abbeyroad1410's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is a great casual read if you don't want something that is going to make you think too hard. The main character, Olive, is delightfully awkward and will potentially cause second-hand embarrassment. The romantic lead, Adam, is the snarky but soft-hearted man of every girl's dreams. The two characters have great banter and chemistry that will keep you laughing throughout the read.
If I had to give a few critiques, the side characters are simply plot devices. They are wonderful, engaging, funny plot devices, but I could almost tell you nothing about them. It doesn't help that these plot devices are the extent of diversity in the novel. Additionally, the epilogue is entirely unnecessary. The novel ends on such a high note that the epilogue feels like it is tacking something on to affirm something readers could've assumed.
Overall, this was a great book, and I would read it again.
If I had to give a few critiques, the side characters are simply plot devices. They are wonderful, engaging, funny plot devices, but I could almost tell you nothing about them. It doesn't help that these plot devices are the extent of diversity in the novel. Additionally, the epilogue is entirely unnecessary. The novel ends on such a high note that the epilogue feels like it is tacking something on to affirm something readers could've assumed.
Overall, this was a great book, and I would read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Death of parent
lunep's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to be a hater but sadly, I did enjoy it.
It was pretty predictable at times, the amount of times it was mentioned Adam was tall, and had broad shoulders and he towered over Olive (33) was overkill tbh, and at some parts I was genuinely thinking "what the fuck" because the things happening or the way Ms Hazelwood described things was very weird, but it kept me hooked and I had a good time regardless.
It was pretty predictable at times, the amount of times it was mentioned Adam was tall, and had broad shoulders and he towered over Olive (33) was overkill tbh, and at some parts I was genuinely thinking "what the fuck" because the things happening or the way Ms Hazelwood described things was very weird, but it kept me hooked and I had a good time regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol and Abandonment
literatureandbubblegum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Definitely would recommend if you like: fake dating, grumpy x sunshine
This was SO cute. I loved the plot and the characters. I also just LOVE the name Olive. <3
This was SO cute. I loved the plot and the characters. I also just LOVE the name Olive. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
addythebookbat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
pages_with_panda's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I FINALLY read it. This book has been all over TikTok and I'm glad I finally read it. It's a part ridiculous, part endearing story full of "fake-dating" shenanigans.
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Death of parent
im_just_vidu's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I love Adam without an argument. I understand why everyone was saying this as a $mut, because daaamn that was a long chapter. As a science student, it was nice to see something subject related because it felt familiar. I like the story, I do. But I kinda don't think it's a 5 star for me because I like it because the subject related to me, and I'm also a student. But if I forget about those stuff, I really don't have anything that I can be happy with. Yes I like Adam, but the story itself didn't felt right for me. I kinda expected more than this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
ashleyj_reads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content
jpxsoleil's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Cancer
sfyqahz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
I love every character in this book except for Tom, a$$hole. It made me giggled, it made me blush. Imagine having a hunk professor as your fake boyfriend plus they were great together and I knew it all along they known each other in the past. Olive !! open your eyes !!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
becksterhope's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
There were 30 pages that could have been cut from the book and it eould have been better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content