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anne_reader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Stalking, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s hard to feel bad for a model and jfk jr basically but they do have their issues. Rich people problems. But I could not put it down. I rooted for them. I loved the side characters. Then the ending is so intense. It’s definitely worth a read as a slightly intense beach read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence
esey18's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
b00kluvrbea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
first book of 2023! i really liked the buildup to joe and cate meeting - the set up of the characters, alternating POV on the same timeline- it made me feel more attached to them reading about their lives pre-each other / late 20s. once they got together though it was a little rushed and not fully fleshed out i felt like. and i was stressed about the cate’s mom’s storyline. Also i wish we got insight into the conversation of resolution between joe and cate rather than her saving him then they love each other and she went to therapy happily ever after. it just was a really rushed resolution after i was invested in cates growth. we also didn’t get to see how her and her mom resolved their conflict. Oh! and all the berry stuff just not really explained was a bummer too. and her being in love w joe— predictable!
but at the end of the day, i love a cute romance where the characters are so in love. so here’s to love in 2023!
*edit- read the authors note! didn’t realize this was inspired by JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette! going down that rabbit hole now…
but at the end of the day, i love a cute romance where the characters are so in love. so here’s to love in 2023!
*edit- read the authors note! didn’t realize this was inspired by JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette! going down that rabbit hole now…
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
cassidy's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I mean... it's exactly what you would expect from a book called meant to be and a bit of a an addictive romance. I think the whole premise of the book -- that Joe is such a saint for wanting to date someone who is not from the same class background as him is kind of wild. I know the Kingsleys are based on the Kennedys and this took place in the 70s-90s but still. Additionally the way Cate's background is handled and her reaction to growing up in an abusive home and her relationship to her mother all feels a little trite. It's like someone took a generalized experience or trope and wrote exactly that... even the shame that Cate experience felt unauthentic, where is the nuance?
Lastly, there's so much talk about how Cate and Joe have so much in common and that even though they come from somewhat different backgrounds they're soulmates and meant to be... but it really seems like the main thing that they have in common is that they're both super attractive.
So I found it a little reductive and the characters pretty one dimensional, but still enjoyable to read.
Lastly, there's so much talk about how Cate and Joe have so much in common and that even though they come from somewhat different backgrounds they're soulmates and meant to be... but it really seems like the main thing that they have in common is that they're both super attractive.
So I found it a little reductive and the characters pretty one dimensional, but still enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
anniesbookpicks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
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