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lynette_kristeg's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
2.25
sarahlizer08's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lacy23's review against another edition
5.0
SPOILERS!!!
Autumn and Zac are goals. After meeting at her sisters wedding and a big misunderstanding on Autumns part Zac hires her as an interior decorator for his new home. When she arrives and he finds out she thinks he's got a wife or girlfriend he's lied to her about Zac introduces her to his daughter, who he got a call from while at Autumns sisters wedding and who happens to be deaf. After finding out that Zac was not talking to who she thought he was and meeting Ivy, Autumn decides to learn sign language so she can communicate with Zacs daughter Ivy better. Zac and Autumn try to keep things professional but fall for each other quickly. Zac is blown away by the effort Autumn has put in to learn how to communicate with his daughter better as is his whole family. Autumn also finds out that Ivys mom is her favourite model who just so happens to have almost no contact with her daughter and hasn't bothered to even Learn to communicate with her. Feeling a connection with Ivy about having an absent parent their relationship grows and Autumn becomes very attached and protective of Ivy. While Zac and Autumns relationship grows so does her relationship with his daughter. It's one of the most heart warming and beautiful stories I've ready and it's an absolute must read.
amandabooktopia's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
5.0
nat_19's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
This was a warm and fuzzy read, but it was a bit too long. It dragged on towards the end, but it was cute.
This was a warm and fuzzy read, but it was a bit too long. It dragged on towards the end, but it was cute.
nyquillll's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think this was a good comfort read - had the mix of angst, pining, attracted-at-first-sight, and warm fuzzies.
Things I liked:
Things I liked:
- The positive single-dad representation!!!!!!!!!!!!! God, the relationship between Zac and his daughter Ivy is to die for. It was so sweet and refreshing, especially considering his daughter is deaf. The scenes where the whole family is signing and speaking at the same time - or how
Autumn quickly learns sign language to be able to speak to Ivy was so wholesome and just good vibes. I also love that he was steadfast in Ivy being his number one priority, but it wasn't a question of him having to sacrifice time with Ivy to add Autumn to his life - it was making them both number 1s. - The sign names Ivy gave Autumn and Autumn gave Ivy!!!!
- The healthy relationship Autumn had with her sister, Summer, and her mom. It was so lovely to see their relationship given attention and built out, not just the romantic relationship she was developing with Zac. I love that there was a focus on cultivating friendships and family relations too.
- Also loved the fact and thought it was kind of silly how Zac is a football player but there are maybe 5-7 pages total, at most, that mention actual football things, haha.
- How Autumn immediately became protective and in love with Ivy - and how there was no infringing on Ivy's relationship with her birth mother. Autumn just wanted the best for Ivy.
- The incorporation of themes like how insecurities make us compare ourselves to others, imposter syndrome almost in relationships, how to build trust and intimacy when deep fears and trauma linger, how selfless and unselfish love can be, how sometimes the way we show love (while good) is also made more real with verbal confirmation, how the "small" things add up to be so much more, the things you do for the people you love - including learning a new language (and sport), standing up for yourself and being brave to embrace a new path, believing that you deserve love in all its forms, unpacking trauma related to having a parent who left and relinquished their role as a parent, and how assumptions without conversations can cause friction.
Things I didn't like as much:
- The biggest thing is that they were having conflict in the areas you would expect, given the circumstances under which Autumn is over there. That, I get. But!!! Every time there would be miscommunication, it felt like both of them, but particularly Autumn, would get in their heads and start overthinking things. Then, it just seemed like Zac would be the one to come back and insist on talking it out - he seemed much more vulnerable in sharing how he was feeling and dealing with situations, even if it wasn't in the best manner. Whereas Autumn, while she revealed a lot of why she was feeling and acting certain ways in her inner monologue, she hardly at all communicated it to Zac. I wish that in the critical moments, a bit more time was given to fully flesh out the conversations and have them dig into the traumas. I imagine if Autumn would've shared with Zac specifically about her trauma with her dad, he would have received it with softness.
Content Warnings
Quotes I highlighted:
"You look so gorgeous, Auto."
"You're certainly the most opinionated of my besties."
"Ivy likes to put the embellishing touches on my bed each morning as al little surprise while she's at school..."
"...wider hallways in case the two of you are singing while walking side by side..."
"I can't wait until I'm hot shit like you and don't have to go to all these early practices."
"Have you never had anyone break up with you before? Is that what this is? Because I feel like I've been very clear."
"And even then, I didn't have a well-rounded picture of what it could be to know to dream of this."
"Thoughtfulness does not make a man anything special."
"...even though I will always be content when it's just me and Ivy, I can't deny that it's exhilarating having Autumn around."
"'Okay, we see Autumn,' Ivy says, dancing around the room."
"...the biggest accomplishment is when I finally conquered Ivy's long, curly hair."
"'Good job, Daddy,' she says. 'Good job, you,' I tell her."
"I'm getting too attached to you in my space."
"Your ears are wicked cool, Pappy"
"Ballzac."
"But I want to find ways to fit Autumn in that lineup."
"I'm back from my honeymoon and ready to SEE YOUR FACE and get MORE DETAILS THAN THIS."
"Anybody in particular you're loving in this family? ;)"
"Oh, look at that, she's silent again."
"Do tell."
"Well, it's all I know. Right? So I don't know how to unknow that."
"He's right here, isn't he..."
"You're safe with me."
"When Pappy wails and signs, MY VOICE IS DYING TO EXPLORE, we all lose it."
"Would you like water? Or water? Or maybe some water?"
"Oh, my fine little squeaker, looks like I'm gonna have to teach you the fine art of letting go."
"I'm trying to win her heart. Tell her I'm good people, Perce."
"'What did she say?' Halle asks"
"I'm left feeling like the little girl standing at the window watching her dad leave, wishing he would claim her."
"'Autumn and I are chatting,' Summer says, shooing him away with her hand."
"She shouldn't have to work so hard when you can't even bother to learn the signs for Hi, Mom."
"Our little girl's life is so incredibly full."
"That would be the nice thing to do, but I'm not that nice."
"I LOVE YOU, MY SWEETEST GIRL. YOU CAN TELL ME ANYTHING. I sign anything with extra emphasis."
"'Just like seeing my girl happy,' she says, signing to Ivy. 'And my boy,' she adds, smiling through more tears."
"Womp-womp."
"'Autumn gave me a nickname,' Ivy says, still squeezing me too tight to sign it."
"Gah, these two. I don't know if my heart can take any more."
"And I want to watch with Autumn."
"No one ever prepared me for the panic that came when she was placed in my arms that very first time."
"That look in your eyes...I didn't know I could feel seen in an instant."
"How have I lived without you?"
"Even when she misses words, she works to communicate in a way that Ivy will understand."
"No kids should ever have to make up for their parents' mistakes."
"That's Autumn's birthday."
"He's not going to leave, baby girl. He's not. He loves you."
"She cries too, my sweet sister."
"You're a good brother."
"I love you so much, Little Sass. It's been so easy to love you that I thought it must be clear to you how I felt, which is just stupid."
"You leaving is the only time I've ever been devastated over who I was losing."
"I'll see your moment and raise you an eternity."
"I place another boat in the water, and a couple more behind that."
Quotes from the bonus epilogue:
"I smile and lean down toward her, signing. I WILL NEVER CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT YOU AND YOUR DAD. I LOVE YOU. ALWAYS."
"...when Pappy says, 'Who gives this woman to be married to this man?' and Ivy yells, 'I do,' I can't hold it in any longer."
"She held her arms out wide and I walked into them and never made her regret it either."
kcmanley's review against another edition
5.0
I’m working my way backwards through Willow Aster’s characters apparently. I read Unforgettable first, now Autumn Nights, and will move on to Summertime next. I just can’t get enough!
What I loved
What I loved
cmd2010's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0