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autumnwitch14's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Classism
its_trysker's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
leonie555's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying and Gaslighting
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
jacobina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
rhreviewer91's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
Clara drove Dominic crazy from the moment she arrived at the reading of the will of her stepfather. Forced to work together due to her new bakery going into the center of his new resort, things weren't great between the two. She had ideas for the design of her bakery, but she was constantly shot down by both Dominic and his designer, Rita. Her whole life, she had a tendency to just roll with it and make others happy. It wasn't until she was face to face with Dom that she started standing up for herself. He wasn't used to people going up against him, yet somehow, he liked seeing that from her. He started subtly encouraging her to fight for her wants, especially when it was something she was so passionate about.
When an ex-girlfriend shows up, risking everything he built (and things his siblings were working on), he decides to make a deal with Clara. She'll be his fake girlfriend to try and make his ex back off, and he'll allow her to make some changes to her bakery. As fake romances go, the lines start to blur, and they begin to feel real things for one another, but neither admit it to each other until near the end.
Dominic is a bit of a hot head and a jerk, but he's also very protective of what's his. That soon includes Clara, fake girlfriend or not. When he learns of a disease she's been keeping secret, he goes into mother hen mode in his own way, which is adorable. I found it so sweet how he was doting on her and looking out for her. I also love how this is a man who would never kneel for anyone but would go down on his knees for her if she asked.
This is a great romance where the two butt heads a lot, but she ends up being exactly what Dominic needs in his life. She adds some colour to his black and white.
When an ex-girlfriend shows up, risking everything he built (and things his siblings were working on), he decides to make a deal with Clara. She'll be his fake girlfriend to try and make his ex back off, and he'll allow her to make some changes to her bakery. As fake romances go, the lines start to blur, and they begin to feel real things for one another, but neither admit it to each other until near the end.
Dominic is a bit of a hot head and a jerk, but he's also very protective of what's his. That soon includes Clara, fake girlfriend or not. When he learns of a disease she's been keeping secret, he goes into mother hen mode in his own way, which is adorable. I found it so sweet how he was doting on her and looking out for her. I also love how this is a man who would never kneel for anyone but would go down on his knees for her if she asked.
This is a great romance where the two butt heads a lot, but she ends up being exactly what Dominic needs in his life. She adds some colour to his black and white.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical content, 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