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rickireadss's review against another edition
4.0
omfg this was really really good. i LOVED the banter between kamilah and liam - like ughhh it was so freaking good and hot and i just kept screaming, "just bang already!!" because these two are fire. i really enjoyed the meddling of the grandpas, although at points, it felt a little *too* far for my liking. AND THE SMUT?!?!!? SO HOT - like omg i was sweating. i think the only thing i wanted was more of liam's past and seeing him address going to therapy earlier on in the story - like i am glad that they ended up going in the last chpater/epilogue but i needed more, because it was already pointed out earlier that he had PTSD and depression from losing his father. also i needed more on why his mom wasn't in the picture. i feel like this was briefly touched and then never mentioned again i am very excited to continue this series!!
representation: Latine FMC (Puerto Rican), PTSD & Depression rep (MMC)
⚠️: death of parent (drowning), grief, cancer, death, terminal illness, medical content, racism, mention of suicide (SC), mental illness (depression & PTSD), panic attacks/disorders
representation: Latine FMC (Puerto Rican), PTSD & Depression rep (MMC)
⚠️: death of parent (drowning), grief, cancer, death, terminal illness, medical content, racism, mention of suicide (SC), mental illness (depression & PTSD), panic attacks/disorders
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Racism, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
kb33's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think most of this book was five star for me, so mucc of it was so good and the conversations and characters were so realistic. However I listened to the audiobook and I don’t speak Spanish. So when the author did not provide translations, which was most of the time, I worried I might miss something important.
Then the ending… The third act break up was awful. These two have a LOT of problems to work through individually and together if the way they talked to each other was any indication. The MMC’s fear of letting anyone close and his hurtful way of pushing Camila away over and over made him an unlikable main character for me. I like when book boyfriends are able to admit that they’re in love. In the author forgot to address the fight Camilla had with her friend before the end of the book.
I’m definitely going to read the next in the series, and even though I loved the narrator, I might have to read the ebook this time so I can look up translations.
Then the ending… The third act break up was awful. These two have a LOT of problems to work through individually and together if the way they talked to each other was any indication. The MMC’s fear of letting anyone close and his hurtful way of pushing Camila away over and over made him an unlikable main character for me. I like when book boyfriends are able to admit that they’re in love. In the author forgot to address the fight Camilla had with her friend before the end of the book.
I’m definitely going to read the next in the series, and even though I loved the narrator, I might have to read the ebook this time so I can look up translations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
coffee_and_wool's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Death of parent
reading_rebellion's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I went into this book with little to no expectations after a month long reading slump. I read this on Audible and was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking it!
There's a friends to enemies to fake dating trope. Not a trope I tend to like, but I actually enjoyed this one. The first few chapters are kind of slow, but it really picks up at about chapter 3-4 and keeps getting better and better as it unfolds.
I LOVED the background setting and intermingle of interracial culture with food and drinks. As well as the mix of both English, Spanglish and Spanish accents of the characters. The narrator was phenomenal!
It does tackle some heavy topics of childhood and generational trauma but does it in a way that doesn't weigh you down and keeps the overall vibe lighthearted.
It also follows some typical Latin family stereotypes but also seeks to correct them.
Overall this was an unexpected, but very fun read. Sentimental and deep while being lightheaded, full of warmth, spice and heart!
There's a friends to enemies to fake dating trope. Not a trope I tend to like, but I actually enjoyed this one. The first few chapters are kind of slow, but it really picks up at about chapter 3-4 and keeps getting better and better as it unfolds.
I LOVED the background setting and intermingle of interracial culture with food and drinks. As well as the mix of both English, Spanglish and Spanish accents of the characters. The narrator was phenomenal!
It does tackle some heavy topics of childhood and generational trauma but does it in a way that doesn't weigh you down and keeps the overall vibe lighthearted.
It also follows some typical Latin family stereotypes but also seeks to correct them.
