sincerelyadi's reviews
270 reviews

SPOILER-ISH WARNING (Though I do think important to read before deciding if this book is right for you. Then again please check the trigger warnings first.) 
Fair disclosure this book wrecked me and did not put me back together. That’s not to say the book was terrible by any means, just that I’m going to need to read an extremely happy book after this one. 

This one carried heaviness for two of the man characters one dealing with the fall out that lingers with grief and the other navigating bipolar and what happens in manic and depressive sates.  Both characters ultimately there for one another as they navigate their own troubles in life but carried with heaviness. 

This was especially hard to read knowing the outcomes that can happen when you stop taking medicine advised by your doctor. I’ve witnessed that firsthand in my life with people I care about. And I do think that this was important for people to see, and how to navigate should they ever come across it. 

This book also reminds us, even in our darkest moments. There are difficult weeks in wonderful lives. 

While this book needs to have a space in this world for others to read and reflect. I would suggest if you are struggling right now that perhaps this is one you should hold on until you are in a lighter space. 

If you’re reading this, please know you’re not  alone and that you are so very loved. 

Well this was certainly a fun read! I loved the adventures that happened one night after midnight with a solid group of humans.

Also can we talk how magical this school must be right on the beach? Like I would like to further explore that world. 

The relationship Lily has with her mom is so special. I loved there bond. Very similar to Gilmore Girls without being a crutch. And Josh joining in on the family unit. So cute! 

Alex was a solid best friend to Tag. Truly one of the most  lovable characters. 

Daniel well, he had it coming! 

As a fellow swiftie, we love all the Taylor Swift references. I thought at first I was missing them and that I wasn’t swiftie enough, but you’ll know when you see them! 

You didn’t think I would leave without mentioning Tag did you? The love he had for Lily was so sweet. Of course I’ll say it again communication solves so much in relationships but then where would the story unfold? I’m so glad Lily shared her point of view so he could see. I was going to say if that gets brushed over, I’m going to be so mad. These two are certainly destined to be. But also not me wanting more for what she gets up to in Georgetown, because wow that would be a magical back drop to a setting. I’m just saying. 

Just like The Summer of Broken Rules I love the creative adventure this book takes us on. Though The Summer of Broken Rules will forever be one of my top 5 favorite books of all time, so hard to beat. 

I honestly don’t know how I rate books any more. It’s either basically a 5 star read or a 3 star. With my adhd brain sometimes there’s no inbetween but I’m trying. 

I devoured this book in one day. Seeing representation as someone who is neurodivergent herself, made me happy. After all representation matters. Not only that if you are neurotypical it gives you a glimpse of what moments of anxiety where you spiral can look like. 

I don’t have ocd, but I appreciated seeing that experience through Florie’s eyes. At least the type she deals with. I feel like with every meant health disorder there are so many levels and layers. 

I loved how her best friend Kacey always pushed her, without being too aggressive. We all need a Kacey friend in our lives to help us grow and be supportive. 

Sam, well wasn’t he just adorable with Florie. But listen, if they want to survive they really will have to expand on their communication beyond the book. Which I have all the faith that they will together. 

Now let’s talk Florie’s mom without spoiling too much. Maybe I felt triggered based on my own childhood and moments growing up. And wow was this so spot on. I honestly thought if Florie just forgave her and didn’t change anything I was going to lose it. While they did have a moment of eventually meeting in the middle - just call me cautiously optimistic. Her mom really had me screaming at the pages in the book. 

All and all a lovely read and I can’t wait to read more by this author in the future! I’ve had my eye on Between You, Me, and the Honeybees. 

This is a reread, unsure what number as I always update this first before I update Good Reads. 

I like to reread the series every so often along side whatever else I’m currently reading as I don’t typically read fantasy. 

These books and this world are places that make me feel less anxious. Though I do not stand with the author. 

First 5 star read of the new year! Before I get into the thoughts of my book I feel compelled to share my goals around reading for the new year first. I have a large physical tbr that I’ve neglected. So this year my goal is to read more from my physical tbr and less buying a book that sounds good. (Which is very tempting for my adhd) speaking of my adhd I tend to find audiobooks easier for me because I can multi task more. So I went on Libby and created a folder of books I physically own but in audiobook form. Fortunately most of the books had audiobooks and more than half had zero wait time. This will also help with my decision paralysis for my adhd. 

This book was the first on the list following that concept and woah what a great decision. First of all this book was hilarious but the narrator made it 10x more funny with how she read it. She really got into character in the best way.

I loved the journey we were taken on over 9 months, and while I’ve never had kids of my own, I feel like a lot of these moments had to be relatable for people who have been pregnant. 

The baby dad’s journey seemed real and raw but always wanting to show up. What a solid dude.

And Shep. What a gem of a gem! Also please tell me I wasn’t the only one who thought of Shep from Southern Charmed from back in the day lol. Although two very different people iykyk. 

Overall this was a great start to the new year and I look forward to reading more from this author because this truly made me laugh out loud more than once! 

This book was adorably cheesy. This book is only in audio form. This was my first time doing a full cast audiobook with special effects. It kind of reminded me of radio shows they did back in the day. The sound effects were confusing at times. Like I must of missed at first that they were at the zoo because at first it sounded like they were at the pool and then i heard a lion roar and I got confused. The kissing sound effects were like nail on a chalk board for me. And what was supposed to be closed door romance was so cheesy. I’m like this sounds a little too stiff, to be authentic. 

Overall it was a quick silly read. And it was nice to hear some familiar voices. 

I finished after the first chapter. My friend told me to stop reading it because she knows my reading taste and she said I wouldn’t like the amount of spice in the books. Also I’m trying to be more intentional with the books I’m reading because the reality is I’ll never get to read every book I would love to read. 

Forgive me if I jump around in this review, but I feel like Rowan’s professor would just want me to free write my thoughts out anyway. 

Okay so I had to re-read Today, Tonight, Tomorrow before reading this. And every time I’m reminded I don’t need to do that because the author will summarize key points throughout the book around the previous book. Which I get why they do it, but kind of wish they didn’t. It’s a me thing, I know. 

Is it also common for sequels to be dual point of view? Or just the last few I’v read. Either way I’m not mad about it. I think it was important to be able to understand Neil’s struggles through his lenses versus Rowan’s. 

One thing that I loved continued from this first book is the little bits from text messages, to flyers, to Neil’s interesting but relatable search history and more. That’s why I would recommend not listening to the audio version of this because those bits make this book extra special. I love when authors do that (looking at you The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson)

This book was a lot heavier than the first book, but I appreciated that aspect. I think as you grow and head into college there are a lot of changes that are thrown at you all at once. I also appreciated how Rowan navigated Neil’s mental health, never once making it about her, but focusing on helping him as best as she could - while also dealing with her own struggles of perfectionism. 

This book brought me back to college and also back to my long distance relationship with my now husband. I really appreciated that the book didn’t do the stereotypical long distance struggles of jealousy/trust. But the real focus of two people who love each other and want to make it work but are also growing and evolving and navigating all of those changes. 

Neil’s dad is a piece of shit. I said what I said. But I’m glad he stayed that way, I don’t think Neil would have deserved the “I’ve changed.” And being forced to struggle with forgiving him and having him in his life. Especially with all the trauma he dealt with all that his dad put him through and have to struggle how 

Rowan’s writing block struggle is so relatable in my career and I loved how her professor challenged her. How it’s okay to write shitty stuff. It’s important just to try. To not go for the perfection but wherever the words take you. That’s something I need to remember more often. Luckily for me I highlighted and tabbed that section. 

For being a YA book there was a lot more intimate scenes but before the parents freak it. It was tastefully done and also realistic to where they  are at in life and with being in a long distance relationship. Though I do see this book getting banned for those moments. Which do not even get me started, that’s not even the point of the book. But they do show emotional maturity and what a healthy relationship should look like. 

All in all this was a lovely read, even with all of the heavy bits. I think, many people will be able to see parts of themselves in this book which I think will help them as they continue their journey in life. Because yes, it’s more than just a love story. 

But regardless we do love a good love story with depth, especially when it’s tied with a nice little bow in the end. Which is why I loved that we got to see glimpses in the future, a nice way to close the book on these two beautiful characters. 

It was definitely an interesting read. I did read it over two days so that probably wasn’t the smartest idea to fully understand what was going on, especially since there were three stories that were at first separate and eventually intertwined. I’m not sure if I was exactly the right audience for this book, but I am all about reading banned books because I do think there are important learnings in all of them and also I think it’s important for people to see themselves in stories that they read.  Honestly I’m unsure if it’s me or how my brain works that some of this went over my head a little but still wanted to learn and understand. 

I have read a few reviews on people’s thoughts before finishing the book and now I want to add in my own perspective.

First of all Lynn Painter will always be a top tier writer in my opinion. So with a mixture of that and my own thoughts is how I landed on my rating of 4.5 stars.  (Which is my first ever below 5 star rating for Lynn.) But don’t let that deter you, her books are always iconic in my opinion. 

Here’s the thing, we were all excited for a Liz and Wes reunion, but I felt like the storyline spent far too long with them not on the same page. And maybe in a perfect world I would just want a book full of fluff with them in it. But I also realize where is the conflict in that?

Some people stated for books/tv shows/movies that are so perfectly done that it should be left untouched. For me I will always want a reason to escape back into my favorite stories, even if they don’t always live up to the original. We’re all far too opinionated for sequels to ever live up to the original (I said what I said)!

I did enjoy seeing them a few years later in college and having both evolved because life experiences does that to you. But gosh why did Lynn have to do Wes so dirty like that. (I get why she had to but gahh!) also at first I was like this is the first time I heard of Wes having a sister but then I realized that this book we got an added bonus for it being dual pov which I loved, and think was needed for how this story unfolded. 

Once again I’m reminded how important clear communication is and could avoid so much miss communication but then again where’s the story in that? 

I felt Liz was far too serious in this book compared to the first one. But I do think with growing up, at that age you sometimes think being serious/perfect is a good thing. When that’s not always the case. I did love the growth of Wes though, he had to go through some tough things to get there and that’s the goal isn’t it? To see growth through challenging times. 

I also thought Liz’s internship was too good to be true. Like I kept waiting for something to go horribly wrong or Lilith not really committing to supporting Liz in her career aspirations which she did above and beyond and I really commended that. But also I kept thinking, this is too good to be true. 

I loved that Lynn Painter continued on with the movie quotes at the start of each chapter, they are seriously my favorite. I even was inspired to rewatch He’s Just Not That Into You based on one of the quotes. Also I love the tradition in all of her books having playlists at the end for the main characters. I would be lost without it! 

All in all, I adored this book but wished there was less disconnect between the two and more swoony moments. I felt like it took too long to build up to those parts which is why I knocked it down to a 4.5.