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_nika_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
What you can expect:
- enemies to lovers
- pregnancy
- banter
- moody billionaires
My thoughts:
Through the book we follow Dallas and Romeo. Their very first meeting is already quite scandalous, ending in Dallas being publicly defamed. As a result her arranged fiancé breaks off the engagement and instead Romeo plays the generous savior, offering to marry her himself instead. Having married her for ulterior motives he isn't too happy with Dallas' "in your face" personality. As the story progresses we follow their ups and downs while they find to each other.
With the explosiveness of the opening I was left a little disappointed for the rest of the story, as no plot point really surprised me and was quite predictable. At certain points it felt like there was a trope check list that the authors wanted to complete at all costs.
The main characters themselves were for a lack of better words insufferable. Romeo was so emotionally dense that it was actually painful to read and Dallas on the other hand was beyond childish and one-dimensional. They both felt like their best trait was that they were hot. I particularly disliked that Dallas' only goal in life was to become pregnant, no matter the cost. Specifically I hated the part where she tries to join a campaign for infant health, which Romeo shuts down because it doesn't align with his business values. Instead of fighting him like she does with everything else (down to the most minor things) she immediately gives up and it never gets mentioned again...
They did have some funny quips throughout the story but their relationship felt so toxic that I couldn't root for them even once it improved.
The only saving grace for me was the side characters. The banter from Zach and Oliver was more entertaining than anything else in the story.
The book definitely needed the pov switching between Dallas and Romeo, without it nobody would have be rooting for Romeo. Sadly, the first person pov didn't help with feeling more connected to the characters at all for me. If the writing hadn't included some of the most beautiful metaphors I probably would have dnf'd (that weapon testing scene nearly broke me ngl). It was entertaining in the same way a bad movie is. However because I enjoyed Zach and Oliver as characters I would be hesitantly willing to try the next book in this series. I'd only recommend this if you desperately need something to laugh and shake your head at, though.
- enemies to lovers
- pregnancy
- banter
- moody billionaires
My thoughts:
Through the book we follow Dallas and Romeo. Their very first meeting is already quite scandalous, ending in Dallas being publicly defamed. As a result her arranged fiancé breaks off the engagement and instead Romeo plays the generous savior, offering to marry her himself instead. Having married her for ulterior motives he isn't too happy with Dallas' "in your face" personality. As the story progresses we follow their ups and downs while they find to each other.
With the explosiveness of the opening I was left a little disappointed for the rest of the story, as no plot point really surprised me and was quite predictable. At certain points it felt like there was a trope check list that the authors wanted to complete at all costs.
The main characters themselves were for a lack of better words insufferable. Romeo was so emotionally dense that it was actually painful to read and Dallas on the other hand was beyond childish and one-dimensional. They both felt like their best trait was that they were hot. I particularly disliked that Dallas' only goal in life was to become pregnant, no matter the cost. Specifically I hated the part where she tries to join a campaign for infant health, which Romeo shuts down because it doesn't align with his business values. Instead of fighting him like she does with everything else (down to the most minor things) she immediately gives up and it never gets mentioned again...
They did have some funny quips throughout the story but their relationship felt so toxic that I couldn't root for them even once it improved.
The only saving grace for me was the side characters. The banter from Zach and Oliver was more entertaining than anything else in the story.
The book definitely needed the pov switching between Dallas and Romeo, without it nobody would have be rooting for Romeo. Sadly, the first person pov didn't help with feeling more connected to the characters at all for me. If the writing hadn't included some of the most beautiful metaphors I probably would have dnf'd (that weapon testing scene nearly broke me ngl). It was entertaining in the same way a bad movie is. However because I enjoyed Zach and Oliver as characters I would be hesitantly willing to try the next book in this series. I'd only recommend this if you desperately need something to laugh and shake your head at, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
rdaacvhiesl's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I found the FMC entitled, juvenile, and hard to root for. The plot dragged and it was hard to see what the arc was. The last 10% introduced and wrapped up about a dozen different points that could've been used earlier on to make the book far more dynamic and enjoyable. Too many half-baked, borrowed themes that just never added anything but confusion (Romeo and Juliet AND Beauty and the Beast ...) I should have DNFd this but I kept hoping for some character redemption.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Pregnancy
rubellaface's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
So delightful, so terrible.
High praise for the sharp dialogue. The banter is so quick and funny and reminds me of the first time I read Garwood. The dialogue definitely makes this a fun read.
And love love love how much is in Romeo's perspective. When it comes to strong, alphahole types, it's easy to assume the worst when their actions are horrid, so it was yummy to read how every situation had him spiraling out of control.
However about halfway through the book, Dallas' started to come off as rude, wasteful, and a total villain. While it's fun for her to needle Rom at work, I feel bad for the people who work for him that have to deal with the fallout of her whimsy.
And I get that all that she wants is a baby, but he admitted to trauma and not having kids is a choice as well. It's not cute when guys force women to breed, and it's just as monstrous when women do it.
And I say this all with much regret because I was really in love with how Dallas was written and how sharp and witty she is. I just can't get over her selfish, short-sighted choices.
High praise for the sharp dialogue. The banter is so quick and funny and reminds me of the first time I read Garwood. The dialogue definitely makes this a fun read.
And love love love how much is in Romeo's perspective. When it comes to strong, alphahole types, it's easy to assume the worst when their actions are horrid, so it was yummy to read how every situation had him spiraling out of control.
However about halfway through the book, Dallas' started to come off as rude, wasteful, and a total villain. While it's fun for her to needle Rom at work, I feel bad for the people who work for him that have to deal with the fallout of her whimsy.
And I get that all that she wants is a baby, but he admitted to trauma and not having kids is a choice as well. It's not cute when guys force women to breed, and it's just as monstrous when women do it.
And I say this all with much regret because I was really in love with how Dallas was written and how sharp and witty she is. I just can't get over her selfish, short-sighted choices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
maakbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book is so bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Sexual harassment