A review by betweentheshelves
One True Loves by Elise Bryant

hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

 Thanks to NetGalley and HarpreCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! I really enjoyed Happily Ever Afters when I read it last year, and a romance was just what I needed! Honestly, I almost think I enjoyed this one even more. Full of adventure and romance, it's sure to be a great escape when it comes out in January.

One of the things I really liked about this one was Lenore's journey. Her parents believe that because she's Black, she has to have her future 100% figured out before she goes to college. Which comes from their own past experiences. But 18 is such a young age to have that all figured out! I loved the way Lenore and Alex interacted, they really brought out the best in each other. Not only were they falling for each other, they were figuring out where they wanted their futures to go. Yes, they fall victim to some of the traditional romance tropes, but overall, they were lovely as a couple.

Outside of the romance, there's also some good discussion about mental health, especially as it intersects with parental expectations. Lenore's brother struggles with panic attacks, partly because of the pressures he put on himself. Normalizing having these conversations is so important, and I'm glad they were included in this story.

You can see Bryant's writing grow in this book. I honestly can't wait to see what she does next. Her love stories aren't afraid to go where they need to in order to tell the story. 
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Well that was adorable. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
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