storytimed's review
3.0
Eh. Nothing really stood out that much in this book, good or bad. I didn't really buy the chemistry between Isabel and Caleb, and it felt at times that the characters were feeling entitled to things (romantic feelings, dates, emotions) that were never really part of the deal in the first place. Also, I kind of agree with Isabel in that it's probably best not to date coworkers unless you're absolutely sure it'll all work out. However, despite my misgivings, the dates were pretty cute, and Isabel's struggle as a woman in STEM felt pretty resonant. Even Odds is just okay, but at least it's okay.
jaime_fiction_fangirl's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
I love the premise of this book and I liked the characters but I didn't fall in love with them.
I just feel like I didn't really know them well enough to form a connection and it then made it hard for me to believe in them as a couple. I don't feel like I got to see them grow into a relationship other than a sexual one.
I liked the authors writing and enjoyed the book for exactly what it was and I would definitely read another story by her. I just didn't fall in love with this one in a way that would make me want to read it again.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I love the premise of this book and I liked the characters but I didn't fall in love with them.
I just feel like I didn't really know them well enough to form a connection and it then made it hard for me to believe in them as a couple. I don't feel like I got to see them grow into a relationship other than a sexual one.
I liked the authors writing and enjoyed the book for exactly what it was and I would definitely read another story by her. I just didn't fall in love with this one in a way that would make me want to read it again.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
martamae77's review
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
emilygigs's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jaimereadsromance's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
I love the premise of this book and I liked the characters but I didn't fall in love with them.
I just feel like I didn't really know them well enough to form a connection and it then made it hard for me to believe in them as a couple. I don't feel like I got to see them grow into a relationship other than a sexual one.
I liked the authors writing and enjoyed the book for exactly what it was and I would definitely read another story by her. I just didn't fall in love with this one in a way that would make me want to read it again.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I love the premise of this book and I liked the characters but I didn't fall in love with them.
I just feel like I didn't really know them well enough to form a connection and it then made it hard for me to believe in them as a couple. I don't feel like I got to see them grow into a relationship other than a sexual one.
I liked the authors writing and enjoyed the book for exactly what it was and I would definitely read another story by her. I just didn't fall in love with this one in a way that would make me want to read it again.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
colossal's review
4.0
I read romance, but I rarely review it unless there's something that's well done or stands out from a crowd. This has both.
Isabel Suarez has a senior role at a game development company, but is looking forward to blowing off some steam at an out-of-state gaming convention that she's attending with some of her co-workers. They're there to run a booth, but they're also expected to have fun while not acting in a professional capacity. She does something a bit out of character for her and joins in with a scavenger hunt with her male co-workers with some of the items involving hooking up with people at the convention. This provides the impetus for her to act on her attraction to a man she's met at the con, an artist named Caleb Portland, and they end up having a fling, but both of them have far deeper feelings.
However, Caleb hasn't told her that he had applied for a job at Isabel's company (he doesn't think he's got it; he has though) and Isabel hasn't told him that she basically hooked up with him for a bet (the scavenger hunt). The other thing that hasn't come up is that Isabel has had a past very poor experience with workplace sexual harassment resulting from a previous work relationship gone bad. So this pair have started their relationship by sailing into a sea of icebergs. (I'm sorry, don't hit me).
Bad puns aside, this is really well done. The gaming references are pretty good, the convention is a pretty good representation of what they're like, and the workplace is done well, particularly with the HR issues. The sex scenes are also pretty hot; for someone who doesn't really do relationships, Isabel knows what she wants. The book also turns some common romance tropes on their head. It's normally the man that gets with the woman based on a bet, and it's normally her pride that gets hurt when she finds out. It's also normally the woman that joins a company only to find out that she's slept with someone there already. You also normally never see any sensitivity to workplace sexual harassment in romance books, and this one explores it as much as a light romance is going to.
Isabel Suarez has a senior role at a game development company, but is looking forward to blowing off some steam at an out-of-state gaming convention that she's attending with some of her co-workers. They're there to run a booth, but they're also expected to have fun while not acting in a professional capacity. She does something a bit out of character for her and joins in with a scavenger hunt with her male co-workers with some of the items involving hooking up with people at the convention. This provides the impetus for her to act on her attraction to a man she's met at the con, an artist named Caleb Portland, and they end up having a fling, but both of them have far deeper feelings.
However, Caleb hasn't told her that he had applied for a job at Isabel's company (he doesn't think he's got it; he has though) and Isabel hasn't told him that she basically hooked up with him for a bet (the scavenger hunt). The other thing that hasn't come up is that Isabel has had a past very poor experience with workplace sexual harassment resulting from a previous work relationship gone bad. So this pair have started their relationship by sailing into a sea of icebergs. (I'm sorry, don't hit me).
Bad puns aside, this is really well done. The gaming references are pretty good, the convention is a pretty good representation of what they're like, and the workplace is done well, particularly with the HR issues. The sex scenes are also pretty hot; for someone who doesn't really do relationships, Isabel knows what she wants. The book also turns some common romance tropes on their head. It's normally the man that gets with the woman based on a bet, and it's normally her pride that gets hurt when she finds out. It's also normally the woman that joins a company only to find out that she's slept with someone there already. You also normally never see any sensitivity to workplace sexual harassment in romance books, and this one explores it as much as a light romance is going to.
samnreader's review
3.0
Second book by this author; I'm not sure I enjoy her characters...I just can't decide how I feel about her books. They are kind of dry overall.Even the drama doesn't tug at my feelings. The characters don't connect with me. I may skip the next Elia Winters.
More...