I’m really stunned at the difference in reviews for this vs The Seven Year Slip, because this was WILDLY better to me. Yes, Poston still has her fair share of timely references, but wildly restrained here compared to 7YS, and mostly sensical— name dropping romance authors in a book about romance publishing makes more sense than brand-naming everyone’s clothes down to that one coworker. And because most of this one didn’t take place in NYC, there were less glaring errors there also— plus she lives in Hoboken with a roommate. Much more realistic and accessible.

The grief factor was more fleshed out here for me also. Florence’s dad felt like a person if a bit over the top, whereas Clementine’s aunt just seemed like a knockoff Mame.

But the biggest improvement in this one over the other was things in it actually took me by surprise at parts. And even the plot points I guessed weren’t completely given away. The “foreshadowing” in 7YS came up and smacked you in the face demanding that you see it or else.

I loved the romance in this but I also loved that it was more about Florence as a person than just this relationship.

I hope Poston can get back to this and not the referential mess that was 7YS.