Overall this was an unexpected, but very fun read. Sentimental and deep while being lightheaded, full of warmth, spice and heart!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying and Cancer
triple_m's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall I did find this book really enjoyable and easy to read; however, the entire third act conflict left a really sour taste in my mouth.
Kamilah was by no means a perfect character (she would be boring if she was), but I understand all of the decisions that she made, even the wrong ones. I think EVERYONE came down way too harsh on her!! They shoved her in this corner where they infantilized her enough to discredit all of her ideas while also putting an insane amount of pressure on her. Then they got mad and completely iced her out when she tried to solve everything on her own. The only person justified in their anger is Sophie. I know her family loved her but the misogynistic family dynamics were very present (to be fair to the author, they were challenged).
I thought Liam was okay but I never felt like he truly opened up and got off easy compared to Kamilah. I honestly have nothing to say about him. Boring.
I was never strongly invested in them as a couple, which is sad considering this is a romance.
Kamilah was by no means a perfect character (she would be boring if she was), but I understand all of the decisions that she made, even the wrong ones. I think EVERYONE came down way too harsh on her!! They shoved her in this corner where they infantilized her enough to discredit all of her ideas while also putting an insane amount of pressure on her. Then they got mad and completely iced her out when she tried to solve everything on her own. The only person justified in their anger is Sophie. I know her family loved her but the misogynistic family dynamics were very present (to be fair to the author, they were challenged).
I thought Liam was okay but I never felt like he truly opened up and got off easy compared to Kamilah. I honestly have nothing to say about him. Boring.
I was never strongly invested in them as a couple, which is sad considering this is a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
bookswithvicky's review against another edition
DNF @ 63%
I tried to push this book started fine but now we are on a point that is so so boring. Also the third person writing was starting to annoyed me.
I tried to push this book started fine but now we are on a point that is so so boring. Also the third person writing was starting to annoyed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is this author’s debut publication and I must say she did a bang-up job. While I found the pacing a bit off (the beginning seemed slow, but the last half flew by), the emotions and connections were great. Her descriptions gave me a clear picture without being too wordy and the dialogue had a lovely flow.
Kamilah and Liam are both wonderful characters. Childhood best friends who grew apart through the years, they’ve still always been in each other’s lives. Their grandfathers have been best friends since their days in the military. While they lead separate lives, they still have always known what was going on in the others. But Liam has a humongous chip (or two, or three) on his shoulder and has pushed Kamilah away while also having deep feelings for her.
It surprised me a time or two when I went from loving Kamilah to being so upset with her. There is a lie, more accurately a “let’s hide the whole truth”, she tells Liam after they have resolved their past problems. That’s something I’m never a fan of, but that’s not why she upset me. Kamilah doesn’t always think about how her actions will affect those around her. She thinks she’s doing the right thing and helping everyone, but that’s not always the case. To be fair, her family can be quite harsh with her and it’s almost as if she has become this way to counteract their dismissal of her. I loved the way she was written because the author didn’t ignore Kamilah’s faults. Instead, she had her confronted with those faults and made her deal with them.
Of course, Liam has his faults too. Most having to do with childhood trauma. Even after he and Kamilah open up about wanting to be together, he often shuts down when his anxiety gets the best of him. I appreciate the mention of therapy and Liam’s grandfather admitting he didn’t handle Liam’s grief in the best way when Liam was younger.
I’m very much looking forward to more books in this series. I loved the cast of characters and there are many to work with. If this author can build on the solid foundation she seems to already have, I see many good things in her future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment
meghanm404's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content
inkiereads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book made me so hungry! All the food sounded delicious, even with all the whiskey that I don’t drink. I loved Liam and Kamilah, even with the issues they had. I wish we would’ve gotten a bit more of a grovel, but I really liked the whole story. Several moments made me tear up, and I love her whole family! I’m happy to have finally read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
caitlyn_rehs's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol