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amyvl93's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
2.5
The Hating Game meets Hallmark Christmas movies.
I've never read any of O'Leary's books before but this arrived in a book subscription service and is set around the festive period so felt like a good one to read.
The novel follows Izzy, who is sparkly & cute & quirky but still grappling with what her life looks now that her friends have moved further away and Lucas who is (inexplicably) Brazilian, muscly and grumpy. They both work at a crumbling hotel in the New Forest as receptionists, and have always had a spikey relationship which was exacerbated a year ago when Izzy confessed her attraction to him in a Christmas card only to find him kissing her ex-housemate. This year, the crumbling hotel is facing financial ruin, forcing Izzy and Lucas to work together to save the place they both love.
We follow the story in dual perspectives between Izzy and Lucas which means we learn pretty quickly into the novel that they are in fact not enemies to lovers, but two people who both fancy the pants of each other but despite being grown adults working in a communication-based industry are horrendously unable to communicate. Whilst at first this was fine, the commitment to the miscommunication throughout the novel just became increasingly grating. I didn't get the giddy feeling I have gotten before when romance protagonists are flirting because I just wanted to bash their silly heads together.
What did make this novel fun was both the setting and the secondary characters. O'Leary injects fun into the whole cast of other characters in the novel, from the hotel's owners, the other staff, the guests staying and others Izzy and Lucas meet along the way. The only characterisation which is a little obvious is the antagonist, who you knew was trouble from the first time he appeared on page. As someone who spent a lot of time on holiday as a child in the New Forest, I also appreciated the glimpses of the hotel and its surrounds on the page too.
A cute read, but one that would maybe be best as a popcorn Netflix film, rather than sinking too much time into reading.
I've never read any of O'Leary's books before but this arrived in a book subscription service and is set around the festive period so felt like a good one to read.
The novel follows Izzy, who is sparkly & cute & quirky but still grappling with what her life looks now that her friends have moved further away and Lucas who is (inexplicably) Brazilian, muscly and grumpy. They both work at a crumbling hotel in the New Forest as receptionists, and have always had a spikey relationship which was exacerbated a year ago when Izzy confessed her attraction to him in a Christmas card only to find him kissing her ex-housemate. This year, the crumbling hotel is facing financial ruin, forcing Izzy and Lucas to work together to save the place they both love.
We follow the story in dual perspectives between Izzy and Lucas which means we learn pretty quickly into the novel that they are in fact not enemies to lovers, but two people who both fancy the pants of each other but despite being grown adults working in a communication-based industry are horrendously unable to communicate. Whilst at first this was fine, the commitment to the miscommunication throughout the novel just became increasingly grating. I didn't get the giddy feeling I have gotten before when romance protagonists are flirting because I just wanted to bash their silly heads together.
What did make this novel fun was both the setting and the secondary characters. O'Leary injects fun into the whole cast of other characters in the novel, from the hotel's owners, the other staff, the guests staying and others Izzy and Lucas meet along the way. The only characterisation which is a little obvious is the antagonist, who you knew was trouble from the first time he appeared on page. As someone who spent a lot of time on holiday as a child in the New Forest, I also appreciated the glimpses of the hotel and its surrounds on the page too.
A cute read, but one that would maybe be best as a popcorn Netflix film, rather than sinking too much time into reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol, Pandemic/Epidemic, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Classism, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
kb_sherman'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Cursing, and Alcohol
livruther's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
beth o’leary is such a unique and beautiful writer. i really fell in love with the characters and setting in this, and the miscommunication felt very realistuc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
sydapel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love the premise of workplace enemies to lovers, but nothing ever lives up to the emotional high of The Hating Game (for me personally). Izzy and Lucas are very sweet together, and I liked how the development of their relationship felt a little awkward but also believable. Nonexistent on spice factor, but it was a good Christmas read all the same!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
jenicatreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
shutupiamreading's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
markedwithanm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
nina_readsbooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief