bayou99's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, not as steamy as I expected, but it was a fun read. Loved the text conversations and various POV inner monologues.
merikweni's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been sitting on my ebook shelf for so long. I’m just not so convinced by the cover. Hahaha. *too distracting* I remember reading few pages before then closed it again and chose another book. This time, I gave it a go. And OMG! Why did I wait this long to read this?
If I say, this is good. Well, this is O (pun intended) so good!
Simon and Caroline’s chemistry is undeniable from the beginning. Let’s not forget the banter. Gosh, the banter between the two them are chef’s kiss. I love it!
I wouldn’t say this book is a slow burn; the spice would just keep you waiting and waiting, like when will it happen? But when it happens, BOOM! It will not disappoint. Like at all. You will be blessed with lots of spice until the end! You won’t be able to put down the book, I swear.
Simon was easily added to my list of book boyfriends. Lol. The way he was attentive and caring to Caroline was another level. He’s gentleman, reliable and sweet. Swoon. While I love Caroline for being a strong independent woman who can speak her own mind, and is not afraid to call out people. I wish I am that kind of woman.
Let’s not forget Clive, Caroline’s cat, he makes me want to have my own cat even if I’m a dog person. Lol.
Read this bookkkk!!
If I say, this is good. Well, this is O (pun intended) so good!
Simon and Caroline’s chemistry is undeniable from the beginning. Let’s not forget the banter. Gosh, the banter between the two them are chef’s kiss. I love it!
I wouldn’t say this book is a slow burn; the spice would just keep you waiting and waiting, like when will it happen? But when it happens, BOOM! It will not disappoint. Like at all. You will be blessed with lots of spice until the end! You won’t be able to put down the book, I swear.
Simon was easily added to my list of book boyfriends. Lol. The way he was attentive and caring to Caroline was another level. He’s gentleman, reliable and sweet. Swoon. While I love Caroline for being a strong independent woman who can speak her own mind, and is not afraid to call out people. I wish I am that kind of woman.
Let’s not forget Clive, Caroline’s cat, he makes me want to have my own cat even if I’m a dog person. Lol.
Read this bookkkk!!
holl3640's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
page_karla's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the way the characters were developed, though the ending was too happy happy for me. I still enjoyed reading it.
hayleyde's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was the light, low-conflict read I've been needing lately. It is absolutely silly and steamy, as advertised by the blurb. It was entertaining and didn't drag along. My main critique would be the characterization. I felt like we got to know Simon pretty well besides him just being Hot Perfect Romance Novel Guy, but I can't quite put my finger on Caroline. Maybe because it's from her first-person POV only--we get to know her thought processes, but not how she's perceived by other people. I'm used to reading dual POV so maybe that's why a little something seems missing. Caroline's BFFs are rather cookie cutter (as are Simon's, but that didn't bother me as they don't actually need to be developed characters--but Caroline's friends play a pretty big role in the first half of the book). I am barely an adult and I don't get out much, so maybe this is just me, but some of the time I felt people's behavior was unrealistic--namely, the open ogling that Caroline and her friends do of Caroline's boss's fiance. I acknowledge that the comfortable, very friendly relationship Caroline has with her boss is part of what makes this book an escapist delight, but the ogling bit seemed a little too far.
I had some feminist complaints about this book, but the funny thing was, things were uneven. Feminist pros:
1. Caroline's difficulty with orgasm gets addressed in a way that I thought was done pretty well--yeah, she's a bit quick to get it back at the end, but I liked that it wasn't because Simon had a magical wang. He helped, but she didn't get it back until she managed to get past her anxiety around it.
2. Caroline broke up with her ex because he sees her as an accessory, doesn't give her agency, etc. He kept calling her a "decorator" or her career a "phase" even though she's a very successful interior designer and Caroline stood up for herself and corrected him. I really liked that she insisted on that--it did seem a little harsh to decorators (who also are valid!), but I took the point to be that he didn't keep track of details about her career.
Feminist cons:
1. I didn't think Simon was a toxic dude, but he and his friends used "pussy" as a pejorative in conversation SO many times, and Caroline and her friends seemed not to have a problem with it. I kinda thought women had acknowledged this was Not Cool by 2013, so I was surprised to see it in a romance novel published then.
2. Caroline suffers a little bit from strong-female-character-syndrome. She tells Simon "I'm not like most women" early on in the book. Folks, I am SO sick of Not Like Other Girls. The phrasing also didn't even seem consistent with Caroline's character--her two BFFs (I keep saying that because it's used in the book and because I'm lazy) are very feminine, albeit in different ways, and she loves spending time with them. I wish there had been a little more focus on Caroline being a kind person, not just a sassy person.
3. One of Caroline's BFFs had a "bi-curious" moment with Caroline in college (pre-narrative) and then in parts of the book they joke around about being lesbian lovers. As a queer person, I was kind of uncomfortable with this. Women who think they're straight but then end up experimenting (whichever conclusion they come to) are absolutely valid, a but I think turning that into a joke contributes to bi erasure. The stereotype/belief that straight women fantasize about women, and it doesn't mean anything for your sexuality, makes it really tempting to ignore your instincts that you might be bi. Idk. I'm still trying to put my finger on this, and I'm not saying "This book did something BAD!" but it did color my reading experience.
In summary: the feminist cons were there, they bugged me and affected my experience, but they didn't ruin the book.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book to my friends who don't read a lot of romance, but if you're a huge fan of romance and want a lighthearted contemporary, this one's a good choice.
For comparison: I did not like this nearly as much as The Hating Game, because of the quibbles above and because The Hating Game is just about the gold standard, but it could be considered a read-alike. The slow evolution of the relationship, the humor, and the sexual tension are all reminiscent.
Since I listened to the audiobook, notes on the narration: Heather Smith is very talented and emotive, but her breaths can be heard between sentences, which is not the case in most audiobooks I've listened to. It was jarring at first and I was worried it would ruin my listen, but then I got used to it. It's worth it, as she is not afraid to go absolutely all-in for the humor and the sex scenes. The humorous sex scenes early on with Simon's partners were very much elevated by the fabulous noises and voices she did.
P.S. Of books I've read, this book holds the record for most (confirmed) sex sessions in one day.
I had some feminist complaints about this book, but the funny thing was, things were uneven. Feminist pros:
1. Caroline's difficulty with orgasm gets addressed in a way that I thought was done pretty well--yeah, she's a bit quick to get it back at the end, but I liked that it wasn't because Simon had a magical wang. He helped, but she didn't get it back until she managed to get past her anxiety around it.
2. Caroline broke up with her ex because he sees her as an accessory, doesn't give her agency, etc. He kept calling her a "decorator" or her career a "phase" even though she's a very successful interior designer and Caroline stood up for herself and corrected him. I really liked that she insisted on that--it did seem a little harsh to decorators (who also are valid!), but I took the point to be that he didn't keep track of details about her career.
Feminist cons:
1. I didn't think Simon was a toxic dude, but he and his friends used "pussy" as a pejorative in conversation SO many times, and Caroline and her friends seemed not to have a problem with it. I kinda thought women had acknowledged this was Not Cool by 2013, so I was surprised to see it in a romance novel published then.
2. Caroline suffers a little bit from strong-female-character-syndrome. She tells Simon "I'm not like most women" early on in the book. Folks, I am SO sick of Not Like Other Girls. The phrasing also didn't even seem consistent with Caroline's character--her two BFFs (I keep saying that because it's used in the book and because I'm lazy) are very feminine, albeit in different ways, and she loves spending time with them. I wish there had been a little more focus on Caroline being a kind person, not just a sassy person.
3. One of Caroline's BFFs had a "bi-curious" moment with Caroline in college (pre-narrative) and then in parts of the book they joke around about being lesbian lovers. As a queer person, I was kind of uncomfortable with this. Women who think they're straight but then end up experimenting (whichever conclusion they come to) are absolutely valid, a but I think turning that into a joke contributes to bi erasure. The stereotype/belief that straight women fantasize about women, and it doesn't mean anything for your sexuality, makes it really tempting to ignore your instincts that you might be bi. Idk. I'm still trying to put my finger on this, and I'm not saying "This book did something BAD!" but it did color my reading experience.
In summary: the feminist cons were there, they bugged me and affected my experience, but they didn't ruin the book.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book to my friends who don't read a lot of romance, but if you're a huge fan of romance and want a lighthearted contemporary, this one's a good choice.
For comparison: I did not like this nearly as much as The Hating Game, because of the quibbles above and because The Hating Game is just about the gold standard, but it could be considered a read-alike. The slow evolution of the relationship, the humor, and the sexual tension are all reminiscent.
Since I listened to the audiobook, notes on the narration: Heather Smith is very talented and emotive, but her breaths can be heard between sentences, which is not the case in most audiobooks I've listened to. It was jarring at first and I was worried it would ruin my listen, but then I got used to it. It's worth it, as she is not afraid to go absolutely all-in for the humor and the sex scenes. The humorous sex scenes early on with Simon's partners were very much elevated by the fabulous noises and voices she did.
P.S. Of books I've read, this book holds the record for most (confirmed) sex sessions in one day.
leyhanshi's review against another edition
DNF at 11%
Now that's an hour I will not be able to bring back.
Now that's an hour I will not be able to bring back.
savii's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a great example of 'don't judge a book by its cover' because the (tasteless) cover is such an injustice to this wholesome and hilarious rom-com. I'm not a fan of people's photos on a book cover, but whatever. The story is amazing in itself.
When I pick up a book labelled a rom-com, I mostly end up being disappointed because there's usually nothing comedic about them. Surprisingly though, Wallbanger has a decent sense of humour and made me chuckle a lot. Thanks Alice Clayton, I had a great time reading this book.
This story had it all: mild enemies-to-lovers, pure wholesomeness, lots of fluff, delicious baked goods, witty banter, beautiful imagery and of course, Simon. Simon Parker, ladies and gentlemen. Oh god, why couldn't this man exist IRL??
I am/was in a reading slump (Horror of Horrors) but somehow managed to fly through this book. So I recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted, feel-good romance.
To top it off, Clive's POV at the end was fucking beautiful.
When I pick up a book labelled a rom-com, I mostly end up being disappointed because there's usually nothing comedic about them. Surprisingly though, Wallbanger has a decent sense of humour and made me chuckle a lot. Thanks Alice Clayton, I had a great time reading this book.
This story had it all: mild enemies-to-lovers, pure wholesomeness, lots of fluff, delicious baked goods, witty banter, beautiful imagery and of course, Simon. Simon Parker, ladies and gentlemen. Oh god, why couldn't this man exist IRL??
I am/was in a reading slump (Horror of Horrors) but somehow managed to fly through this book. So I recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted, feel-good romance.
To top it off, Clive's POV at the end was fucking beautiful.
katieem's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so close to a 5 star for me. It had witty banter, sexy tension and fun very real characters. The only reason it’s not a five star is that it seemed to drag about 60% in. Now I’m notorious for getting bored easily but I was quite surprised when it happened with this book. I actually skimmed thru the sexy time *gasp* I know right?!!!! It’s not as if sexy time wasn’t written well, it was, but I was just done with the book before it actually was.