teaskate's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
A pretty cool concept, which I adored. I always wondered about the behind the scenes of a reality show so that book was a interesting read. Also the main couple was cute. I recommend this book if you are looking for a vacation sweet lighthearted romance read. Thank you :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
redphonebooth3's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.25
This includes all my favourite tropes: secret realtionship, enemies to lovers, shitty men getting what they deserve, sapphic happiness. And mix in a reality tv dating show (and the Taylor swift title of course) and I just had a great time reading this.
I was scared this would be too long when I first saw the page count, but I feel like the pacing was done really well and made sure every plot point and character got enough time to be present. I think the only thing I would have liked more was perhaps some more tension between the two women. Their first romantic moment together felt quite abrupt for my liking but I do see how it fits within the plot. Still I like to learn for my couples lmao. Once their story together got started though I was all in.
A fun read for anyone who thinks The Bachelor should just be gayer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
gellyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I kinda feel petty not giving this 5 stars because even though I didn’t like the conflicts in the relationship, I thought they were valid and resolved beautifully. The middle just dragged a bit? I also didn’t really enjoy Although I also really enjoyed that both of these girls were out and comfortable with their sexualities from day 1! We love to see it! This was super cute!
Spoiler
the whole college subplot for Maya and then it being unresolved or that we didn’t get a chance for Skye to have like a moment to Jordy or ~something~ to help her go through her abandonment issues. That resolved itself way too quickly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Misogyny, and Infidelity
liesthemoontells's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A formulaic but competently written queer romance novel.
The initial intrigue of the book's reality show premise was not sustained by the plot, which became pretty repetitive and dulled the interesting edges off what could have been a far more compelling look at the romance TV industry. However I found the romance between the main characters engaging enough that I read the book to the end.
The characters also seemed a little aged down for the scenario they found themselves in, which to me sat uncomfortably between YA and adult-romance fiction.
The initial intrigue of the book's reality show premise was not sustained by the plot, which became pretty repetitive and dulled the interesting edges off what could have been a far more compelling look at the romance TV industry. However I found the romance between the main characters engaging enough that I read the book to the end.
The characters also seemed a little aged down for the scenario they found themselves in, which to me sat uncomfortably between YA and adult-romance fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexism
caelysium's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Bullying
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
pey333's review
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Sexual content
cardanrry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
mckiheather's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Cute romance story with a bonus of getting revenge on those who have wronged them. Behind the romance plot it really just focuses on women supporting and believing each other when no one else does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment
nenaveenstra's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
The romance in this book is quite slow, and not in the yearning-way: more in the, like, how-the-hell-are-these-two-falling-in-love kind of way, but it pays off. Maya and Skye go from haters to friends/co-conspirators to lovers and it's absolutely believable, given the ridiculous circumstances they've found themselves in. I was honestly rooting for them.
The main selling point for this book in my opinion, however, is the setting and the humour. This TV-concept is outrageous and this book is highly aware of that, making fun of reality TV and 'nice guys' along the way. I loved the girls in this book, I adored Isaac, and I loved to hate Jordy. I also highly appreciated the (un)intentional Taylor Swift-references (champagne problems, wildest dreams, maroon).
All in all this was exactly the kind of book I needed to get myself through a rough patch. Pick this up if you're in the mood for a funny story about queer girls and stupid boys, but not if you're looking for yearning and/or explicit scenes. The only sex you get in this book is a fade-to-black scene of Maya and Skye, as is appropriate for a YA romance.
The main selling point for this book in my opinion, however, is the setting and the humour. This TV-concept is outrageous and this book is highly aware of that, making fun of reality TV and 'nice guys' along the way. I loved the girls in this book, I adored Isaac, and I loved to hate Jordy. I also highly appreciated the (un)intentional Taylor Swift-references (champagne problems, wildest dreams, maroon).
All in all this was exactly the kind of book I needed to get myself through a rough patch. Pick this up if you're in the mood for a funny story about queer girls and stupid boys, but not if you're looking for yearning and/or explicit scenes. The only sex you get in this book is a fade-to-black scene of Maya and Skye, as is appropriate for a YA romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Car accident