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boba_n_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of the most raw and complex novels I've read in a while. Emezi is a phenomenal writer with a knack for diving into the unknown.
It's been 5 years since the car accident that killed the love of Feyi's life. Now her best friend and roommate, Joy, is insisting that Feyi get back onto the dating scene. Once she gets a hang of things again, Feyi starts seeing someone who has potential to be a long-term partner. Even better--he invites her to come with him for a few weeks to the tropical island where he grew up.
I don't want to give away too much because I'm really glad I went into this book blind and hope you do as well. Emezi somehow tackles the huge subject of grief and pairs it with a romance that was messy but beautiful. I'm really glad I gave this one a chance.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Blood and Car accident
llams'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Blood, Biphobia, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Grief, and Car accident
binevolentbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Biphobia, and Death
Minor: Car accident and Fire/Fire injury
sarahmcg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I guess for as much as I love a trope-filled rom-com, I can also really appreciate a complicated lit-fic love story, romance but also an exploration of grief, friendship, and art/creativity.
Read this if you love MESS, taboo/forbidden/age gap romance, finding love after loss, complicated FMC.
The writing was very beautiful; poetic, with gorgeous descriptions of the tropical island mountain home, art, music, and food. This was my first read by Emezi and it won’t be my last.
The only critique I have is I totally understood the emotional connection that Feyi and Alim formed, but for some reason I still had a little bit of difficulty with the believability of their chemistry (not sure if it was maybe the age gap or something else?) - but overall I’d give 4.5⭐️
I want a book about Joy!!!
CW/TW: discussions of loss of spouse (in past but discussed throughout - 1) car accident 2) drowning), sexual content, descriptions of blood, domestic incident.
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Cursing
lay_kone's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
ali1311's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
tamaramo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
alfalky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Car accident
amford's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Minor: Car accident, Grief, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
hi_its_micah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Biphobia