Scan barcode
shaesensual's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
This quote really describes my change of heart about the final 15% of this book because this felt like something the main character had already discovered before reaching this point in the story.
Light spoilers ahead, but I've got a lot to rant about. So much time is spent building a foundation of trust, support, and honesty between these characters only for that to be thrown away in an instant. Not only do things blow up again, Taylor then takes the unnecessary step of insulting all of Conor's deepest insecurities. Taylor struggles with her self image due to her weight, which I wish took up less of this book because she's a more dynamic character than that, but when Conor has his own turmoil, he doesn't start calling her fat and saying nobody could possibly want to be with her. Taylor, on the other hand, says things to Conor that I might consider unforgivable even taking into consideration the circumstances. Her actions were just to harm him and it felt like taking 1,000 steps backwards in their growth as a couple. And he somehow manages to immediately forgive her and even says she was right. Additionally, there is a lot of gratitude for Conor's reaction in this final section of the book as if its so remarkable, but I can't honestly imagine an adult who would have reacted any differently. This book would have received a 4.25/4.5 rating from me without this major shift towards the end or bad just ended after the gala conflict.
Really wish this had a stronger ending overall as this was the weakest book in the series.
The positives: the fake relationship into real was really great. I loved all the "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" comments when they were still both unsure. I thought their flirting dynamic and conversations together were fun and cute. Overall a really fun couple to read about.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Misogyny, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Dysphoria
skyhazzard's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I really enjoyed how Conor and Taylor just liked spending time together. Their fake dating really didn’t last that long because it developed into something real and they both decided to just take a chance on it. Conor was just in it from that first night they spent talking to each other. He never once (excluding when he got dumped and drunk, which yes slight disappointment in him but he was really so far gone he barely remembered what had happened during that 12 hour missing period) thought about seeing anyone else just wanted to keep hanging out with her. And I love how comfortable Taylor was with him, she gained some more confidence hanging out with him and his friends.
Omg his friends were ride or die for her. They wanted to come on her makeover montage and all had thoughts about what new looks she should try. And they were ready to fight for her when the time came, I was just like these boys. Oh and Coach Jensen dating Taylor’s mom lol! That provided some good moments.
I am sad we never got to witness the pig mascot…
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death of parent, and Alcohol
britwalsh16's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
caitlinemccann's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What threw me with The Deal was the heroine, Taylor's, very clear disordered eating habits that were never addressed. Please be mindful of that if you decide to read this book. I debated rating this book lower than a three because of it but ultimately rounded up because there were still enjoyable components elsewhere in the novel. However, I think this is potentially the weakest of the Briar U series.
So easy to read but kind of a meh 3-star rating.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Misogyny, Vomit, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
clareasday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
ecravens's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
culzean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
samantha_121234's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder
bookworm_maddie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
lilypilly's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
She's my future now, and I'm hers
Nah I actually loved Conor though, why is he one of my favourites and I didn't even know who he was until Hunter's story? He was such a cutie and bless his heart. I could relate the most to Taylor's body issues compared to any of the other issues covered in this series. It was almost like Elle Kennedy wrote a book about me. Again, I'm missing that fall head over heels in love with someone, like I know they love each other, but it's missing that all-absorbing love.
This was a good book, feeling unfished though for the last book in Briar U.
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol