bethbaty's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
This was such a wildly fun rollercoaster ride. I could’ve done without the graphic sex scenes 😬 but otherwise, I LOVED that even in the crazy unrealistic circumstances, the characters were so real and believable. If you just want a sweet romance, this is not that book. 😂 But if you want a wild ride and tons of unexpected turns, with a bit of romance thrown in too, then yes, this is definitely that book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Blood
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Classism, Gaslighting, and Blood
Minor: Torture, Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity
bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Solid fun romance mixed with the Hangover type storyline and a generous serving of parental abuse. So if you want a good mix of emotions, this is good for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
nikspandya's review
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
First, I need to shout out the incredible narrators of this audiobook, Soneela Kankani and Shahjehan Khan. If you do pick up this book, I highly recommend listening to the audio because of these two. I'm definitely going to look into their full audiographies.
This book is super entertaining! The first thing that stood out to me from the start of this book was that I really enjoyed Alisha Rai's plotting style. She gave you just enough to establish characters, but not so much that there isn't more to discover about them as the story went on. I found Mira and Naveen to be compelling characters and I was invested in their stories pretty much immediately.
I liked how they kept reaching dead ends in their high stakes quest, it didn't frustrate me at all. In fact, it really built up my excitement on the conclusion of this story. Which is why, once we got to the resolution and big reveal, I was quite let down. Without spoilers, I'll say that she uses certain storytelling devices way too many times and close together. It really felt like this ending was fumbled. Too many reveals and not enough hints or clues that would make it feel like "of course it was that person!"
Ending rant with spoilers:
Now besides my disappointment in the third act, I am definitely going to dive into Alisha Rai's other books. I think she gets me really excited for characters and that doesn't often happen with contemporary characters. Pick up this book if you're a lighthearted romance reader!
This book is super entertaining! The first thing that stood out to me from the start of this book was that I really enjoyed Alisha Rai's plotting style. She gave you just enough to establish characters, but not so much that there isn't more to discover about them as the story went on. I found Mira and Naveen to be compelling characters and I was invested in their stories pretty much immediately.
I liked how they kept reaching dead ends in their high stakes quest, it didn't frustrate me at all. In fact, it really built up my excitement on the conclusion of this story. Which is why, once we got to the resolution and big reveal, I was quite let down. Without spoilers, I'll say that she uses certain storytelling devices way too many times and close together. It really felt like this ending was fumbled. Too many reveals and not enough hints or clues that would make it feel like "of course it was that person!"
Ending rant with spoilers:
Spoiler
what the fuck was that ending with her sister and aunt? They both just fuck off and then come back and then fuck off again? The only reason I can consider that would make sense for Sejal to have no strength or courage to actually reconnect with her sister, is that she has her own book coming. Mira and Sejal's mom being Cobra was also just so...I dunno, it was such a let down. I thought it was going to be Sunil Uncle. Also why was Sunil helping so much and then he just fucks off too?? With all the build up of emotional development in this story, I would have expected something a little more...well though out for the ending. It felt like this author ran out of pages.Now besides my disappointment in the third act, I am definitely going to dive into Alisha Rai's other books. I think she gets me really excited for characters and that doesn't often happen with contemporary characters. Pick up this book if you're a lighthearted romance reader!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
justkarlah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
▫️3rd person POV▫️
This was one of those books that hooks you in right from the start with a surprise and forced proximity, which always makes for a ton of bickering and chemistry that both main characters try to ignore.
I loved that even with all of their faults, they still managed to somehow understand one another and figure out how their past played into the way they lived their lives in the present. Naveen was perfect, patient and able to communicate a lot better than Mira, which worked great for the two of them.
The spicy scenes were pretty mild and short, but sweet.
It had plenty of twists and was full of adventure so it didn't feel boring at any point in the story. The ending felt kind of rushed, and sometimes it felt more like an action movie than a romance, but it was still entertaining to read.
If you like 2nd chance romances, forced proximity, and family drama (with a ton of adventure thrown in), then I would recommend this book!
This was one of those books that hooks you in right from the start with a surprise and forced proximity, which always makes for a ton of bickering and chemistry that both main characters try to ignore.
I loved that even with all of their faults, they still managed to somehow understand one another and figure out how their past played into the way they lived their lives in the present. Naveen was perfect, patient and able to communicate a lot better than Mira, which worked great for the two of them.
The spicy scenes were pretty mild and short, but sweet.
It had plenty of twists and was full of adventure so it didn't feel boring at any point in the story. The ending felt kind of rushed, and sometimes it felt more like an action movie than a romance, but it was still entertaining to read.
If you like 2nd chance romances, forced proximity, and family drama (with a ton of adventure thrown in), then I would recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Gun violence
auudrey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Stalking, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
takarakei's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- What a wild ride!
- Second chance romance
- LA/ Vegas
- Plots twists and turns
- Action packed accidental heist plot
- Complicated family dynamics
- Mira has good character growth
- Naveed is a sweetheart
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent
tearexanne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
l really love this fun, wild ride romance novel! The plot made it really easy to get through and the plot twists were surprising. The romance was pretty good as well. It was a second chance romance without a then and now chapters, which I am perfectly okay with and ultimately prefer. But I know some people don't like second romance without it. I do wish their relationship was more romantic, much of their romance was just moments of sexual tension. But there was enough cute moments so I let it slide. There was way more spice then I'm used too, like 5 out of 5 pepper emojis spicy!
I'll definitely be reading more from Alisha Rai in the future.
I'll definitely be reading more from Alisha Rai in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
hazelgirl21's review
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Addiction
caseythereader's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Alcoholism