Jesus wept, what have I just read? Abby Jimenez' debut novel, that's what. I loved the author's latest, "Just for the Summer" and gave it 5 stars. This is nothing like it.

It is chock full of misunderstandings & miscommunication (the tropes I hate the most) and a character who decides she knows what's best for another character while that character is incessantly protesting that she's wrong. Kristen emotionally cheats on her long-distance boyfriend Tyler (who is selfish and disrespectful himself), by falling hard in love with Josh but because he wants kids and she can't have any, she first ghosts him then pushes him away. Or the other way round. It happens a lot because she blows hot and cold. So I was on Josh's side for a while but he is another male character who doesn't know when to give up or take a woman's feelings seriously. Also, he owns a gun and Kristen finds that sexy - an attitude so alien to me that I can't compute it. I actually don't read many American authors because often the experiences feel so unfamiliar. Abby Jimenez had been an exception - now I'm not so sure anymore. Also, it's "firefighter", not "fireman", and it's a vocation - if you just moan about the people who call you out, why are you doing it?

And, what the heck was the storyline with Brandon? It's kind of cold to

kill off a character

just so you have a storyline for the next book. It came quite out of the blue but I am heartless enough to say at least it interrupted the constant exhausting "I love him so much but I can't be with him" and "why doesn't she love me?" angst for five minutes. 

Apparently Kristen does not feel worthy of love without the ability of giving birth because her cartoon villain of a mother had put her down all her life. But it doesn't matter because Josh loves her and her uniqueness, which manifests in her simply being outspoken, sarcastic and getting hangry. 🙄

It annoys me not just that there was a

surprise pregnancy

but also that it was so predictable. I knew about 100 pages before Kristen herself did. 

Basically, if you're someone battling with fertility issues, this book is not for you. Seriously, walk away now.

I want to love this. I was prepared to love this. But the FMC was exhausting. How hard is it to be upfront and have a fucking adult conversation?! I also didn't enjoy how the author wrote Kristen to act like infertility made her a freak or not a woman. And how she was CONSTANTLY gaslighting Josh. He's gotta be the world's most patient man.

I would have liked to see them adopt or another option that is so real for thousands of women. But surprise pregnancy it was.

“Do you ever see yourself acting crazy, but you can’t stop because you’re not a quitter?” 

 

Kristen Peterson is juggling her best friend’s wedding planning, her dog Stuntman Mike, and her medically necessary procedure that will be happening after the wedding. She doesn’t have time for a man, her boyfriend of two years will be leaving the marines in the next couple of weeks and moving in with her, so when she meets Josh Copeland, those balls she’s juggling start falling at a fast pace. Their attraction is instant, Kristen is doing everything in her power to keep Josh at arm’s length, because if she already didn’t have a boyfriend, he would be hers. 

 

“I’d never met a woman like you before. You told me to go to hell and made me look forward to the trip.” 

Abby Jimenez absolutely crushes emotional love stories. She explains in her author’s note that she authored this story with her best friend in mind, and her firsthand accounts of infertility & pregnancy. Although this makes up most of the problems for Kristen & Josh, it’s not everything in the story, there is trademark humor, breakups, karaoke, and even a sketchy taco truck. A fast read, I really enjoyed how the story came together, and am still emotional with some parts. 

 

CW/TW: Infertility, Pregnancy, Grief, Car Accident, Medical Content 

3.5 🌟

It's Abby Jimenez's first book but my fourth read. I agree with the fact that the other books are better.

I didn't really feel the connection between Kristen and Josh.

I didn't like that she was still in love with her ex at the beginning of the book while falling in love with Josh.

I'm glad that I got spoiled about the ending and the next book. I don't think I would have been ok woth it otherwise. 

Eu não fui com tanta expectativa nessa leitura, por se tratar do primeiro livro da autora - e em outras experiências, a leitura de primeira obra pode não ser tão boa. Ainda assim fui surpreendida a ponto de ficar acordada até conseguir ler o final, de madrugada.
Por se tratar de uma obra com assuntos tão sensíveis pessoalmente para a autora, acho que foi bem real as experiências, com respeito às experiências vividas direta e indiretamente.
Definitivamente os plots foram inesperados e me lembrou muito o jeitinho Shonda de ser - e que adoro. Os personagens são cativantes e amei os crossovers de algumas aparições de outras histórias.
Acredito que há algumas coisas questionáveis, por se tratar de assunto tão complexo, com a infertilidade, adoção... mas ao compreender que foi baseado na experiência de vida da amiga, achei compreensível o rumo que a história tomou. Vou engatar na leitura dos outros livros da série para descobrir o desenrolar.