I only read this novel because I've already read Nelson's "I'll give you the sun" before and I liked that one so much that I've thought that this one must be a masterpiece too. Maybe I've had my expectations too high because this book was rather boring in comparison to "I'll give you the sun". The characters are flat and I haven't managed to relate or feel sorry for any of them. Naming the main character "Lennon" in order to make her seem like this special crazy pixie girl is just too funny. I haven't felt any chemistry between her and Joe (dude's name is Joe. If your main character is going to have an unconventional name at least give her lover some spice too) and I felt like the book would be ten times more interesting if she pulled through with Toby because their love has some "taboo" to it, if I can say it like that. It's a lot more interesting to read their dynamic and I was interested to see how will it all resolve if the two of them ended up together. But no, she goes for Joe with whom you only get some stupid jokes (she calls him "quel dork" and I wanted to gauge my eyes whenever I read those two words) and Joe acting like a creep because he will finally sleep with a girl (I gagged when he said "It'll be good for him" if she's a virgin).
We've read stories where one seemingly cheats on another person and then they separate because they can't communicate properly THOUSANDS of times. But a story where a girl's sister dies and then she falls in love with her dead sister's boyfriend and future husband? I mean, that's something that can be explored and where you can prove if you're a good writer. I just feel like if you're going to write a book leave the clichés alone and write something new. Although this is Nelson's first novel I can forgive her some things but still, it's painfully obvious that this is her first work.
The most sweet, lovely, tender and romantic story I’ve ever read. I love happy endings.❤️