Scan barcode
alexandrabrianne's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
kitkat962's review against another edition
4.0
Normally, I wouldn't go for these Nicholas Spark-styled romance novels, but in the midst of my own recent heartbreak, this book was recommended by a close friend and I decided to give it a try.
I hesitated to give it a four-star rating, as the storyline is somewhat predictable and the prose is something you come across Tumblr or Instagram feed at which you roll your eyes. Even so, I see myself in Lucy. A privileged girl, with an enormous ego, unrealistic expectation of love and purpose, tangled in fear of missing out and the road not taken. Lucy's choices are flawed, and it's fine, since not every main character should be a hero. You could argue that how your opinions of Lucy, Gabe and Darren's dynamic reflect your values and identities. Funnily enough, I went through an obsessive relationship, short-term but haunting, and I could see myself writing the exact same paragraphs. It's humbling and comforting to know that your pain, your experience, and your flaws are not unique.
"There are lots of ways to love people and I know that you’ll love someone else again. Even if it’s not the same, some of it might be better.” This line gave me hope. It's something I've come to terms with that I can never love people the exact same way. And that's fine.
Lucy is also very relatable on the work-life balance front. She believes that she could make a difference in the world, she wants to be defined, not only by her role as a wife, a mom, but also as a capable producer. "I need you to understand how important my career is to me. What I wanted to say was: I need you to love me because of that, not in spite of it" I can understand the frustration of being loved for the wrong things, and even more when Lucy relates to her mother, who gave up her job as a lawyer to take care of the family "She lost herself anyway. I wonder if she wanted to."
Recommended for one who has experienced great love, the love that "makes you feel infinite and invincible like the whole world is open to you, anything is achievable, and each day will be filled with wonder"
I hesitated to give it a four-star rating, as the storyline is somewhat predictable and the prose is something you come across Tumblr or Instagram feed at which you roll your eyes. Even so, I see myself in Lucy. A privileged girl, with an enormous ego, unrealistic expectation of love and purpose, tangled in fear of missing out and the road not taken. Lucy's choices are flawed, and it's fine, since not every main character should be a hero. You could argue that how your opinions of Lucy, Gabe and Darren's dynamic reflect your values and identities. Funnily enough, I went through an obsessive relationship, short-term but haunting, and I could see myself writing the exact same paragraphs. It's humbling and comforting to know that your pain, your experience, and your flaws are not unique.
"There are lots of ways to love people and I know that you’ll love someone else again. Even if it’s not the same, some of it might be better.” This line gave me hope. It's something I've come to terms with that I can never love people the exact same way. And that's fine.
Lucy is also very relatable on the work-life balance front. She believes that she could make a difference in the world, she wants to be defined, not only by her role as a wife, a mom, but also as a capable producer. "I need you to understand how important my career is to me. What I wanted to say was: I need you to love me because of that, not in spite of it" I can understand the frustration of being loved for the wrong things, and even more when Lucy relates to her mother, who gave up her job as a lawyer to take care of the family "She lost herself anyway. I wonder if she wanted to."
Recommended for one who has experienced great love, the love that "makes you feel infinite and invincible like the whole world is open to you, anything is achievable, and each day will be filled with wonder"
lilo23's review against another edition
1.0
Yikes. I really don’t understand the plot because it’s just about Gabe and Lucy acting like stupid teenagers and coming up with stupid excuses for their actions. Lucy had been married to Darren, a pretty nice guy, for 8 years and she cheated on him because she THOUGHT he was cheating on her. Lucy spent six months thinking he cheated on her and instead of talking to him like an adult, she decided to cheat on him with her ex from TEN years ago. AND the book ended with Gabe dying and Lucy being pregnant with Gabe’s child?? Like wtf??
thebookedmom's review against another edition
5.0
My heart! This book was slowly breaking my heart and I loved every minute of it.
mvtyler5's review against another edition
1.0
This book took so long. It was my second time starting it after seeing people give it raving reviews. Very disappointed all around with the book.
cherihy808's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This book!! Oh my, does it rip you apart!! I just finished it a few minutes ago and can’t even process my words to write this review. I have such mixed feelings about Lucy - I liked her, I felt bad for her, I got annoyed with her and thought she was selfish many times, I didn’t like her and then my heart broke for her. As far as Darren and Gabe, I liked them both. Darren is probably the kindest and most patient husband I’ve ever read in a book. Gabe, he was the one that you just wanted to shake some sense into.
This is one of those books that will definitely stay with me for a long time. The storyline was so deep and I felt connected to each of the characters and tried to imagine how they each faced the challenges in their lives. The ending….did I like it? I can’t say I “LIKED it” because it broke my heart, but I can say “wow, that was a great ending to an amazing book”. I guess you’re going to need to pick up a copy so you know what I mean when I say that!
This is one of those books that will definitely stay with me for a long time. The storyline was so deep and I felt connected to each of the characters and tried to imagine how they each faced the challenges in their lives. The ending….did I like it? I can’t say I “LIKED it” because it broke my heart, but I can say “wow, that was a great ending to an amazing book”. I guess you’re going to need to pick up a copy so you know what I mean when I say that!
asaph95's review against another edition
2.0
c o n f l i c t e d.
I really don't know where to begin with this book. I read it as an audiobook, I picked it up because... the cover looked cute and I thought it'd be a light romance. WRONG. It wasn't a light romance, it was more of a squeeze my heart and rip it out kind of book.
I loved the narrator and the writing style, both completed each other perfectly. I loved the story-telling, it was soothing and beautiful to listen to.
I just didn't connect much with Lucy at all, I found her a little annoying. I don't like her morals at all and I struggled to care about what she was going through.
I really really really really really loved Gabe. He was sweet and funny, he was perfect. I didn't care much for Darren or Darryl or whatever his name was (oops) but Gabe was just a cutie pie.
Although I didn't cry, it was a very emotional story and I did like it. I just didn't love love it and that's why I rated it 3*
I really don't know where to begin with this book. I read it as an audiobook, I picked it up because... the cover looked cute and I thought it'd be a light romance. WRONG. It wasn't a light romance, it was more of a squeeze my heart and rip it out kind of book.
I loved the narrator and the writing style, both completed each other perfectly. I loved the story-telling, it was soothing and beautiful to listen to.
I just didn't connect much with Lucy at all, I found her a little annoying. I don't like her morals at all and I struggled to care about what she was going through.
I really really really really really loved Gabe. He was sweet and funny, he was perfect. I didn't care much for Darren or Darryl or whatever his name was (oops) but Gabe was just a cutie pie.
Although I didn't cry, it was a very emotional story and I did like it. I just didn't love love it and that's why I rated it 3*
emma_mccallum's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0