Secondchances

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Oh my gosh, you guys!

This was good!

It's the story of a marriage rocked by loss, depression and grief. But the couple never stopped loving each other.

Their journey back to each other after divorce is told realistically and with great empathy.

The spice in this one is spicy 🔥

Jas16 Loved this book so much. 2d

marleed This was a 5* read for me, and I thought the second book in this series was just as good -

This Could Be Us

30 likes2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

The Broken Road: A Novel | Richard Paul Evans

so-so

Major caveat here: if I didn't have a vague idea of how this trilogy ended, I wouldn't be continuing to the next book. At the moment, I deem it worthwhile to continue, because I think having the full story told in this manner will add to the catharsis/emotional impact of the ending. But, from a 'single book' perspective, Evans has made a bold choice in making the entire work background for the narrative 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? that is hinted at continuing in the next book, in the prologue. You know how I feel about cliffhangers. There are multiple timelines, lead up to an important event, flashbacks, and backstory, but you're not only JUST getting the set up, you're getting ALL of the ways life has been shitty for this character. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? When this was pitched to me, I thought my biggest issue would be the mistakes, the choices the main character has made and how they've affected other people, but as it turns out, those pale in comparison to all the horrible things that happened to this character growing up. What makes me so damn sad is how much of the experiences related mirror the life story of so many abused and disadvantaged people. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? It just puts the idea of highlighting one character who found a second chance in a strange fairy tale, chosen one light that I think could be more mocking than escapist to those who've had to deal with real trauma and it's aftermath without that kind of luck. How close do the books as a whole come to the huckster self-help vibes of the sales seminar narrative, live your dreams, change your life, etc? 🤨 3w

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? I know this author is famous for Christmas books - do they also follow the 'I have wacked your thumb with a hammer (emotionally upsetting background) now here's a chocolate bar (happy/hopeful ending) now don't you feel grateful and joyful (the ache of endorphins and the thrill of sugar)' formula? 3w

Robotswithpersonality 6/? Skilled emotional manipulation is a cornerstone to a number of different kinds of narratives, but when the story really doesn't have more plot than just everything these people have gone through, it makes the message conveyed that much more crucial, and I worry that I will rate the latter books in this trilogy higher based on how they make me feel, (an accomplishment in itself) even if the story itself is...lacking. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 7/? By which I mean I'm looking for a message that isn't too tired and I'm not sure I've glimpsed it yet, and if you're going to spend nearly 300 pages making me sad, there really should be a damn good reason, beyond life lessons I figured out a decade ago. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 8/? I also admit to being on shaky ground with the amount of God/Bible references - it really does feel like those who are lapsed from a religion are in some ways closer to it or at least never fully separated - and the simple moralizing that always seems to follow in its wake. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 9/? Also feeling a little odd about proposed end goal of the trip - that's a lot of years to suddenly decide on a need to resolve that particular issue - I think a journey for personal growth/redemption/reflection/planning for a different future, without relying on absolution from a particular individual, might be a healthier mindset, but love makes you do the wacky. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 3w

Robotswithpersonality 10/? So given all that, why would I continue? Because a smart reader who recommended this to me started with the third book in the series and then went back, so I still have hopes for where the story goes. And since I read the first book first, why not read the second book, second? Thanks goodness the full trilogy is out, I'd lose my shit if I had to wait after this ending. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 11/11 P.S. I don't know if Evans shares the main character's Mexican heritage or OCD, but that rep is in here.
⚠️suicide, child abuse, racism, racist-based violence/hate crime, assault 3w

8 likes10 comments

maddie0518

Rock Bottom Girl: A Small Town Romantic Comedy | Lucy Score

6.5/10

2 likes1 stack add

Areader2

The Plight Before Christmas | Kate Stewart

pick

This was a fun family with a ex boyfriend at Christmas in the mountains. I thought it was a little dragged out but still enjoyed it!
readAway2024 book 49

DieAReader, Andrew65, GHABI4ROSES

Andrew65 Excellent 🎄🎄🎄 2mo

DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 2mo

23 likes2 comments

OriginalCyn620

A Cross-Country Christmas | Courtney Walsh

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The FMC was a bit bitchy to the MMC, but it turned out she had good reason. This ended up being really sweet! I could see this being a Netflix holiday movie.

#bookspinbingo
#ChristmasAtoZ #LetterW
#adventathon
#cozychristmas
#littenlisten

BookmarkTavern, Texreader, StayCurious, TheAromaofBooks, aperfectmjk, LiseWorks

BookmarkTavern Cute! 2mo

TheAromaofBooks I couldn't stand the FMC in this one but I'm glad you enjoyed it 😂 2mo

OriginalCyn620 @peanutnine I remembered the #cozychristmas tag but I just realized I forgot to tag you! 🤪 2mo

peanutnine Nice! Cute cover! 2mo

36 likes1 stack add4 comments

AileenRR

Before I Let Go | Kennedy Ryan

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Omg I might have a new favorite romance author, I loved this so much. It made me FEEL! And I loved all the characters. Everyone was so ideally mature. AND there was an epilogue 🙌🏽

marleed And that cover 💕💕 The 2nd book in this trilogy is just as good. I can‘t wait for the third! 2mo

AileenRR @marleed I‘m relieved to hear that you liked the 2nd one 2mo

14 likes2 comments

TheSpineView

The Plight Before Christmas | Kate Stewart

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#WinterGames #HolidayBookDragons @LiseWorks

I liked a lot of things about this book. The characters were well developed, which I love. However, there were a few things that annoyed me and made the plot feel forced. I just couldn't get behind the idea that after 17 years, the two main characters haven't been able to get on with their lives. Not genuine at all. The prose and character development get a solid 4.5⭐️ and the plot a sad 2⭐️.

TheSpineView Averaged together, this is a 3.25 book. #ChristmasAtoZ @Texreader #LetterP 2mo

56 likes1 comment

ICantImReading

The Plight Before Christmas | Kate Stewart

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Looking for a holiday read that‘s both naughty and nice? This one has family, romance, emotion, and humor - pure Christmas fun! The audio production was really well done; I always love this male narrator! I don‘t know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I was reading it with my eyes.🎧

52 likes1 stack add

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