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bookmarkedtbr's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, fake dating, billionaire romance
FMC: Clara - bubbly baker, wants to fill the world with color and delicious baked goods
MMC: Dominic - incredibly serious, no nonsense, loves his family deeply, strong sense of responsibility
Intimacy: On page
Summary
When Dominic's grandpa dies, he lives stipulations for each of his grandchildren in his will. In order for Dominic to get his inheritance, he has to allow Clara to open a bakery inside Dominic's new resort. The catch? The design must be approved by them both. The problem is that Clara's life is full of color despite the secrets she hides, and Dominic's modern black-and-white aesthetic mirrors his stubbornness in deciding to never fall in love again.
Thoughts
Shain Rose has done it again. This is a great series so far and I can't wait to keep reading! This book is a masterclass in character building. Both Dom and Clara are complete, complex, and entirely relatable. Their sparring and secret glances had me flipping pages so quickly. I couldn't wait until they gave in!
Not only are the characters wonderful, but the balance between the main and sub plots was perfect. By the end everything is wrapped up to my satisfaction and the next book was set up beautifully. The tone and pacing fit the story, and the progression from enemies to lovers was realistic and unrushed. Reading as Clara broke through Dominic's walls had me swooning and squealing throughout. Definitely a Must Read series.
Some of My Favorite Quotes:
- There was a new word I was starting to associate with everything Clara Milton. Addictive.
- Without all that, she was cute, like you wanted to fold her up and put her in your chest pocket to keep her close to your heart.
- We might have been fake dating, but I was going to kiss her for real every ******* time.
- "I realize my boundaries are probably -" "Just what you need. Keep establishing them, babe." He said it with conviction like he knew.
- He might have been my fake boyfriend but he was everything I'd ever wanted, what I never knew I needed.
FMC: Clara - bubbly baker, wants to fill the world with color and delicious baked goods
MMC: Dominic - incredibly serious, no nonsense, loves his family deeply, strong sense of responsibility
Intimacy: On page
Summary
When Dominic's grandpa dies, he lives stipulations for each of his grandchildren in his will. In order for Dominic to get his inheritance, he has to allow Clara to open a bakery inside Dominic's new resort. The catch? The design must be approved by them both. The problem is that Clara's life is full of color despite the secrets she hides, and Dominic's modern black-and-white aesthetic mirrors his stubbornness in deciding to never fall in love again.
Thoughts
Shain Rose has done it again. This is a great series so far and I can't wait to keep reading! This book is a masterclass in character building. Both Dom and Clara are complete, complex, and entirely relatable. Their sparring and secret glances had me flipping pages so quickly. I couldn't wait until they gave in!
Not only are the characters wonderful, but the balance between the main and sub plots was perfect. By the end everything is wrapped up to my satisfaction and the next book was set up beautifully. The tone and pacing fit the story, and the progression from enemies to lovers was realistic and unrushed. Reading as Clara broke through Dominic's walls had me swooning and squealing throughout. Definitely a Must Read series.
Some of My Favorite Quotes:
- There was a new word I was starting to associate with everything Clara Milton. Addictive.
- Without all that, she was cute, like you wanted to fold her up and put her in your chest pocket to keep her close to your heart.
- We might have been fake dating, but I was going to kiss her for real every ******* time.
- "I realize my boundaries are probably -" "Just what you need. Keep establishing them, babe." He said it with conviction like he knew.
- He might have been my fake boyfriend but he was everything I'd ever wanted, what I never knew I needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting
culzean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol