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csyip's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
melnotmissy's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
rceparski's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
lisa_m's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
I had to take some time to process this book before I could write my review. But even now that I have, I'm still not entirely sure what my opinion is. I have very complicated feelings about this book, let me get into it:
When I first heard of this book I was very excited. It sounds right up my alley and it has good reviews so I was already pretty sure I would like it. Once I actually started reading though I was just confused. The writing was strange and didn't manage to capture me at all. I had no idea what was even going on and I was mostly just annoyed by the characters. For the first third of the book I continuously just wanted to dnf it. We start off with our mom protagonist who meets a bunch of actors and producers who are shooting a movie on her yard. The movie was written by Nora herself about how her ex-husband left her. And said ex-husband gets played by the most handsome and famous actor ever, Leo Vance. Leo is a weird and entitled guy. He's also an alcoholic. He is constantly in her house (where he shouldn't be) and takes her things (mainly alcohol, some of which is very expensive) and fills out her crossword puzzles which she loves doing. It's safe to say I was very annoyed by him and I was just hoping that he isn't the love interest (he is). After filming is done Leo just won't leave. He hides on her porch and sleeps there and no matter what Nora tries he just doesn't leave. So eventually she allows him to stay for a week in exchange for 1000$ per day. That one week turns into two, turns into a month and Leo and Nora grow close. Until Leo leaves to go film a movie and is never heard from again. He told her he loves her and he will come back but suddenly he just doesn't respond to her texts or calls. He just sends her a bunch of money.
This is when the story actually becomes interesting. Noras struggle with being left once again was very interesting. Leo grew close to her kids as well so now she doesn't just have to deal with her own broken heart but also be strong for her kids who are still hurting from when their father left. It's a very tough situation especially because everyone constantly asks after Leo and where he is and when he will come back. Nora eventually finds out that Leo had just been broken up with by his co-star, a very famous and beautiful actress and now apparently they are back together again. This breaks her heart again and when she sees him at the movie premier and he doesn't even look at her or acknowledge her existence she has to leave. I did like the aspect of trust & abandonment issues and her trying to pick herself up again but I didn't really root for the two of them. In the end I think this book would have been better if it was about an actually toxic relationship and Nora dealing with how to be happy on her own without a man. The miscommunication was stupid and there would have been SO MANY WAYS that they could have avoided all this happening. The proposal in the end felt rushed and unneccesary. I also don't really feel the chemistry between Nora and Leo. I think this book was mainly written as escapism and fantasy for stressed out moms who want to date a hot rich famous guy. Which is fine, I can just not relate much to that and the book didn't really give me much else.
All in all this was a strange book. The characters where quite boring and I mean it really says a lot that the huge stupid miscommunication is my favourite part about this. Because it's the only interesting thing happening. I enjoyed certain aspects of the book but I just don't think it was very good. I don't think I will read another book by this author.
This is when the story actually becomes interesting. Noras struggle with being left once again was very interesting. Leo grew close to her kids as well so now she doesn't just have to deal with her own broken heart but also be strong for her kids who are still hurting from when their father left. It's a very tough situation especially because everyone constantly asks after Leo and where he is and when he will come back. Nora eventually finds out that Leo had just been broken up with by his co-star, a very famous and beautiful actress and now apparently they are back together again. This breaks her heart again and when she sees him at the movie premier and he doesn't even look at her or acknowledge her existence she has to leave. I did like the aspect of trust & abandonment issues and her trying to pick herself up again but I didn't really root for the two of them. In the end I think this book would have been better if it was about an actually toxic relationship and Nora dealing with how to be happy on her own without a man. The miscommunication was stupid and there would have been SO MANY WAYS that they could have avoided all this happening. The proposal in the end felt rushed and unneccesary. I also don't really feel the chemistry between Nora and Leo. I think this book was mainly written as escapism and fantasy for stressed out moms who want to date a hot rich famous guy. Which is fine, I can just not relate much to that and the book didn't really give me much else.
All in all this was a strange book. The characters where quite boring and I mean it really says a lot that the huge stupid miscommunication is my favourite part about this. Because it's the only interesting thing happening. I enjoyed certain aspects of the book but I just don't think it was very good. I don't think I will read another book by this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
meghanm404's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
readwithkb's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
woah immediately need to read all her other books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
4.0
A little different than I was expecting but well-written and a great read! A blend of romance and women’s fiction, I really enjoyed Nora’s story.
I think my favourite part of this story was Nora’s children. They were so sweet and so protective over their mom
I did find Nora and Leo’s romance to be a bit “insta-lovey” for my taste, but I was rooting so much Nora that I didn’t mind as much as I usually would.
The writing was also very funny and I found myself laughing out loud a few times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
annamay1021's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
shelbyl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Solid Romcom
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol