bmceleney's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Cancer
Minor: Grief
pages_with_panda's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I FINALLY read it. This book has been all over TikTok and I'm glad I finally read it. It's a part ridiculous, part endearing story full of "fake-dating" shenanigans.
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
My gripes with the book have mostly to do with some weirdness of some scenes, the writing, and the general lack of development from the characters.
One nitpick I could not get out of my head was that Adam was so much bigger than her? In every way? And yet she's 5' 8'? Just how big is this guy? And the descriptions of their body proportions threw me off completely. It just felt really unbelievable and downright impossible.
Their age gap isn't too bad (she's 26 and he's 34), but honestly she acts a LOT younger. Lying at every turn, even with justifications, made her seem really immature. Especially during the bedroom scene and with the weird body proportions? Was a little uncomfortable to read.
Adam honestly had very little personality beyond liking Olive. He's smart and works out, but that's all we're really told about him. I thought we'd be able to see more about his past - he tells us he's so cold because of his rich, negligent parents, and that's why he treats people like shit, but then does nothing to fix himself? Olive at least tells the truth at the end.
It could come across at "cringey" but I liked the banter/dialogue between Adam and Olive even though Olive didn't stop mentioning that they were "fake-dating" at every chance she got. (Seriously, how did no one hear her with how often she said it in public? I thought all eyes were always on them?)
I also found the main conflict at the end a little unbelievable and couldn’t believe what Olive’s solution was!! But without spoiling the story I won’t say more.
Other than that, it was a fun, fast-paced read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Death of parent
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Death, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Cancer
allonsyahhlee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
bookaddiction's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this book it gave me major anxiety towards the ending but then it ended up getting better it was really good i loved how they were together and how everyone around them knew they were in love but they had yet to admit it to themselves and eachother I definitely think this book has a 50 50 of storyline and romance it wasn't all about romance and it wasn't all about the story behind the romance i normally am a 100 % romance kinda person so to enjoy a book that had 50% romance and 50% story was crazy new and fun I definitely give this book four stars though⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥹🥹🥹😍😍😍❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Violence, Grief, Sexual content, Death, Cancer, Cursing, and Sexual harassment
tahlsmayreview's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a cute Lil book, cute except for that one chapter... 😏
Idk why but I kept applying the character Belly from The Summer I Turned Pretty personality onto Olive. This was kinda annoying.
I cringed at first because I was just not used to Romance books... well I had read Heartstopper and TSITP but like that was different iykyk hehe.
Warning, practice your poker face before reading this book! Or just don't read it in public lmao. Nah I'm being overdramatic lmao but like still.
I can officially say that this was the first book to snatch the tussy. Thank you Anussy for lending this book to me and thank you to both Anussy and Skussy for recommending. 🥰
This book was my training for the twisted love series... wish me luck guys. Will I get through them all... only time will tell...
Idk why but I kept applying the character Belly from The Summer I Turned Pretty personality onto Olive. This was kinda annoying.
I cringed at first because I was just not used to Romance books... well I had read Heartstopper and TSITP but like that was different iykyk hehe.
Warning, practice your poker face before reading this book! Or just don't read it in public lmao. Nah I'm being overdramatic lmao but like still.
I can officially say that this was the first book to snatch the tussy. Thank you Anussy for lending this book to me and thank you to both Anussy and Skussy for recommending. 🥰
This book was my training for the twisted love series... wish me luck guys. Will I get through them all... only time will tell...
Spoiler
Tom Benton is a prick. Honestly made me feel sick. 😫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
stego24's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
vj_thompson's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Read this in one day. I loved the banter and the early part of their relationship. The cringy part was too much. If you know, you know. This was another cute adorable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
elizanadeau's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, and Vomit
emmysforeverbooked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
Oh my gosh, this book is easily 5 stars. I have no clue how there's a debate on this book. Anyone who loves a (slightly spicy) romance should pick this book up immediately. From the fake dating to the secret pining, this book has so many *chef's kiss* tropes. I don't know how it took me so long to finish this book because when I did open it, I couldn't put it down. If I'd had more spare time, I would've for sure finished this book in a week max. This book is just... it's amazing. If you're looking for a good, not stereotypical romance, this is the one you need to grab.
Sort of spoilery review here:
My opinion on how spicy this book is:
Sort of spoilery review here:
Spoiler
I really just wanted to take a moment to talk about diverse this cast is!! The main character is demisexual (me 2 girl), her best friend is Vietnamese, her other best friend is presumed to be bisexual (also me 2), her advisor is presumably Turkish. like the cast is just so diverse which is so nice to see. All too often do books just feature a bunch of generic white people so it was nice to see a good mix of everyone in this cast!My opinion on how spicy this book is:
Spoiler
There's only one part of the book that features smut, however it is pretty graphic. I have put as a warning that the smut is graphic because it is, but it doesn't last for very long. I honestly think there was less smut in this book than in any of the Emily Henry books I've read. That being said, use your noggin and do what's best for you!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Cancer
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders