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allygator's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
This was a super fun romcom up until the last 50 pages or so. Hazel is super quirky, which definitely makes her a character who is not for everyone, but I liked her chaotic energy, especially when paired with Josh's more structured life. I loved Josh's determination to do what is best for everyone around him, and Hazel's reminders to act for himself sometimes. The side characters were interesting.
As always, Cristina Lauren delivers on the romance elements. The sex scenes are great (for the most part, but we'll touch on that in a second) and Josh and Hazel's chemistry is palpable.
However, there is a glaring issue I have with this book. There is only one romance trope I truly hate, and that is accidental pregnancy. And what does this book have? Accidental. Fucking. Pregnancy. Josh and Hazel have unprotected sex once, which I wasn't thrilled by, but I put it off because there were no mentions of it later. And then Hazel gets a "stomach bug". And then she realizes she hasn't had her period in two months. And then she realizes she's pregnant. And then Josh comes over and they sleep together and they say they're going to talk about maybe starting a real relationship. And then he finds her ultrasound. And then he decides he'll stay with her. And then the epilogue is about her and Josh and their kids.
Seriously? He doesn't even agree to date her until after he realizes he knocked her up. And this is supposed to be a romantic decision? It's not. It's an obligation and I hate it. If you like the trope, you'll probably like this book. But otherwise, I'd pick up literally anything else by Christina Lauren.
As always, Cristina Lauren delivers on the romance elements. The sex scenes are great (for the most part, but we'll touch on that in a second) and Josh and Hazel's chemistry is palpable.
However, there is a glaring issue I have with this book. There is only one romance trope I truly hate, and that is accidental pregnancy. And what does this book have? Accidental. Fucking. Pregnancy. Josh and Hazel have unprotected sex once, which I wasn't thrilled by, but I put it off because there were no mentions of it later. And then Hazel gets a "stomach bug". And then she realizes she hasn't had her period in two months. And then she realizes she's pregnant. And then Josh comes over and they sleep together and they say they're going to talk about maybe starting a real relationship. And then he finds her ultrasound. And then he decides he'll stay with her. And then the epilogue is about her and Josh and their kids.
Seriously? He doesn't even agree to date her until after he realizes he knocked her up. And this is supposed to be a romantic decision? It's not. It's an obligation and I hate it. If you like the trope, you'll probably like this book. But otherwise, I'd pick up literally anything else by Christina Lauren.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Pregnancy