Deepa’s Reviews > The Reluctant Heartthrob > Status Update

Looking forward to Roger and Lori’s book or some follow up on that situation. Is Jen next?

“You will. You’ll ask, in a bout of frustration, why I can’t just be normal. I don’t want to subject myself to that again. I like myself as I am, and I don’t wish to be made to feel like that’s a problem.”

This is common pt across her works. Always a goodie.

She says something to the effect that she liked herself more than what people expected she would or should.

To me it’s this understanding that you like yourself. Even if doesn’t benefit your popularity or amiability. She would continue to do things true to herself.

not new to Lau-verse, but parental dread. When our mc dreads being nagged, judged, and hurt by family. In this case for not being social. But she recognizes that she’s not ready to tell them about being autistic. I contrast this Heart Principle where Anna realizes she’s autistic and tells her sister who is already tough to deal with. It goes south. ( I liked landings for both.)

“ One of the great things about Robyn’s friends: they didn’t seem surprised that Ethan would be crazy about her. They saw it as perfectly reasonable for a guy like him to fall for her.”

Jackie Lau does a lot things I love pretty regularly in many of her books. Friendships has always been one of them. Good friends who expect great things for you. I rec the Cider Bar Sisters series (who btw are mentioned)

“ realizing she’d been talking for a while, and he gestured for her to keep going.”

I was so happy. That’s love. True nonsensical love.

I liked our dude. I think maybe I am a grump too??? testing the waters lol.

Wins corner: Can I call you because I wanna hear your voice. I was swayed. It cannot be helped. I think was very sweet. I am anxiety prone. Text messages stress me out. There’s certain sincerity that I think I can convey better by voice. I enjoy phone calls more. It outweighs the anxiety

firm vs light touch. touch for a person who is autistic can be very particular. I liked this inclusion of listening to your partner state what actually feels good. Helen Hoang did in the Bride Test too. Casual touch and reassurance is dependent on knowing this. It determines how your affection is received and autonomy + boundaries.

what this book does very openly is talk about autism among women. one of the things i really liked was stating that she was afraid of discrimination even though it would be technically illegal. But having held similar fears about health conditions in the past, I truly felt it was nice to hear someone else say it. uncertainty and fear about disclosing health concerns lives in my mind too.

I liked this more than the first bk. i think it’s the newness. i think in general i am very new people > old reconciliations/second chances.