ruthlessly's review against another edition
4.0
I borrowed this from the library on a whim, because I kept borrowing books that I would read 10 - 20% of, hate, and then return in frustration. I liked this cover (yes I did deliberately go and select this one), I remember seeing good reviews for other books of the author, and it just so happened that the first book was able to be borrowed instantly so I thought eh why not! What's the worst that can happen! I read 10 - 20% and return it because it's shite and I've got better things to do?
Except I def didn't do that! I really enjoyed this. What I loved the most about it, I think, were the characters, who were literally all great? There's a pretty big cast of characters in here, which is actually one of my favourite things in books: a great supporting cast, who add texture and feeling to something that could be closed in. Also, a lot of this book is very explicitly about families, born and chosen, and I looove that as a central idea as well. It's one of my favourites and I thought it was really nicely dealt with here.
The central relationship between the two main characters was pretty great too. I frigging loved Kit!!! She's so smart and funny and also direct. She's sharp and both very willing to open up, while often being blunt and distant and very stubborn. I loved her a lot and I wanted her to get everything she wanted, which was good for me because it happened!!! Also I loved big doofus Ben. The third act complication was not my favourite, but also I got emosh at some parts and also I was so happy with the ending so I will give it a slide.
I did not cry four times, but I think I will give this 4 stars even though it's more like that nebulous 3.75 territory.
Except I def didn't do that! I really enjoyed this. What I loved the most about it, I think, were the characters, who were literally all great? There's a pretty big cast of characters in here, which is actually one of my favourite things in books: a great supporting cast, who add texture and feeling to something that could be closed in. Also, a lot of this book is very explicitly about families, born and chosen, and I looove that as a central idea as well. It's one of my favourites and I thought it was really nicely dealt with here.
The central relationship between the two main characters was pretty great too. I frigging loved Kit!!! She's so smart and funny and also direct. She's sharp and both very willing to open up, while often being blunt and distant and very stubborn. I loved her a lot and I wanted her to get everything she wanted, which was good for me because it happened!!! Also I loved big doofus Ben. The third act complication was not my favourite, but also I got emosh at some parts and also I was so happy with the ending so I will give it a slide.
I did not cry four times, but I think I will give this 4 stars even though it's more like that nebulous 3.75 territory.
a_ab's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hmmm. I guess, my dominant response to this book is "I sort of liked it, but..."
I mostly liked the writing — it was competent and engaging, but there are these dramatic endings to scenes and chapters which annoyed me to no end. They didn't fit with the rest of the text stylistically and they skipped right over pathos into pompous pretense.
I kind of liked Kit, but her character had inconsistencies which had little to do with human complexity, and instead seemed like the author had no idea what she was talking about — for example, the whole academia setup didn't ring true to me despite my longtime familiarity with the academic environments.
It felt like the situations described summed up in my mind to a completely different interpretation and outcomes than the author had given them, so I was constantly running into this sense of slight cognitive dissonance.
Ben had some likable traits, but I can't say that I liked him much as a person, or as a long-term partner for Kit, who needs decency and stability above all else. Ben has too many unresolved issues, some of them violence-related, which is always such a keg of gunpowder to base a relationship on. And I felt like Kit was more drawn to his family than to him. While for him it was all about the "magic sex". That was another 'but': I didn't see much reason for the relationship aside from sexual attraction — the "love" the characters spoke about and claimed to feel didn't seem genuine based on the interactions they had, so it was another reason for the cognitive dissonance.
I did like the secondary characters a lot, but they are just rough sketches, since the book is so focused on the main couple.
I mostly liked the writing — it was competent and engaging, but there are these dramatic endings to scenes and chapters which annoyed me to no end. They didn't fit with the rest of the text stylistically and they skipped right over pathos into pompous pretense.
I kind of liked Kit, but her character had inconsistencies which had little to do with human complexity, and instead seemed like the author had no idea what she was talking about — for example, the whole academia setup didn't ring true to me despite my longtime familiarity with the academic environments.
It felt like the situations described summed up in my mind to a completely different interpretation and outcomes than the author had given them, so I was constantly running into this sense of slight cognitive dissonance.
Ben had some likable traits, but I can't say that I liked him much as a person, or as a long-term partner for Kit, who needs decency and stability above all else. Ben has too many unresolved issues, some of them violence-related, which is always such a keg of gunpowder to base a relationship on. And I felt like Kit was more drawn to his family than to him. While for him it was all about the "magic sex". That was another 'but': I didn't see much reason for the relationship aside from sexual attraction — the "love" the characters spoke about and claimed to feel didn't seem genuine based on the interactions they had, so it was another reason for the cognitive dissonance.
I did like the secondary characters a lot, but they are just rough sketches, since the book is so focused on the main couple.
mariaxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
joujals's review against another edition
1.0
I'm really not into contemporary romance. Although I think I might enjoy some if the plot is interesting enough.
dilohbelle's review
3.0
I really love the first 75% of this book. The conflict, the characters, and the romance all feel so realistic, like they could be people you know, living these lives. And it's so well written, like every Kate Clayborn book I've read. It's heartfelt, but it's never over the top or trite. But the third act big miscommunication drama between the leads just frustrates me so much that it spoils the whole thing for me, unfortunately.
farisainherfeels's review against another edition
3.0
Lost me in the third act
Why do authors write such beautiful stories and then completely mess it up in the third act? I'm so annoyed. I wanted to love this book (and did for the most part) and thennnn of course after the third act breakup the hero thinks he could sleep with the OW if he wanted to, and then the heroine pulls the grand gesture. I wouldn't have cared much about the grand gesture if it wasn't for that thought from the hero. This probably won't be a big deal for a lot of people but just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
Why do authors write such beautiful stories and then completely mess it up in the third act? I'm so annoyed. I wanted to love this book (and did for the most part) and thennnn of course after the third act breakup the hero thinks he could sleep with the OW if he wanted to, and then the heroine pulls the grand gesture. I wouldn't have cared much about the grand gesture if it wasn't for that thought from the hero. This probably won't be a big deal for a lot of people but just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
kaylor_tay's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐️
I enjoyed the hell out of this book and series. It was just a feel good, cutesy, fun read.
I'm new to Kate Clayborn's work, but I will definitely continue reading her work after this series. Ben and Kit are just the cutest. The secondary characters are fleshed out, add to the story, serve their purpose and leave me excited to learn more about them in later books. The friendship and support between Kit, Zoe, and Greer is so genuine and realistic, I fell in love with all three women immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book and series. It was just a feel good, cutesy, fun read.
I'm new to Kate Clayborn's work, but I will definitely continue reading her work after this series. Ben and Kit are just the cutest. The secondary characters are fleshed out, add to the story, serve their purpose and leave me excited to learn more about them in later books. The friendship and support between Kit, Zoe, and Greer is so genuine and realistic, I fell in love with all three women immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this.
honeynwool's review
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
4.5
cogsofencouragement's review
4.0
Delightful story, I look forward to the rest of the series. A little too open door for me to personally give five stars.