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ladylaurenexplorer's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Although I didn’t enjoy the low angst of the book, I still felt that their relationship deserved a little bit more angst and problems, especially coming out to their family and their friends.
I did love their banter together, and how thin slowly started to see Oliver as something important.
The spice was okay, I would give it a three out of five on the spice meter!
But just because of his rating doesn’t mean I wouldn’t reread this! I think this is one of the books that might have to keep growing on me when I’m wanting something lighthearted as a pallet cleanser for some dark reads or if I’m in a reading slump!
I did love their banter together, and how thin slowly started to see Oliver as something important.
The spice was okay, I would give it a three out of five on the spice meter!
But just because of his rating doesn’t mean I wouldn’t reread this! I think this is one of the books that might have to keep growing on me when I’m wanting something lighthearted as a pallet cleanser for some dark reads or if I’m in a reading slump!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
tankytoon's review against another edition
emotional
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Taboo romances are my guilty pleasure but insta-love, not so much.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Outing
sabinehunter's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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