Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - A Not So Meet Cute

This book was a rom com with a few really funny moments. I enjoyed watching the improv between the main characters as they fake their relationship. There were some great moments of banter. It's a little hallmarky in it's premise and nearly exactly what you expect happens, but I found myself enjoying the book.

My main criticism is that it was too long. I felt like the enemies to lovers trope didn't really make sense here. Lottie was ridiculously grumpy and hostile towards Huxley (I hate his name so goddamn much), and it made no sense because he literally changed her life by covering looming expenses and giving her a place to stay. Sometimes she was really funny but sometimes her immaturity was exhausting. She doesn't have much relationship experience, so I can understand why she would handle conflict with Huxley badly, but also this is a super perfect man who doesn't make too many crazy mistakes so what does she expect? Some of the spicy parts were fun but I felt like the entire last third of the book was basically just spice and it got a little repetitive. Some people love that stuff so it's fine.

I do wish that Hoxley wasn't a stereotypical book billionaire. It feels pretty unbelievable that this guy and his brothers are perfect, kind, rich, single, super ripped without spending much time in the gym, and seem to have a lot of free time.

This feels like a lot of complaining for a 4/5 star book. I enjoyed the journey but I tend to appreciate when my romance books feel a little more realistic or have conflict that's triggered by something other than poor communication. This book was funny and lighthearted but lacks any deep meaning or lessons. It's a junk food kind of book and there's nothing wrong with that.

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circe813's review

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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louise_jayne99's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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machteldv's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted

4.0

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rebakesl's review

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funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Ugh, I can’t believe I actually made it through this. The toxicity abounds! Possibly billionaire romances are not for me if they’re all like this. The primary relationship was toxic from the start and never seemed to find solid foundational ground. Even secondary characters like Kelsey (sister) were hot on the gaslighting. Telling her sister to be thankful when the man she’s working/living with is acting like an actual troll? Not okay. The story lacked a lot of the believable magic of an enemies to lovers story; MQ can write a spicy scene, but I feel like that was one of the only redeeming qualities. Maybe I’m being too harsh, but this story felt like it had so much potential at the beginning and I just didn’t feel like it delivered.

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