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neekoshimmer32's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Was a fun, light-hearted read, despite all the not-so-lighthearted material sometimes. It was a bit cheesy, like a rom-com movie (Like near the ending chapters, there was a stalking in the rain scene, the run-away airport scene, the long monologue Alex gives on a stage and the casual interruption to another guy asking her out bc she’s *his*) but I didn’t mind it too much.
I personally loved seeing Ava talk about her cultural background through the foods to the minute interactions. It really felt like she could’ve been a self-insert for the author. I also didn’t expect the struggles Ava goes through Aka, her panic attacks and fear of water And I loved that aspect. The blurb hints at this at the back, but I really didn’t predict the details. Also, I wonder how Ava manages to be so optimistic all the time with her tragic background? She must have overcome a lot to get herself there. Also, talking about the little things she liked, from red-velvet cupcakes to her photography, her interests were very well explored.
Her friend group is talked about a bit, mostly Ava just vents to them about her problems. But Bridget, as the matriarch, or female lead in the next book is mentioned just a smidge a bit more. She’s also a bit more impactful in the overall solving-the-third-act-conflict part.
As for Alex, he also seemed a bit cheesy at the beginning. The typical dark, brooding male, who is a CEO and loves and craves VIOLENCE, (at least as a means of getting whatever he wants bc his pockets are so deep) while somehow keeping said company afloat. I guess he sacrifices the finer things in life -aka his social life- for that. Jokes on me though, because I don’t hate this kind of men (in my books). And despite his last name, I hadn’t predicted his Russian heritage. He uses a few Russian words around the start of the book, though maybe if he’s Russian he could’ve called Ava something sweet in Russian? (I can’t remember if he did). I found ‘sunshine’ wasn’t really my thing.
My personal favorite part of the book is when the couple gets together around the half of the book, and even do normal couples stuff together, (So much so, that Ava’s friends are in on it), and yet aren’t official? At some point Alex says they’re exclusive, but they didn’t seem to call each other boyfriend or girlfriend. Somehow, I enjoyed this better than they’re typical selves before this part. That was also because they seemed to bicker a bit and the not-really enemies-to-lovers thing didn’t really do it for me. After that, they went through the third act where they separated for a bit, and it was all resolved in the last chapter before the epilogue. I’ve read other books where something similar happens, but I wish they ending was less rushed and more neatly tied up.
During this ideal period for me, the two acted more like a real couple and were giddy and in love. I didn’t like the after part as much, probably because of the third act conflict. Consider this a more detailed version of content warnings —> ( Alex enjoyed being in charge of Ava, calling her names in certain situations. )
There were lots of cheesy things that I didn’t buy would happen for a single second For example, Alex being invited to and attending a PICNIC, when the two weren’t getting along . Alex also seemed a bit controlling, like him getting upset with Ava wearing more revealing clothing. Especially because this was early on when they still didn’t get along, so who is he to say so? Also, he slept in the same bed as her during this time, which as a girl is not really endearing. It’s fine if the couple are close or feel safe with each other, but doing so without Ava’s okay and when they’re still bickering isn’t really a safe feeling for me.
So overall, this book went from the brother’s best friend trope to bickering, to getting along. Then it became a bit of a mystery (and that part also kept me going), solved Alex’s problems, and then they had to find each other again. It was a whirlwind and any of those separate parts could have been different books. But I enjoyed it as a fun read. I would like to read more about them as a couple in those happier times.
I personally loved seeing Ava talk about her cultural background through the foods to the minute interactions. It really felt like she could’ve been a self-insert for the author. I also didn’t expect the struggles Ava goes through
Her friend group is talked about a bit, mostly Ava just vents to them about her problems. But Bridget, as the matriarch, or female lead in the next book is mentioned just a smidge a bit more. She’s also a bit more impactful in the overall solving-the-third-act-conflict part.
As for Alex, he also seemed a bit cheesy at the beginning. The typical dark, brooding male, who is a CEO and loves and craves VIOLENCE, (at least as a means of getting whatever he wants bc his pockets are so deep) while somehow keeping said company afloat. I guess he sacrifices the finer things in life -aka his social life- for that. Jokes on me though, because I don’t hate this kind of men (in my books). And despite his last name, I hadn’t predicted his Russian heritage. He uses a few Russian words around the start of the book, though maybe if he’s Russian he could’ve called Ava something sweet in Russian? (I can’t remember if he did). I found ‘sunshine’ wasn’t really my thing.
My personal favorite part of the book is when the couple gets together around the half of the book, and even do normal couples stuff together, (So much so, that Ava’s friends are in on it), and yet aren’t official? At some point Alex says they’re exclusive, but they didn’t seem to call each other boyfriend or girlfriend. Somehow, I enjoyed this better than they’re typical selves before this part. That was also because they seemed to bicker a bit and the not-really enemies-to-lovers thing didn’t really do it for me. After that, they went through the third act where they separated for a bit, and it was all resolved in the last chapter before the epilogue. I’ve read other books where something similar happens, but I wish they ending was less rushed and more neatly tied up.
During this ideal period for me, the two acted more like a real couple and were giddy and in love. I didn’t like the after part as much, probably because of the third act conflict. Consider this a more detailed version of content warnings —> (
There were lots of cheesy things that I didn’t buy would happen for a single second
So overall, this book went from the brother’s best friend trope to bickering, to getting along. Then it became a bit of a mystery (and that part also kept me going), solved Alex’s problems, and then they had to find each other again. It was a whirlwind and any of those separate parts could have been different books. But I enjoyed it as a fun read. I would like to read more about them as a couple in those happier times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, and Murder
jax10124's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
I liked the MMC more than the FMC but I see why she was written that way.
It gets dark in the middle and I wasn’t expecting that, but I love that she makes Alex work for it 😏
It gets dark in the middle and I wasn’t expecting that, but I love that she makes Alex work for it 😏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity
triphena's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
shinyfox's review against another edition
dark
fast-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? Yes
3.0
I liked Alex in the beginning. He was broody, dark and mysterious. I read dark romances, this isn't even dark compared to some stuff I've read. I usually want the villain to get the girl but I ended up really disliking Alex by the end of the book. Honestly I was rooting that he wouldn't get Ava... and then he stalks her for like.... 6 months-ish? And then sings in front of a crowd and suddenly she wants to take him back? Blech. I enjoyed the banter and dialog. I also enjoyed Ava's character development and what she was able to face down and overcome. Ava was honestly what kept me reading.
There were times that I felt the plot wasn't very believable or the characters actions made me raise an eyebrow in disbelief. Also there was a certain point in the book where it was very obvious (to me at least) what the upcoming 'twist' was and where this whole thing was headed.
There were times that I felt the plot wasn't very believable or the characters actions made me raise an eyebrow in disbelief. Also there was a certain point in the book where it was very obvious (to me at least) what the upcoming 'twist' was and where this whole thing was headed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, and Torture
Minor: Kidnapping and Alcohol
agw622's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
This is a pretty good grumpy/sunshine. It does get messy and resolved very quickly in the 3rd act, but it was alright.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
megnut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Some parts are it were solid, others were a little too predictable for me. (Did appreciate that this whole relationship was over a fairly long time period than just a couple weeks, like some other books.)
It seemed like it was almost a mafia book, but with no mafia.
It seemed like it was almost a mafia book, but with no mafia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
irisvdn's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
Would be 5 stars but I really didn't like the stalking at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Alex Volkov has been obsessed with the thought of revenge since his family was murdered when he was 11 years old. With an IQ of 160 he's built a business empire that has made him a multimillionaire, and soon it's time for the final phase of his revenge plan.
Ava Chen suffers from nightmares due to a childhood she can’t remember. Despite this she's managed to keep a positive outlook on the world. Except for when it comes to her brother's best friend, Alex. He may look like an angel, but he's got a heart of ice.
When Ava's brother Josh will be gone for a year he asks Alex to keep an eye on Ava - something neither of them wants. But Alex takes his promise seriously and becomes an even bigger thorn in Ava's life. Until she starts having other - forbidden - feelings for her brother's best friend.
~
I'm very thorn when it comes to this book. On one hand it's a dramatic love story, filled with secrets and some surprises, which makes it hard to put down. On the other hand I don't think that the relationship between Alex and Ava is quite healthy. You may have "odd" taste when it comes to s*x - that's OK, as long as both are comfortable with it - but I do have a problem with someone treating their partner as a commodity, rather than as an equal. Alex's jealousy isn't what I would call normal, and I would have run in the other direction had I been Ava. I really hope that younger people reading this doesn't get the impression that this is how it should be.
"And your p*ssy is mine. Every inch of you belongs to me, and if you ever let another man touch you - he'll end up in pieces, and you'll end up tied to my bed and f*cked in every hole until my name is the only one you remember. Do you understand?"
No, thank you! Both to the language and the intention! Ava's attitude is much nicer:
"People see what they want to see, I countered. Are there awful people in the world? Yes. Do awful things happen? Yes. But wonderful people exist and wonderful things happen too, and if you focus too much on the negative, you miss all the positive."
How these two very different people can end up together isn't logical, but they say opposites attract? Even though the next book in the series have another couple in the spotlight I don't think I'll read it.
Ava Chen suffers from nightmares due to a childhood she can’t remember. Despite this she's managed to keep a positive outlook on the world. Except for when it comes to her brother's best friend, Alex. He may look like an angel, but he's got a heart of ice.
When Ava's brother Josh will be gone for a year he asks Alex to keep an eye on Ava - something neither of them wants. But Alex takes his promise seriously and becomes an even bigger thorn in Ava's life. Until she starts having other - forbidden - feelings for her brother's best friend.
~
I'm very thorn when it comes to this book. On one hand it's a dramatic love story, filled with secrets and some surprises, which makes it hard to put down. On the other hand I don't think that the relationship between Alex and Ava is quite healthy. You may have "odd" taste when it comes to s*x - that's OK, as long as both are comfortable with it - but I do have a problem with someone treating their partner as a commodity, rather than as an equal. Alex's jealousy isn't what I would call normal, and I would have run in the other direction had I been Ava. I really hope that younger people reading this doesn't get the impression that this is how it should be.
"And your p*ssy is mine. Every inch of you belongs to me, and if you ever let another man touch you - he'll end up in pieces, and you'll end up tied to my bed and f*cked in every hole until my name is the only one you remember. Do you understand?"
No, thank you! Both to the language and the intention! Ava's attitude is much nicer:
"People see what they want to see, I countered. Are there awful people in the world? Yes. Do awful things happen? Yes. But wonderful people exist and wonderful things happen too, and if you focus too much on the negative, you miss all the positive."
How these two very different people can end up together isn't logical, but they say opposites attract? Even though the next book in the series have another couple in the spotlight I don't think I'll read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicide, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
weekdaygladers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Stalking
roseabi001's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I've been trying to get back into reading physical books and kinda forced myself to finish this book in one sitting. The book isn't terrible but I could tell from a writers perspective that this book was rushed up until publication. Storyline isn't bad but I would have loved to see more detail in the groveling (No spoilers iykyk) and I felt like some more foreshadowing and symbolism would have made this book better. Also the main issue that put a rift in the MC's relationship wasn't much of an issue. It was like "oh they broke up" "oh he lied to her to" "wait she took him back that fast?!?!" (I know it was over a year later but it felt rushed to me.) Anyways it's not a bad book I just probably wouldn't read it again and just skip the #2 & #3 which were my personal favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking