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happyeverabigail's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
This book holds a lot of well written scenes and sections. In a way that sometimes felt fragmented but I stuck it out and it does come back together. Helen and Grant’s history is complicated in a way that can’t be tropified. He was at the scene of her sister’s suicide and yet it’s not like he had any kind of relationship friendship or otherwise with her sister prior, it was a random chance of events in a small town. So it’s a weird kind of baggage to be a person you associate a very tragic event with but then have to work with 10ish years later but then also fall in love with?? Some parts of their romantic and spicy scenes felt like a different story because of this and I was admittedly feeling a little 4 star-y but then the last 30% really brings this all back together and the writing room setting of Hollywood was so vivid and interesting. This truly is a great book.
Not to self insert but the FMC was a bit autistic coded at the beginning when it came to navigating the social aspects of the writers room and life in general and I got so excited for potential rep. This unfortunately was a bit forgotten. It still was very relatable and has value Helen’s initial seriousness and the way her brain works to cope with that but like I mentioned it’s not really a plot point after that, her mental inner monologue is more influenced by unprocessed trauma, still really impactful.
Not to self insert but the FMC was a bit autistic coded at the beginning when it came to navigating the social aspects of the writers room and life in general and I got so excited for potential rep. This unfortunately was a bit forgotten. It still was very relatable and has value Helen’s initial seriousness and the way her brain works to cope with that but like I mentioned it’s not really a plot point after that, her mental inner monologue is more influenced by unprocessed trauma, still really impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Suicide
Minor: Racism
rondasue27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Racism
rubyraereads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Nobody talk to me, I need a MINUTE TO BAWL MY EYES OUT,,, Way to punch me in the gut!!!!
We are in VERY GOOD Emily Henry hands my friends.
Trigger warning for death of a sibling, grief and suicide.
Right off the bat, I just want to say suicide is something quite close to my heart and is a topic I don't take lightly, especially when it comes to a sibling. But Yulin Kunag handled it oh so carefully and with so much tenderness so props to her for that. The nuances of being an older sibling with a younger one dealing with such heavy topics were expertly dealt with and I couldn't have written it better myself.
What I also really appreciated, especially having just finished my studies in film, is the fact that so much of this book is about the love of the written word but also the love for putting that on screen. I LITERALLY just finished my thesis on adaptation so the universe must have put this gutwrenching romance in my hands written almost about me bar some plot points? Don't you think? I think the universe sees me just a smidge,,,
Okay, I'll stop being silly. But really, I absolutely loved this insight into the film world FROM A SCREENWRITER DIRECTOR HERSELF writing about books written into films whilst she does this herself!!!! When I say we're in good hands, I mean it.
I also just want to gush about how wonderful of a main character Helen is. I felt SO DEEPLY for her and her shyness and insecurity and bhdsgjhsduyighsdv IM WEEPING AGAIN. Yulin Kuang created such a layered and complex human dealing with something horrific whilst navigating your own self and I loved reading about her experience. Especially the extremely intricate relationship she has with her parents.
And then Grant. Sweetheart boy with a bit of a mouth (yes there is STEAM) with intense anxiety and trauma falling in love with our star. Head over heels he smacks his forehead and when is it my turn??? Methinks now please and thank you. The way these two slowly gravitated towards one another was truly a sight to behold and I wanted them to be happy with my whole entire heart.
I think my only criticism is that I felt I wanted more towards the end. The physical descriptions started coming few and far between and the romance was out of balance with character development. Not sure if that makes sense, but I do think the book was being rushed towards the end.
Overall, if you're looking for possibly one of the most unique romances that will punch you in the gut and make you sob uncontrollably, Yulin has got you covered with her DEBUT?!?! Oh yes, she is throwing punches on her very first release that I want to hug very tightly against my chest. Just go read so we can cry together because I'm lonely k thanks bye xoxoxoxo
We are in VERY GOOD Emily Henry hands my friends.
Trigger warning for death of a sibling, grief and suicide.
Right off the bat, I just want to say suicide is something quite close to my heart and is a topic I don't take lightly, especially when it comes to a sibling. But Yulin Kunag handled it oh so carefully and with so much tenderness so props to her for that. The nuances of being an older sibling with a younger one dealing with such heavy topics were expertly dealt with and I couldn't have written it better myself.
What I also really appreciated, especially having just finished my studies in film, is the fact that so much of this book is about the love of the written word but also the love for putting that on screen. I LITERALLY just finished my thesis on adaptation so the universe must have put this gutwrenching romance in my hands written almost about me bar some plot points? Don't you think? I think the universe sees me just a smidge,,,
Okay, I'll stop being silly. But really, I absolutely loved this insight into the film world FROM A SCREENWRITER DIRECTOR HERSELF writing about books written into films whilst she does this herself!!!! When I say we're in good hands, I mean it.
I also just want to gush about how wonderful of a main character Helen is. I felt SO DEEPLY for her and her shyness and insecurity and bhdsgjhsduyighsdv IM WEEPING AGAIN. Yulin Kuang created such a layered and complex human dealing with something horrific whilst navigating your own self and I loved reading about her experience. Especially the extremely intricate relationship she has with her parents.
And then Grant. Sweetheart boy with a bit of a mouth (yes there is STEAM) with intense anxiety and trauma falling in love with our star. Head over heels he smacks his forehead and when is it my turn??? Methinks now please and thank you. The way these two slowly gravitated towards one another was truly a sight to behold and I wanted them to be happy with my whole entire heart.
I think my only criticism is that I felt I wanted more towards the end. The physical descriptions started coming few and far between and the romance was out of balance with character development. Not sure if that makes sense, but I do think the book was being rushed towards the end.
Overall, if you're looking for possibly one of the most unique romances that will punch you in the gut and make you sob uncontrollably, Yulin has got you covered with her DEBUT?!?! Oh yes, she is throwing punches on her very first release that I want to hug very tightly against my chest. Just go read so we can cry together because I'm lonely k thanks bye xoxoxoxo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Death, and Grief
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