jmontg18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
blankx's review
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
3.25
I liked the story very much! 😊Better than Dare to Love if I may say so
rickosborne's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
This was absolutely delightful. I appreciated the handling of both FMCs. Megan had big golden retriever energy, while Lena's anxiety and OCD were handled well.
Rep: FMC of Indian descent with anxiety attacks and OCD
Sex:
Tags: #DualPOV #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #ForcedProximity #GoldenRetrieverMC #ImperfectSex #Neurodiverse #NuisanceEx #StructureMeetsWhimsy #ThirdPersonPOV
Rep: FMC of Indian descent with anxiety attacks and OCD
Sex:
Spoiler
two R-rated scenes, one delightfully imperfectTags: #DualPOV #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #ForcedProximity #GoldenRetrieverMC #ImperfectSex #Neurodiverse #NuisanceEx #StructureMeetsWhimsy #ThirdPersonPOV
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
qraveline's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
wickedregal's review
3.0
So... I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it. At first I honestly was sitting there thinking "what am I exactly reading?", because nothing really happened for the first 50% of the book. I kept waiting, thinking "Okay this is when the chemistry starts, right?" **crickets** okaaay... Just, nothing was happening. It simply seemed to be a day in the life of these two random people, and while that is okay to an extent... an entire half of a book of nothing? I get it. Lena has OCD, she's been hurt by her ex which has made her a bit bitchy. Understandable. Megan, a clumsy sweet girl, also hurt by her ex, and is a bit taken back by Lena's bitchiness. Great okay we got this... no? So we're just going to repeat different things to point out the OCD and then the clumsy. **taps foot** Is anything going to happen? **sighs**
So I was beginning to give up completely on this book, but at the same time, something kept me wanting to read more in hopes of finding it. Even when a situation made them have to live together for a bit I thought okay here we go yes... and frustratingly, no. At first... but then it finally picked up and it happened about half way through the book. Christmas day with Megan's family. I'm like okay so that's a step in the right direction. Sweet, here we... go... and no. UGH! Frustration abounds. But at least we have at this point something to yell at, like one does at the tv when you're just like "OMG!! They like you, you like them, just..." **tires to smoosh them together** Everytime you think they're getting there... Lena's doubts and inner turmoil rears its ugly head and she retreats. But if you understand or have been in Lena's place, you get it and by this point you're fighting for her to fight for herself and her happiness. Well that or you just want to slap her.
Basically bottom line of my review. First part, I didn't care for, not enough things to keep me loving it. But I enjoyed the last part of the book. More emotion, more work with relations, just more everything. Which is why my review is split down the middle and given a solid 3. The book isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst. I enjoyed it enough by the end and did end up liking both Lena and Megan.
So I was beginning to give up completely on this book, but at the same time, something kept me wanting to read more in hopes of finding it. Even when a situation made them have to live together for a bit I thought okay here we go yes... and frustratingly, no. At first... but then it finally picked up and it happened about half way through the book. Christmas day with Megan's family. I'm like okay so that's a step in the right direction. Sweet, here we... go... and no. UGH! Frustration abounds. But at least we have at this point something to yell at, like one does at the tv when you're just like "OMG!! They like you, you like them, just..." **tires to smoosh them together** Everytime you think they're getting there... Lena's doubts and inner turmoil rears its ugly head and she retreats. But if you understand or have been in Lena's place, you get it and by this point you're fighting for her to fight for herself and her happiness. Well that or you just want to slap her.
Basically bottom line of my review. First part, I didn't care for, not enough things to keep me loving it. But I enjoyed the last part of the book. More emotion, more work with relations, just more everything. Which is why my review is split down the middle and given a solid 3. The book isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst. I enjoyed it enough by the end and did end up liking both Lena and Megan.
elvang's review
3.0
I appreciated how the author showed the impact cultural differences can have on a character’s personality. We know Lena suffers from OCD and wow, that is well spelled out. What made this story more than just another inclusion by a writer of a person of colour to impress a broader audience was how effectively other Lena’s life was shown to be from the usual WASP perspective. Well done.
I also appreciated how effective the author was at pointing out what a doormat poor Megan and her low self esteem proved to be. She’s a nice person who has suffered at the hands of family and friends yet maintains her sunny disposition. As crusty as Lena was portrayed, I think her strong personality was needed to show Megan she could be stronger around others. That said, Lena didn’t win any points for constantly lashing out at Megan. This romance was a hard sell.
Too bad about the cover. Ylva needs to find a cover designer who’s read a draft of the book to know that the clumsy oafish Megan and voluptuous Lena do no match the characters portrayed. And lose the cat. It’s false advertising.
ARC received from publisher for review.
I also appreciated how effective the author was at pointing out what a doormat poor Megan and her low self esteem proved to be. She’s a nice person who has suffered at the hands of family and friends yet maintains her sunny disposition. As crusty as Lena was portrayed, I think her strong personality was needed to show Megan she could be stronger around others. That said, Lena didn’t win any points for constantly lashing out at Megan. This romance was a hard sell.
Too bad about the cover. Ylva needs to find a cover designer who’s read a draft of the book to know that the clumsy oafish Megan and voluptuous Lena do no match the characters portrayed. And lose the cat. It’s false advertising.
ARC received from publisher for review.
lariissand's review
4.0
I don't know why people are so bitter about this book. It's actually a quite nice, mindless, funny story. It's not like you pick this up expecting angst and a super well elaborate plot. There's some character development without unnecessary hurt and they actually talk about their problems. Some light reading for a cold morning.
loveinpanels's review
4.0
Caveat on this rating here that I’m not sure that the author was the right person to write about a British Indian woman’s experience with homophobia from / being disowned by her parents.
theamandashelby's review
5.0
I was very surprised by the ratings and early reviews of this book. I loved the book. I really enjoyed the characters. I always enjoy characters more when they have flaws/quirks. I connect so much more with them. I also love diverse characters. I wish more publishers would work at including more diverse characters in their novels. I read a lot of books but I nearly always love YLVA books. For me this book checked a lot of my favorites off, diverse characters, not cookie cutter or formulaic romance, romance was slow and required work, had internal conflicts and external conflicts to overcome, secondary characters were likeable (I could have used more of this), and I overall enjoyed the writing style and story. For me this was a win.