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adagetsliterary's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a beautiful way to wrap up the Movie Magic series. It was equally funny, heartwarming, and tugged at my inner-child heartstrings.
I loved the premise of this - it was so unique and fun and executed flawlessly. The idea of imaginary friends for 30-year olds may, at first, seem odd but it was such a beautiful metaphor for growing up & learning to be your own person in the world. It made me smile the whole time.
Sophie was a perfectly prickly black cat heronie who had been burned one too many times (and delivered my favorite line: “With women, I have a type. With men, I have a problem”) and so remained closed off to love or getting close to anyone. Mitch (middle names: Danger Chill) was the golden retriever hero trying to feel like his life was his own and needing validation that he was doing the right things.
Their tentative friends-to-lovers was SO fun to read, and the way they navigated their respective hang-ups was beautiful. I adored the very real emotions they went through together, mixed with the surreal matchmaking and meddling from their imaginary friends. It was a perfect mix of heady and quirky.
That final chapter had me in absolute tears, but it was so worth it.
I loved the premise of this - it was so unique and fun and executed flawlessly. The idea of imaginary friends for 30-year olds may, at first, seem odd but it was such a beautiful metaphor for growing up & learning to be your own person in the world. It made me smile the whole time.
Sophie was a perfectly prickly black cat heronie who had been burned one too many times (and delivered my favorite line: “With women, I have a type. With men, I have a problem”) and so remained closed off to love or getting close to anyone. Mitch (middle names: Danger Chill) was the golden retriever hero trying to feel like his life was his own and needing validation that he was doing the right things.
Their tentative friends-to-lovers was SO fun to read, and the way they navigated their respective hang-ups was beautiful. I adored the very real emotions they went through together, mixed with the surreal matchmaking and meddling from their imaginary friends. It was a perfect mix of heady and quirky.
That final chapter had me in absolute tears, but it was so worth it.
ses2195's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
emmybell17's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.0
lizanneyoung's review
4.0
An eARC of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
TROPES
🧡 Grumpy/Sunshine
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 He Falls First
🧡 Workplace Romance
The Forces of Love follows Sophie and Mitch, and their imaginary friends Levi and Eva. That quirk is what drew me to reading this novella. I hadn’t seen a premise quite like this before, and I really enjoyed it.
I know how it sounds. These are adult characters with imaginary friends. But, in the city of Chance, things are a bit different. In this case, the imaginary friends stay with their person until that person has people in their lives that serve a similar purpose. And, Levi and Eva are up to some hijinks because they think Sophie and Mitch will be perfect for each other.
Honestly, this was such a fun concept. It’s cute and works well in this quick read. For a novella, I loved the characterization that the author got on the page. I felt like I really know the inner workings of Sophie and Mitch and why they both had the attitudes about love they did.
This is number five in a series, so I need to backtrack and read about the other couples because I’m pretty sure they were introduced in this one and I want to know more about their stories.
belle13's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Tropes/Themes: Workplace Romance, Friends with Benefits, A little bit magical
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for The Forces of Love - this is my honest opinion
I love that all of Dani’s books are just a little bit magical and all of them have such a fun premise! I adore the imaginary friend storyline in this one, it was so inventive and it was also surprisingly emotional (somehow Dani always has me crying happy tears at the end of the book and it always takes me by surprise). This is also a perfect example of how to write a slightly prickly but still lovable FMC. Sophie was prickly in a lot of ways and struggled to trust people but was also so introspective and went out of her way to help the people around her. Together, Mitch and Sophie were beautiful and relatable and don’t even get me started on that tension! How Dani has packed so many emotions (and a whole lot of heat) into one little book still astounds me.
