I swear no other author knows how to write deep emotions in a romance like Abby Jimenez.
I don't usually react visibly whileActual rating: 4.5/5 stars
I swear no other author knows how to write deep emotions in a romance like Abby Jimenez.
I don't usually react visibly while reading, but with this book?? I was grinning and squealing and jumping and crying - how many times did I cry (in a good way), l've lost count. ...more
Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars Rounded up to a full 5/5
I don't even know where to begin with a review except I finished reading this a few days ago, and I Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars Rounded up to a full 5/5
I don't even know where to begin with a review except I finished reading this a few days ago, and I miss it..?? That's such a weird feeling to miss how you felt while reading a book, but it's also the best feeling, and that's where I am right now because of this book!
I've been curious about the hype around this author's books for a while, so I decided to give this one was try since it's a new release, and the reviews are all positive. The thing is that I rarely rarely enjoy contemporary romance books. So, l'm always wary and very picky (though I'm trying to give more a chance now). And while this one followed a similar pattern you'd expect from the genre... it still stood out somehow! It's the author's magic. The writing and characters, the whole feel of it. I couldn't stop reading.
A beautiful, emotional, and heartwarming read with characters that keep pulling you back to the pages. ...more
I’m not sure how to review this one. In some ways it’s very much what you expect from an Emily Henry book - deep, emotional, and romantic. But this onI’m not sure how to review this one. In some ways it’s very much what you expect from an Emily Henry book - deep, emotional, and romantic. But this one also touches on some heavy topics and emotions in a way that sometimes felt comforting (because it was expressed so well) and others a bit too sobering and maybe a tiny bit depressing? I don’t know.
All the author’s books I’ve read feel a bit like a Slice of Life type story than just a romance, but this one much more so than the others I’ve read (“Funny Story” and “People We Meet on Vacation”). It’s about two authors who write in very different genres, and with very different opinions on things like “happy endings.” To battle their writer’s block, and make a point, they make a bet to each write in the other’s genre and see who sells their book first.
I really enjoyed seeing January and Gus gradually open up to each other, finding how they are not as different as they thought they were. There were so many powerful moments in the book - whether the scene was romantic or just a discussion on life and love. The book explores loss and hope and how that can coexist in life, whether the moments of happiness are worth the pain that can follow.
There is a tiny detail near the end that I didn’t like that much. More than that, I have to say, it does annoy me that the US ending is different from the UK one. I read both, and now I’m confused and neither feel solid for that reason. They’re both really good, but still. Please just pick one next time. ...more
I’m trying to read more rom coms this year, which is hard when I’m so picky with this genre. This is my first Ali Hazelwood read andRating: 4.2/5 stars
I’m trying to read more rom coms this year, which is hard when I’m so picky with this genre. This is my first Ali Hazelwood read and I’m happy that I gave it a try!
The characters were fun but also layered and relatable. Elsie is a people pleaser, and I couldn’t help feeling for her as she had to hide away who she really was. Some parts hit hard while I was reading and I loved how it all progressed. Jack was a wonderful surprise and one of the best rom com male characters I’ve read! He could see through Elsie, and encouraged her to be herself, but he also had his own deep rooted struggles that made him just as interesting and lovable.
The romance was lovely, and I really appreciate how it wasn’t rushed. It’s enemies/rivals to lovers with a twist - the kind I really love! I also really like the academic conflict in the book - which according to the author’s note is based off a real life incident. It added to the tension and character development.
Overall, it’s a good book! I don’t know if the rest of the author’s books are for me, but his was one was....more
It’s more than a highly entertaining and endearing rom com (which it definitely is), it’s also a heartwarming anRating: 4.5/5 stars
I LOVED this book!!
It’s more than a highly entertaining and endearing rom com (which it definitely is), it’s also a heartwarming and beautiful love-letter to love and life.
I am usually more drawn to books in the contemp romance genre if they have a bit of a magical twist in them. And this one sounded so good!
The main character, Delphie, is content to live a life to herself, with as little human as possible. When she dies young and alone in her apartment and wakes up in a strange afterlife, she actually meets and connects with a strange man who could be her soulmate. The problem is he’s not actually dead and has to be sent back. So, her “afterlife therapist” strikes a deal with her: in order to have another chance at life, she’ll be sent back to earth for ten days during which she has to find that stranger/soulmate.
While the book maintained a light tone, it still told a deeply meaningful story that is meant to resonate with you. Delphie was at times relatable in a scary way to me, and she had to learn how to step out and embrace what life and people have to offer, as uncomfortable as that was for her. All the characters in this book were so vibrant and endearing.
And then there’s the romance! I don’t want to spoil anything about it, except to say I adored every scene with these two characters together!!
The book gives a fun nod to the romance tropes of the genre, while also bringing a unique story that made sure I will not be forgetting these characters. And now I’m adding another book to my short list of favorite contemp romances! ...more
This was such a unique and fun read! I can't place it in any genre, really! It's a rom com but with a sci-fi-ish (or fantasy depending on your perspecThis was such a unique and fun read! I can't place it in any genre, really! It's a rom com but with a sci-fi-ish (or fantasy depending on your perspective) twist! And what a twist.
I won't tell you what the twist is, just that It's about two people who accidentally connect online but when they decide to meet they find out something very unexpected - it's impossible to be together (it's in the title).
It's a forbidden love story of a unique type, and I loved that! I get bored reading too realistic contemporary books (with focus on work stress, friends & family problems... it gets tedious and not enough escapism for me) - I need that extra layer to pull me in! And this book definitely had that.
It also had everything you find in other contemp romances if you enjoy that! (Btw just cuz I mentioned sci-fi, don't expect aliens or anything too out there!)
My one issue is that the book is longer than it has to be. It's way over 400 pages, and I feel like it would have worked better if it was shorter. Still, I flew through it, and it was a gripping from start to finish....more
I just finished this book and literally screamed when it was over, because I did not want it to end!! I am Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up to a full 5!)
I just finished this book and literally screamed when it was over, because I did not want it to end!! I am just filled with so many happy emotions right now - all because of this book! It has been an absolute treat from start to finish!! What is happening to me that I have actually truly and fully enjoyed a Contemporary Romance? Is the world ending? Am I even me? ...more
I don’t normally read contemporaris but this was so highly recommended that I had to give it a try, and I’m really glad I did.
If you enjoy Hate to LovI don’t normally read contemporaris but this was so highly recommended that I had to give it a try, and I’m really glad I did.
If you enjoy Hate to Love (Enemies to Lovers) romance, then this is a good one! I also liked the humor. And the characters were really likable. At first I wasn’t sure I could connect with the characters or really grasp their dynamic (the dialogue didn’t always flow for me), but quickly I caught on once we started to get to know the characters, how they felt, and it was really fun seeing how their “relationship” progressed. So many cute moments from start to finish. ...more
Another lovely read by this author. While I did enjoy “The Day We Disappeared” more than this book - “The Man Who Didn’t CallRating: 3/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟
Another lovely read by this author. While I did enjoy “The Day We Disappeared” more than this book - “The Man Who Didn’t Call” (“Ghosted” in the US) is an interesting, surprising (good twist!), and heartwarming (and heartbreaking at times 🤧) read. It’s about two people, Sarah and Eddie, who spend an amazing week together and fall in love. But afterwards, Eddie, won’t answer any of Sarah’s calls or messages, and he seems to have gone mysteriously and completely silent - and Sarah can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more beyond him simply deciding he doesn’t want to be with her.
It was slow at times - to build, suspense, I think 🤷🏻♀️ - but it did pay off with some stronger chapters here and there. And while I understand why it was written this way, I wish the romance had more time to build, so we could connect with it more. Overall, it was a good read, and I really liked how things came together by the end.
I still recommend reading “The Day We Disappeared” if you’re looking for romance with a really cool twist! Then try this one if you want something a bit similar....more
What a lovely read! I was in the mood for a Mystery and my friend told me about his book that had a really cool twist! Say the words Rating: 4.3/5
What a lovely read! I was in the mood for a Mystery and my friend told me about his book that had a really cool twist! Say the words “huge twist” and I’m in! And yes, oh, yes, did it take me by surprise! But more wonderful than any twist is that this book had deep friendship, love, self healing (I liked that one of the MC’s struggled with mental health and it was an important part of her story), and it was engaging (and at a certain point, intense) from start from finish!
The story centers around two girls (who know each other), each one with her own journey, secrets, struggles, relationships — and I don’t want to say more because you need to read this and see what it’s all about! The writing is gripping and clever - with layers and subtleties building up the story and characters! And the characters and relationships are perfect!
I won’t say more — but if you want a book that allows you to connect with the characters, be happy and wrecked and terrified with them, and totally surprised at the same time then try this book! Also, I’m not usually a fan of Contemporary books, so I’m so happy this one worked out for me!...more
I'm not a fan of YA Contemporary books (YA Fantasy, on the other hand, is another story) but I didnActual rating: 2.5/5 stars rounded up to three.
I'm not a fan of YA Contemporary books (YA Fantasy, on the other hand, is another story) but I didn't think twice about picking up this book because I heard it was inspired by the movies - "You've Got Mail" and "Shop Around the Corner." I've enjoyed both movies, not just for the unique concept (two people who know each other both online and in real life without realizing it -- however, in one relationship: they are close confidants, and in the other: they are arch-nemesis/rivals of a sort), but I also love the direction the movies took with that idea.
I wish I'd known that this book is apparently very "loosely" inspired by the movies. And that the execution of the premise is a completely different take compared to the movies -- but somewhat standard compared to every other contemporary romance and RomCom.
