The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
aysha_blake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, Car accident, Chronic illness, and Alcoholism
Minor: Classism
samchase112's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
hdoomk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
taylor_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the romance was freaking adorable and pure and i just wanted to squish their cheeks. nolan sawyer was the cutest little guy, and i enjoy when a guy is just head over heels and is super sure about it. i think the side characters were strong too, and i giggled way too many times at malloryâs little sisters.
it was a big heap of slow burn, and i still feel robbed of more time for mallory and nolan together. but itâs okay. the characters really truly likeable, despite the fact that iâve seen so many people say they dislike mallory. but i relate to her something fierce. i was that 18 year old without stable parents trying to raise my brother and skipping college and getting dead end jobs. it brought me back to a place where i can say now that iâm proud of myself. and iâm proud of her too
Moderate: Death, Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, Cursing, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Alcohol
kimveach's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While the author's other books have graphic sex, this book is mostly about lust and has euphemisms for sexual situations. Â
Once again, Ali Hazelwood has written a book about a woman in a male-dominated field filled with humor, knowledge, and warmth.Â
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Cursing, Chronic illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think that Ali writes really funny, affable characters and that is why I find her writing so compelling. Do I know exactly how it's going to end? Yes. Does every male character remind me of Adam Driver in a different font? Also yes. Do I care? Not at all. Ali's YA debut is proof that not every romance book needs spice. I was worried that as a woman in her 30s this would read super young for me, but it didn't. It was a super enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.Â
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Cursing
classical_learner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
katewheels13's review against another edition
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think a lot of adult fiction writers think that if you make your characters teenagers (which the love interest is not a teenager, but I digress), that means it's young adult. This book very much just feels like Hazelwood's other books, but the characters just happen to be younger and the sex scenes are just fade to black. In a way, the tone reminded me of Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzalez, which would have worked much better as an adult romance.Â
Mallory is said to be 18, but in my opinion, she reads older than that for most of the book. The entire vibe of the book feels like more college, new adult to me, which fine! But indicative of the current problem in YA which is: characters being aged up. When YA was just starting to gain traction with publishers, the average age of protagonists was probably 14-16, and you'd get the occasional older protagonist. Now, there is a lot more YA about graduating, going to college, etc. Is there room for that in YA? Absolutely. These are still problems relevant to teenagers. But to make the majority of YA set in this age group erases the group that it was originally written for.
Anyway, this isn't to say Hazelwood is a bad writer. This book is fun, it fits the tone of the other romances she's written, even if you can look past the fact that most of her love interests are Adam Driver inspired. It's just rare skill for writers to be able to flex between audiences, and I don't think that's her strong suit. Mostly because it feels like she thinks hitting the teenage voice just means throwing in a bunch of pop culture references.Â
This is a fun, chess inspired story that I wish would have been just published as new adult instead. Chances are if you enjoyed Hazelwood's other books, you'll probably enjoy this one. Unless you're reading them for the spice.
Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Sexism
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Cursing
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Alcoholism, and Car accident