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koistyfishy's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 Saint Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Some books are a hit, some books are a miss... and some books just fade into the background with the title - "well that was ok, it passed the time". This one fell into the last category.
This is a dual POV which follows Harper and Alex. Harper is a curator at a museum that is currently having a fundraiser to keep the museum open and garner funding. They have invited the local Seattle Phantoms football team to help raise money. Soon Harper finds herself in a very sticky situation. One that involves her ex-husband's best friend, who she kissed before she started dating her ex and before she knew he was her ex-husband's best friend. Alex cannot keep his eyes off Harper because he has loved her since their one night together. So when he sees one of his fellow teammates getting a little bit handsy, he sees red, and punches his teammate in the face. In an effort to salvage the situation, they agree to "Fake Date" to explain Alex's rage.
There is just something about this book that feels "off" and I think it was how quickly the two of them get together in their fake relationship. It bordered on instalove and I really don't like instalove as a trope. Now I do understand that these two characters have a history and unrepressed feelings for each other as they wonder "what might have been". But it just felt a little bit too quick, and she gave into Alex's pursuits and advances WAY TO FAST! I wanted to see a little bit more pushback, playing hard to get - or just something that wasn't these two immediately jumping into bed together even if Harper's ex is a fucking cheating tool who never deserved her in the first place.
There was one thing in this book that I think was done superbly well, and it's something most books battle with - COUPLE COMMUNICATION. Alex and Harper were perfect at discussing issues, fears, likes, dislikes and if something came up - would immediately try to resolve it with the other person. It felt mature and adult and an excellent example of how to do communication right and not introduce any form of miscommunication into their dialogue/story.
There is not much else I can say about the characters or the book, because you have seen this story before and seen these characters - it's pretty much cookie-cutter of what you would expect in a fake dating sports romance. The spice is spicy and the HOT TUB SCENE - My gosh was that SEXY...
Tropes in this include:
▶ Second Chance (Kinda)
▶ He had her first
▶ Ex Husband's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Mine
▶ Forehead Kisses
▶ Under Table Touching
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Banter
Honestly, if you just want a good fake dating book with spice - this is a good choice to give you exactly that! It's not the best of the best, but it's not terrible that you'll waste your time reading it!
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Some books are a hit, some books are a miss... and some books just fade into the background with the title - "well that was ok, it passed the time". This one fell into the last category.
This is a dual POV which follows Harper and Alex. Harper is a curator at a museum that is currently having a fundraiser to keep the museum open and garner funding. They have invited the local Seattle Phantoms football team to help raise money. Soon Harper finds herself in a very sticky situation. One that involves her ex-husband's best friend, who she kissed before she started dating her ex and before she knew he was her ex-husband's best friend. Alex cannot keep his eyes off Harper because he has loved her since their one night together. So when he sees one of his fellow teammates getting a little bit handsy, he sees red, and punches his teammate in the face. In an effort to salvage the situation, they agree to "Fake Date" to explain Alex's rage.
There is just something about this book that feels "off" and I think it was how quickly the two of them get together in their fake relationship. It bordered on instalove and I really don't like instalove as a trope. Now I do understand that these two characters have a history and unrepressed feelings for each other as they wonder "what might have been". But it just felt a little bit too quick, and she gave into Alex's pursuits and advances WAY TO FAST! I wanted to see a little bit more pushback, playing hard to get - or just something that wasn't these two immediately jumping into bed together even if Harper's ex is a fucking cheating tool who never deserved her in the first place.
There was one thing in this book that I think was done superbly well, and it's something most books battle with - COUPLE COMMUNICATION. Alex and Harper were perfect at discussing issues, fears, likes, dislikes and if something came up - would immediately try to resolve it with the other person. It felt mature and adult and an excellent example of how to do communication right and not introduce any form of miscommunication into their dialogue/story.
There is not much else I can say about the characters or the book, because you have seen this story before and seen these characters - it's pretty much cookie-cutter of what you would expect in a fake dating sports romance. The spice is spicy and the HOT TUB SCENE - My gosh was that SEXY...
Tropes in this include:
▶ Second Chance (Kinda)
▶ He had her first
▶ Ex Husband's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ GrumpyXSunshine
▶ Mine
▶ Forehead Kisses
▶ Under Table Touching
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Banter
Honestly, if you just want a good fake dating book with spice - this is a good choice to give you exactly that! It's not the best of the best, but it's not terrible that you'll waste your time reading it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
ronnieex's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
abicaro17's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Alex and Harper are so adorable! I love a book boyfriend who's obsessed with her! I'm glad this book didn't end in a miscommunication (that's where I thought we were headed) but i'm not sure I love the alternative either. I think a couple plot points didn't make sense (90% of the third act stuff, legacy politics?, the divorce timeline etc.) but overall it was cute enough I didn't really care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
culzean's review
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail