eventually we all have to weigh what we want more: wanting back what we had or wanting what could be
the good To start, this book completely wrecked me.eventually we all have to weigh what we want more: wanting back what we had or wanting what could be
the good To start, this book completely wrecked me. It was one of those stay-up-til-2-but-wait-please-don't-end kind of reads. There was so much that I loved about this, and I'm sure this review isn't going to be entirely objective, but bear with me.
This book is about the difference between being accepted by the "acceptable" people in your life/school/society and having the courage to accept yourself no matter the consequences. It's also about honesty and friendship and luuuuuurve.
I loved so much about this book. I really loved that the author chose to make the main characters pen pals as a way of back story. You're not wondering why the characters are attracted to each other and yet the author doesn't have to do much to convince you of why they are. I loved that Ryen is not really likable and that her friends are too faced. It's a common trope in NA but it worked well with the theme of the book instead of being slut shame-y. I loved the sex in this, it was never too much.
And I love Misha. Sweet, sweet, precious bean.
the bad I'm pretty blinded by my love of this book but I'm going to warn people that it's not exactly without problems. As in, this book is problematic. The way that the MCs interact with each other in the middle of the book is wildly hot but I can see how some people might not like the elements of danger and/or violence. The violence is not at all domestic but there were some situations that might leave others a little unsettled.
Also some of the conflict in the book might be a little contrived/cliche/predictable. Didn't bother me in this circumstance, but might bother others.
But I think all of the above is entirely subjective and depends wholly on what you find acceptable in books. Don't knock this until you try it though.
Merged review:
eventually we all have to weigh what we want more: wanting back what we had or wanting what could be
the good To start, this book completely wrecked me. It was one of those stay-up-til-2-but-wait-please-don't-end kind of reads. There was so much that I loved about this, and I'm sure this review isn't going to be entirely objective, but bear with me.
This book is about the difference between being accepted by the "acceptable" people in your life/school/society and having the courage to accept yourself no matter the consequences. It's also about honesty and friendship and luuuuuurve.
I loved so much about this book. I really loved that the author chose to make the main characters pen pals as a way of back story. You're not wondering why the characters are attracted to each other and yet the author doesn't have to do much to convince you of why they are. I loved that Ryen is not really likable and that her friends are too faced. It's a common trope in NA but it worked well with the theme of the book instead of being slut shame-y. I loved the sex in this, it was never too much.
And I love Misha. Sweet, sweet, precious bean.
the bad I'm pretty blinded by my love of this book but I'm going to warn people that it's not exactly without problems. As in, this book is problematic. The way that the MCs interact with each other in the middle of the book is wildly hot but I can see how some people might not like the elements of danger and/or violence. The violence is not at all domestic but there were some situations that might leave others a little unsettled.
Also some of the conflict in the book might be a little contrived/cliche/predictable. Didn't bother me in this circumstance, but might bother others.
But I think all of the above is entirely subjective and depends wholly on what you find acceptable in books. Don't knock this until you try it though....more
this one is tough for me. i’m glad that this book exists and it’s one i could see myself recommending, but it’s not one that i particularly enjoyed. ethis one is tough for me. i’m glad that this book exists and it’s one i could see myself recommending, but it’s not one that i particularly enjoyed. enjoyed isn’t a great word, but i’m lacking a better one.
i think a good way to say it is that i like what this book said but not the way it was told. the short vignettes, the lack of linear story telling, and the flowery prose did not work for me....more
it’s hard when you like the writing and angst in a story but it doesn’t deliver… i appreciate the hero’s depth of pining but like… you let her leave fit’s hard when you like the writing and angst in a story but it doesn’t deliver… i appreciate the hero’s depth of pining but like… you let her leave for 3 years you prolly could have done more...more
it's strange to think that the second epilogue of a book is somehow better than the entirety of the novel itnot entirely sure how to rate this one...
it's strange to think that the second epilogue of a book is somehow better than the entirety of the novel itself but that's sort of where i'm at here. i was endlessly frustrated by the drama in this book which is seriously strange because it was a recipe for success in my eyes. i'm HERE for angst and lusting after your dead cousin's widow is certainly angsty.
but the heroine sorta ruined it, sorry francesca. this man has been pining for you for YEARS and you're gonna sleep with him time and again and then lament the "wrongness" of sleeping with your dead husband's cousin? idk. she felt too wishy washy. the lead up was PLENTY. i didn't need her not willing to admit her love for him when he was clearly and vocally head over heels.
it was a super pleasant listening experience and the smut was surprisingly solid. but like most books by julia quinn i'm left a little unsatisfied. never so unsatisfied as to turn down another library loaned audiobook but like, never-gonna-get-more-than-3-stars unsatisfied. ...more
so i DID in fact revisit this book and finish it. hold the applause please.
this is one of the most confusing books i've ever read. because i loathed tso i DID in fact revisit this book and finish it. hold the applause please.
this is one of the most confusing books i've ever read. because i loathed the first half and then by the time the ending rolled around i found myself getting MILDLY teary. which ya know, is rare for a heartless bitch like me.
what i disliked/was unsure about: the characters. Charlie and Dev were a fucking mess. and sure, mental health rep is important. hell, i had to set this book down for the first time because i have mental health issues myself and found this triggering. but basically the whole time i was reading i found myself wondering if people like this really exist. neither could function for the majority of the book and it made me question why romance was something either was seeking.
they do help each other thru their mental health stuff. they do technically go on journeys of self discovery and therapy for one of the characters. but it was a weird choice imo to have SO many on page breakdowns with only a chapter or two of growth for both characters.
but did i love the idea of a guy discovering his sexuality while on a bachelor-esque show and get emotional when he had his gay happily ever after? yeah. so idk. i will remain confused and i suppose grateful that this book connects with so many people....more
my feelings were really complicated until the 90% mark and now i’m firmly in the camp of reaaaaally not for me. there’s definitely important messages my feelings were really complicated until the 90% mark and now i’m firmly in the camp of reaaaaally not for me. there’s definitely important messages here, it’s certainly not a bad book.
just personal preference but i don’t like on page abuse, especially in romance. the abuse is from an ex and it is stated in the description that this will be a theme. i thought i could get through it but the tone was so overwhelming. which is a shame because the romance was so charming but the looming threat of the ex made me anxious while reading. ...more
didn't finish my audiobook copy in time but honestly... these books are so damn repetitive i'm not sure if i'll get back to the seriesdidn't finish my audiobook copy in time but honestly... these books are so damn repetitive i'm not sure if i'll get back to the series...more
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