Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 01/12/2022
Cover:
I love the cute illustrations of Quinn and Carter! The vibrant yellow and green colours make the design even more striking and fitting for the story.
Writing:
The simple writing remains vivid, clear and engaging throughout. A casual, light-hearted tone is also established, making this book an easy read and enhancing the cute storyline.
I’m so done with letting pain take the wheel. Now it’s time to let love drive.
Storyline:
An adorable enemies-to-lovers romance unfolds as the two leads work together and get closer. Several relatable moments keep the story engaging and make the characters easy to connect with. Also, themes surrounding race, identity, dementia and bullying are skillfully woven into the storyline without making the narrative heavy or intense. However, once Quinn’s journal is found towards the end of the story, my interest waned as the remaining loose ends are leisurely tied to give a satisfying ending.
Main character:
Despite starting off as yet another naive female protagonist, Quinn is shown to be a quirky character who is easy to like. I even loved her lists which add a creative and amusing feature to the story. Besides this, her inner journey as she learnt to embrace herself and her life made her character even more endearing and relatable.
There are enough closed doors and glass ceilings in the world. My comfort zone shouldn’t be one of them.
Secondary characters:
Carter Bennett may have given a negative first impression with his judgmental assumptions, but he soon redeems himself. His character is shown to be sweet and caring as he effortlessly brings out the best in Quinn and readily apologises. Olivia and Auden were also notable characters whose friendship with Quinn and Carter stood out as they beautifully supported each other. Lastly, there is little Imani and Quinn’s parents, who make the story even more heartwarming.
Romance:
Initial friction between Quinn and Carter is washed away by their undeniable chemistry and cute interactions. Their easy banter and meaningful conversations gradually made their relationship more substantial. Besides, annoying tropes such as drawn-out miscommunications and love triangles are avoided, making it easy to root for them.
Narration:
Narrator Jordan Cobb provides a fantastic voice for Quinn as she conveys the range of emotions the character experiences throughout the story. Everything else, including the shifting vocal tones and pitches, worked well and created a great listening experience.
Ultimately, ‘Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry‘ is more than a light, heart-warming romance. Quinn is given a fantastic self-discovery journey, and several fascinating themes are incorporated to enrich the storyline. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le is a similar read that those who liked this may enjoy.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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[…] I recommend Book Lovers by Emily Henry for another story that blends heartwarming moments and humour with an enemies-to-lovers romance. For a similar Young Adult read, I recommend Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney. […]
I couldn’t agree more with your review! I just finished up reading this one and everything you said was so spot-on!
Thanks Xenia! Glad to know you felt the same way and enjoyed this! 🩵