francesturpin's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
frenchhornfrenchfries's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Heartwarming story which got my out of my reading slump. While bring a perfect summer read with a heartwarming friends-lovers dynamic it centered around racism in the film industry and how especially women's personal lives get dragged into and judged by the public. Great sotrytelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Racism
bxcvi's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Cancer and Racism
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
ruthjenkins's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
One of the few books where I actually bought the faking-dating trope. It made a lot of sense for two high-profile public figures to have this sort of arrangement, and I was delighted by the characters' chemistry. It was very believable that Win and Leo were long friends with history both romantic and platonic. I'm a sucker for a well written friendship.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
s_elsted's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
jazzy_t'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Really great read not your usual romance. The plot was intresting and kept you on your toes, the characters were well written and I felt generally emotional sometimes. Would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
Moderate: Racism
tomesandtash's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Adult contemporary is a genre I haven't read much from but really want to try more of and this one did not disappoint. It was quite slow in the beginning but about a third of the way through I found myself not being able to put it down. Win is such an interesting character as she is convinced she cannot be her true self because of the pressure of being an Indian actress in Hollywood; a woman who cannot call out any of the casual racism aimed towards her for fear of being 'too political'; a women completely help back by her own ambition. Leo is similarly interesting as spoiled rich boy who cannot resist saying no to Win. Their fake relationship has been on and off for years and is a suitable arrangement for them both, despite them clearly being in love with each other. But the reality of being together is a lot more complicated and Win find it easier to just not bother. I think it's really relatable to so many people, that feeling of being held back from what you want because of 'the greater good' or the expectations and pressures placed on us. The story wasn't as fast moving as I would have liked and I did find myself getting a little bit bored at times but overall this is a highly enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Cancer, and Terminal illness
jaybee02's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Summary: M/F, contemporary romance, fake relationship, high profile British-Indian actress + press favorite rich boy
Started strong, dragged a bit in the middle, but finished in a satisfying way. The audiobook is a bit hard to follow during the first half of the book when they're going back and forth in time telling their backstory
Started strong, dragged a bit in the middle, but finished in a satisfying way. The audiobook is a bit hard to follow during the first half of the book when they're going back and forth in time telling their backstory
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Drug use
ribbitingreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is the equivalent of [b:Normal People|41057294|Normal People|Sally Rooney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571423190l/41057294._SY75_.jpg|59141209], but with Hollywood, racism, and daunting side of the media. The story follows Whitman Tagore, a British Indian actress, and her fake on-and-off again playboy boyfriend, Leo Milanowski. We follow their relationship after Win is caught in a scandal (thanks to her ex-boyfriend) and she needs his help to distract the media.
I really enjoyed the last 75% of the book or rather the moment she is in London. I loved that Win was honest about how the media treats her different because of her skin color. That she can not ever really be "her" because she is either seen as a door to opportunity for others like her or that she should shut up and look pretty. We see how much that takes a toll on her throughout the book. Specifically, with her relationships.
Leo's character was interesting to read about. He is essentially a trust-fund baby who struggles to pursue his passion out of fear of criticism by the media. So, instead he parties and pretends to be someone he isn't. However, I enjoyed watching him address his own notions on how he different the media treats him versus Win.
I would not say their relationship was the healthiest, but I do think they deserve to be together. I think that Clements did a great job portraying the ups and downs of their inner turmoil and how it affected their relationship with each other. They hurt each other a lot with their words And still they managed to find time to be there when the other one needed them. Their relationship was messy, but it was also beautiful.
We are reminded how celebrities are really just people who make mistakes yet those mistakes are held higher because of the amount of zeros on their checks. It brings attention to how the media truly shapes most of society mind through a simple article title. How quick we as humans are so eager (at times) to watch someone fall. So quick to attack and berate an individual we do not really know or know the full story.
I really enjoyed the last 75% of the book or rather the moment she is in London. I loved that Win was honest about how the media treats her different because of her skin color. That she can not ever really be "her" because she is either seen as a door to opportunity for others like her or that she should shut up and look pretty. We see how much that takes a toll on her throughout the book. Specifically, with her relationships.
Leo's character was interesting to read about. He is essentially a trust-fund baby who struggles to pursue his passion out of fear of criticism by the media. So, instead he parties and pretends to be someone he isn't. However, I enjoyed watching him address his own notions on how he different the media treats him versus Win.
I would not say their relationship was the healthiest, but I do think they deserve to be together. I think that Clements did a great job portraying the ups and downs of their inner turmoil and how it affected their relationship with each other. They hurt each other a lot with their words And still they managed to find time to be there when the other one needed them. Their relationship was messy, but it was also beautiful.
We are reminded how celebrities are really just people who make mistakes yet those mistakes are held higher because of the amount of zeros on their checks. It brings attention to how the media truly shapes most of society mind through a simple article title. How quick we as humans are so eager (at times) to watch someone fall. So quick to attack and berate an individual we do not really know or know the full story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Terminal illness
Moderate: Racism