leafrisdahl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? N/A
4.0
imtzlr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
sararm's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I've become addicted to listening to McFarlane's books at the gym/on walks, and I can safely say I like her more recent ones the most.
What I will say about this book is that it starts when both characters having a long way yet to finding each other, so the character development crawlssss forward in a way that makes sense given how much it had to achieve, though I feel weird about a couple-to-be not actually fancying each other until the very end.
This book is so problematic, its language around the female body is horrifying, fatness is described horribly, Italy is romanticised and exoticised in a way that is plain funny (pasty Italians exist btw, signed by me, a pasty Italian).
Though bullying is condemned, everyone fundamentally agrees that to be happy you have to be pretty and to be pretty you have to be skinny. The male MC not only bullied the female MC but has never once spared a thought for the humiliation he performed at 16 (sure, 16 is young, but I promise you've developed a conscience) AND, when faced with the reveal that female MC (at this point just a friend) was the person he bullied he says: wow ok not my fault you were a freak.
Everyone in this book deserved better and I deserved better too.
What I will say about this book is that it starts when both characters having a long way yet to finding each other, so the character development crawlssss forward in a way that makes sense given how much it had to achieve, though I feel weird about a couple-to-be not actually fancying each other until the very end.
This book is so problematic, its language around the female body is horrifying, fatness is described horribly, Italy is romanticised and exoticised in a way that is plain funny (pasty Italians exist btw, signed by me, a pasty Italian).
Though bullying is condemned, everyone fundamentally agrees that to be happy you have to be pretty and to be pretty you have to be skinny. The male MC not only bullied the female MC but has never once spared a thought for the humiliation he performed at 16 (sure, 16 is young, but I promise you've developed a conscience) AND, when faced with the reveal that female MC (at this point just a friend) was the person he bullied he says: wow ok not my fault you were a freak.
Everyone in this book deserved better and I deserved better too.
cityofstarlight_library's review
4.0
When I saw that Mhairi McFarlane had released another book, I didn't even bother reading the description, I knew it would be as cute and fun as her first book, You Had Me At Hello (which I adore!)
I was very happy that this book was just as good - although I do prefer the other book - it was very enjoyable.
Let me first off say that Anna is a fantastic protagonist to read about, her thoughts and her personality is so much fun and very relatable. I love reading characters that you can relate many problems in life and personality traits to.
Her need to find a partner and using the deep dark hole that is internet dating - and failing very badly at it - was hilarious. That poor girl. I'd never even go there with using Match.Com. Ever.
Neil
so gross. I'm glad she wasn't desperate enough to give him another chance. Puh-lease.
And in comes James Fraser. The arsehole guy from school who bullied her because of her weight. Ugh the idea of bumping into people at my old school who I hated and acted like the lords of the world... *shudders* they'd still probably talk to me like I'm a pile of dog shite. She handled being around him very well, especially after that sweet escapade that is Mock Rock.
I can't relate to being over-weight and having weight issues but her inner thoughts made me sad. Especially what happened after at that event, it was horrible what she went through. Atleast James felt very guilty about it (even crying!)
But he won me over. I ended up loving him. He felt immensely bad for what he did, she didn't tell him who she was at first so that was good that he actually got to know her before the bomb was dropped.
Eva. Ugh this bitch. She needs to back the fuck up. Why James took her back, I don't know, but I guess that's love. The ending made me very giddy though!
I adored her best friends and her sister, Aggy. Even though Aggy was a bit too much at times with her wedding organisation, I knew it would work out and the end result made me so happy!, such a beautiful wedding!
Overall, this story is cute, quirky, emotional at times but down right funny. I love that the setting is London and seeing all the things that us Brits would pick up on. Seeing as I'm living abroad at the moment, it made me miss being back in England and having little things pop up and reminded me of home, and made me a tad homesick.
Anyway, Mhairi McFarlane is a must-read author and I really think people should give her books a read. Girls, you'll love these stories, and they're not expensive on Amazon either. You won't regret it! :)
Four stars
I was very happy that this book was just as good - although I do prefer the other book - it was very enjoyable.
