read_with_carlota 's review for:

People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

---

I’m sometimes fearful of stranger-to-lovers because I hate insta-love, but I decided to trust Hannah and boy did it pay off! 

Prue and Milo are immediately attracted to each other and their attraction was written in such a playful real way, I absolutely loved it! It was also very in-line with their characters, so it felt very organic.

But before they acted on it, they became friends , then they added the benefits - and their friendship got me completely obsessed with the book, I could not put it down!

Prue is busy helping taking care of her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, but her Dad insists she needs to move on with her own life. The hurt we see through Prue, and how she feels regarding her mother’s disease, is something that sadly so many of us can relate to. The sad truth is society nowadays is not equipped to care for the elderly or people with dementia, which causes a lot of hurt and suffering not only to the people going through it but also the ones trying to look after them. I think Hannah did a wonderful job portraying those struggles through Prue and her father.

On the other hand we have Milo, who has his own emotional scars. He’s been running away from his trauma for many years now, and  is the definition of “dealing with it through humour” which is also highly relatable. His arc was beautiful and his relationship with his siblings was so heart warming to read about. He finds home and peace not just in Prue, but in their small town community. 

Milo is also the definition of “down bad” and “a man who yearns is a man who earns” 😂 and Prue, my sweet strong Prue, deserves all of that yearning.

Their journey together is beautiful, hilarious and heart breaking - I laughed and cried and swooned. 

I can’t wait to read more from Hannah Bonam-Young!