ankiaisreading's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Cursing, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
1.75
Finished reading: August 17th 2023
“Stacy can choke on store-bought sugar cookies like the rest of us. Why's he even bringing them? They're dentists. They should be eating celery.”
WARNING: Guess what? It's unpopular opinion time again!!
I had such a great time reading Twice Shy last year, and I've been meaning to read more of her books ever since. I decided to turn to her debut You Deserve Each Other next, because I do enjoy a good enemy-to-lover romance and the premise sounded like so much fun... But sadly it just wasn't ment to be in the end. Honestly, this book made me. SO. ANGRY. It's been a long time since I despised a main character this much, but Naomi definitely wins the prize here. Self-centered, immature, vindicative, mean and simply despicable; I honestly could not find one thing I liked about her. I only started to hate her more and more with each page, and Nicholas was no picnic either. He is basically a mommy boy who still does everything she demands of him even though he is in his thirties. Healthy relationship much? Plus he is just as bad with him returning Naomi's bad behavior. Oh yes, the two definitely deserve each other after all, and not in a good way. Basically, Naomi has been lying to Nicholas from the very beginning of their relationship, then gets mad when things aren't going her way... Nevermind the fact that she doesn't exactly stand up for herself in the beginning either. The miscommunication trope seems to be a big part of the plot, but I didn't like how it was developed and it was mostly Naomi refusing to communicate properly or accept her faults. Sure, the second half did have some redeeming moments, but for me it was too little too late and I was already actively hating the story too much by then to be swayed by it. I confess that I started skimreading sooner than later, and I kind of wish I had just DNFed it instead... Oh yes, it's easy to say that You Deserve Each Other and me most definitely didn't get along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
lindseyhall44's review
emotional
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
3.5
I loved the ending of this book, but the beginning was not necessarily for me! This is of no fault of the author, Hogle expertly blends hatred with yearning in a beautiful display of second chance romance. For me, I’m not a fan of miscommunication, which is why I rated You Deserve Each Other the way that I did. That being said, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy comedy, character development, and a sweet romance:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
haley49's review
4.25
It was a fun read. I laughed and made all the faces reading this. The mc’s voice is so fun and the writing was good. I can’t decide if the main characters were 100% right for each other because they seemed to go from one extreme to the other pretty easily. However I 100% enjoyed myself and choose to believe they made it and lived happily to spite their families
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
analenegrace's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Read for Blue Cypress Books HEA May 2023 Book Club!
This has been on my list for a while but I hadn't picked up until now and I can't believe I haven't! That was so fun, silly, but so sweet, I loved it! Naomi and Nicholas were initially hard characters to love that I eventually fell in love with so much as their story progressed. I also first didn't love not having Nicholas's POV, but I think it ended up working super well because Naomi really was so much "the problem" in the relationship.
Nicholas was so kind for so much of the book that I would have loved a little more exposition on how it got as bad as it did in the first few chapters. I also would have liked some characterization for either of their families besides just plain awful, they felt very flat. Otherwise, amazing book I can't wait to gush about in book club.
This has been on my list for a while but I hadn't picked up until now and I can't believe I haven't! That was so fun, silly, but so sweet, I loved it! Naomi and Nicholas were initially hard characters to love that I eventually fell in love with so much as their story progressed. I also first didn't love not having Nicholas's POV, but I think it ended up working super well because Naomi really was so much "the problem" in the relationship.
Nicholas was so kind for so much of the book that I would have loved a little more exposition on how it got as bad as it did in the first few chapters. I also would have liked some characterization for either of their families besides just plain awful, they felt very flat. Otherwise, amazing book I can't wait to gush about in book club.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
Minor: Toxic friendship
anxietyprime's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
content warning: heterosexual intercourse.
sparked my newfound love for stupid rom-coms. hands down one of the best books i've ever read.
sparked my newfound love for stupid rom-coms. hands down one of the best books i've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment and Animal cruelty
janetriestoread's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The first part of this book was infuriating... Naomi was so self-centered and annoying. That's why the second part of the book came a little out of nowhere for me with it's cuteness and love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
eddaccine_alfredo's review
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Romance: 💘💘💘💘/5 - the two MLIs are so awful to each other at first, you almost wonder how they could possibly work things out for their HEA .
Spice: 🌶🌶/5 - good chemistry, but not given a lot of attention. There’s only one or two physically intimate scenes. I kinda wanted more (I always want more haha) but I do think the other themes of the novel would have made more physical scenes feel icky, you know?
Writing: 🖊🖊🖊🖊/5 - really funny writing. I laughed out loud many times! And the thanksgiving scene?? *chefs kiss* I tend to prefer dialogue over description and (while the dialogue was great!) there where some moments where the main character’s inner thoughts felt a tad rambly or repetitive.
Gender dynamics: 💟💟💟💟💟/5 - something I pay attention to is the use of gender roles between the MLIs. The characters don’t start perfect (kinda the point) but the growth from both of them felt sincere.
Spoiler
but they do! And it’s so wonderful to me how they become friends first, putting their weapons down and allowing themselves to be vulnerableSpice: 🌶🌶/5 - good chemistry, but not given a lot of attention. There’s only one or two physically intimate scenes. I kinda wanted more (I always want more haha) but I do think the other themes of the novel would have made more physical scenes feel icky, you know?
Writing: 🖊🖊🖊🖊/5 - really funny writing. I laughed out loud many times! And the thanksgiving scene?? *chefs kiss* I tend to prefer dialogue over description and (while the dialogue was great!) there where some moments where the main character’s inner thoughts felt a tad rambly or repetitive.
Gender dynamics: 💟💟💟💟💟/5 - something I pay attention to is the use of gender roles between the MLIs. The characters don’t start perfect (kinda the point) but the growth from both of them felt sincere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming
thefatpaperback's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Grief, Sexual content, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
town_scar's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness and Infertility