chloelj27'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Bullying, and Cancer
booking_along's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
this was fun and overall a nice slow romance.
there were a few things that didn’t work perfectly for me on this book:
- the “hate” changed very suddenly to love. this book is pretty long for a romance and more than half of this book is very focus on how very dislikable the main male is and it felt like it tried a little too hard to make sure the reader understands how dislikable he really is, even though most of the stuff if not all are very easily explained and his behavior makes sense if the reader thinks about it even for a few seconds.
- it felt a little too long and sometimes a bit stilted and almost as if it got stuck a little before getting moving again.
-i do not understand why the sexist horrible coworker had to be in there? it’s realistic to have stupid male “i get away with being a sexist pig” kind of coworker, but did that have to be in it? what actual purpose did the guy actually have because everything could have been exactly the same without the guy.
- i found the start too slow and too dragged out until the couple finally gets started. Again my biggest thing about the slowness was mostly that i didn’t really see the sense in it? for example the entire thing about this day long event that needs to be planned, why was that included? nothing would have changed if it would have not been in the story.
things that bothered me a little bit:
- this entire story builds up to the main females sisters wedding. that’s the whole reason this emote story starts.
and than there is not even really any wedding in the book. there is what maybe two pages -if even that- at the reception but that’s it? and that’s not even about the wedding itself!
now i normally don’t have anything against skipping a wedding BUT if an entire book is all about going to that wedding and what’s needed to do that and than not even getting a chapter of that? mhm.
- the ending felt very rushed.
what i enjoyed:
- the main characters
i can’t even explain but i just enjoyed them. they where very awkward in many ways and i do enjoy a character that doesn’t really know how to behave in situations.
sure it tried to make it more funny than it was and the humor sometimes was as awkward as the characters themselves, but it somehow worked for me anyways.
- that the male wanted the relationship from the start and i am sorry if you think that’s a spoiler but i found that way to obvious with all the “hints” and ways the guy behaves from the second he is introduced basically two sentences into the book.
but i do like it if a man is the one working for the romance a little more and is already sure where it’s going to go and tries to make an actual relationship happen and make it real and serious.
i just enjoy it if the women aren’t always the one begging the men to love them.
- the family members are pretty funny. which is one i do the reasons i wish we would have gotten actual wedding stuff, since i think that would have been incredibly fun moments to read about. but at that point the story started to rush a bit and sadly i feel a little bit cheated if not having gotten enough from the crazy family.
all in all? it’s a fun story.
if you like slow burn and moving romance and any of the things i already mentioned in this review?
i would recommend it.
if you want sex very early on and fast moving storyline or dislike a lot of fuzzy story around the romance plot? not the book for you!
there were a few things that didn’t work perfectly for me on this book:
- the “hate” changed very suddenly to love. this book is pretty long for a romance and more than half of this book is very focus on how very dislikable the main male is and it felt like it tried a little too hard to make sure the reader understands how dislikable he really is, even though most of the stuff if not all are very easily explained and his behavior makes sense if the reader thinks about it even for a few seconds.
- it felt a little too long and sometimes a bit stilted and almost as if it got stuck a little before getting moving again.
-i do not understand why the sexist horrible coworker had to be in there? it’s realistic to have stupid male “i get away with being a sexist pig” kind of coworker, but did that have to be in it? what actual purpose did the guy actually have because everything could have been exactly the same without the guy.
- i found the start too slow and too dragged out until the couple finally gets started. Again my biggest thing about the slowness was mostly that i didn’t really see the sense in it? for example the entire thing about this day long event that needs to be planned, why was that included? nothing would have changed if it would have not been in the story.
things that bothered me a little bit:
- this entire story builds up to the main females sisters wedding. that’s the whole reason this emote story starts.
and than there is not even really any wedding in the book. there is what maybe two pages -if even that- at the reception but that’s it? and that’s not even about the wedding itself!
now i normally don’t have anything against skipping a wedding BUT if an entire book is all about going to that wedding and what’s needed to do that and than not even getting a chapter of that? mhm.
- the ending felt very rushed.
Spoiler
there was all this build up to the couple they finally get there and that’s it. i honestly would have liked to get a few more pages or a whole chapter of the couple actually being together instead of a very small scene of them getting together and than a time jump and no real actual relationship scenes.what i enjoyed:
- the main characters
i can’t even explain but i just enjoyed them. they where very awkward in many ways and i do enjoy a character that doesn’t really know how to behave in situations.
sure it tried to make it more funny than it was and the humor sometimes was as awkward as the characters themselves, but it somehow worked for me anyways.
- that the male wanted the relationship from the start and i am sorry if you think that’s a spoiler but i found that way to obvious with all the “hints” and ways the guy behaves from the second he is introduced basically two sentences into the book.
but i do like it if a man is the one working for the romance a little more and is already sure where it’s going to go and tries to make an actual relationship happen and make it real and serious.
i just enjoy it if the women aren’t always the one begging the men to love them.
- the family members are pretty funny. which is one i do the reasons i wish we would have gotten actual wedding stuff, since i think that would have been incredibly fun moments to read about. but at that point the story started to rush a bit and sadly i feel a little bit cheated if not having gotten enough from the crazy family.
all in all? it’s a fun story.
if you like slow burn and moving romance and any of the things i already mentioned in this review?
i would recommend it.
if you want sex very early on and fast moving storyline or dislike a lot of fuzzy story around the romance plot? not the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Bullying, and Sexual content
tsar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.0
“When I finally kiss you, there won’t be any doubt in your mind that it is real.”
When someone says that a certain romance novel has some of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers and fake dating, I will devour them in a heartbeat without further thinking. Another plus point if it sets in a workplace environment as it's relatable to my status as a career woman. Thus, that's how I fell into the rabbit hole of The Spanish Love Deception, and I'm happy that it doesn't disappoint my expectations.
The novel revolves around Catalina Martins, a late 20ish career woman who struggles to find a fake date for her sister's wedding in her home country Spain, so she can avoid the family's assumptions about her single status. Without her expecting it, Aaron Blackford offers his hand to be her fake boyfriend; the cold and aloof work rival who 'hates' her existence in the office. Even more surprising, he has no ill-advised intention or secret agenda in his proposal. And while Lina stubbornly refuses his hand at the beginning, she might've realized that Aaron is the perfect choice for her desperate attempt to fool her rambunctious family.
In a fake dating or enemies-to-lovers trope, the narrative has a peculiar pattern to build the tension between the characters before they officially become a couple. We will see both of them slowly appreciate the gestures of one another and then fall in love, or one of the pairs is already in love, and they only have to wait for their fake date to be in love with them as well. It's a delicious theme that stands against the time, providing a mix of emotions from happiness to humor to the pain from assuming that they can't get the other to love them.
Armas learns this trope very well: she introduces the animosity between Lina and Aaron in their office, deliberately presenting that the hostile feelings are one-sided on Lina's side to the point where her best friend can see it herself. And it isn't just a silly hostility over something so minuscule but a justified reaction from Lina ever since she is indirectly shamed for her personality and ethics as a co-worker in the same place. Armas gradually conveys her characters a chance to relearn one another beyond their given perspective at their respective desks, allowing them to mend their misunderstandings and build mutual respect that is almost nonexistent at the beginning of the story. It's quite a slow process since Armas utilizes their changing perspectives not only to accelerate their romantic fall but also to influence their personality development, mainly the protagonist.
It turns fruitful in Armas' case. As the main protagonist, Catalina can be considered annoying—this is one point I've found from several readers and reviewers. Her stubbornness is almost beyond the norm, despite the fact that she isn't an arrogant person by any means. She's introduced to be mouthy and quick to assume, and they are mostly negative presumptions about someone else. However, as Armas forces Lina to open up more about herself due to having Aaron as her only ally during this fake relationship fiasco, she expands the backstory that impacts the headstrong attitude she exhibits in her work environment; a brown-skinned immigrant with constant pressure to prove herself in academic and career field that can strip her off of the public stereotypes, and the trauma she still harbors from a fatal incident that prompts her to move away from her home country.
Without counting Rosie as her best friend, it is a presumably lonely lifestyle in a city like New York. It shapes her independence and fear of incompetence, rebuffing help, especially from someone she genuinely dislikes. However, the all-around uncompromising personality is proven not to be the only thing that defines Catalina; Armas writes her to be capable of having fun and letting loose, owing to the familiar comfort of her family. Furthermore, she writes her to be skittish, numerously displaying uneasy gestures that indicate that her trauma from her hometown is not fully gone even after years of migrating to America. It's a dynamic character writing that Armas successfully appeals to in gouging the emotions of empathy, frustration, happiness, and support towards her main character. So, her initial 'annoying-ness' is perhaps justified, as I've stated earlier.
Armas' dynamic characterization also appears in Aaron Blackford's writing; he's introduced as a distant person, coming off as a straight arrow and guarded whose sole focus is only on his works. Even at times of uneasiness, Armas seems to be occupied in making his reactions so in control as if he's only slightly bothered about it. Yet, he has tender moments reserved personally for him and his loved ones, such as his love for Disney animated films, his surprisingly easy going interaction with Catalina's family, or the moment he can finally open up about his relationship with his father as well as his mother's death. However, the revelation of Aaron's 'new' side doesn't contribute much to his character development, unlike how it vastly opens up Catalina's shell. His personality still seems to be the same as his initial introduction in the first chapter, albeit he's a bit more sentimental. Maybe it's because we see him from Catalina's perspective in the narrative, so at the end of the day, his growth simply shows how much he's been in love with her for years.
Does that make their romance any less sizzling? It doesn't. As I've mentioned above, it is a slow-burn one between both of them, but it's a satisfying journey to watch Aaron and Catalina become head over heels with each other, from the way they mix some truths and lies in their fake romantic history to Lina's family to their sexual and romantic struggle not to jump each other—and their sexcapades? Gold. I was honestly hot and bothered when I read how Aaron keeps goading Lina every time they have intercourse.
Another highlight, which I could say is the most significant substory, is that Armas keeps it authentic in describing the workplace bigotry against Catalina. Her scuffle with the male co-workers in the office, particularly Gerald, is not only an example of sexism against a career woman who is in the potential position of a leader or an equal (both Catalina and Gerald are project team leaders), but it's also an example of racial aggression. She is a full-blooded Spanish immigrant living in America with a penchant for exploding to strings of Spanish sentences and hinted to have light-tan or brown skin color that will still consider her exotic in the eyes of men like Gerald. It's one thing that I can say to be realistic and painfully relatable examples for students or working adults who move from their countries to America.
And if there's one thing that I feel a bit disconnected with aside from Aaron's characterization is the numerous Spanish lines in the novel. I appreciate that Armas keeps the authenticity of her ethnicity alive in the book, but I also struggle to understand what Catalina says in Spanish because very few of them include a direct or paraphrased translation. I wish that Armas provides a glossary for all the words she uses, so readers can understand since not all of her global audience are familiar with the Spanish language.
As an author newly introduced to me, I am impressed with her debut. It's fun, sexy, and exhilarating. I am looking forward to seeing the follow-up of this book and her future releases!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racial slurs, and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
katherine20's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Misogyny, Grief, and Sexism
megcarrick's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Grief, Alcohol, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Medical content, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy
laurenvoice's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Too many questions were left unanswered. I wished this was in a double POV like the American Roommate Experiment. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading Lina's love story unfolding.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Misogyny
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
tysuckz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
4.75
Not at all what I expected. I understood the relationship between Aaron and Catalina would be a strong focus, but I'd not expected the actual wedding to pass by so rapidly. Nor did I expect it to be so ... steamy????
I found to plot to be incredibly simple but I enjoyed that it was simple. It was nice to not have to keep track of everything going on because it just flowed so easily.
I did find it to be very funny, warranting a few actual audible chuckles here and there... but only towards the beginning. Around the midway point the relationship got too intense for the humour, apparently. But that's also fine since I enjoyed the mood change!
However, a few things that did bother me and reduced it from 5☆ to 4.75☆ was that I was annoyed by Aaron's constant appearing whenever Lina was doing soemthing embarrassing, or talking to a friend about Aaron etc etc. Like how convenient??? Stop turning up. Its annoying.
And the other thing was that the description of Aaron's eyes being "ocean blue" rendered itself totally redundant with the amount of times it was said. Almost eye rollable with the amount of times it was said. Same with any similar synonyms, like .... blue eyes... deep blue eyes... etc etc etc etc. We get it, his eyes are blue and you're obsessed with them. Oh and also the random like 5 pages of Lina having disordered eating was weird.... suddenly her disorder is cured because Aaron fed her and told her she needs to eat, "I'll have 5 fish tacos please, my time of being silly with food is over". I wish it was that easy
I found to plot to be incredibly simple but I enjoyed that it was simple. It was nice to not have to keep track of everything going on because it just flowed so easily.
I did find it to be very funny, warranting a few actual audible chuckles here and there... but only towards the beginning. Around the midway point the relationship got too intense for the humour, apparently. But that's also fine since I enjoyed the mood change!
However, a few things that did bother me and reduced it from 5☆ to 4.75☆ was that I was annoyed by Aaron's constant appearing whenever Lina was doing soemthing embarrassing, or talking to a friend about Aaron etc etc. Like how convenient??? Stop turning up. Its annoying.
And the other thing was that the description of Aaron's eyes being "ocean blue" rendered itself totally redundant with the amount of times it was said. Almost eye rollable with the amount of times it was said. Same with any similar synonyms, like .... blue eyes... deep blue eyes... etc etc etc etc. We get it, his eyes are blue and you're obsessed with them. Oh and also the random like 5 pages of Lina having disordered eating was weird.... suddenly her disorder is cured because Aaron fed her and told her she needs to eat, "I'll have 5 fish tacos please, my time of being silly with food is over". I wish it was that easy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Eating disorder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
marveloustime's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK 💞 I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT AND AARON BLACKFORD SUCH A BOYFRIEND AND HUSBAND MATERIAL HE IS 😩💗
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Bullying, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer
roadesntoades's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of the cutest romances I have read in a long time and does not deserve any of the hate it’s given. This is a book that doesn’t shy away from being a bit cliche. I mean it literally lays out the tropes on the back. It’s fake-dating, enemies to lovers, one bed. It doesn’t shy away from that it embraces it. Yeah there are some moments that are bit rinse and repeat but they are enjoyable. Plus I love that it’s made clear that Aaron has always been attracted to Catalina, or at least liked her. It wasn’t some sudden romance, or spontaneous declaration. We know how it will end and we know that Aaron wasn’t hiding it, just respecting Catalina’s boundaries. It’s honestly such a cute read, and really enjoyable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Body shaming, Cancer, Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Death
Minor: Eating disorder
hanz's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is at times a fun cheesy romance (and I had fun overall), but it had some issues to me that were never fully addressed. Being single means Catalina is "broken" is repeated throughout the book and it is resolved by To me, this is extremely damaging and not healthy, but perhaps I'm reading too much into a cheesy romance that isn't trying to make any grand points about society and relationships. Also didn't like how disordered eating was handled personally.
Spoiler
Catalina being happy now that she has a boyfriend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Bullying, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness