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A review by luluwoohoo
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray
☀️☀️☀️🌤️
A contemporary Australian romance that successfully balances the fluffier stuff with darker subject matters to form a layered, more complex novel.
Breaking up the structure of the narrative with flashbacks was a great choice to build the history of Josie and Zac's relationship (even when a few of the flashbacks didn't feel totally relevant or connected in the beginning). The first half felt well paced but I think the 2nd act was a bit too bloated in comparison to the ending, which I liked and was unexpected.
I really appreciated the relationship progression between Josie and Zac, especially the grown up conversations which are all too often brushed over or ignored in romance. Their chemistry was good and believable, though there were a few instances of out-of-character miscommunication that felt shoehorned in for the plot to work. The examination of health anxiety and survivors guilt through these characters was wonderful.
It was lovely to see Sydney and Newcastle portrayed well throughout this book - the Australian-ness was present without being overtly signposted.
This is a fabulous book which doesn't shy away from handling difficult topics alongside the romance. It is well written and ticks a lot of boxes for me, and I look forward to exploring Murray's other work.
☀️☀️☀️🌤️
A contemporary Australian romance that successfully balances the fluffier stuff with darker subject matters to form a layered, more complex novel.
Breaking up the structure of the narrative with flashbacks was a great choice to build the history of Josie and Zac's relationship (even when a few of the flashbacks didn't feel totally relevant or connected in the beginning). The first half felt well paced but I think the 2nd act was a bit too bloated in comparison to the ending, which I liked and was unexpected.
I really appreciated the relationship progression between Josie and Zac, especially the grown up conversations which are all too often brushed over or ignored in romance. Their chemistry was good and believable, though there were a few instances of out-of-character miscommunication that felt shoehorned in for the plot to work. The examination of health anxiety and survivors guilt through these characters was wonderful.
It was lovely to see Sydney and Newcastle portrayed well throughout this book - the Australian-ness was present without being overtly signposted.
This is a fabulous book which doesn't shy away from handling difficult topics alongside the romance. It is well written and ticks a lot of boxes for me, and I look forward to exploring Murray's other work.
"'You don’t have to hide from me, OK?’ he says softly. ‘If this is a part of you, then I want to know about it.'"