Reviews

The Hookup Dilemma by Constance Gillam

Only show reviews with written explanations

kennyt's review against another edition

5.0

I’m a sucker for fairytales and romance….and this gem is just the cutest to me. I loved how strong-willed Rashida is and that Elliott makes her experience her “soft-girl era”

tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-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? No

2.5

It took so long to finish and was fine but I didn’t love it.

East side West side story, Romeo and Juliet (somewhat) allegory; gentrification of a beloved hood that some one bags yo wants to use to make more money. Except that Elliott’s just trying to be a good son to his ailing father, and the dad just wants to keep his business afloat.
Gillum did a little something to humanize “the villain” but I’ll always side with the original folks of a place.

Rashida’s grandma lives in a neighborhood that Elliott’s dad wants to buy up. They obviously fall in love while dealing with the situation. There's a lot of back and forth with Rashida; guilt, forbidden attraction, “girl get over it and focus on keep your grandma’s house” inner dialogue and maybe that's why it felt like it dragged a little.

While they don’t come to a shiny agreement that benefits everyone (I think, I can’t remember) the couple does mend and grow and eventually (like some months I think) later gets together. The biggest thing that was unbelievable for me about them getting together was that she wrote him off, heartbroken and hated him for a cool minute then just calls him up months later and asks him to move in. And it works?! Boys is down bad I guess. The wedding scene at the very end was her mom and I knew it the whole time. Not sure how I felt about that ship though—didn’t seem like the mom was actually into the Pastor so it felt random.

Decent read.

barnesbritt's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

sillygoosereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I loved the writing, it made me not want to put this down. The romance was very sweet. I wish there was a bit more conversation to accompany to quickly developing feelings because it did feel mostly physical. However that won't stop me from recommending this book to others.