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aussiebroadwayfan's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
the_reading_italian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Oh. My. Gosh. I'm in love with this book. I started reading it as a joke, but I fell in love with the characters and the plot and literally just everything. This is the perfect book and will now be my permanent go-to for anytime I need a comfort read. My favorite part of this book by far was just the relationship between Jack and Elsie. Could it have gotten any better? No. It was that good. I love the way he is in love with her (he learned everything he possibly could about diabetes for her, for gods sake) and I love the way she learns to better herself for him. I love the way they talk to each other and the things that they do together to make the other person in the relationship happy. For real though, 10/10 read!!! I loved every second of it and it was such a great book. Please, please, please read this if you are looking for something uplifting and adorable <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Death of parent
noellegrace8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a great, fun romance read that says a ton about character and careers. I love when romances are also plot-driven, and with the excess (in a good way!) amount of physics concepts, university politics, and familial issues, this absolutely fits the bill. The main characters have electric chemistry, and the side characters are also all fully fleshed out and interesting. I actually teared up two or three times while reading this, even though it's not that dramatic of a plot, because I could just feel the emotion of the characters/ where they were coming from so much. I feel like I could relate to and learn a lot from Elsie.
A few low points for me personally were some of the wording that won't age well, some cheesy moments that seemed to lean a bit too much into the classic tropes of the genre instead of modern takes, and the epilogue. I'm not really into the trope of adding prologues and epilogues to romance novels, I'm not really sure where that came from and why it's so popular. But this prologue didn't add anything to the plot, and the epilogue was mildly confusing. I felt like maybe it was a callback to something within the book, but if it was, I had completely forgotten about the reference by the time I reached the epilogue. Also, what happened to Kyle?? And, I got annoyed by the idea that Elsie's brothers were fully grown adults acting like children, and the mother is okay with that, AND Elsie entertains it? Moments talking about her brothers fighting over some chick were just not convincing to me at all.
I don't factor audiobook performance into my overall review of a book, but I would give Thérèse Plummer 4/5⭐️. She did a fine performance, although her male voices came across as a bit odd, unlike some other female narrators I've heard.
A few low points for me personally were some of the wording that won't age well, some cheesy moments that seemed to lean a bit too much into the classic tropes of the genre instead of modern takes, and the epilogue. I'm not really into the trope of adding prologues and epilogues to romance novels, I'm not really sure where that came from and why it's so popular. But this prologue didn't add anything to the plot, and the epilogue was mildly confusing. I felt like maybe it was a callback to something within the book, but if it was, I had completely forgotten about the reference by the time I reached the epilogue. Also, what happened to Kyle?? And, I got annoyed by the idea that Elsie's brothers were fully grown adults acting like children, and the mother is okay with that, AND Elsie entertains it? Moments talking about her brothers fighting over some chick were just not convincing to me at all.
I don't factor audiobook performance into my overall review of a book, but I would give Thérèse Plummer 4/5⭐️. She did a fine performance, although her male voices came across as a bit odd, unlike some other female narrators I've heard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Excrement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Gaslighting
booklifeisthelife's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Such a cute romance. I loved the emotionality of this book. The development of both main characters but especially the first. The journey was sad but moving and hopeful. I loved how Jack pushed her to grow, to be honest and herself. How he cared for her and making her feel wanted, loved, secure. That it was okay to want things for yourself, to not mold yourself around other people's ideal. I love that he he helped her get out of that mindset. I also love the women supporting other women. How they won't bash each other. How even if they failed they want the other to succeed. I loved the subtle lgbtqia+ rep, like with the demisexual and aromantic and women couples. I felt seen. I loved her finally telling her mom to shove it and her mom ends up trying to be better which is nice. the main thing I disliked was how hypocritical Jack was at the end, how he lied to her this whole time when he's been trying to get her to be completely honest yet not doing the same. But thats where we see some development from him. I like that he made it right in the science world though, both because of it being the right thing and overdue but also for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism, Vomit, Death of parent, and Acephobia/Arophobia
avuavu's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexism
lizzieb29's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
mony_12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Outing
adamngoodread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
This book made me cry in the best way. Any overthinking, anxiety haver will feel so seen by the main character Elsie. It was the best kind of slow burn that doesn’t hit until like pg 280-ish. Then bam! Turn up that heat.
This book has one of the best crafted scenes involving consent that I have ever read. Even good ones tend to have a little bit of an awkward feel, but after reading this one I had to take a break and explain it to my partner it was so good. Ali managed to craft it in such a way that it never felt awkward. Hand to god, I feel like that scene alone needs to be studied in English and Health classes everywhere. Amazing job.
I appreciate that while things get rocky for our MCs for a moment then is never a big cliff jump. The HEA was sweet, and left me happy with the resolution while also being 100% read to pick right back up with these characters one day.
And as a day 1 fan, I so appreciated the cameo mentioned in Ali’s dedication page, and easter eggs from other books.
Also, I agree with Elsie - Bella & Alice should have left all those idiots behind and ridden off into the sunset. (pg 5)
This book has one of the best crafted scenes involving consent that I have ever read. Even good ones tend to have a little bit of an awkward feel, but after reading this one I had to take a break and explain it to my partner it was so good. Ali managed to craft it in such a way that it never felt awkward. Hand to god, I feel like that scene alone needs to be studied in English and Health classes everywhere. Amazing job.
I appreciate that while things get rocky for our MCs for a moment then is never a big cliff jump. The HEA was sweet, and left me happy with the resolution while also being 100% read to pick right back up with these characters one day.
And as a day 1 fan, I so appreciated the cameo mentioned in Ali’s dedication page, and easter eggs from other books.
Also, I agree with Elsie - Bella & Alice should have left all those idiots behind and ridden off into the sunset. (pg 5)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Slow burn with descriptive - but NOT graphic - open door intimate scenes in last fourth of book. Done in a respectful manner highlighting consent, and respectful boundaries.wearethistogether's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Terminal illness
Minor: Outing