Plot Summary: Our MC, Bailey Rydell, moves to California to live with her father - to avoid the tension of living with her mother and her boyfriend. But moving there also means being in the same place as her online friend, "Alex": who knows her as "Mink", shares her love for movies but also is someone who is growing to be a close friend - or even more than a friend. But upon arriving, she gets a job at a museum and gets off on the wrong foot with a co-worker, Porter Roth. That relationship between them starts with that heated tension and eventually develops into something deeper as they get to know each other. But the thing is: Alex and Porter are the same guy. And neither Bailey nor Porter know that the other person is the one they've been talking to online for months.
Now, did the book live up to all my expectations of fun and ironic situations that premise can offer?
The Good: Two wonderfully flawed characters, each with their own complexities and past issues, that form a close bond that is very well developed and written. So yes, I liked that Bailey had avoidance issues and had to work on herself to better her friendships/relationships - she's very relatable and mature. And I loved her passion for classic films and movies in general - I was the same when I was a teenager. And Porter, with his ups and downs was also an interesting, fun, and multi-faceted character.
Maybe Walt Whitman was right. We all really do contradict ourselves and contain multitudes. How do we even figure out who we really are?
They were both very likable characters with a well written romance. I loved how they could disagree but still get along - there was a lot to appreciate about the characters and their relationship.
The Not-so-good: To be honest, throughout most of the book, I was bored. I spent so long trying to get into it -- two weeks, I think -- but it just wasn't what I was looking for. Here why:
* I felt kind of cheated. That's my fault for having expectations and comparing the book to the movies. The whole "Alex" issue/mystery quickly fades into the background. Not just that - I mean the online part of their relationship is barely existent, or rather we're shown so very little of it. It doesn't really offset or play into the characters' real one - it's more a part of their past than the present. So, really, the whole concept of obliviously knowing one other as two different people - that irony or even the mystery of it - is barely explored. It's not as relevant to the main plot as I thought it would be.
* And even putting the Alex/Mink part of the story aside - Porter and Bailey lose that fire and conflict between them too quickly. I expected the tension and heated banter to last a bit longer. They were each other's "arch-nemesis" for like 20% of the book and then they were starting to get along and the getting-to-know-you romance started happening. It was... well developed and (there was still strong chemistry and even banter - but the cute type) and all that -- but nothing special to keep me wondering or even caring enough.
I wanted more of this:
He holds out the receiver to me. “Go on, say something, superstar.” I shake my head. Not happening. I don’t like the spotlight. Now I’m regretting that I asked about the yellow button. He tries to coax me into taking it with that laid-back voice of his, but his eyes are 100 percent challenge, like this is some sort of contest, and he’s trying to see who’ll break first. “Come on. Don’t get shy on me now, glamour girl.” Again with the catty nicknames? What is his problem? Well, he can forget it. Now it’s a matter of principle. I cross my arms over my chest. “No.” "It’s just a little-bitty intercom,” he says, wiggling the receiver in front of me. I shove his hand away. Okay, maybe I kind of slap it away. But I’ve just about had it with him. I’m genuinely irritated.
Paired up against:
@alex: Tell me about your terrible, no-good, really bad day. Does your boss suck?
@mink: Eh. Too soon to tell. I got stuck with the crap assignment and one of my coworkers is a colossal dickbag. He’s going to make my life miserable. I can already tell.
@alex: Make him miserable right back. You are Mink! Hear you roar!
@mink: *cough* *sputter* *broken meow*
@alex: Chin up. You’ll best this loser. Boys are dumb.
The book was great at the start with moments like that but then the plot shifted mainly to Porter and Bailey's growing relationship (date one, date two, misadventures and life occurences, special moments here and there...)... I started getting restless for something to happen at some point. I kept wondering when the "Alex" twist would come back and put a spark back in the book! ((It did but late enough that I stopped caring - and the way it happened made me lose even more interest)).
* But wait, let's not forget we have an antagonist in the story for that; Porter's ex-best friend, Davey - who has a bad drug addiction and criminal record, and who once went behind Porter's back with an ex-girlfriend, and now has his mind set on harassing Porter and Bailey... I mean... Was that needed? The original plot/twist would be interesting enough if it was used more prominently - it wouldn't have needed a Davey to shake things up for Porter and Bailey!
And I understand that the author meant to show that knowing a person for all they are needs getting to know each other deeply and personally - learning all sides to a person. But if that's the message of the book then it made for a good depiction of a well developed romantic relationship - using the online/offline concept in the background to further its point. But if you're looking for a fun romantic story that takes this concept (of dual identities) and cleverly plays with the possibilities it presents (like I was hoping for) - then watch "You've Got Mail" or "Shop Around the Corner" instead. Because this book is not like those movies in that way.
It simply turned out to be a regular Contemporary Romance.
But if you like Contemporary Romances - or if you like those but avoid the YA genre - then give this a try, because it's a well-written one with a mature romance and complex characters. I just usually prefer when there's a bit of a twist or something beyond the normal to make the story more compelling. That's why I should stick more to Fantasy, Sci-fi, or even Mysteries, and take another break from contemporaries. So maybe my lack of enthusiasm for this book is more of a "it's me, not you" situation....more
Nouf *LostinFantasy*
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