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indyyy22's review against another edition
1.0
DNF- this book is a clear cut example of men sucking
Also no means no in any context but apparently the main love interest did not get that memo
Literally half of the book (that I read) was just the mc thinking about how large the dude was ~gag- and I didn’t even make it to any of the smut scenes
-10000000000000 stars for the author using the word ‘orbs’
Also no means no in any context but apparently the main love interest did not get that memo
Literally half of the book (that I read) was just the mc thinking about how large the dude was ~gag- and I didn’t even make it to any of the smut scenes
-10000000000000 stars for the author using the word ‘orbs’
katpen96's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
I love a good slow burn, but I've seen a turtle move faster than that. The story was fine but it would have been better without the endless inner monologue and cringey nicknames.
protestmyboredom's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Eh good but I hoped for more. Very little hints of flirting.
nilorac's review against another edition
emotional
funny
5.0
No one does slow burn quite like MZ 🔥❤️ Vanessa & Aiden have my heart 🥰 at first, I kind didn't like Aiden tbh, he was so indifferent to Vanessa, but boy oh boy was I wrong! The things he did for her! 😍 he was just so goddamn cute.
trulykitty's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I love how Zapata writes a love story here: it progresses very slow, evolving from a neutral working relationship to friendship and finally love. This gives time and space to really get to know the characters, and to let them both get emotionally comfortable and build trust around each other in a pace that feels real. I much prefer this kind of approach to insta-love that seems to be very (maybe too?) prominent in the romance genre.
However, at the beginning of the book, the pace feels a little too slow and as a reader I was just impatiently waiting for a more emotional section in the story to start. The later phases make up for the slow beginning with all the struggles to come to terms with the impact the awakened emotions have on the characters.
Besides the romance, the book gives weight to different types of relationships as well: there are work relationships, meaningful friendships, and familial strain. That is great, since it balances the plot to make the lives of the main characters more well rounded.
Both the main characters have very dark back stories (they've experienced domestic violence and abandonment as children ), and that plays a role in who they are now; these experiences still have aftereffects. The dark pasts is something you'll want to keep in mind, if you don't want to read about certain subjects.
The past trauma feels quite dire, and it made me question if they both really needed that dark pasts; couldn't the issues have been addressed even if they affected the characters to a smaller degree? Now, I wondered if it was mostly just to create shock value to the characters.
The audiobook experience is great. I love when there are different narrators in the same chapters reading different characters' dialogue. It makes the listening experience feel more immersive and authentic compared to one narrator doing different voices. The narrators here work great for their roles!
However, at the beginning of the book, the pace feels a little too slow and as a reader I was just impatiently waiting for a more emotional section in the story to start. The later phases make up for the slow beginning with all the struggles to come to terms with the impact the awakened emotions have on the characters.
Besides the romance, the book gives weight to different types of relationships as well: there are work relationships, meaningful friendships, and familial strain. That is great, since it balances the plot to make the lives of the main characters more well rounded.
Both the main characters have very dark back stories (
The past trauma feels quite dire, and it made me question if they both really needed that dark pasts; couldn't the issues have been addressed even if they affected the characters to a smaller degree? Now, I wondered if it was mostly just to create shock value to the characters.
The audiobook experience is great. I love when there are different narrators in the same chapters reading different characters' dialogue. It makes the listening experience feel more immersive and authentic compared to one narrator doing different voices. The narrators here work great for their roles!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
hangngt_'s review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
actual communication!! it’s such a sweet but slow burn romance
actual communication!! it’s such a sweet but slow burn romance
milenaisareader's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alanareadss's review against another edition
4.0
this is a TRUE slow burn.
after i got over the repetition at the beginning it was easy to fall in love with this story. i really enjoyed the simplicity & humanity in this book, and the tenderness of the love we see between them
after i got over the repetition at the beginning it was easy to fall in love with this story. i really enjoyed the simplicity & humanity in this book, and the tenderness of the love we see between them
eautio616's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
3.5
I liked this book but didn’t love it. The story was there but it wasn’t well written. The main character repeated her thoughts over and over and over again- sometimes in the same paragraph. It felt like the reader was told what to think or feel rather than experiencing the feelings from reading alone. That being said, the slow burn was good and the story was still sweet.