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onlyjessica's review against another edition
2.0
I was drawn to the book the instant I saw the cover. Once I read the description, I couldn't wait for this to be released - it sounded so good. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed, although I found it well written. I plan to read the second book for sure, but I just don't think this story was for me. I rate it somewhere between a 2 and a 2.5.
Warning - Spoilers Ahead:
My main issue with the whole book, and the reason why I gave it a lower rating, was with how Nick was handled. At first I thought Nick was a genuinely nice guy, which made me really happy. I HATE it when guys seem like they were douches just to make the hero look better (because he can stand up for his girl). Very quickly I realized Nick was nothing but a plot device to keep Liam and Josie apart, which wouldn't be too bad except he was a plot devise with absolutely no personality and made the heroine look bad.
Josie was with Nick for SIX years. He lived with her and helped her raise her freaking kid. I completely get why he was pissed she told Noah that Liam was his dad without even consulting him first. He should have been a part of that. Granted, Noah is her son and Liam did deserve a chance to get to know him, but she could have at least given the guy a head's up. The second she found out Liam was back in town, she stopped considering Nick completely.
I might have had a bit more respect for her if she told Nick she needed to take a break and clear her head or SOMETHING. Instead, Nick was portrayed as the "bad guy" because from Liam's point of view, he refers to him as taking care of "his" son, "his" girl, "his" family, and how Nick always wanted what was "his." Nick gets drunk and acts like an ass. The worst thing, though, is that he expected Josie to leave her flower shop, pick up her 9-year-old, and move to Africa for Doctors Without Borders!
That was just a way to get him to leave the story, and once again make him out to be the bad guy for it. He just should have left Josie for obviously having feelings for another guy and not only denying it, but treating him poorly because of it. Or an ultimatum: seriously commit to me and make me a part of your decisions, I'm going to Doctors Without Borders, stop me if you still want to be with me.
He really didn't do anything wrong. He just cared for the girl he had dated for the past six years and planned to marry. Even Noah treated him like he was horrible! For six years he was there for Noah, who referred to him as "dad" to people. Even though I think Josie said that was easier for Noah, it's not something he would have done if he didn't like Nick at all. I would have expected him to still want Nick around, despite the fact he wanted to know and be with his dad. My step dad came into my life when I was three and you bet I would have noticed him missing at nine.
Also, having Nick leave for the reason that he did, just makes me wonder if Nick hadn't go to that extreme, if he hadn't been the one to leave, would Josie had left him? I'm not so sure, to be honest.
Warning - Spoilers Ahead:
Spoiler
Once I discovered Josie had a kid, I found the book extremely predictable. I felt like I was reading October Road in book form and I know I've read books with similar plot lines. I wish for once there could be a different spin on this premise, but if there is a book like that I have yet to discover it.My main issue with the whole book, and the reason why I gave it a lower rating, was with how Nick was handled. At first I thought Nick was a genuinely nice guy, which made me really happy. I HATE it when guys seem like they were douches just to make the hero look better (because he can stand up for his girl). Very quickly I realized Nick was nothing but a plot device to keep Liam and Josie apart, which wouldn't be too bad except he was a plot devise with absolutely no personality and made the heroine look bad.
Josie was with Nick for SIX years. He lived with her and helped her raise her freaking kid. I completely get why he was pissed she told Noah that Liam was his dad without even consulting him first. He should have been a part of that. Granted, Noah is her son and Liam did deserve a chance to get to know him, but she could have at least given the guy a head's up. The second she found out Liam was back in town, she stopped considering Nick completely.
I might have had a bit more respect for her if she told Nick she needed to take a break and clear her head or SOMETHING. Instead, Nick was portrayed as the "bad guy" because from Liam's point of view, he refers to him as taking care of "his" son, "his" girl, "his" family, and how Nick always wanted what was "his." Nick gets drunk and acts like an ass. The worst thing, though, is that he expected Josie to leave her flower shop, pick up her 9-year-old, and move to Africa for Doctors Without Borders!
That was just a way to get him to leave the story, and once again make him out to be the bad guy for it. He just should have left Josie for obviously having feelings for another guy and not only denying it, but treating him poorly because of it. Or an ultimatum: seriously commit to me and make me a part of your decisions, I'm going to Doctors Without Borders, stop me if you still want to be with me.
He really didn't do anything wrong. He just cared for the girl he had dated for the past six years and planned to marry. Even Noah treated him like he was horrible! For six years he was there for Noah, who referred to him as "dad" to people. Even though I think Josie said that was easier for Noah, it's not something he would have done if he didn't like Nick at all. I would have expected him to still want Nick around, despite the fact he wanted to know and be with his dad. My step dad came into my life when I was three and you bet I would have noticed him missing at nine.
Also, having Nick leave for the reason that he did, just makes me wonder if Nick hadn't go to that extreme, if he hadn't been the one to leave, would Josie had left him? I'm not so sure, to be honest.
shaila_b's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
raekg's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I should’ve dnfed this book so early on. I love the secret baby trope, but I hated this book. Neither of the main characters were likable. Liam had no respect for boundaries and Josie acted like an emotional teenager with extreme mood swings every other chapter. The children were more mature than the adults. Everyone sucked and I was so happy when I finished it.
victoriaisbooked's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
julieclair's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one fell a bit flat for me. The characters didn’t have much depth, and I really didn’t like any of them. The storyline was good, though. This would be an okay choice for a light summer read.
kaitiecakes's review against another edition
4.0
I felt SOOO MUCH emotion with this book! I wanted it to follow the movie more but I still loved this book. I hated Liam and then I loved him. I felt as though he was working to make the reader love him just as much as Josie. It was such a sweet story and I’m glad I was able to read if!
I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series though is feels over and done with for me. So I’m going to leave it here
I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series though is feels over and done with for me. So I’m going to leave it here
reneeml's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
book_belle_85's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
keyarafroze's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melanna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one is super tidy. There is some tension between a couple characters but everyone is pretty accepting of a situation that I feel should raise a few more eye brows or at least have some tween drama.