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lkindle's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
clace_19's review against another edition
4.0
4.35!
"There was never a choice. I don’t give a shit how corny or cliché this sounds, but I knew when I saw her, and I know now more than ever before. I don’t need her to walk down an aisle, wear my ring, or sign her name on a dotted line. she’s my happy. the rest is only important when you need it and everyone should fucking know that.”
A book is bound to be good when its not a victim of the third act break up or miscommunication.
I honestly do not remember what I rated the long game but I don't remember loving it as much as I did because here you get a glimpse of the Elena who wrote 'The Spanish Love' because I read it on a smooth flow like I did the TSLD and I also was able to connect with the characters almost as much as I did with the characters TSLD. I feel like the way everything was written aligned with what Elena wanted to write and that was a thing that I felt missing in her previous two books but SHE IS BACK! I also liked how the tropes complemented each other so well.
The tropes in question:
. Small town
. Slow burn
. Sisters best friend
. Fake dating
Matthew has to be at the top behind Aaron Blackford because he was the perfect embodiment of a shy guy who would kill you if you touched his girl and who also had a dirty mouth. I loved him so much because the way he was the reason for the book being this enjoyable?? I love male leads who are considerate and passionate and actually care, the scene where he tried different nicknames for her to find the perfect one was so funny, he was unnecessarily funny too and I love how he stood up for Josie in front of her dad and Bobby (pr manager). Josie, I am conflicted about her because on one side she makes the books very bright and fun to read but on the other hand her inner monologue gets very annoying and thats the thing with quirky characters who try to be funny.....sometimes they just try too hard but I did like her character, its just that her actions got vexing at times.
The romance was so well done! I think Elena does slow burn such justice and the angst she creates midway with tension and forced proximity is just *chefs kiss* I loved the whole fake dating vibe and the way it progressed. I loved how they both formed a bond so deep that in their darkest moments they held onto each other for support and I loved how refreshing it was to read. The smut wasn't the best but it was hot at times and the pay-off to the slow burn did pay off well. The mouth on that man tho- Armas definitely did not disappoint with the romance part of this book.
The plot was intriguing as well tbh!! I loved the podcast scenes, they were full of juicy drama and bitchy narrators, I loved how the end scene in that room. I also loved how Fake dating played such an important part in this book and it just hit in the right places!! Josie's 4 failed engagement's constantly being brought up gave me the second hand embarrassment tbh lol.
Overall, a very enjoyable read!
__
OMG! OMG! OMGOMGOMG!!! I GOT THE ARC?? I GOT THE FUCKING ARC!! LETS GOOOOO!!
*Thank you to Atria books for giving me an arc of this book*
"There was never a choice. I don’t give a shit how corny or cliché this sounds, but I knew when I saw her, and I know now more than ever before. I don’t need her to walk down an aisle, wear my ring, or sign her name on a dotted line. she’s my happy. the rest is only important when you need it and everyone should fucking know that.”
A book is bound to be good when its not a victim of the third act break up or miscommunication.
I honestly do not remember what I rated the long game but I don't remember loving it as much as I did because here you get a glimpse of the Elena who wrote 'The Spanish Love' because I read it on a smooth flow like I did the TSLD and I also was able to connect with the characters almost as much as I did with the characters TSLD. I feel like the way everything was written aligned with what Elena wanted to write and that was a thing that I felt missing in her previous two books but SHE IS BACK! I also liked how the tropes complemented each other so well.
The tropes in question:
. Small town
. Slow burn
. Sisters best friend
. Fake dating
Matthew has to be at the top behind Aaron Blackford because he was the perfect embodiment of a shy guy who would kill you if you touched his girl and who also had a dirty mouth. I loved him so much because the way he was the reason for the book being this enjoyable?? I love male leads who are considerate and passionate and actually care, the scene where he tried different nicknames for her to find the perfect one was so funny, he was unnecessarily funny too and I love how he stood up for Josie in front of her dad and Bobby (pr manager). Josie, I am conflicted about her because on one side she makes the books very bright and fun to read but on the other hand her inner monologue gets very annoying and thats the thing with quirky characters who try to be funny.....sometimes they just try too hard but I did like her character, its just that her actions got vexing at times.
The romance was so well done! I think Elena does slow burn such justice and the angst she creates midway with tension and forced proximity is just *chefs kiss* I loved the whole fake dating vibe and the way it progressed. I loved how they both formed a bond so deep that in their darkest moments they held onto each other for support and I loved how refreshing it was to read. The smut wasn't the best but it was hot at times and the pay-off to the slow burn did pay off well. The mouth on that man tho- Armas definitely did not disappoint with the romance part of this book.
The plot was intriguing as well tbh!! I loved the podcast scenes, they were full of juicy drama and bitchy narrators, I loved how the end scene in that room. I also loved how Fake dating played such an important part in this book and it just hit in the right places!! Josie's 4 failed engagement's constantly being brought up gave me the second hand embarrassment tbh lol.
Overall, a very enjoyable read!
__
OMG! OMG! OMGOMGOMG!!! I GOT THE ARC?? I GOT THE FUCKING ARC!! LETS GOOOOO!!
*Thank you to Atria books for giving me an arc of this book*
eva95's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kayajade15's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cheypreston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
sopapilla83's review
I was listening to the audiobook so I can't say exactly what page I decided to DNF this one, but my God is everything about this book cringe.
The main character is deeply flawed and the author tried to pass her off as a cute, quirky, aloof and people pleasing woman. She screams red flags all over the place and I found her irritating and selfish every step of the way.
I'm assuming her and the MMC end up in love and together in the end, but her manipulation in the beginning was too much.
I never DNF books bc I have anxiety about it. If I start a book I HAVE to finish it, even if it don't particularly enjoy it. That's how much I disliked this book.
The main character is deeply flawed and the author tried to pass her off as a cute, quirky, aloof and people pleasing woman. She screams red flags all over the place and I found her irritating and selfish every step of the way.
I'm assuming her and the MMC end up in love and together in the end, but her manipulation in the beginning was too much.
I never DNF books bc I have anxiety about it. If I start a book I HAVE to finish it, even if it don't particularly enjoy it. That's how much I disliked this book.
kimbongiorno's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved THE LONG GAME, and this picks up after it ends. So many great characters in that book perfectly flourish in this book.
It’s great for readers who liked that book, plus love stories about:
- Friendship and community
- Finding your people
- Fake engagements and the good they can lead to
- Clarity in relationships past
- Social media and gossip media
Another winner by Armas!
It’s great for readers who liked that book, plus love stories about:
- Friendship and community
- Finding your people
- Fake engagements and the good they can lead to
- Clarity in relationships past
- Social media and gossip media
Another winner by Armas!
lilly_springer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0