REREAD REVIEW

reread this, this time as an audiobook.
still a 5 stars. the tension, the chemistry, the learning to read each other, the sisterhood, IT'S ALL PERFECT.

also goddamn i didn't remember writing such a long review the first time around (': still applies tho

EMILY HENRY ILY
CHARLIE LASTRA ILYSM


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INITIAL REVIEW

so much love for this book. not enough words to describe it. Emily Henry has outdone herself. i never thought I’d love a book as much as beach read, let alone love one even more.
i’ve seen excellent and baaad reviews about this one, and upon reading it i just don’t understand how you could get nothing good for you from this read.

emily henry’s writing style was as usual, fresh, funny, addictive. i liked the rythm of this book. not a fast paced story but didn’t feel like a slow burn either to me. things started happening quickly without being rushed, but didn’t unfold too quickly either, it never felt rushed. this romance felt real, it wasn’t a straight line from point a to point b. like most relationships are. we got bits of romance, uncertainty, we saw the characters go through different stuff on the sidelines of the romance. nora and charlie got to know each other slowly, opening up according to what was going on for them.

speaking of romance, let’s get into it. there was tension but an appropriate amount. nora and charlie’s banter was probably my favorite part of it all. their back and forths through texts or in person made me giggle like a schoolgirl at times. they both grew a lot throughout the book and discovering each other, they felt human. i really invested myself in their relation and rooted for both of them as individuals as much as in their dynamic as a duo. i also loved that they both decided to prioritize their careers/accomplishments/dreams/etc before their potential relationship. they navigated their life in and outside of their relation in such a mature way. it was refreshing to see such down to earth people in a romance to be honest.

charlie. what. a. man. loved him. was so well spoken and self aware. i loved his honesty. there was something raw about him that really drew me to like him. this character really charmed me.
nora, nothing but good things to say about her. some of her self doubts or torments were repetitive at times but they always brought something more to the story, a new memory or fact that helped us understand her or what was going on better. nora was so relatable to me it almost got scary. her organization and her anxieties really reminded me of myself and made her that much more real. i loved her introspection. i really have a sweet spot for well spoken, self-aware women in romances. she was strong and i loved how she looked out for libby. she made me think of me as a big sister.

speaking of, nora’s relationship with libby really added to the story. i loved having another duo dynamic besides the romance and i loved how relatable they were. as an older sibling who took care of her youngest sister, i really found myself in nora and i admired how she grew out of the parental role she found herself into when she was way too young.

i can only end this review by commenting the end of the book. when i tell you i SOBBED. i finished this almost at 1am, tears running down my face. i don’t remember the last time i was so overwhelmed with emotions at the end of a romance novel. i was SO desperate for nora and charlie to have their happy ending, the last few pages were gut wrenching. it’s been a solid week since i finished this book and i’m still thinking about it almost daily so i think it’s safe to say it qualifies as a contender for my favorite romance ever.