"You're not the first black woman Alex has hired to work for her family, and you probably won't be the last." This book kinda blew my mind. At one point or another I was frustrated by every character or frustrated that I wasn't frustrated at a character. Anyone who knows me knows I love a good, awkward dinner scene in film, and this book provides that and much more. The first chapter leaves you hooked and thinking that the book is about one thing, when it's mostly about another. Race, class, and dynamics between women are of but a few topics Reid addresses in this seemingly simplistic story.

A very cute fixup novel. Could’ve easily been 3x as long, with each chapter/character being more in-depth. Would recommend if you’re experiencing a reading slump!

I actually liked this more than Beach Read, but I’m giving it 4 stars because it made me realize how drastically different my book preferences have changed over the last year and lighthearted, romcoms just don’t do it for me the way used to. However, this book was delightful and had the perfect amount of humor and drama a romance should have. Also, I know they’re soulmates but reading this made me think about how desperately I just want more guy-girl platonic love stories told. I love Alex and Poppy as best friends who weave through each others lives. Poppy mentions how we can love different people in different ways and I can’t help but desire an acknowledgment of the importance of platonic soulmates. But I guess I’m asking for an entirely different book.

Kristin Hannah did it again! I loved everything about The Great Alone. Leni is such a strong character and I really felt like I was in Alaska, for better or worse, with her, Matthew, Large Marge, Cora, and the rest of the town. Cora broke my heart, but I love the way Hannah told her survival story- Hannah has a way with creating complex mother/daughter relationships, too. She knows when to leave you wanting more, and I particularly wish she drew out Leni’s return to Alaska and the police/court stuff. There were so many moments I thought “Gosh, I could never live in Alaska,” but so many more where I had the strong urge to pack my bags and get on the flight to live remotely that very second and the only thing stopping me was that I simply couldn’t put the book down.