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flamingo_punk's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lupi_reads's review
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mclark224's review
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.25
elleam's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
4.5
jmross10's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
I’ve read all the republished books in this series and have really enjoyed them. Lindsey does a good job creating compelling love stories that don’t feel repetitive and feature good representation. They also don’t sacrifice the identify/journey of the individual for the romance.
That said, this one felt a bit unsatisfying to me. I totally understand why it’s written the way it is and how the journey is important, but there wasn’t enough of Dmitri and Raphael together for my liking. Which is a shame because I really enjoyed them both as characters. Even if it was just more “platonic” encounters, I think the pining would’ve hit so much harder. Most of the book is spent with them separate though and as a result, the pay off feels too little and way too late.
That said, this one felt a bit unsatisfying to me. I totally understand why it’s written the way it is and how the journey is important, but there wasn’t enough of Dmitri and Raphael together for my liking. Which is a shame because I really enjoyed them both as characters. Even if it was just more “platonic” encounters, I think the pining would’ve hit so much harder. Most of the book is spent with them separate though and as a result, the pay off feels too little and way too late.
ashleystory's review
5.0
The latest book of Running in Circles features one of my favorite characters Raphael! And sweet Dmitri, also a character from a precious books in the series.
Raphael is a very gorgeous, sarcastic, character who has cerebral palsy and loves a very limited amount of people. He is used to being left, used to people not being able to handle his disability and he doesn’t believe he’ll have his happy ending.
Dimitri is a sweet twenty something year old who has lost the trust of most of his and Raphael’s small town. His friendship with Raphael was unexpected but most welcome. As he navigates his asexual queer identity, he is also determined to find someone to love his best friend.
These two struggle so much with their self worth and what they bring to relationships and oh my goodness is was heartbreaking. For those for who it matters a great deal: it is a looong journey to try HEA for these two and you see them both with other people before that happens.
For full transparency, I normally struggle with books like that but EM Lindsey is an author I really trust and knew they would make it with it. Their characters are always so loveable and endearing that you root for them the whole time. Even when they make ridiculous decisions lolsob
If you like friends to lovers in the slowest burn and a heavy dose of heartache, with a satisfying HEA, you will enjoy this latest in the series. This books will be published on October 24th.
Thank you to EM Lindsey for an e-arc of this book.
Raphael is a very gorgeous, sarcastic, character who has cerebral palsy and loves a very limited amount of people. He is used to being left, used to people not being able to handle his disability and he doesn’t believe he’ll have his happy ending.
Dimitri is a sweet twenty something year old who has lost the trust of most of his and Raphael’s small town. His friendship with Raphael was unexpected but most welcome. As he navigates his asexual queer identity, he is also determined to find someone to love his best friend.
These two struggle so much with their self worth and what they bring to relationships and oh my goodness is was heartbreaking. For those for who it matters a great deal: it is a looong journey to try HEA for these two and you see them both with other people before that happens.
For full transparency, I normally struggle with books like that but EM Lindsey is an author I really trust and knew they would make it with it. Their characters are always so loveable and endearing that you root for them the whole time. Even when they make ridiculous decisions lolsob
If you like friends to lovers in the slowest burn and a heavy dose of heartache, with a satisfying HEA, you will enjoy this latest in the series. This books will be published on October 24th.
Thank you to EM Lindsey for an e-arc of this book.