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bex_readz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
"BE LIKE GOUDA. KNOW YOUR WORTH."
Plot- 4/5🔆
This was a fast, easy read. It felt pretty low stakes and like I could just read and enjoy the plot. The conflict between main characters was resolved quickly which I am a huge fan of. I hate miscommunication tropes that drag out. All of the characters were enjoyable. It felt like a grief healing journey for everyone.
Plot- 4/5🔆
This was a fast, easy read. It felt pretty low stakes and like I could just read and enjoy the plot. The conflict between main characters was resolved quickly which I am a huge fan of. I hate miscommunication tropes that drag out. All of the characters were enjoyable. It felt like a grief healing journey for everyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Gaslighting
brittanyisbooked's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As far as summer romances go, this was a pretty good one. The tone was lighthearted throughout and the setting is in a small beach town, so those components made it perfect. Overall, the book was cute, but I didn't feel like there was significant character development and ultimately it fell flat for me. I do think the main characters changed during the book, but it wasn't a change we saw on the pages. It felt very sudden and unexplained in my opinion. I thought there were a lot of loose ends in the book that could have been cleaned up with a little more editing, so that was a bit frustrating. For example, it felt like Annie, June's sister and Levi's friend, played a significant role in their relationship over the years, but because she died unexpectedly there's no confirmation or closure on this.
If you're looking for a light summer read, you should still add this one to your list. However, if you're a book snob you might be disappointed in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC.
If you're looking for a light summer read, you should still add this one to your list. However, if you're a book snob you might be disappointed in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death and Cancer
booksinherhead's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Something about this book was SO close but just didn't quite hit it for me. I'm not sure it will be memorable. I really struggled with the figure of the deceased sister Annie (not a spoiler). There was so much about the way that she played into the characters on the page dynamics but because we didn't get any time with her I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions...including...why did Annie not want Levi and June to be together when they were in high school? Why did she initially hide from June that she and Levi had stayed in contact? As June uncovered ephemera from their high school years I was CONVINCED she was going to find an old journal of Annie's that revealed that SHE had feelings for Levi and basically sabotaged June's chances...that would have been predictable, I guess, but would have explained how the characters landed where they did. I also just in general felt that they fell back in love too fast and that some of Levi's career choices by the end were a little rash. The reasons he had pursued his original career were not exactly changed circumstances by the end of the book, so when he leaves his big job in finance I did not understand how his author career was so sustainable?! Add in some whimsical fantasy about the publishing process...ultimately I think that this book had great bones and even characters I really liked. I just felt like I was left wanting. This was my first Emma Lord book though, so I feel like I might vibe better with another one of her titles. I do think that lots of people will enjoy this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cancer
Death of a sibling via brain aneurysm. Parent with cancer.ashleyfrechette's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Oh how I loved everything about this book. It was funny and charming and swoon worthy with moments where I could feel my heart breaking alongside Junes.
This is one time where I don’t think the synopsis on the back does this book justice. And I also don’t quite understand the vitriol of some of the other reviews. I went into this book in a bit of a slump after reading some heavy historical fiction, and I was apprehensive from the synopsis. But man I am so glad I have it a chance because it was really delightful.
This is a fast paced romance between two lifelong friends who have spent a decade apart (and the reasoning is a huge plot point which I won’t dive into here). They’re also both grieving and processing the loss of Junes sister and Levi’s best friend, Annie. It’s emotional and fun, and there’s something so satisfying about getting to watch the full cycle of the romance. It starts with the premise of fake dating, but it doesn’t feel forced or fake. This isn’t your standard enemies to lovers or second chance romances. This is a decade of hurt and fear and self preservation that felt real. Sometimes these tropes are so wildly over the top and ridiculous that it feels insane. But this one was just realistic enough that I could sink into it. I was also really pleasantly surprised with how June handled some very tough situations where in most books (and in life) it would have led to a very dramatic fight or argument or just being passive aggressive. Instead it was clear she had grown and was learning to trust herself, her judgment, and her relationships. Such an important lesson that was really well done.
I would have been incredibly satisfied if this book had about a hundred more pages. I think there were some plot points glossed over for the sake of time and space (like why Levi and Griffin absolutely hate each other) and it probably could have benefited from hearing some of Levi’s perspective (however that could have led to some internal book spoilers). I wish we saw a little more of Sana, as she reminded me so much of my own best friend that I found myself equally invested in her own path and story.
Are there some zany moments and characters that make you shake your head? Sure. But that’s literally almost every small town trope and truly just reminded me of Gilmore Girls with well meaning neighbors and friends being busy bodies.
Overall, this book was a delight and one I’ll be picking up again just to settle into a cozy romance with a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is one time where I don’t think the synopsis on the back does this book justice. And I also don’t quite understand the vitriol of some of the other reviews. I went into this book in a bit of a slump after reading some heavy historical fiction, and I was apprehensive from the synopsis. But man I am so glad I have it a chance because it was really delightful.
This is a fast paced romance between two lifelong friends who have spent a decade apart (and the reasoning is a huge plot point which I won’t dive into here). They’re also both grieving and processing the loss of Junes sister and Levi’s best friend, Annie. It’s emotional and fun, and there’s something so satisfying about getting to watch the full cycle of the romance. It starts with the premise of fake dating, but it doesn’t feel forced or fake. This isn’t your standard enemies to lovers or second chance romances. This is a decade of hurt and fear and self preservation that felt real. Sometimes these tropes are so wildly over the top and ridiculous that it feels insane. But this one was just realistic enough that I could sink into it. I was also really pleasantly surprised with how June handled some very tough situations where in most books (and in life) it would have led to a very dramatic fight or argument or just being passive aggressive. Instead it was clear she had grown and was learning to trust herself, her judgment, and her relationships. Such an important lesson that was really well done.
I would have been incredibly satisfied if this book had about a hundred more pages. I think there were some plot points glossed over for the sake of time and space (like why Levi and Griffin absolutely hate each other) and it probably could have benefited from hearing some of Levi’s perspective (however that could have led to some internal book spoilers). I wish we saw a little more of Sana, as she reminded me so much of my own best friend that I found myself equally invested in her own path and story.
Are there some zany moments and characters that make you shake your head? Sure. But that’s literally almost every small town trope and truly just reminded me of Gilmore Girls with well meaning neighbors and friends being busy bodies.
Overall, this book was a delight and one I’ll be picking up again just to settle into a cozy romance with a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
The main characters sister dies of an aneurysm before the book starts but it’s a thread that is weaved through the novel as she and the other characters deal with their grief and move forward in their lives.
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