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witcheep's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a hesitant 3 stars (I waa initially thinking 2.5); the book is about cheating as a grounds for a relationship, and even when the characters themselves frown upon the issue heavily, I think the cheating – when found out – should have been worked on more. The main characters are young, though, so you shouldn't expect too much emotional maturity from them. They are both still finding their place in the world and figuring things out, which gives them a little slack.
Both the main characters are flawed and doing things for the wrong reasons. The plot revolves around breaking up a relationship / cheating as a revenge, but that revenge plot turns into unexpected real feelings. The main characters Cooper and Mackenzie are not good people, even though they seem to make each other better by encouragement and emotional support when they are together.
Both the main characters have a tendency to avoid the hardest conversations and facing the truth, though, which creates the basis for the ultimate tension andthird act breakup . I wish the issue was resolved with more groveling, self-improvement, and a longer heart-to-heart conversation, especially as the morality of cheating and lying has been a constant subject in the story.
I also wish the book continued a little further into the timeline and showed if they really could make their relationship work in the long run – if they can look past the revenge chesting plot. Now it feels like the characters are still looking at each other with rosy shades of lusty infatuation, and the real world might still be too much for them to stay together. Yet maybe that is what they deserve: a good-ish relationship on shitty grounds, or yet another breakup to break their hearts.
Both the main characters are flawed and doing things for the wrong reasons. The plot revolves around breaking up a relationship / cheating as a revenge, but that revenge plot turns into unexpected real feelings. The main characters Cooper and Mackenzie are not good people, even though they seem to make each other better by encouragement and emotional support when they are together.
Both the main characters have a tendency to avoid the hardest conversations and facing the truth, though, which creates the basis for the ultimate tension and
I also wish the book continued a little further into the timeline and showed if they really could make their relationship work in the long run – if they can look past the revenge chesting plot. Now it feels like the characters are still looking at each other with rosy shades of lusty infatuation, and the real world might still be too much for them to stay together. Yet maybe that is what they deserve: a good-ish relationship on shitty grounds, or yet another breakup to break their hearts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
caitlinspeachyreads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Simply put it was awkward….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Elle Kennedy has done it again! The only thing I didn’t like was that there was no hockey in it. Lol Mac & Cooper are the perfect example of opposites attract, and the passion they have for eachother even when they are fighting is inspiring! I want passion like that!! And though it may have started out as a revenge plot, Mac is much better off without Preston. He is such a dick! I feel bad for his future wife! Lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
daisy1_f's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
So fun and sexy. Love the couple’s dynamic. Really liked how him being a trade worker was portrayed as such a positive thing! And that it’s okay to drop out of college and do what’s right for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual assault
autumncourthighlady's review against another edition
Between the sexism, our main hero not understanding 'im not interested' and his general dislike of a puppy. Let's just say this book isn't for me 😬 absolute rubbish. Humiliated I brought this in public
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment
sami_leigh's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
2.75
I had high hopes for this book, which were swiftly thrown off of a cliff with the first utterance of a cheating trope. While the unfolding backstory and subsequent character development of Cooper and his brother Evan were well thought out, these characters were left to carry the entire book solo. Mac showed some personal growth in her decisions to forge her own path, though her gullibility becomes a running joke, along with the joke that is made of her when the revenge plot blows up. I could’ve gotten on side with this story if Cooper hadn’t known who Mac was when they met - perhaps finding out later and keeping it from her - but this revenge plot goes beyond toxic. I had hoped the supporting characters - Coop’s ‘gang’ - would redeem themselves after actively encouraging a plot to break down the character of a women they’ve never met all because her boyfriend is a certifiable asshole. Grow up. They lacked depth, however, and Mac doesn’t develop a support system beyond her dorm mate - who isn’t much help -meaning once the third Act comes this character is still alone, without anyone to help her pick up the pieces. So instead of going and picking them up herself, she runs to the people who actually sparked the whole revenge plot and convinced Cooper to continue with it…I am utterly lost.
The ending left much to be desired. Ultimately, people didn’t own their behaviour and work to become better, and while Mac wasn’t all that likeable as a character, after what she has persevered through in her life she deserved a better support system by the end.
I would consider reading the sequel if only to see the real love story play out; that between Evan and Daisy, their dog.
Tropes: Cheating, opposites attract, good-girl bad-boy.
Some good banter.
Some diversity rep.
🌶🌶
The ending left much to be desired. Ultimately, people didn’t own their behaviour and work to become better, and while Mac wasn’t all that likeable as a character, after what she has persevered through in her life she deserved a better support system by the end.
I would consider reading the sequel if only to see the real love story play out; that between Evan and Daisy, their dog.
Tropes: Cheating, opposites attract, good-girl bad-boy.
Some good banter.
Some diversity rep.
🌶🌶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Blood
xriekex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.0
Nothing too exciting, really. Fulfilled most beach read tropes. Did not like most main characters at first, warmed up to them a bit but we're not my favourites
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
culzean's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Stalking and Car accident
paxyshia's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i’ve rounded up, like a 3.5! i liked it fine though i could’ve done without the whole infidelity thing. i know it’s just fiction and sometimes it can be saucy or whatever but it still sucks to read most of the time. i don’t think it’s okay to cheat if your s/o has already cheated on you or because you think you’ll end up with the love of you life from it.
preston was painted as an awful character so you don’t feel bad about it but the truths still there and reading how mackenzie is completely aware of what she’s doing doesn’t make it better. mackenzie as a whole character was likable to an extent. great that she worked hard and had her own business but seems unbelievable by 18. she was still just some rich person. cooper was likable for about 5 minutes somewhere in the middle towards the end. i liked that he was supportive of mackenzie being on her own and whatever but his temper and attitude just didn’t do for me.
cooper also seems like he still has so much to work through and it feels like he’s just healed with the power of love. i think he could’ve had a better arc. the side characters weren’t all that likable and just seemed like they were all better than anyone who wasn’t local which i gey but it aet such a pessimistic tone for the book and was sort of a downer.
overall i think that there was some promise here. i enjoyed it enough but wouldn’t be something i’d return to again.
preston was painted as an awful character so you don’t feel bad about it but the truths still there and reading how mackenzie is completely aware of what she’s doing doesn’t make it better. mackenzie as a whole character was likable to an extent. great that she worked hard and had her own business but seems unbelievable by 18. she was still just some rich person. cooper was likable for about 5 minutes somewhere in the middle towards the end. i liked that he was supportive of mackenzie being on her own and whatever but his temper and attitude just didn’t do for me.
cooper also seems like he still has so much to work through and it feels like he’s just healed with the power of love. i think he could’ve had a better arc. the side characters weren’t all that likable and just seemed like they were all better than anyone who wasn’t local which i gey but it aet such a pessimistic tone for the book and was sort of a downer.
overall i think that there was some promise here. i enjoyed it enough but wouldn’t be something i’d return to again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexism
Minor: Drug abuse, Misogyny, and Death of parent