Scan barcode
siobhankeira's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although I loved this story, both the main characters had secrets that were kept for too long for my taste. Reed’s secret is big, but not anything that has to do with Charlotte. It’s a secret because he is not comfortable letting others in on it, not because he’s being devious. Charlotte’s secret has to do with Reed it seemed to me that it wasn’t as big of a deal as she was making it out to be IF she had told him from the beginning. It was the keeping of the information that made it seem deceitful.
The couple have amazing chemistry and it hurt my heart every time Reed would push Charlotte away. It was obvious he had his reasons, but it was still hurtful. (Another thing that annoys me. The secret isn’t known by the reader although it’s in the character’s POV. That’s weird to me.) Both Charlotte and Reed have demons they have to slay in order to be in a healthy relationship, so maybe it’s good those walls went up in the beginning.
While the beginning of this book is silly (in a good way) and witty, things take a turn about the same time Reed finally gives in to his feelings for Charlotte. Things get heavy and a bit traumatic. Charlotte is going through a very confusing and sad time and Reed steps up. He may say they can’t be together, but his actions speak much louder than those words. He is such a steadying presence for her as well as being intuitive of what she will need while she goes through this.
This book really is great, even with the problems I had with it. Those aren’t things that bother everyone though. And they obviously didn’t bother me enough to override my interest in the story since I kept reading. Plus, it has a wonderful epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Chronic illness
hannah109's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness
book_worm_mama_bear's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book was a solid 3.5 so not bad but not great either. I would give it 2.5 maybe a 3 in spice. You do get some hot spice but this is a slow burn and that spice doesn't come in until towards the end. It is hot but not kinky or long scenes. The plot in its self was pretty good. The twist and turns made me give this book the three stars. I really like the office romance with her boss and the fact it was grumpy sunshine was nice also. It was more her chasing him and him being the more insecure one. I did enjoy this book but I don't feel like it will stand out when looking back.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
zayyssa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
It was good, more than what I expected. I loved the MCs and definitely felt the sexual tension but the chemistry was not enough for me?? But overall, the plot, the characters, the storyline was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
akeivens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness, Stalking, and Car accident
risseandshine's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was ok I guess?
This story starts off with our heroine Charlotte Darling who decided to sell her unused wedding gown to a vintage store after getting cheated on by her ex-fiancé. She then finds a note stitched into one of the dresses in said store with the name "Reed Eastwood", our hero. She becomes intrigued by this mystery man and decides to find out who he is. In some weird twist of fate, he ends up as her new boss. The two do not start off on the right foot, but, as this is a romance book after all, feelings starts to brew.
At first glance, that short synopsis seems to speak for itself. However, as it is quite the norm for this author duo, that is only the very tip of the iceberg. This book decides to take various twist and turns in which various secrets get unveiled that may contribute to the couple's relationship.
Sadly, the twists and turns ultimately fell flat. I kid you not when I tell you my overall feeling for this book is one giant "meh". It wasn't a bad read at all, just not as good as I hoped it to be. Even the supposed angst towards the end failed to excite me.
Also, I'd like to point out that I am not a fan of how chronic illnesses are portrayed in this book. I do not have firsthand experience with the specific illnesses in this book but I as a reader didn't like how their negative side was given so much weight. I would have loved a bit more positivity in that regard.
So yes. This was an easy book to read but it's one I'll probably forget about pretty soon.
This story starts off with our heroine Charlotte Darling who decided to sell her unused wedding gown to a vintage store after getting cheated on by her ex-fiancé. She then finds a note stitched into one of the dresses in said store with the name "Reed Eastwood", our hero. She becomes intrigued by this mystery man and decides to find out who he is. In some weird twist of fate, he ends up as her new boss. The two do not start off on the right foot, but, as this is a romance book after all, feelings starts to brew.
At first glance, that short synopsis seems to speak for itself. However, as it is quite the norm for this author duo, that is only the very tip of the iceberg. This book decides to take various twist and turns in which various secrets get unveiled that may contribute to the couple's relationship.
Sadly, the twists and turns ultimately fell flat. I kid you not when I tell you my overall feeling for this book is one giant "meh". It wasn't a bad read at all, just not as good as I hoped it to be. Even the supposed angst towards the end failed to excite me.
Also, I'd like to point out that I am not a fan of how chronic illnesses are portrayed in this book. I do not have firsthand experience with the specific illnesses in this book but I as a reader didn't like how their negative side was given so much weight. I would have loved a bit more positivity in that regard.
So yes. This was an easy book to read but it's one I'll probably forget about pretty soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
tianabooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a slow-burn (office) romance with equal humorous and emotional parts!
I’ve been meaning to pick up a book by this author duo as I’ve heard a lot about them. I’m glad I picked up Hate Notes as it was exactly what I needed right now. It might have been cheesy at times but I could use some cheesiness right now so I didn’t really mind it!
It tackles some heavier topics as well so be mindful of that if you decide to pick it up! I liked the emphasis on living in the present and making meaningful memories with those you love - it might be a simple message by all means, but it’s an essential one. 🤍
Reed and Charlotte provided the laughing-out-loud moments and the angst necessary to make you want to read more of their story. Loved the lists and notes inclusions! And of course secondary characters like Iris and Max were lovely!
Glad I read this one <3
I’ve been meaning to pick up a book by this author duo as I’ve heard a lot about them. I’m glad I picked up Hate Notes as it was exactly what I needed right now. It might have been cheesy at times but I could use some cheesiness right now so I didn’t really mind it!
It tackles some heavier topics as well so be mindful of that if you decide to pick it up! I liked the emphasis on living in the present and making meaningful memories with those you love - it might be a simple message by all means, but it’s an essential one. 🤍
Reed and Charlotte provided the laughing-out-loud moments and the angst necessary to make you want to read more of their story. Loved the lists and notes inclusions! And of course secondary characters like Iris and Max were lovely!
Glad I read this one <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death
bookswithatlas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
prittypeaches's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A tropetastic contemporary romance that features enemies to lovers, sunshine/grump, bucket lists, family matchmakers and lots and lots of romance. Reed and Charlotte are perfect for each other and with a little help from Reed's grandmother Iris they find their love.
Set in a New York city real estate firm, Reed and Charlotte spend a lot of time doing work as well as play. If you like a romance set in the office to feel like people are still getting their job done, this could be a romance for you. They still get periodically sidetracked by both MCs bucket lists which is a lot of fun.
As a steam rating this book is pretty low steam, there is sex in the final chapters of the book which is fully described (this is not a closed door romance) but it's pretty slow burn up until then. I think one of the best romcom proposals I've ever read more than makes up for the slowburn.
This story deals with some heavy themes around the cute bucklist romance including death of a family member and chronic illness.
Set in a New York city real estate firm, Reed and Charlotte spend a lot of time doing work as well as play. If you like a romance set in the office to feel like people are still getting their job done, this could be a romance for you. They still get periodically sidetracked by both MCs bucket lists which is a lot of fun.
As a steam rating this book is pretty low steam, there is sex in the final chapters of the book which is fully described (this is not a closed door romance) but it's pretty slow burn up until then. I think one of the best romcom proposals I've ever read more than makes up for the slowburn.
This story deals with some heavy themes around the cute bucklist romance including death of a family member and chronic illness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent
More...