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jessicabearbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Love is messy, complicated, and unpredictable. But itβs also the most beautiful thing in the world".
I'll be honest, I'm writing this review a month late but these are the main points I remember:
I enjoyed the plot and thought most of the story was pretty sweet. Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and Josh and Hazel didn't disappoint. I thought the pacing was pretty good and allowed for that tension build up as well as the opportunity to bang my head against the wall waiting for certain people to realise how badly they both wanted each other.
The spice scenes were pretty detailed and a nice length. If you're looking for a book that focuses on the story and meaning of each scene as well as just raw physical description, then this is a good one.
I actually really didn't like Hazel and found her annoying! Which did make me feel guilty as this is one of the main character points that she struggles with anyway. She seemed like a lovely girl and it was easy to want the best for her, but yeah... I adored Emily and Dave though, and Josh was alright - a real gentleman so that's always a plus.
I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing at the end of the book. To me it felt as though Christina Lauren was trying to get in one more trope just for the sake of it. But I think it was a nice, unexpected twist that wasn't too foreshadowed throughout. However, I'm not sure how realistic the emotions and general happenings were, hence why the whole last 70 or so pages just felt rushed.
Maybe it's because I read this on holiday in the sunshine, but this book did have a really nice vibe. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, relaxed read with a nice amount of depth and a low level of craziness.
I'll be honest, I'm writing this review a month late but these are the main points I remember:
I enjoyed the plot and thought most of the story was pretty sweet. Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and Josh and Hazel didn't disappoint. I thought the pacing was pretty good and allowed for that tension build up as well as the opportunity to bang my head against the wall waiting for certain people to realise how badly they both wanted each other.
The spice scenes were pretty detailed and a nice length. If you're looking for a book that focuses on the story and meaning of each scene as well as just raw physical description, then this is a good one.
I actually really didn't like Hazel and found her annoying! Which did make me feel guilty as this is one of the main character points that she struggles with anyway. She seemed like a lovely girl and it was easy to want the best for her, but yeah... I adored Emily and Dave though, and Josh was alright - a real gentleman so that's always a plus.
I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing at the end of the book. To me it felt as though Christina Lauren was trying to get in one more trope just for the sake of it. But I think it was a nice, unexpected twist that wasn't too foreshadowed throughout. However, I'm not sure how realistic the emotions and general happenings were, hence why the whole last 70 or so pages just felt rushed.
Maybe it's because I read this on holiday in the sunshine, but this book did have a really nice vibe. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, relaxed read with a nice amount of depth and a low level of craziness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood and Vomit
mrsherrera's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
tarnaflake's review
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Blood, and Pregnancy
poati's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
booksndboba's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bookdiva's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Infidelity
allygator's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
This was a super fun romcom up until the last 50 pages or so. Hazel is super quirky, which definitely makes her a character who is not for everyone, but I liked her chaotic energy, especially when paired with Josh's more structured life. I loved Josh's determination to do what is best for everyone around him, and Hazel's reminders to act for himself sometimes. The side characters were interesting.
As always, Cristina Lauren delivers on the romance elements. The sex scenes are great (for the most part, but we'll touch on that in a second) and Josh and Hazel's chemistry is palpable.
However, there is a glaring issue I have with this book. There is only one romance trope I truly hate, and that is accidental pregnancy. And what does this book have? Accidental. Fucking. Pregnancy. Josh and Hazel have unprotected sex once, which I wasn't thrilled by, but I put it off because there were no mentions of it later. And then Hazel gets a "stomach bug". And then she realizes she hasn't had her period in two months. And then she realizes she's pregnant. And then Josh comes over and they sleep together and they say they're going to talk about maybe starting a real relationship. And then he finds her ultrasound. And then he decides he'll stay with her. And then the epilogue is about her and Josh and their kids.
Seriously? He doesn't even agree to date her until after he realizes he knocked her up. And this is supposed to be a romantic decision? It's not. It's an obligation and I hate it. If you like the trope, you'll probably like this book. But otherwise, I'd pick up literally anything else by Christina Lauren.
As always, Cristina Lauren delivers on the romance elements. The sex scenes are great (for the most part, but we'll touch on that in a second) and Josh and Hazel's chemistry is palpable.
However, there is a glaring issue I have with this book. There is only one romance trope I truly hate, and that is accidental pregnancy. And what does this book have? Accidental. Fucking. Pregnancy. Josh and Hazel have unprotected sex once, which I wasn't thrilled by, but I put it off because there were no mentions of it later. And then Hazel gets a "stomach bug". And then she realizes she hasn't had her period in two months. And then she realizes she's pregnant. And then Josh comes over and they sleep together and they say they're going to talk about maybe starting a real relationship. And then he finds her ultrasound. And then he decides he'll stay with her. And then the epilogue is about her and Josh and their kids.
Seriously? He doesn't even agree to date her until after he realizes he knocked her up. And this is supposed to be a romantic decision? It's not. It's an obligation and I hate it. If you like the trope, you'll probably like this book. But otherwise, I'd pick up literally anything else by Christina Lauren.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
marisabenn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MY!! HEART!! π
I absolutely devoured this book. I liked Unhoneymooners, but I ADORE this one!!
Josh and Hazel are both perfect. Both as standalones and together. I honestly laughed out loud reading this more than I have with any other book. It is truly a rom-com.
I can't wait to read this one again and again and again π
I absolutely devoured this book. I liked Unhoneymooners, but I ADORE this one!!
Josh and Hazel are both perfect. Both as standalones and together. I honestly laughed out loud reading this more than I have with any other book. It is truly a rom-com.
I can't wait to read this one again and again and again π
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
tuliptohru's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent