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A review by sara_says_
Love delayed by Anna Black
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the audiobook.
I had to go back and reread the description on this one to see if I missed some key details, but nope. I maybe would have felt differently OR wouldn’t have picked this up if the description had been clearer on what the content would be like. From the blurb, this felt like a set up for a heartwarming second chance romance. What I wasn’t expecting was a third pov from a highly dislikable character and the intense plot points surrounding that character. And it’s saying a lot that that pov was so dislikable considering none of the characters in this book were particularly easy to like. If the plot of this book were laid out in an r/aita subreddit (which is about in line with how the drama here plays out) the verdict would be “everyone sucks here.” With the exception of Marcus’s mom (she’s my hero) I found all the characters annoying and not at all compelling. The pacing also left something to be desired, especially toward the end.
As far as the audiobook, I found the voices engaging, but I found Marcus’s narration a little stilted. But if I had been reading it myself, I probably would have DNFd or skipped the 3rd PoV, so at least they kept me engaged.
Spoilers and content warnings: cheating, miscarriage, rape “on page.”
I had to go back and reread the description on this one to see if I missed some key details, but nope. I maybe would have felt differently OR wouldn’t have picked this up if the description had been clearer on what the content would be like. From the blurb, this felt like a set up for a heartwarming second chance romance. What I wasn’t expecting was a third pov from a highly dislikable character and the intense plot points surrounding that character. And it’s saying a lot that that pov was so dislikable considering none of the characters in this book were particularly easy to like. If the plot of this book were laid out in an r/aita subreddit (which is about in line with how the drama here plays out) the verdict would be “everyone sucks here.” With the exception of Marcus’s mom (she’s my hero) I found all the characters annoying and not at all compelling. The pacing also left something to be desired, especially toward the end.
As far as the audiobook, I found the voices engaging, but I found Marcus’s narration a little stilted. But if I had been reading it myself, I probably would have DNFd or skipped the 3rd PoV, so at least they kept me engaged.
Spoilers and content warnings: cheating, miscarriage, rape “on page.”
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
Minor: Trafficking and Abortion