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A review by alindeman
Cover Story by Celia Laskey
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
This review has mild spoilers (reveals whether or not it has a HEA).
This was a let down for me because I was really excited about it. I had my library purchase it!!
I liked the romance but I didn’t like the main character Ali and overall I think the author’s skill is just average.
My main problem is all the conflict and problems in her life are magically cured and wrapped with a neat little bow at the end by telling herself to be brave. It feels flat. Chronic migraines and severe clinical PTSD, anxiety, and OCD are not commonly solved in a handful of therapy sessions where you learn to tell yourself not to be afraid. I don’t dislike happy endings at all, I actually prefer them, but only when they feel real.
Additionally, about 2/3 in the MC takes a sharp turn and becomes, in my opinion, incredibly self-centered and nasty. I understand where her feelings are coming from but she directed them inappropriately in my eyes and this made me really dislike her.
Also not for a minute did I actually feel like this took place in the 2000s LOL. The author tries too hard to remind you of this- Jesus Christ Bush winning reelection are you kidding me- and it backfires. I don’t know why she set this in 2006. People are plenty homophobic in 2025 for this to be believably set in a more recent timeframe. That’s literally the only reason I can imagine the author had for this choice and I just think it was a mistake. At one point the MC essentially breaks the fourth wall to remind readers gay marriage wasn’t legal “yet”. (“Yet” implies that it will be legal later which the MC couldn’t possibly know!!!)
I of course deeply appreciated the themes about resiliency, life after loss, and queer love but I just think they were unfortunately not executed very skillfully.
TW explanation: heavy, pervasive theme of grief; detailed description of car accident/death; details of MC’s & others’ mental illness (bipolar, PTSD, OCD, anxiety); brief details of rape that occurred in the past; very brief mention of a past eating disorder
This was a let down for me because I was really excited about it. I had my library purchase it!!
I liked the romance but I didn’t like the main character Ali and overall I think the author’s skill is just average.
My main problem is all the conflict and problems in her life are magically cured and wrapped with a neat little bow at the end by telling herself to be brave. It feels flat. Chronic migraines and severe clinical PTSD, anxiety, and OCD are not commonly solved in a handful of therapy sessions where you learn to tell yourself not to be afraid. I don’t dislike happy endings at all, I actually prefer them, but only when they feel real.
Additionally, about 2/3 in the MC takes a sharp turn and becomes, in my opinion, incredibly self-centered and nasty. I understand where her feelings are coming from but she directed them inappropriately in my eyes and this made me really dislike her.
Also not for a minute did I actually feel like this took place in the 2000s LOL. The author tries too hard to remind you of this- Jesus Christ Bush winning reelection are you kidding me- and it backfires. I don’t know why she set this in 2006. People are plenty homophobic in 2025 for this to be believably set in a more recent timeframe. That’s literally the only reason I can imagine the author had for this choice and I just think it was a mistake. At one point the MC essentially breaks the fourth wall to remind readers gay marriage wasn’t legal “yet”. (“Yet” implies that it will be legal later which the MC couldn’t possibly know!!!)
I of course deeply appreciated the themes about resiliency, life after loss, and queer love but I just think they were unfortunately not executed very skillfully.
TW explanation: heavy, pervasive theme of grief; detailed description of car accident/death; details of MC’s & others’ mental illness (bipolar, PTSD, OCD, anxiety); brief details of rape that occurred in the past; very brief mention of a past eating disorder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Car accident
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape
Minor: Eating disorder