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for The Forces of Love - this is my honest opinion
I love that all of Dani’s books are just a little bit magical and all of them have such a fun premise! I adore the imaginary friend storyline in this one, it was so inventive and it was also surprisingly emotional (somehow Dani always has me crying happy tears at the end of the book and it always takes me by surprise). This is also a perfect example of how to write a slightly prickly but still lovable FMC. Sophie was prickly in a lot of ways and struggled to trust people but was also so introspective and went out of her way to help the people around her. Together, Mitch and Sophie were beautiful and relatable and don’t even get me started on that tension! How Dani has packed so many emotions (and a whole lot of heat) into one little book still astounds me.
talesandtitillations's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
starereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
🧡Workplace Romance
🧡Imaginary Friends meddling
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Grumpy/Sunshine
The last book of the Movie Magic Novellas is out and this was the perfect ending. I cherished every single moment of this final visit, especially that mini reunion at the end. 💞
I loved these two and their imaginary friends made their story even better.
Sophie has always been exceptionally guarded, especially when it comes to friendships and love as from her experience people always leave. She would prefer to work alone, but she is has to share her work and workspace with Mitch and she tries really hard to just keep this strictly to a work relationship.
Mitch on the other hand is the friendliest and is used to being underestimated, but he is determined to getting to know her on a deeper level, slowly breaking down her protective walls, and proving that he is not going anywhere.
What they don’t know is that their imaginary friends are working as matchmakers in the background and they are determined to find their charges a happy ending.
The Movie Magic Novellas can be enjoyed out of order, but I would recommend to leave this one for last to enjoy the mini reunion at the end.
Dani has a magical touch to her writing and with this series, she was able to craft these short novellas that have all the perfect elements. Each story is emotionally touching, heartwarming, and relatable.
Thank you Dani Mclean for this advanced copy, and for creating these extraordinary story lines that were an absolute delight to read. One of my favorite parts about picking up her books is reading the dedications. They never fail to be inspiring and bring a smile to my face, setting the perfect tone for the journey ahead.
I Will be missing Chance City and all of these lovable characters and the inspiring themes behind their stories, but I look forward to reading The Cocktail series, while we patiently wait your next gem!
🧡Imaginary Friends meddling
🧡Forced Proximity
🧡Grumpy/Sunshine
The last book of the Movie Magic Novellas is out and this was the perfect ending. I cherished every single moment of this final visit, especially that mini reunion at the end. 💞
I loved these two and their imaginary friends made their story even better.
Sophie has always been exceptionally guarded, especially when it comes to friendships and love as from her experience people always leave. She would prefer to work alone, but she is has to share her work and workspace with Mitch and she tries really hard to just keep this strictly to a work relationship.
Mitch on the other hand is the friendliest and is used to being underestimated, but he is determined to getting to know her on a deeper level, slowly breaking down her protective walls, and proving that he is not going anywhere.
What they don’t know is that their imaginary friends are working as matchmakers in the background and they are determined to find their charges a happy ending.
The Movie Magic Novellas can be enjoyed out of order, but I would recommend to leave this one for last to enjoy the mini reunion at the end.
Dani has a magical touch to her writing and with this series, she was able to craft these short novellas that have all the perfect elements. Each story is emotionally touching, heartwarming, and relatable.
Thank you Dani Mclean for this advanced copy, and for creating these extraordinary story lines that were an absolute delight to read. One of my favorite parts about picking up her books is reading the dedications. They never fail to be inspiring and bring a smile to my face, setting the perfect tone for the journey ahead.
I Will be missing Chance City and all of these lovable characters and the inspiring themes behind their stories, but I look forward to reading The Cocktail series, while we patiently wait your next gem!
ertisa's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
thebookishdogmom's review
3.0
A cute and whimsical novella! Set in a world where imaginary friends are a normal thing, we have Sophie and Mitch who start working together. Sophie doesn't do relationships. Mitch is a cinnamon roll and want to pursue Sophie. Their imaginary friends Levi and Eva thus scheme together to play matchmaker. A quick, light and easy read, with lots of laughs and steaminess too!
☆I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review☆
☆I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review☆