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shadow_of_moonlight's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
3.0
I find this one difficult to rate.
What I liked:
A.L. Brooks is a good writer. A good storyteller. This woman knows how to tell a story, and tell it in a way that makes me read on even if I'm not really convinced about what it is she's telling me. So I don't find a fault here. The book is well written, good pacing, good descriptions, believable, real-life characters.
I much enjoyed reading about Megan's interactions with her brothers, for example. I, too, have brothers, and there were just so many things I could relate to and that gave me good laughs.
In a way, I even liked Dorothy because she comes across so unlikeable and self-righteous at first but then there's her fear of spiders and her occasional softening towards Lena (i.e. telling Megan to treat Lena well because Lena's been through rough spots with her ex). Humans hardly ever are cardboard stereotypes, most of us have many facets to our personalities and I like it when this is reflected in a novel.
And I also liked that this novel shows diverse characters without shoving diversity into my face. It's not a case of, must write diverse characters because it's the right thing to do so here's someone of African heritage and someone in a wheelchair and here take this Asian person oh and here's the friendly gay neighbour and OMG let me include someone struggling with anxiety... you know what I mean. We've all seen books and films like that. But Brooks is too good a storyteller for that and she tells the story of two people falling for each other.
So why only 3 stars? Here goes.
What I didn't like
I couldn't really warm up to either of the women, and I can't really tell you why. I ended up simply not caring much about them and what's worse: I didn't feel the romance. Sure, they're physically attracted to each other but I just couldn't see them falling for each other, romantically. To me, it felt like they're co-existing and adapting to each other's ways. Romance? I didn't get it.
And that's about all I didn't like but if you pick-up a romance novel and end up feeling there is no romance going on, well. Leaves me feeling deprived.
But everyone's different, as we all know, so please don't let this discourage you from picking the book up. (Maybe download the excerpt first.) It's a well-written book nevertheless and I did finish it despite the (IMO) missing romantic sparks.
Three out of five stars.
What I liked:
A.L. Brooks is a good writer. A good storyteller. This woman knows how to tell a story, and tell it in a way that makes me read on even if I'm not really convinced about what it is she's telling me. So I don't find a fault here. The book is well written, good pacing, good descriptions, believable, real-life characters.
I much enjoyed reading about Megan's interactions with her brothers, for example. I, too, have brothers, and there were just so many things I could relate to and that gave me good laughs.
In a way, I even liked Dorothy because she comes across so unlikeable and self-righteous at first but then there's her fear of spiders and her occasional softening towards Lena (i.e. telling Megan to treat Lena well because Lena's been through rough spots with her ex). Humans hardly ever are cardboard stereotypes, most of us have many facets to our personalities and I like it when this is reflected in a novel.
And I also liked that this novel shows diverse characters without shoving diversity into my face. It's not a case of, must write diverse characters because it's the right thing to do so here's someone of African heritage and someone in a wheelchair and here take this Asian person oh and here's the friendly gay neighbour and OMG let me include someone struggling with anxiety... you know what I mean. We've all seen books and films like that. But Brooks is too good a storyteller for that and she tells the story of two people falling for each other.
So why only 3 stars? Here goes.
What I didn't like
I couldn't really warm up to either of the women, and I can't really tell you why. I ended up simply not caring much about them and what's worse: I didn't feel the romance. Sure, they're physically attracted to each other but I just couldn't see them falling for each other, romantically. To me, it felt like they're co-existing and adapting to each other's ways. Romance? I didn't get it.
And that's about all I didn't like but if you pick-up a romance novel and end up feeling there is no romance going on, well. Leaves me feeling deprived.
But everyone's different, as we all know, so please don't let this discourage you from picking the book up. (Maybe download the excerpt first.) It's a well-written book nevertheless and I did finish it despite the (IMO) missing romantic sparks.
Three out of five stars.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, this is a hard one. My enjoyment level is about at a 2.5, maybe 2 if I'm feeling cranky. But also the quality is there, and I see and understand and really appreciate what the book tried to do, which is why it gets a 3. But it's on the lower end of 3s.
Lena and Megan are new neighbours in an apartment building, and unexpectedly end up becoming roommates after a weather mishap makes Lena's flat unliveable. Lena is estranged from her most of her family and her OCD makes her crave order and routine. Megan has a big rambunctious family, is a bit of a messy klutz and a has a habit of letting people take advantage of her. They don't mesh well at first at all, but Megan's friendly overtures and general sweet nature, and the fact that they have to be roommates, kinda catapults them into becoming closer. The pace of the romance is nice and slow, just like I always want but... so much of this just didn't feel romantic. And see, I like what the author did with the character work. Lena's OCD isn't just a mild character quirk; it affects her life and relationship in tangible ways, and we see all the ways things deeply impact her. She sometimes overreacts or reacts rudely, and her anxiety can make her lash out or self-sabotage. I get that, and I'm glad it was addressed in such a detailed way. I actually really liked the aborted sex scene, and the fact that Lena's anxiety made her stop halfway. Sexual desire isn't a cure-all, especially when you have OCD like hers.
But I know that I've read books like this with characters like this, where the writing of the romance didn't suffer. Here, it did. I don't know! I just didn't see or like their chemistry, and they didn't seem particularly well-suited to each other. They really did feel like people who would be better off as friends; maybe casual ones. Ugh, but IDK if I'm being too harsh; I DO see the ways they helped each other out. But there were no butterflies, no swooning. I was so disappointed that we skipped over certain pivotal firsts, like everything that would have happened the first time they had to share a space together, moving around each other in the shared flat, getting Lena set up in the spare room, and everything that would have happened that night. In a forced proximity romance like this, those are the kind of moments that I really want to see, because they can be the catalyst for bringing the characters closer. And we didn't see those first moments, and a lot of other developmental moments. So even though this was slow burn, I still didn't get the satisfaction I wanted.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Justine Eyre, and I did like it a lot; more than I liked the book itself, unfortunately. Again, I really do appreciate the mental health discussions and this specific kind of OCD and anxiety rep. I love prickly women, and I don't mind that Lena was a little hard to like. But it didn't come together to make a wholly satisfying romance, and it's sad, because I know it COULD have.
Content warnings:
Lena and Megan are new neighbours in an apartment building, and unexpectedly end up becoming roommates after a weather mishap makes Lena's flat unliveable. Lena is estranged from her most of her family and her OCD makes her crave order and routine. Megan has a big rambunctious family, is a bit of a messy klutz and a has a habit of letting people take advantage of her. They don't mesh well at first at all, but Megan's friendly overtures and general sweet nature, and the fact that they have to be roommates, kinda catapults them into becoming closer. The pace of the romance is nice and slow, just like I always want but... so much of this just didn't feel romantic. And see, I like what the author did with the character work. Lena's OCD isn't just a mild character quirk; it affects her life and relationship in tangible ways, and we see all the ways things deeply impact her. She sometimes overreacts or reacts rudely, and her anxiety can make her lash out or self-sabotage. I get that, and I'm glad it was addressed in such a detailed way. I actually really liked the aborted sex scene, and the fact that Lena's anxiety made her stop halfway. Sexual desire isn't a cure-all, especially when you have OCD like hers.
But I know that I've read books like this with characters like this, where the writing of the romance didn't suffer. Here, it did. I don't know! I just didn't see or like their chemistry, and they didn't seem particularly well-suited to each other. They really did feel like people who would be better off as friends; maybe casual ones. Ugh, but IDK if I'm being too harsh; I DO see the ways they helped each other out. But there were no butterflies, no swooning. I was so disappointed that we skipped over certain pivotal firsts, like everything that would have happened the first time they had to share a space together, moving around each other in the shared flat, getting Lena set up in the spare room, and everything that would have happened that night. In a forced proximity romance like this, those are the kind of moments that I really want to see, because they can be the catalyst for bringing the characters closer. And we didn't see those first moments, and a lot of other developmental moments. So even though this was slow burn, I still didn't get the satisfaction I wanted.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Justine Eyre, and I did like it a lot; more than I liked the book itself, unfortunately. Again, I really do appreciate the mental health discussions and this specific kind of OCD and anxiety rep. I love prickly women, and I don't mind that Lena was a little hard to like. But it didn't come together to make a wholly satisfying romance, and it's sad, because I know it COULD have.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
parental rejection and homophobiastarsinkedpages's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read, and I quite enjoyed. Of course it wasn't the masterpiece but if you want a easy romance to pass easily the time the book does the job.
I really liked both of the main characters and hoe both of them have their fear, insecurites and stuggles. Mostly with the lena's OCD and her insicutes gained from the previous relationship. Although the Ocd I don't know if was really that much well represented it seem to come when it was important for the character or relationship but it doesn't appear every time. Like it seems sometimes is forgetten that she has OCD. But I don't really much know about ocd so maybe it done well and I didn't know. The the side charaters are no existent mostly Megan's friend they appear two or tree times and thats it. Like the coworker at the gym literally just tree times we see her and we never learnt more about her. And at the end it was so rushed that it didn't make same to me, I expected more of the resolution and not that quick scene.
But how I said before it was enjoyble read and it wasn't all bad. It's a great book just to pass time, nothing more.
I really liked both of the main characters and hoe both of them have their fear, insecurites and stuggles. Mostly with the lena's OCD and her insicutes gained from the previous relationship. Although the Ocd I don't know if was really that much well represented it seem to come when it was important for the character or relationship but it doesn't appear every time. Like it seems sometimes is forgetten that she has OCD. But I don't really much know about ocd so maybe it done well and I didn't know. The the side charaters are no existent mostly Megan's friend they appear two or tree times and thats it. Like the coworker at the gym literally just tree times we see her and we never learnt more about her. And at the end it was so rushed that it didn't make same to me, I expected more of the resolution and not that quick scene.
But how I said before it was enjoyble read and it wasn't all bad. It's a great book just to pass time, nothing more.
annaavian's review against another edition
3.0
This was an okay read. Lena was a tough character to like. I didn't feel that much chemistry between the two MC's. They both had plenty of issues which resulted in a lot of angst and awkward moments.
And the cover is an odd choice, it doesn’t depict the main characters at all.
And the cover is an odd choice, it doesn’t depict the main characters at all.
robinsease's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jmontg18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
blankx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
3.25
I liked the story very much! 😊Better than Dare to Love if I may say so
rickosborne's review
emotional
slow-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
4.75
This was absolutely delightful. I appreciated the handling of both FMCs. Megan had big golden retriever energy, while Lena's anxiety and OCD were handled well.
Rep: FMC of Indian descent with anxiety attacks and OCD
Sex:two R-rated scenes, one delightfully imperfect
Tags: #DualPOV #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #ForcedProximity #GoldenRetrieverMC #ImperfectSex #Neurodiverse #NuisanceEx #StructureMeetsWhimsy #ThirdPersonPOV
Rep: FMC of Indian descent with anxiety attacks and OCD
Sex:
Tags: #DualPOV #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #ForcedProximity #GoldenRetrieverMC #ImperfectSex #Neurodiverse #NuisanceEx #StructureMeetsWhimsy #ThirdPersonPOV
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia