profound impact on her?? Most of what we got was her thinking about Alex. So I found that part confusing and out of left field.
I liked Beach Read more than I liked People You Meet On Vacation, but this one was pretty great too.
Read for Bad Bitch Book Club's/Friends to Lovers Podcast's 2021 Romance Challenge.
-I absolutely adored Poppy and Alex. They were wonderful characters, and I loved taking our time getting to know them and how their relationship formed and grew.
-I loooove a good friends-to-lovers story, it is my favorite trope. These two had such a deep and abiding friendship, and I loved how they loved each other unconditionally, platonically and in pining for each other.
-Excellent banter. Truly wonderful dialogue.
-Characters going to therapy to work on their shit!
-Time slip - I really like stories told in time slip, I'm finding. I did have a little trouble keeping all the stories from the past straight, perhaps because of the way my brain processes, combined with the fact that there were so many of them and most of them took place while traveling (even though it was to different locations), as did the "present" timeline.
-Emily Henry wrote to a lot of the emotional struggles millennials have in just pretending to adult but being convinced everyone else has it together, feelings of loneliness and longing and confusion over what to do with your life and where you want to be in the world.
Things that fell short for me:
-I struggled to buy that these two were so incompatible as to just pine for each other for 10 years but not do anything about it, since they get along so well when they're in person together. JenReadsRomance's review named with succinct clarity a big aspect of this, which is that there has to be buy-in for the question of why two characters can't be together right now, and if the answer isn't convincing, you lose something crucial to the storytelling.
-This is absolutely a personal preference thing, but I hate when The Big Declaration Of Love happens in front of other people in public. *insert laughing emoji* *insert nope emoji*
-Within Poppy's declaration of love, there were a lot of things that made me go, "Huh??" as her trying to explain herself to him. I'm mainly thinking of her "I love travel 'cause I love meeting other people in those places." I mean, that had been portrayed throughout their trips, but...we never had any indication from Poppy's inner monologue that that was having a profound impact on her?? Most of what we got was her thinking about Alex. So I found that part confusing and out of left field.
I liked Beach Read more than I liked People You Meet On Vacation, but this one was pretty great too.
Read for Bad Bitch Book Club's/Friends to Lovers Podcast's 2021 Romance Challenge.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Medical content
Alex's mother died from complications after giving birth to his younger brother