Have you seen the Netflix movie yet?

Having watched the Netflix movie after reading the novel, I found myself appreciating the book's depth much more. The film, while charming and visually appealing, tends to compress the storyline significantly, leaving out some important family dynamics and emotional nuances that the novel explores extensively. The slow burn nature of the book allows you to connect deeply with the characters' growth and the subtle progress of their relationship. In particular, the character of Alex felt more rounded and complex in the book, whereas in the film, some of his layers seemed simplified for pacing. The book’s strength lies in its exploration of friendship evolving into love and the self-reflection both main characters experience, which came across less prominently on screen. Fans of character-driven stories might prefer the novel to fully enjoy this emotional journey. Quotes like "Wherever you are, that's where I belong" and the friends-to-lovers journey truly resonate better when you have the time to invest in the characters’ backstory. If you’re someone who enjoys taking time to uncover motivations and see how relationships organically grow, the book definitely delivers more satisfaction. Meanwhile, the movie serves well for a light, romantic experience but might leave you wanting more depth, which the source material provides generously.