A review by syazahaniss
Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad 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

4.5

I read another book by this author before and I  didn’t like it. I concluded that maybe the way she writes is just not to my liking in general so I went into this one a bit hesitant and wary.

But lo and behold, I ended up really liking this one. 

I absolutely love how it’s not an instant attraction for both of them; it makes it more realistic how Vanessa has known of Adrian and always thought he’s hot but Adrian has never seen her before in his life but gradually develops feelings for her by spending more and more time with her. Most books are like: meet cute, bam instant attraction on both sides, bam sex – which is crazy unrealistic.

Speaking of gradually developing feelings, the feelings realisation portion of this story is my favourite kind: where they spend so much time together that their lives have slowly start to fuse without them realising it and then one day they’re just like oh, I’m actually in love with them. So cute.

I loved the main characters. Adrian is so charming; a guy who’s good with babies, can cook and can deal with all the shit life throws at you without instantly taking off for the hills? swoon. Vanessa’s pretty funny and down to earth to, considering she’s supposed to be a famous Youtuber. I didn’t really get the vibes from her at first but I guess that just made her all the more relatable.

Some of the side characters were loveable too. Vanessa’s kooky family was so confusing and lowkey annoying at first but I ended up taking a liking to them once they turned around for the better. Well except for Annabel; I couldn’t believe she outwardly said she didn’t want her own daughter but I guess it would be too good to be true if all the conflicts were solved perfectly.

I also really appreciated the slow burn because I felt that Adrian and Vanessa had a connection that was deeper than just a physical one. Like yes, they found each other attractive from the get-go but they were there for each other emotionally before even a kiss was shared and that made their relationship all the more wholesome. And I’m very happy the sex was purposeful and the scenes were not written in graphic! Because some authors just make their characters seem ridiculously horny and it annoys me to no end.

I was actually so sad to know that Vanessa might be dying because I really wanted her to end up with Adrian. Logically, I knew it would be a happy ending (it’s a romance novel, they’re supposed to end up happy) so it was a matter of how the author would tie up this loose end. Worst case scenario she would let vanessa miraculously live when all the women in her family didn’t, but that would just make it unrealistic. Or perhaps the author would let her die anyway and the ending would be sad but bittersweet. So I’m very happy that the thing with her hand turned out to be something else and that she could still be dying of ALS but not yet. A hopeful ending, but still a happier one nonetheless.

Overall, very satisfied with this book.  I would’ve given it a full 5 stars if only I were a tad more smitten by Adrian (like the give me chest pains kind) and if the pacing were slightly faster.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings