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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Repetitive
Heavy on the tropes
Childlike writing but adult content made it a strange read.
Would not recommend.
Heavy on the tropes
Childlike writing but adult content made it a strange read.
Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Way spicier than I thought it would be and although Colin annoyed me at times I can appreciate his journey throughout the book. I love that Shay is a woman grounded in mindfulness but still struggled with her own insecurities because that’s human and yet she never begged or groveled for love. Being the “strong one” is difficult but I felt really seen by her journey here. I will say I felt the ending was a bit rushed but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Also, I didn’t know this was a series but I’m interested in the other Gems stories so I may go back and start from the beginning.
4th in the series but could be read as a standalone--this was steamy as heck but the ending still felt hella rushed, even though this book has a larger page count than the previous ones, which were part of a different imprint. Colin held on to his "I'm better than this/her" persona way too long--the only time he wasn't giving off elitist vibes (except for literally the last couple of pages) was when they were doing it, which wasn't a good look. I'd love to see the last 2 Gems have heroes who spend less time looking down their noses at their heroines and realize their worth a bit sooner...
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked the story but the main characters just did not work for me. MMC did not earn FMC’s love, I didn’t see where the connection came from outside of the bedroom, FMC gave in too easy after every disagreement/fight (which was only fixed by sexual intercourse and not communication), and MMC did not put in any work at the end to deserve the happy ending. FMC kept comparing MMC to her ex-husband and there was no real difference between the two except FMC believing the love was real this time.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
They pissed me off so bad. It’s not lost on me that the one he thought was perfect for him had ginger colored skin but the one good for a friends w benefit situation is toffee color skin. Also, why are yall using sex as a way to communicate instead of actually communicating???? She never even discussed why rejection hurts her & how she’s been rejected by everyone so when he did it, it broke her heart. Little to conversation between them bout her ex husband, miscarriages, familial relationship, like huh.
The best thing about this book is the six gems. Female friendship over loser men all day!
The best thing about this book is the six gems. Female friendship over loser men all day!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Giving this book is a bit of a stretch but I think the premise has been done over and over. I also think the build up from complete enemies to madly in love is unrealistic and sudden. Mostly because this book is only 240 pages, but there are lots of missed opportunities to develop the characters and the plot.
DNF @ 25%. It’s ok, just not for me. The pacing of the build up is kinda clunky so I can’t really believe the chemistry between them that they both state they clearly know they have. Also, using food words to describe skin tones is cringe and trite.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Fuck Colin. Not enough resolution I’d be SICK if I were shay. Taking scraps. Everyone sucked to some degree. There were some loose ends that shoulda been explored more