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toastyghosty13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a lot better than I expected it to be since I am usually not a fan of anything contemporary or anything where the main genre is romance (unless it is scifi/fantasy). I really liked Olive as a main character and Adam was funny with how quiet and awkward he is. The only thing I knew about Ali Hazelwood before reading this was that a lot of her work is alternate universe fan fiction of Rey and Kylo Ren. I probably would not have noticed that on my own but it makes a lot of sense.
I really enjoyed this book and binged it pretty fast. I was left wanting more and immediately moved to another book of hers after and binged that too. I will definitely be reading more of her works in the future! I like that it is something I can relate to, being in a STEM field myself, which gave it the element that I need to maintain interest in more contemporary things (something that gives the characters a factor that is more than just normal ass people doing stuff, like how Icebreakers is all hockey players or Heist Society is professional art thieves).
I am planning on reading more of these books whenever I have that romance itch :)
I really enjoyed this book and binged it pretty fast. I was left wanting more and immediately moved to another book of hers after and binged that too. I will definitely be reading more of her works in the future! I like that it is something I can relate to, being in a STEM field myself, which gave it the element that I need to maintain interest in more contemporary things (something that gives the characters a factor that is more than just normal ass people doing stuff, like how Icebreakers is all hockey players or Heist Society is professional art thieves).
I am planning on reading more of these books whenever I have that romance itch :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gaslighting
noellegrace8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a good read! The characters have a black-cat-golden-retriever thing going on. This book depicts some issues I wouldn't otherwise be informed about - academia politics in the science profession. I liked watching it play out, and I loved getting to know Olive's background along the way. Her project is interesting. I also liked Adam's emo-ness, as well as the two side-characters Malcolm and Holden. And the demi/sapio representation with Olive!
This being said, there wasn't a terribly detailed plot line; it's mostly just a PhD student trying to get through her program while also navigating her past experiences as well as her current relationships. Additionally, there were many times I wondered why Olive didn't just say no to some things Ahn asked of her during the fake dating, especially because Olive didn't seem the type of person to be pushed around. I also found a few too many similarities between this book and the only other Ali Hazelwood book I've read: Love, Theoretically. I got a little tired of hearing about how the female lead couldn't read anything on the male lead's face, some of the cheesy dialogue or circumstances, about the tallness, washboard abs, and dimples of the dudes, and the best female friend who is kind of loud/obnoxious and pretty much only present to further the lead's story. I also would liked to have seen some more communication between the main couple before they moved along with their relationship, because there was a lot of lying involved initially. And, as just a nit-picky thing, I hate that some of the characters say "Ol." To me, it just doesn't sound like an organic nickname and is too phonetically similar (when you're listening to an audiobook) to Ahn's name.
I love a book that can make me cry, and the aftermath of the incident with Tom did just that. It is worth noting that what happened with him in the book could be a trigger for some people. It was jarring, although well-written.
Finally, while I've heard this began as a Reylo fanfic, I really don't see much of a connection to their story. Olive in particular is nothing like Rey. Adam is merely an indistinct shadow of Kylo. And to be honest, Adam just doesn't have much character at all.
I give Callie Dalton 4/5 ⭐ . She very much has a Valley Girl voice, which is a sensory frustration for me. She can sometimes be a tad overdramatic in her reading efforts, but also, her male voices are quite good.
This being said, there wasn't a terribly detailed plot line; it's mostly just a PhD student trying to get through her program while also navigating her past experiences as well as her current relationships. Additionally, there were many times I wondered why Olive didn't just say no to some things Ahn asked of her during the fake dating, especially because Olive didn't seem the type of person to be pushed around. I also found a few too many similarities between this book and the only other Ali Hazelwood book I've read: Love, Theoretically. I got a little tired of hearing about how the female lead couldn't read anything on the male lead's face, some of the cheesy dialogue or circumstances, about the tallness, washboard abs, and dimples of the dudes, and the best female friend who is kind of loud/obnoxious and pretty much only present to further the lead's story. I also would liked to have seen some more communication between the main couple before they moved along with their relationship, because there was a lot of lying involved initially. And, as just a nit-picky thing, I hate that some of the characters say "Ol." To me, it just doesn't sound like an organic nickname and is too phonetically similar (when you're listening to an audiobook) to Ahn's name.
I love a book that can make me cry, and the aftermath of the incident with Tom did just that. It is worth noting that what happened with him in the book could be a trigger for some people. It was jarring, although well-written.
Finally, while I've heard this began as a Reylo fanfic, I really don't see much of a connection to their story. Olive in particular is nothing like Rey. Adam is merely an indistinct shadow of Kylo. And to be honest, Adam just doesn't have much character at all.
I give Callie Dalton 4/5 ⭐ . She very much has a Valley Girl voice, which is a sensory frustration for me. She can sometimes be a tad overdramatic in her reading efforts, but also, her male voices are quite good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
lkristin2018's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
3.5
This is a sweet, new adult book about a grad student and a professor (not her professor) that decide to fake date because it will be mutually beneficial. Of course, it morphes into something real, but there are many misunderstandings along the way. Both of the main characters grow and change throughout the story, and the main female character deals with a great deal of institutional misogyny. There is an engaging LGBTQ best friend, as well as a close friend of Asian descent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
jenniferbowman's review against another edition
funny
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
morgankailackerman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
sharkfan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-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
3.0
I don’t particularly enjoy romances where the girl lacks self confidence and the guy is an ass and they end up together. It teaches unhealthy relationship ideals.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, and Gaslighting
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Death of parent
slowburnsrus's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fatphobia
gemloukay's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In an effort to convince her best friend that she’s over a guy she was seeing, student Olive kisses moody and unapproachable professor Adam Carlson. Only she didn’t realise the random guy that she grabbed on the corridor was Adam and now she’s fake dating him. Or is she? Adam seems all too happy to go along with it too, for some reason.
As always with Ali Hazelwood, it’s a lovely STEM romance with a bit of spice. I loved that he was as unsure as she was and that the science is always accurate enough not to annoy me as a fellow biologist!
As always with Ali Hazelwood, it’s a lovely STEM romance with a bit of spice. I loved that he was as unsure as she was and that the science is always accurate enough not to annoy me as a fellow biologist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
corrieroe's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol