pinkupengu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Alcohol, Grief, Drug use, Death of parent, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Colonisation
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
funny
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
5.0
A meet-cute enemies-to-lovers retelling of Beauty and the Beast (I think).
When Princess Jaya Rao learns that the son of her family's nemesis is at the boarding school Jaya and her sister, Isha, will be attending, Jaya plots for Grey to fall in love with her then break his heart as revenge on his family.
As the school term goes on and the plan is in place, Jaya finds herself falling for Grey. How can she separate herself from revenge, finding out who she is and her sense of duty as a Royal heir?
I had fun reading this rom-com with so many problems that kept popping up and the different and diverse characters. Hoping to read the next book soon.
When Princess Jaya Rao learns that the son of her family's nemesis is at the boarding school Jaya and her sister, Isha, will be attending, Jaya plots for Grey to fall in love with her then break his heart as revenge on his family.
As the school term goes on and the plan is in place, Jaya finds herself falling for Grey. How can she separate herself from revenge, finding out who she is and her sense of duty as a Royal heir?
I had fun reading this rom-com with so many problems that kept popping up and the different and diverse characters. Hoping to read the next book soon.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Death
emily_mh's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
It's a crime that this book doesn't have a higher average rating. I enjoyed this so much! The setting was absolutely wonderful. I mean, a boarding school in the mountains in autumn and winter, with a cute little mountain village and day trips to Aspen??? Incredible. It oozed luxury and coziness. I also loved Jaya and Grey as main characters. I definitely related to Jaya, with her Type A, big sister energy, and Menon KNEW how to write that male perspective.
In terms of plot, I thought that it was a really cool adaption of Beauty and the Beast. The pacing was so well done, with just the right amount of time spent at each stage: enemies, budding relationship, angst and the reconciliation. The angst was SO GOOD, but so was the reconciliation - it was so urgent, but soft and sweet at the same time.
I did dock this book half a star as the inner monologues of Jaya and Grey were verrry repetitive in the beginning of this book. There was also a LOT of hindsight at this point too which disconnected me from the present story too much. But overall, this book was fun, enjoyable, lighthearted and FULL of love and deserved every one of its 4.5 stars.
In terms of plot, I thought that it was a really cool adaption of Beauty and the Beast. The pacing was so well done, with just the right amount of time spent at each stage: enemies, budding relationship, angst and the reconciliation. The angst was SO GOOD, but so was the reconciliation - it was so urgent, but soft and sweet at the same time.
I did dock this book half a star as the inner monologues of Jaya and Grey were verrry repetitive in the beginning of this book. There was also a LOT of hindsight at this point too which disconnected me from the present story too much. But overall, this book was fun, enjoyable, lighthearted and FULL of love and deserved every one of its 4.5 stars.
Spoiler
I will also say that I thought the infidelity plot line was kind of unnecessary. Although the cheater/homewrecker kind of got their comeuppance, I just questioned the need for its inclusion, as I always do in romance books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Sexism
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Cancer, Drug use, and Murder
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