mattiedancer's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
Writing: 4.25⭐️/5
The Spanish Love Deception is written very well, with some sections shining quite nicely. At certain tiny moments, the dialogue felt a bit forced or unnatural but these were fleeting sections and didn’t impact the overall read.
Characters: 4.25⭐️/5
Again, apart from a couple of moments where the characters felt like cookie-cutter tropes, but it was quickly overcome by deeper character development. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters by the end and honestly fell in love with a few.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
While the overarching plot (and the great use of the fake dating trope) was thoroughly enjoyable, I didn’t love the semi-focus on some of the side plots. The somewhat flippant plot point in which Lina decides to not eat felt unfinished, especially as it never comes up again. Similarly, while I understand the desire to keep certain backstories secret until necessary, the way both Lina and Aaron’s backstories are consistently hinted at without being revealed until they confess to each other left other sections of the novel feeling unfinished. Definitely a fun (and good) read, but I wonder what it could have been had these been more thoroughly thought out.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of fun romance novels
- Those who love the fake dating trope
Content Warnings?
- Disordered Eating, Toxic Relationships, Sexual Content, Swearing, Stalking, Sexual Harassment, Misogyny, Sexism
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Very fun.
Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Death of parent
__romancereader__'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book it was a very interesting book i love how protective Aaron was of Catalina and how much he loved her and couldn’t even hide it I definitely rate this book a five star⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😍😍😍😍💖💖💖💖
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Bullying, Cancer, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Death, and Death of parent
Not all the content warnings are about the main characters some are and some are about the characters that come along in the book😁🥰thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Sexism, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, Misogyny, and Death
camillarossi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I absolutely adored this rom com! It was a fun trip and the perfect story to start off the new year! I loved how the characters played off of each other. Lina and Aaron's banter and chemistry was fantastic and seeing the build up of their relationship was nice. . It was also very pleasant to read about a loving family and not just the strained relationship families that appear more often than not in this genre. I only wish that we had been given a chance to see and experience more of Spain in the story. I also would have preferred to see more of Aaron's flaws - especially during the trip. But all in all it was an enjoyable story with believable and relatable characters. And most of all it made me want to visit Spain once again.
Spoiler
Even though I was a little disappointed at first, I am ultimately glad that we didn't get to their trip to Spain until later in the book - about halfway through. It allowed the relationship to build up more and allowed the characters to understand each other a bit better before getting others involved in their relationship.Spoiler
And while it was fun to get references to pop culture, they were used a bit too much especially the Twilight references. One or two Twilight references would have been fine but they started throwing me out of the story; it got to a point where Lina was basically pretending she was Bella and Aaron was her Edward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Body shaming, Bullying, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Grief, Alcohol, Death of parent, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death
ellaticonstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Spoiler
Catalina Martin and Aaron Blackford🔥 I accidentally read the second book and panicked! Haha! I immediately searched for this book on my Kindle because I knew I had bought it months ago. I borrowed the audiobook from Libby and had fun with it. I liked that they hated each other at the beginning of the story. The Spain travel was fun, and damn, I love it. The deception, the tease, the tension of the two, wow! Thank goodness Lina shut down Daniel because he deserved it. Rosie, you're so cute and supportive; I look forward to reading your story. Aaron got described as ripped and sexy, and I believe it, lol! That was a struggle to resist, especially when he played soccer on the field. Damn🔥 Now, I'm thirsty🤣 I liked Lina's strong alpha female vibe and the fact that her mind was funny; she excitingly narrated the story. Thank you, Elena, for this fun story❤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cancer, Grief, Misogyny, Cursing, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Death
megcarrick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Grief, Alcohol, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Medical content, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy
roadesntoades's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of the cutest romances I have read in a long time and does not deserve any of the hate it’s given. This is a book that doesn’t shy away from being a bit cliche. I mean it literally lays out the tropes on the back. It’s fake-dating, enemies to lovers, one bed. It doesn’t shy away from that it embraces it. Yeah there are some moments that are bit rinse and repeat but they are enjoyable. Plus I love that it’s made clear that Aaron has always been attracted to Catalina, or at least liked her. It wasn’t some sudden romance, or spontaneous declaration. We know how it will end and we know that Aaron wasn’t hiding it, just respecting Catalina’s boundaries. It’s honestly such a cute read, and really enjoyable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Body shaming, Cancer, Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Death
Minor: Eating disorder
anasilva's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This books starts in the middle of a silly discussion, with absolutely no context. Lina hates her coworker Aaron, and has (apparently and in reality) no reason to. Full of typical romance clichés, one bed trope, fake dating, this book lacks chemistry between the main characters. Speaking of characters, they are not memorable at all. Easy read, but a bit bland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death and Cancer
rose_88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Loved how they tackled things like sexist assholes in workplaces. Also loved the portrayal of both Lina and Aaron’s trauma and how they opened up to each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death and Death of parent