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lisa_m's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay I have to say, this book was a disappointment. I didn't know how tho rate this book for quite a while.
The beginning was amazing. I liked the plot, I liked the characters and I liked the writing style. My favourite thing about this book is the humour. I laughed so so much while reading it! I absolutely loved the bickering and just the general dynamic between the main characters. It was fun to see them fighting in a sort of childlike manner even though they are 26 & 29.
Throughout about half of the book I really thought I would give this book a five star rating. It was funny and really fast paced. I didn't like the characters individually that much but as we got to know more about them I started to like them.
List of things I didn't like:
- Jasmines constant distrust and unability to communicate her feelings even though we as readers get to read them so they are obviously there
- All of the things that are brought up for no reason and then never explained:
Why did Lukov say he only wants to partner up with her for one year and thats it - even though we later find out that was never his plan? Why is Jasmine so disliked by the public? There are so many mentions and so little explanation. What did Peter say about her? Why did he choose another partner? What is up with the ugly costume Ivan got so protective about that initially started their bickering?
- The things that got explained and where just so underwhelming:
The reason they didn't talk about Mindy? - lame I expected something wayy jucier
The reason Ivan always had to go home? - Cute but he does mention that Ellie always comes by to feed them and take them for a walk so..?)
- That Lukovs sister who is supposed to be Jasmines best friend is only really mentioned once?
- I hated that they did not only make fun of each other for superficial reasons but also stuff they were really insecure about.
- Also consent is very much non existent in this world. She is always talking about how they don't have personal space because they are figureskaters. When he first kisses her she just 'lets him do it' since he was happy? Idk I just really didn't like that.
One of the biggest reasons I was disappointed by this book was Ivan Lukov though. He has such potential and I really liked him in the beginning. When he started to be super nice to her I liked him even more but then he just became a douchebag.
- He finds out Jasmine has a stalker AND GETS MAD AT HER? Why can't he just be supportive?
- He constantly makes her do things she doesn't want to do and EXPLICITLY TELLS him she doesn't want to do (Like the naked Fotoshoot or not wanting to go to his place etc)
- He makes fun of her for things she is already really insecure about and doesn't even stop that when he finds out why or she tells him she doesn't like it
- He calls her 'Meatball' which on it's one is one of the ugliest nicknames ever and I would hate to be called that even just once. And Jasmine obviously hates that Nickname to and tells him that but he still doesn't stop and even uses it during his proposal???
- Ivan is just so demanding all the time. I don't like it. ( His character is very inconsistent in my opinion)
I honestly just think it's a toxic or at least unhealthy relationship. They could have been really cute if they worked on their behaviour. If this book was about teenagers they could grow up, see their mistakes and have a healthy relationship but they didn't. They are already adults completely set in their ways and I don't like it.
Okay so that was a long rant about all the things I didn't like. Now to the things I enjoyed:
- I kind of liked the family dynamic
- I loved their bickering and the humour
- I loved the enemies-to-lovers aspect (even though like I said it was kind of toxic but it could have been so good!)
- I liked the 2 instructors
Yeah that's it. I can't find anything else I liked. I think his is a unpopular opinion but I think I'm just mad this book didn't like up to it's potential and my expectations.
I do 100% understand why people do like this book though. Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it but it just wasn't for me.
The beginning was amazing. I liked the plot, I liked the characters and I liked the writing style. My favourite thing about this book is the humour. I laughed so so much while reading it! I absolutely loved the bickering and just the general dynamic between the main characters. It was fun to see them fighting in a sort of childlike manner even though they are 26 & 29.
Throughout about half of the book I really thought I would give this book a five star rating. It was funny and really fast paced. I didn't like the characters individually that much but as we got to know more about them I started to like them.
List of things I didn't like:
- Jasmines constant distrust and unability to communicate her feelings even though we as readers get to read them so they are obviously there
- All of the things that are brought up for no reason and then never explained:
Why did Lukov say he only wants to partner up with her for one year and thats it - even though we later find out that was never his plan? Why is Jasmine so disliked by the public? There are so many mentions and so little explanation. What did Peter say about her? Why did he choose another partner? What is up with the ugly costume Ivan got so protective about that initially started their bickering?
- The things that got explained and where just so underwhelming:
The reason they didn't talk about Mindy? - lame I expected something wayy jucier
The reason Ivan always had to go home? - Cute but he does mention that Ellie always comes by to feed them and take them for a walk so..?)
- That Lukovs sister who is supposed to be Jasmines best friend is only really mentioned once?
- I hated that they did not only make fun of each other for superficial reasons but also stuff they were really insecure about.
- Also consent is very much non existent in this world. She is always talking about how they don't have personal space because they are figureskaters. When he first kisses her she just 'lets him do it' since he was happy? Idk I just really didn't like that.
One of the biggest reasons I was disappointed by this book was Ivan Lukov though. He has such potential and I really liked him in the beginning. When he started to be super nice to her I liked him even more but then he just became a douchebag.
- He finds out Jasmine has a stalker AND GETS MAD AT HER? Why can't he just be supportive?
- He constantly makes her do things she doesn't want to do and EXPLICITLY TELLS him she doesn't want to do (Like the naked Fotoshoot or not wanting to go to his place etc)
- He makes fun of her for things she is already really insecure about and doesn't even stop that when he finds out why or she tells him she doesn't like it
- He calls her 'Meatball' which on it's one is one of the ugliest nicknames ever and I would hate to be called that even just once. And Jasmine obviously hates that Nickname to and tells him that but he still doesn't stop and even uses it during his proposal???
- Ivan is just so demanding all the time. I don't like it. ( His character is very inconsistent in my opinion)
I honestly just think it's a toxic or at least unhealthy relationship. They could have been really cute if they worked on their behaviour. If this book was about teenagers they could grow up, see their mistakes and have a healthy relationship but they didn't. They are already adults completely set in their ways and I don't like it.
Okay so that was a long rant about all the things I didn't like. Now to the things I enjoyed:
- I kind of liked the family dynamic
- I loved their bickering and the humour
- I loved the enemies-to-lovers aspect (even though like I said it was kind of toxic but it could have been so good!)
- I liked the 2 instructors
Yeah that's it. I can't find anything else I liked. I think his is a unpopular opinion but I think I'm just mad this book didn't like up to it's potential and my expectations.
I do 100% understand why people do like this book though. Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it but it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Medical content, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer