Gabriela

It was cute and heartwarming, but repetitive and predictable. I wanted to like it, but every chapter felt formulaic. The writing style also feels dull and uninspired. It often happens when I read other Japanese translated novels , so it could very well be a cultural thing. It reminds me of reading YA novels where the author feels the need to over explain and tell me, rather than show me. It's fine. I enjoyed reading it, but I can't in good conscience give it more than 3 stars.

‘You don't let go once. That's your first mistake. You say goodbye over a lifetime.”

Honestly, who needs therapy when you read books like this one? I'm finding it hard to rate this fully as a piece of literary work because it was so incredibly relevant that I don't know if I can focus too hard on its literary merits (I'll give it a go).

Dolly has such a good talent for writing things in a non-pretentious way while still providing insightful commentary on life and relationships. Writing from the perspective of the man who got broken up with felt fresh and inspired. I also think it really captured how it feels to go through a break up when there's not a specific major issue, but rather realizing that a relationship isn't what you need anymore.

I would be curious to hear wether or not men think it's an accurate portrayal of the men psyche after a breakup (if my ex is reading this, let me know what you think of this book!). To me, it felt authentic, it was emotional, and funny. I recommend it!

“So I decide. Standing in this dank alleyway I decide I'll settle for a sliver of the love I want, in the hope that one day soon, there will be space for it to become more.”

I enjoyed this book a lot, while simultaneously wanting to shake some sense into this woman for the whole book. This novel provides a look at how disheartening and soul-crushing entering into the workforce can be, while being unable to escape the necessity of it. However, the main experience this novel explores is falling in love with a married man and what being the mistress feels like. It was difficult to read sometimes because we are in her head, which meant we were in delulu town for a while. The writing was fantastic (I loved the unexpected breaking of the 4th wall). It was funny, heartwarming, irreverent, and tense. I will definitely be getting a physical copy of this book!

I thank NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book. I actually got it after the book has been released, so go get a copy if this sounds like it would be a good read for you.

Oh I this book was so good! I couldn't put it down. I felt like these things were happening to me instead of looking at a scene of these things happening, which is an extraordinary feat considering it's told from a dual 3rd person perspective.

This wasn't a slow burn, but the yearning was still so heartfelt and evocative! And finally, a contemporary hate to love arc that makes sense. I highly recommend this one.

Oh this book was so much fun and it hit me quite hard. This contemporary romance story hits that spot that I seek where it provides depth of characters (main and side) while also exploring very difficult topics. In this book, Dawson does a wonderful job at portraying the cycles of abuse a person can get stuck in when it's all they've known. From parents homophobia, to emotionally abusive partners and bosses, this book shows how it can inhibit a person from knowing they deserve better from their families, friends, partners, and jobs.

This story is told form a 3rd person perspective, which scared me a bit because sometimes that makes it harder to connect with the inner world of the main character (in my experience). However, I think it does a great job at giving you the insight of how Charlotte felt throughout the book. On the other hand, I kept wishing I could get more insights on how Reese (mmc) or Jackie (bff) were feeling; even though it was 3rd person, it gave me the same vibes a 1st person pov gives me where all the insight comes from the main character and their perceptions of others. It still worked and conveyed the emotions it needed to, but I do wonder if fully committing to 1st person or exploring more of what a 3rd person pov could do for side characters would've benefit this story.

In summary, this one is for the queer kids with parent or partner-related trauma who don't know how to ask for help or they feel like they are so behind their peers. This book was fun, emotional, sexy, and sweet.

Side note: I LOVE that it didn't include an epilogue. The ending was perfect! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this review copy.