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beebowbabe's review
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic
emmabeeslibrary's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
agrandromance's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was a slog. I had to really work to finish this one. I guess I found these particular characters and their behaviour towards each other difficult. Because I absolutely loved How to Fail at Flirting. Maybe it’s my seasonal depression. I just found the characters lack of passion and compassion towards each other a big hindrance to my enjoyment.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
sarahsbookstacks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
annahamburger's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
solacelight's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Frankly, I didn't like RJ or Lear. I also didn't care about them, which was somehow worse. I didn't care if they ended up together or not, because RJ was cruel and Lear was a misogynist and frankly, neither of their traumas was adequately explored despite this being longer than most books. They also just didn't feel like they had chemistry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Racism, and Pregnancy
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
I really enjoyed The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams so I was excited to read this new release. While I did enjoy this book it was not as strong as her last. I struggled with RJ and Lear’s connection as a couple, it just felt lacking to me. I needed more of that emotional connection to be built. I think the enemies with benefits trope is just a hard one to work with. That being said I did like RJ, I appreciated that she was a strong character who was great at her job and a great friend. This book is worth a read for sure, I’m looking forward to Pearl and Cord’s story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity
onestephatatime's review against another edition
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
3.5
One of my most anticipated reads, I throughly devoured this book: I loved the banter between RJ and Lear, and checking in on characters from previous books (hi Britta/Wes/Eric/Gretchen). RJ and Lear were both complex characters dealing with their own issues, which was portrayed realistically. I’m also a sucker for “everyone knows the mains are in love with each other except the mains” trope.
But I found that the “enemies with benefits” wasn’t as strong - I found the hatred came more of RJ’s side of anything, whereas Lear just found her pushy and annoying. I liked them, I just wasn’t as invested in them as a couple as much as I adored the other two couples.
But I found that the “enemies with benefits” wasn’t as strong - I found the hatred came more of RJ’s side of anything, whereas Lear just found her pushy and annoying. I liked them, I just wasn’t as invested in them as a couple as much as I adored the other two couples.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
literaryintersections's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Honestly, Denise Williams does it again. And might just be getting better and better (although idk if anything can beat Britta and Wes for me!). RJ sure is going to try though. RJ, RJ, RJ. I love a career-focused women in romance. I love a hidden softie. I love a loyal b*tch*. And RJ is all of those things. Denise truly writes fully fleshed out, complex, SMART women and I love her for it.
"I'd learned young that people were rarely worth trusting, and baring your teeth was easier than baring your soul, only to be shown you weren't worth someone's time."
WHEW WHEW WHEW. RJ is it for me honestly.
Then you've got Lear. Who, despite trying to hard not to be a "nice guy" is SUPER SWEET. He is a dirty talking cinnamon roll and his backstory is quite frankly, devastating. And RJ and Lear truly felt enemies - they didn't like each other from the jump while LOVE IT YES. But when they went enemies to lovers???? then lovers to friends????? then to LOVEEEEE????? I was in it y'all. In it to win it.
Now Denise, I know that Cord and Pearl are next. And ma'am. I need that book in my hands TODAY.
My favorite part about Denise is that individualism of each book. None of her books feel the same - they are all different people, different problems, different tropes. But you know you will always get smart women, sweet men, and beautiful love stories.
Thank you to Berkley for my copy to review!
"I'd learned young that people were rarely worth trusting, and baring your teeth was easier than baring your soul, only to be shown you weren't worth someone's time."
WHEW WHEW WHEW. RJ is it for me honestly.
Then you've got Lear. Who, despite trying to hard not to be a "nice guy" is SUPER SWEET. He is a dirty talking cinnamon roll and his backstory is quite frankly, devastating. And RJ and Lear truly felt enemies - they didn't like each other from the jump while LOVE IT YES. But when they went enemies to lovers???? then lovers to friends????? then to LOVEEEEE????? I was in it y'all. In it to win it.
Now Denise, I know that Cord and Pearl are next. And ma'am. I need that book in my hands TODAY.
My favorite part about Denise is that individualism of each book. None of her books feel the same - they are all different people, different problems, different tropes. But you know you will always get smart women, sweet men, and beautiful love stories.
Thank you to Berkley for my copy to review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity