eosa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
afro8921's review against another edition
5.0
Lenore Bennet is tired of playing the role of effervescent supportive friend, hidden girlfriend, and undecided college student. Her parents have given her the task of picking a sensible major she can commit too during their short family cruise. Lenore is avoiding her family and experiencing sea sickness when she meets Alex Lee at a teen mixer. Things get off to a rocky start when Alex asks Lenore to reprise her role of unknown girlfriend so his ex-girlfriend will see that he has moved on. Lenore quickly exits stage left only to meet Alex again when their families are seated together at dinner. Their family’s mutual adoration creates the necessary space for a simmering hatred to mellow out into a slow blooming love story.
kiwi_00's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Things I did not like
- The pacing was too fast, for someone who had difficulty revealing her emotions to her friends, Lenore started divulging her secrets to Alex, someone she had known for less than a week? That just didn't make sense.
- FUCK THE PARENTS (Especially the dad) The way they talked about Lenore, AN 18 YEAR OLD being unsure about her career and future was so infuriating. When talking about her/ to her, they made her seem like a delinquent or some horrible person for not knowing what she wanted to do with the rest of her life even though she HAD A 4.2 GPA and had never gotten anything lower than an A-. No wonder she felt so out of place within her own family. As someone who grew up with very similar parents, the fact her parents don't really seem to care about her or her siblings outside of their achievements was so unfortunately relatable and maddening. What kind of parents are you that your kids can't come to you for help because they're worried about how they failed you? And that moment when her dad was making 'jokes' about her and was my least favourite. Again as someone who's experienced that, there's nothing worse than being the butt of a 'joke' and having to laugh along.
Things I did like
- I liked Alex's character.
- I liked the exploration of mental health.
pstrange's review against another edition
4.0
I Loved:
-that this book is in the same universe as ‘Happily Ever Afters,’ that we get to know Lenore better, while getting a glimpse of what’s going on with Sam, Tessa, & Theodore
-the family dynamic
-how Lenore starts out the book as a romantic skeptic, believing the lies that she is unworthy of love, unworthy of being truly cared for, & listened to. Due to her prior experience with boys, she has a very hard time giving & receiving the most basic foundational building blocks that make up a romantic relationship
-the detailed outfit descriptions
-the setting of this book-it made me want to go on a European cruise ASAP
-how Alex & Lenore were emotionally & psychologically intimate as their relationship blossomed. Although they didn’t kiss until page 191, I didn’t feel like it took too long or that it came too soon. The physical build up & tension leading up to their first kiss was just superb!
-the emotional reconciliation of Lenore & Wally
-how this book reinforces the importance of being emotionally & psychologically vulnerable with yourself (first and foremost), your partner, your family, & your friends. There is such a beauty and value in being honest & open with the people you love and care about.
I Would’ve Loved:
-if the book were written in 1st person
-to see Alex’s perspective throughout the book
-no cursing or religious expletives (personal preference)
I didn’t feel that it added anything of quality to the story in any way
-that this book is in the same universe as ‘Happily Ever Afters,’ that we get to know Lenore better, while getting a glimpse of what’s going on with Sam, Tessa, & Theodore
-the family dynamic
-how Lenore starts out the book as a romantic skeptic, believing the lies that she is unworthy of love, unworthy of being truly cared for, & listened to. Due to her prior experience with boys, she has a very hard time giving & receiving the most basic foundational building blocks that make up a romantic relationship
-the detailed outfit descriptions
-the setting of this book-it made me want to go on a European cruise ASAP
-how Alex & Lenore were emotionally & psychologically intimate as their relationship blossomed. Although they didn’t kiss until page 191, I didn’t feel like it took too long or that it came too soon. The physical build up & tension leading up to their first kiss was just superb!
-the emotional reconciliation of Lenore & Wally
-how this book reinforces the importance of being emotionally & psychologically vulnerable with yourself (first and foremost), your partner, your family, & your friends. There is such a beauty and value in being honest & open with the people you love and care about.
I Would’ve Loved:
-if the book were written in 1st person
-to see Alex’s perspective throughout the book
-no cursing or religious expletives (personal preference)
I didn’t feel that it added anything of quality to the story in any way
mdmartin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.0
reina_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.75
aksinia's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
deimaaq'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5