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maryyyyykate's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-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
gwardyy's review
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
natalieyanka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
slflorence99's review
4.0
Engaging read with endearing characters. I, of course, also loved the setting (in both Spain and Dallas)! Since my grandparents lived in Spain in the 70s, this storyline lead to lots of follow-up questions for my dad regarding their time there.
teawithbree's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
nickimags's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just as good the second time around!
ilsyae's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
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? No
4.5
tyufekchieva's review
3.0
I was hesitant about how many stars to give this book in particular. I am settling on 3.
The book itself was incredibly informative and well-researched. Not to mention eye-opening since we do not learn about Spain under Franco’s rule in school and all the horrific things people went through until 1975. But it felt more like a backdrop than a setting because the story itself focused on the historical romance aspect of the narrative.
This does not stop me from loving the delightful set of characters. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Rafa and Fuga. Though the people themselves did not feel real like in other works of Sepetys.
The romance itself…quite enjoyable until the last quarter of the book when it got too “soap opera-y” even for me. The drama was unnecessary and it did not match the pace of the book beforehand. And sadly the ending did not give me any type of satisfaction or closure so I am left with more questions than answers.
The book itself was incredibly informative and well-researched. Not to mention eye-opening since we do not learn about Spain under Franco’s rule in school and all the horrific things people went through until 1975. But it felt more like a backdrop than a setting because the story itself focused on the historical romance aspect of the narrative.
This does not stop me from loving the delightful set of characters. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Rafa and Fuga. Though the people themselves did not feel real like in other works of Sepetys.
The romance itself…quite enjoyable until the last quarter of the book when it got too “soap opera-y” even for me. The drama was unnecessary and it did not match the pace of the book beforehand. And sadly the ending did not give me any type of satisfaction or closure so I am left with more questions than answers.