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mstrouse's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
heidibikes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
It didn’t fall into all the same traps of a lesbian novel which I loved!
kingsnail's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Haley Cass never disappoints— Caroline, Hannah, and Abby all have my whole heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content
juliettehamelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
tense
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
3.75
michaelas_library's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
This was an up and down reading experience for me. The storytelling and chemistry was so damn good. So. Damn. Good. I fell in love with Hannah and Abbie and felt for Caroline. The sexual tension was off the charts and I wanted these two women to have the best HEA ever.
So what was my problem? Grammar, writing style, and misused and overused words. My biggest pet peeves all over the pages. I didn't look to see if there was an editor mentioned but I'd be surprised if one was used. Even a good proofreader would have been helpful. And if a good editor and/or proofreader was used, the author may not have taken the advice offered. I don't know what was involved but this could have easily been a five star book - and an automatic entry on my "funk reading list" - if it hadn't been for the insanity that was randomly placed commas, possessives where plurals were intended, and paragraphs so muddled with pronouns that I literally had no idea who was doing what after several rereads.
I started out with the audio book but I couldn't figure out what was going on in too many places because the narrator (who did a fine job) had to deal with all the commas and dashes that many passages ended up word salad. I switched to the ebook and it was a better experience because I could see the punctuation and figure it out.
If these things weren't an issue, Haley Cass would move right up to one of my favorite authors. I finished the book last night and haven't been able to get the characters out of my head. I really connected with them and loved the story so much. But the proofreader in me just can't get past the issues with the writing so I don't know that I'll try another.
I know that these things don't matter to everyone but if they do to you, go into this read fully expecting to be frustrated. But even with all the troubles I had with it, When You Least Expect It still gets a pretty high rating because Ms Cass can tell a beautiful, heartfelt tale.
So what was my problem? Grammar, writing style, and misused and overused words. My biggest pet peeves all over the pages. I didn't look to see if there was an editor mentioned but I'd be surprised if one was used. Even a good proofreader would have been helpful. And if a good editor and/or proofreader was used, the author may not have taken the advice offered. I don't know what was involved but this could have easily been a five star book - and an automatic entry on my "funk reading list" - if it hadn't been for the insanity that was randomly placed commas, possessives where plurals were intended, and paragraphs so muddled with pronouns that I literally had no idea who was doing what after several rereads.
I started out with the audio book but I couldn't figure out what was going on in too many places because the narrator (who did a fine job) had to deal with all the commas and dashes that many passages ended up word salad. I switched to the ebook and it was a better experience because I could see the punctuation and figure it out.
If these things weren't an issue, Haley Cass would move right up to one of my favorite authors. I finished the book last night and haven't been able to get the characters out of my head. I really connected with them and loved the story so much. But the proofreader in me just can't get past the issues with the writing so I don't know that I'll try another.
I know that these things don't matter to everyone but if they do to you, go into this read fully expecting to be frustrated. But even with all the troubles I had with it, When You Least Expect It still gets a pretty high rating because Ms Cass can tell a beautiful, heartfelt tale.
kian_annus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I am honestly really disappointed in this book. I loved Those Who Wait so much so I wanted to try other books by the same author, but I guess this one was not the one to try.
First of all, the writing was very much telling rather than showing, especially at the beginning. It seemed to be rushing throughout the book rather than being slow and developing things well. The beginning of the book went from one plot point to the next rather than developing the main character and setting up her motivations, desires, dreams, or even her past. I felt like I got no details about her at all.
Speaking of character development, there was next to none. I know that Caroline is a lawyer and that seemed to be her only personality trait. The only thing that was shown about her fairly well was that she liked kids. That was actually developed naturally and shown to us. I couldn't tell what her flaws were or what she needed to work on herself. I really don't know why this book was from her point of view at all. Because there were no flaws, there was also no growth for her and that was a huge issue with this book. I felt like Hannah had more character development and even growth than our POV character did which is very disappointing.
All around I'm very upset about this book. I almost DNF'd it but decided not to because I did like Hannah and the slow burn of the relationship. Probably the only redeeming qualities here unfortunately.
First of all, the writing was very much telling rather than showing, especially at the beginning. It seemed to be rushing throughout the book rather than being slow and developing things well. The beginning of the book went from one plot point to the next rather than developing the main character and setting up her motivations, desires, dreams, or even her past. I felt like I got no details about her at all.
Speaking of character development, there was next to none. I know that Caroline is a lawyer and that seemed to be her only personality trait. The only thing that was shown about her fairly well was that she liked kids. That was actually developed naturally and shown to us. I couldn't tell what her flaws were or what she needed to work on herself. I really don't know why this book was from her point of view at all. Because there were no flaws, there was also no growth for her and that was a huge issue with this book. I felt like Hannah had more character development and even growth than our POV character did which is very disappointing.
All around I'm very upset about this book. I almost DNF'd it but decided not to because I did like Hannah and the slow burn of the relationship. Probably the only redeeming qualities here unfortunately.
spinesofsam's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25