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ambercunningham's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
I have no words but I also have a lot of words? I do not make this statement lightly, but this is Elsie’s best work yet. She’s obviously known for her incredibly nuanced, stupidly hilarious, perfectly flawed, and painfully relatable characters- it’s what makes her books so addictive. That girl is the QUEEN of character development. But Ford, Rosie and Cora are next fucking level.
Ford is so adorably awkward, and the way he is TRYING SO HARD is the most wholesome thing in the world. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Willa’s sibling, but it sure wasn’t him. The torch he carried for Rosalie his entire life? Heartbreaking. The way he was so shocked and confused at how he could deserve her when he spent a decade and a half believing she could never see him the way he sees her? HEARTBREAKING. The way he’s loved her quietly and so steadfast, and the lengths he's gone to for her? Ugh. The way he falls in love with Cora, puts his life and career on hold to be there for a kid he just met, and puts everything he has into being what she needs???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Swooooon.
Rosie… if anyone told me that Elsie had a more fierce, fiery, lovable FMC in her than Willa, I’d tell them to fuck right off with that. Seems impossible. But she did it with Rosie. She’s so funny it hurts, so relatable to any and every woman reading her story, stunningly resilient and strong. I fell so crazy in love with her, and it just deepened with each chapter. And the relationship she has with Cora? Unmatched.
Cora? Don’t even have words. Easily my favorite kid in any book I’ve ever read. My heart absolutely shattered for her over and over again. Her vulnerability, attitude, snarky comments, and open heart were incredible to read. It was such a tender, precious thing to see her relationship with the “bonus dad” she didn’t know existed unfold. Those two have carved their way into my soul permanently.
And the glimpses into Willa and Ford’s relationship? Nothing short of our expectations. I think I might have highlighted every single thing she says in this book. No FMC will ever match her humor.
I adored every second of this story. It’s the first book of hers that I haven’t rushed through- not because it was less engaging, but because it was something so special that I wanted to SAVOR it. I simply cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes. 100/10 stars. I won’t get over Ford and Rosie for a longgggg time.
Ford is so adorably awkward, and the way he is TRYING SO HARD is the most wholesome thing in the world. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Willa’s sibling, but it sure wasn’t him. The torch he carried for Rosalie his entire life? Heartbreaking. The way he was so shocked and confused at how he could deserve her when he spent a decade and a half believing she could never see him the way he sees her? HEARTBREAKING. The way he’s loved her quietly and so steadfast, and the lengths he's gone to for her? Ugh. The way he falls in love with Cora, puts his life and career on hold to be there for a kid he just met, and puts everything he has into being what she needs???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Swooooon.
Rosie… if anyone told me that Elsie had a more fierce, fiery, lovable FMC in her than Willa, I’d tell them to fuck right off with that. Seems impossible. But she did it with Rosie. She’s so funny it hurts, so relatable to any and every woman reading her story, stunningly resilient and strong. I fell so crazy in love with her, and it just deepened with each chapter. And the relationship she has with Cora? Unmatched.
Cora? Don’t even have words. Easily my favorite kid in any book I’ve ever read. My heart absolutely shattered for her over and over again. Her vulnerability, attitude, snarky comments, and open heart were incredible to read. It was such a tender, precious thing to see her relationship with the “bonus dad” she didn’t know existed unfold. Those two have carved their way into my soul permanently.
And the glimpses into Willa and Ford’s relationship? Nothing short of our expectations. I think I might have highlighted every single thing she says in this book. No FMC will ever match her humor.
I adored every second of this story. It’s the first book of hers that I haven’t rushed through- not because it was less engaging, but because it was something so special that I wanted to SAVOR it. I simply cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes. 100/10 stars. I won’t get over Ford and Rosie for a longgggg time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Terminal illness
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