cecilie26's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body shaming, and Misogyny
moonyandsunny_core's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
meganpbennett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, it was quite good, and fell into several tropes that I really like, including fake dating and real feels. It features demi-sexuality rep, Jewish rep, and Olive discovered a lot about herself and what she really wants in life as the story goes on. There were aspects I thought could be better, but it was fun. Olive was witty and incredibly genre-savvy, and while Adam was pretty one-dimensional, he does grow a fair amount as a character.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Cancer, Death of parent, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Classism, and Mental illness
saurahsaurus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Classism, Excrement, and Vomit
vaguely_pink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Gaslighting, Classism, Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Grief
lostinafilmscene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Cancer, Classism, and Cursing
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love character driven novels but i didn’t appreciate the underlying motives.
It was so stupid of Olive to fake date Adam to make her friend—who should know that Olive is demisexual and over Adam—happy and feel comfortable dating her ex. Her friends should know her and respect that aspect of Olive.
Spoiler
Yes Ahn did tell Olive later that Olive didn’t need to do that but she should’ve gave her that safe space and acknowledgment earlier.Also didn’t appreciate the brief moments where the author covered Olive’s sexuality. It was underwhelming.
And the author didn’t give enough time for the
Spoiler
sexual harassment situationOlive had issues with her self esteem, and that’s fine, but their was little to no growth. I wanted more for her. I could relate in moments where Olive was insecure and untrusting, but I wanted her to learn to trust herself more. It seemed like she grew to trust Adam completely instead of herself. I hate that. Adam was great, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t like the way the author handled this.
There were many things that were super ridiculous to me but some that I need to mention right here.
Spoiler
what scientists are so willing and careless with unsafe sex? And wtf was that when Adam grabbed Olives hand and put it on his penis when she was telling him that she wanted to have sex with him and he was denying it? That was so horrific to me. She seemed hesitant and thrown off before this because he kinda didn’t want to have sex with her because he thought that it was a bad idea. I doubt many people would react well to this like she did. What the fuck?It was funny in parts. I really liked Adam for a good amount of it. I liked his intentions and that he was grumpy but not with Olive. I loved Holden. He was my favorite.
I also did not feel the smut scenes. I get why they were like that because
Spoiler
she was a “virgin” and demisexual so it was overwhelmingSpoiler
she was one moment overwhelmed and then feeling like she couldn’t say no. Yeah it’s normal to have mixed feelings but I felt unsettled because I feel like this was pushing her in the wrong way and direction. She needed to be pushed in emotional ways first but I guess that didn’t matter as much as her needing to be pushed in that intimate way.Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Classism, Violence, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Death of parent, Medical content, and Classism