atdetour's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't know why I was surprised that two academic could speak about love so beautifully
ifoo2's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
mln227's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
zach is the best boy out there. i want to be loved by zach but im too stupid
crookedbookshelf's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
wow i honestly wasn’t expecting that
aisha_n's review against another edition
3.0
SLOW BURN ACADEMIC RIVALS TO LOVERS. NEED I SAY MORE?
Omg this book is seriously so well written. A big applause to ms. Aurora Reed
Favourite lines:
“As lines, so loves oblique may well themselves in every angle greet; but ours so truly parallel, though infinite, can never meet . That’s just like us.”
“Sometimes, it does feel like I’ll die if I stop. But sometimes, it also feels like I’ll die if I keep going, too.” I tilt my head. “Know what I mean?” She nods, her smile fading. “I know what you mean.”
“Virginity is a social construct" YES YES YES.
Happiness is the true marker of superiority—not wealth or power or status. Not even intelligence.”
Zachary being utterly in love with Theodora:
“My beautiful nemesis. My formidable adversary. My dearest rival.”
“I don’t need a girlfriend,” I tell her in my most dignified tone. “I have a beautiful rival instead.”
“I forget. You know me better than I know myself—isn’t that so?”“Not at all. I know you quite well—very well, even—but I suspect your nature is as complex and unfathomable as the deepest ocean, and I look forward to spending much of my future pondering its mysteries.”
"Like an archer certain of his aim, he drew his bow strong and shot his arrow straight into my chest and watched it take my breath away with the most tender of smiles."
"My beloved goddess" "I absolutely, undeniably, inexorably love you."
“Don’t look so surprised. You’re quite intelligent, and for all your angelic features and forget-me-not eyes, you’re not naive either. You know perfectly well that I love you.” "You don't love me." "Ah, of course I do. I love you atrociously."
Omg this book is seriously so well written. A big applause to ms. Aurora Reed
Favourite lines:
“As lines, so loves oblique may well themselves in every angle greet; but ours so truly parallel, though infinite, can never meet . That’s just like us.”
“Sometimes, it does feel like I’ll die if I stop. But sometimes, it also feels like I’ll die if I keep going, too.” I tilt my head. “Know what I mean?” She nods, her smile fading. “I know what you mean.”
“Virginity is a social construct" YES YES YES.
Happiness is the true marker of superiority—not wealth or power or status. Not even intelligence.”
Zachary being utterly in love with Theodora:
“My beautiful nemesis. My formidable adversary. My dearest rival.”
“I don’t need a girlfriend,” I tell her in my most dignified tone. “I have a beautiful rival instead.”
“I forget. You know me better than I know myself—isn’t that so?”“Not at all. I know you quite well—very well, even—but I suspect your nature is as complex and unfathomable as the deepest ocean, and I look forward to spending much of my future pondering its mysteries.”
"Like an archer certain of his aim, he drew his bow strong and shot his arrow straight into my chest and watched it take my breath away with the most tender of smiles."
"My beloved goddess" "I absolutely, undeniably, inexorably love you."
“Don’t look so surprised. You’re quite intelligent, and for all your angelic features and forget-me-not eyes, you’re not naive either. You know perfectly well that I love you.” "You don't love me." "Ah, of course I do. I love you atrociously."
daninyx_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Aurora for the acknowledgement. I love you and works beyond words, you are literally one of my favourite person.
poppyreadsalot's review
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
i was obsessed!!! i absolutely love how their story is told over the years that they are at school, and the author takes the right amount of time within each year too - the way friendships are told, and who are your truest friends, i definitely feel like Iakov and Zaro were the truest truest. and how it was a different type of rivals to those that are typically written, like they were rivals but respected tf out of each other, this man said a victory was only worthy if against her 😭 the academic part of this book was also really fun to read about.
now, ZACHARY!!! ohmy, this man could TALK!! the love he had for her, his thoughts and feelings, his nicknames for her (+multiple love declarations), his personal growth and love for his sister too, as well as giving theo space and silent reassurance when she had her issues with food!!!! ahh that was such a hit home moment for me, so i need a man like that fr!! theodoraaaa, my ice princess, i love this girl idc, i wanna give her a hug so badly AND WHEN SHE CUT HER HAIR 😭🩵 i loved their dynamics and was so happy when they inevitably ended up together - the quotes were amazing this book! i cannot wait for Iakov and Zaro's next!! 💙
now, ZACHARY!!! ohmy, this man could TALK!! the love he had for her, his thoughts and feelings, his nicknames for her (+multiple love declarations), his personal growth and love for his sister too, as well as giving theo space and silent reassurance when she had her issues with food!!!! ahh that was such a hit home moment for me, so i need a man like that fr!! theodoraaaa, my ice princess, i love this girl idc, i wanna give her a hug so badly AND WHEN SHE CUT HER HAIR 😭🩵 i loved their dynamics and was so happy when they inevitably ended up together - the quotes were amazing this book!
Spoiler
🤞Mr Ambrose gets his wedding invite🤞"My beautiful nemesis. My formidable adversary. My dearest rival."
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, and Physical abuse
mbichaela's review
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
4.0
ENG
this was such a great setup for academic rivals to lovers slow-burn but i feel like their actual relationship was not that explored. there were also some things about the characters that i did not personally enjoy.
btw zachary is a guide to loyalty for all men. i'm also quoting someone's review that i found on the spot: need a man who dictates his self-worth around my mere existence fr.
this was such a great setup for academic rivals to lovers slow-burn but i feel like their actual relationship was not that explored. there were also some things about the characters that i did not personally enjoy.
btw zachary is a guide to loyalty for all men. i'm also quoting someone's review that i found on the spot: need a man who dictates his self-worth around my mere existence fr.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Domestic abuse