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jenkneebee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
heavenh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
mairead_parade's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Clayborn gives her characters really strong emotional stakes, which makes the payoff much more satisfying. This was no exception, as it deals with some very heavy themes but the characters are relatable and lovable - I really enjoy the community she's built in this series.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse
The emotional engine for much of the plot is an off-page death of a loved one from substance abuse/addiction and the resulting grief and trauma.treereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction and Death
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
spalmon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Moderate: Addiction and Grief
Minor: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
helen's review against another edition
5.0
OOF! This one hit me hard. Full of grief and regret and longing, but also hope and humour and love.
Aiden is a paramedic who’s grieving the death of his brother from a drug overdose. He’s shy and not a great communicator – a grunter. Zoe appears composed and unflappable under pressure but she’s plagued with guilt about her former life as a lawyer, which included a role in Aiden’s brother’s wrongful death settlement. When Zoe goes seeking forgiveness, Aiden asks her to pretend to be his fiancée for his own seeking forgiveness reasons.
A brilliant set-up that hooked me right from the beginning. At first their romance seems impossible, but Clayborn’s brilliant character-work makes you invested in these two likeable people who just want to be forgiven, who find peace and belonging with each other.
I cried thrice: once at the bleak moment (I typed “oh no” on my kindle and then Zoe said it out loud!); once when Zoe seeks comfort from Greer and Kit (the central female friendship is so wonderfully written. Also, it’s February 2021 and I just really miss crying on the sofa with my friends); and once during Aiden’s brilliant grovel.
Aiden is a paramedic who’s grieving the death of his brother from a drug overdose. He’s shy and not a great communicator – a grunter. Zoe appears composed and unflappable under pressure but she’s plagued with guilt about her former life as a lawyer, which included a role in Aiden’s brother’s wrongful death settlement. When Zoe goes seeking forgiveness, Aiden asks her to pretend to be his fiancée for his own seeking forgiveness reasons.
A brilliant set-up that hooked me right from the beginning. At first their romance seems impossible, but Clayborn’s brilliant character-work makes you invested in these two likeable people who just want to be forgiven, who find peace and belonging with each other.
I cried thrice: once at the bleak moment (I typed “oh no” on my kindle and then Zoe said it out loud!); once when Zoe seeks comfort from Greer and Kit (the central female friendship is so wonderfully written. Also, it’s February 2021 and I just really miss crying on the sofa with my friends); and once during Aiden’s brilliant grovel.
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Addiction