Let me first off say that Anna is a fantastic protagonist to read about, her thoughts and her personality is so much fun and very relatable. I love reading characters that you can relate many problems in life and personality traits to.
Her need to find a partner and using the deep dark hole that is internet dating - and failing very badly at it - was hilarious. That poor girl. I'd never even go there with using Match.Com. Ever.
Neil
so gross. I'm glad she wasn't desperate enough to give him another chance. Puh-lease.
And in comes James Fraser. The arsehole guy from school who bullied her because of her weight. Ugh the idea of bumping into people at my old school who I hated and acted like the lords of the world... *shudders* they'd still probably talk to me like I'm a pile of dog shite. She handled being around him very well, especially after that sweet escapade that is Mock Rock.
I can't relate to being over-weight and having weight issues but her inner thoughts made me sad. Especially what happened after at that event, it was horrible what she went through. Atleast James felt very guilty about it (even crying!)
But he won me over. I ended up loving him. He felt immensely bad for what he did, she didn't tell him who she was at first so that was good that he actually got to know her before the bomb was dropped.
Eva. Ugh this bitch. She needs to back the fuck up. Why James took her back, I don't know, but I guess that's love. The ending made me very giddy though!
I adored her best friends and her sister, Aggy. Even though Aggy was a bit too much at times with her wedding organisation, I knew it would work out and the end result made me so happy!, such a beautiful wedding!
Overall, this story is cute, quirky, emotional at times but down right funny. I love that the setting is London and seeing all the things that us Brits would pick up on. Seeing as I'm living abroad at the moment, it made me miss being back in England and having little things pop up and reminded me of home, and made me a tad homesick.
Anyway, Mhairi McFarlane is a must-read author and I really think people should give her books a read. Girls, you'll love these stories, and they're not expensive on Amazon either. You won't regret it! :)
Four stars
lovetlr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
Moderate: Suicide
nicolenovs's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nharris77's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enemies to Lovers
James and Anna’s relationship dynamic and banter was so funny, this had me laughing out loud multiple times.
This was a gorgeous, sweet, romantic gem of a book and I loved every minute of it
James and Anna’s relationship dynamic and banter was so funny, this had me laughing out loud multiple times.
This was a gorgeous, sweet, romantic gem of a book and I loved every minute of it
eslismyjam's review against another edition
3.0
I like McFarlane’a books. They are a pleasure to read but they definitely read slow. This is marketed as a rom-com and I guess it is, but it’s mild for a romance. There isn’t much actual romance in it. It’s all about the process of getting to the actual romance. I guess it’s more like what you would expect from a rom-com
Movie in that respect. I do find the prose fun of a little dense and hard to understand (e.g. so much British slang and many obscure references to people and things when giving descriptions about setting, clothing and people.) I rather like the detective work aspect of reading McFarlane and trying to figure out what something actually looks like from her descriptions. I often have to look things up.
As for plot, this book deals a lot with bullying and self-esteem and personal acceptance. I liked that aspect. Although in the middle of the conflict where it is finally revealed to James who Anna actually is I told the author had painted herself into a corner with no way to get the hero out again and be redeemed. Anyone who experienced a lot of severe bullying might find the whole thing hard to swallow. I do think that James’ character arc felt authentic and I was able to root for them as a couple by the end.
Movie in that respect. I do find the prose fun of a little dense and hard to understand (e.g. so much British slang and many obscure references to people and things when giving descriptions about setting, clothing and people.) I rather like the detective work aspect of reading McFarlane and trying to figure out what something actually looks like from her descriptions. I often have to look things up.
As for plot, this book deals a lot with bullying and self-esteem and personal acceptance. I liked that aspect. Although in the middle of the conflict where it is finally revealed to James who Anna actually is I told the author had painted herself into a corner with no way to get the hero out again and be redeemed. Anyone who experienced a lot of severe bullying might find the whole thing hard to swallow. I do think that James’ character arc felt authentic and I was able to root for them as a couple by the end.
allybaba's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25