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saffotron's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I started this book despising the main character. The book took several chapters to give us any reason whatsoever to sympathise with her disliking the love interest and by the time they had gotten together, I kind of disliked him too just on the basis of how cheesy he was. I found some moments sweet and funny, but having to get past the initial 'i hate him, because I hate him and he's soooo unemotional' of the first third of the book is a chore.
Lina isn't the most enjoyable character to live through, because the way she hates Aaron seems so unearned for so much of the story. I felt like maybe there would be some Eleanor Oliphant twist where I'd understand her through all the meaner aspects of her character, but all of the interesting aspects of the story are clear as day before their 'reveals' and all the character development is kind of rushed or expected too.
Finally, if I had a dollar for every time the name of the book or the word 'deception' was used to refer to the main plot, I'd have enough to ride the bus into town, grab a snack and then ride back again. Not the worst writing, just really not the best.
Lina isn't the most enjoyable character to live through, because the way she hates Aaron seems so unearned for so much of the story. I felt like maybe there would be some Eleanor Oliphant twist where I'd understand her through all the meaner aspects of her character, but all of the interesting aspects of the story are clear as day before their 'reveals' and all the character development is kind of rushed or expected too.
Finally, if I had a dollar for every time the name of the book or the word 'deception' was used to refer to the main plot, I'd have enough to ride the bus into town, grab a snack and then ride back again. Not the worst writing, just really not the best.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
roxlazzeri's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
cdkm9's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
anni_banani's review against another edition
please read- disordered eating
I think the most important thing to know is that there's a significant plot point with disordered eating - self starvation for quick weight loss and over working. chapter 11 the love interest white knights and swoops in to take care of her and he doesnt brush it off but like getting treatment is never discussed. eating disorders aren't treated with sexy men.
i gave this all the way to chapter 4 cuz i had a stomach ache and was desperate
great if you like a Daddy who will take care of you and then lightly boss you around in the bedroom but only in a service top kind of way. i bounced around a bit after i stopped
I think the most important thing to know is that there's a significant plot point with disordered eating - self starvation for quick weight loss and over working. chapter 11
i gave this all the way to chapter 4 cuz i had a stomach ache and was desperate
great if you like a Daddy who will take care of you and then lightly boss you around in the bedroom but only in a service top kind of way. i bounced around a bit after i stopped
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Racism, and Sexism
please read- disordered eating I think the most important thing to know is that there's a significant plot point with disordered eating - self starvation for quick weight loss and over working. chapter 11harasnicole's review against another edition
I can't with Lina. She is the most annoyingly insufferable character that I have ever had the displeasure of reading. Also, her disordered eating lasting for, like, three days and being "cured" by the love interest being angry at her and essentially telling her that she's "perfect as she is?" That is so misinformed, like bffr.
Also, also: the number of times it's said that Aaron's eyes are all kinds of blue. Thanks, could've sworn they were purple.
Also, also, also: 6'4" Is tall, but it's not gargantuan. But with a FMC who's an itty-bitty tiny little thing, I guess he would look like he's 9'4", according to the author.
Also, also: the number of times it's said that Aaron's eyes are all kinds of blue. Thanks, could've sworn they were purple.
Also, also, also: 6'4" Is tall, but it's not gargantuan. But with a FMC who's an itty-bitty tiny little thing, I guess he would look like he's 9'4", according to the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Eating disorder
Around page 162, there's mention of Lina not eating because she "wants to feel and look good" at the wedding that gets solved by the love interest immediately.colorcrystals'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
mgyrvirag's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
caitlinspearson's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Better than The Long Game, but still bad bad bad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent
aschmitttyy'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
3.75
I enjoyed this one, but it wasn't my favorite of the genre. Their enemies to lovers storyline was cute enough, but it just didn't seem realistic that Aaron was always into Lina but she never knew? Did wrap up with a cute little bow though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
blackveilbeccy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was an enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, fake dating romance between two engineers. Lina is vivacious and a little flighty, Aaron is serious. He offers to play fake boyfriend to Lina and accompany her to her sister’s wedding, but it turns real along the way. Lina’s family are big and loud, and they add colour to the story. I wasn’t convinced about either the FMC or the MMC as Lina annoyed me a bit and Aaron was two dimensional. He was also super possessive and it came out of nowhere? The book was just okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Medical content, and Pregnancy