shreeyasbookshelf's review
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
suey_library's review against another edition
4.0
Well I think I might have found a new author to stalk endlessly... you have created a monster S.J. Sylvis. I won't deny, if I haven't won a giveaway for a free eARC, I don't know if I would have snagged at this series, which is sad considering how much I really enjoyed this read. Let me explain why before everyone smites me - this is one of my least favorite romance tropes, though I will buy and read until I find one I like, but I do not actively find 'Best Friends to Lovers' tropes. Again though, if I hadn't seen this, I would truly be missing out because holy moly, this is the 'Best Friends to Lovers' trope done right - Chasing Ivy was greatness on a massive scale.
Chasing Ivy takes place in two parts essentially, which is probably the main reason I really enjoyed how the build of the romantic dynamic took place - there was teenage version verses adult version of Dawson and Ivy. Oh my goodness, this is what I want, this is what I need as a reader to be able to connect to this type of trope, I need a build, I need some kind of history that makes this trope believable. Ivy and Dawson exceeded this expectation, at least from my point.
During the teenage view, both Ivy and Dawson admit having feelings, though they both were friend-zoned not wanting to break their trust and bond, which was adorable. Their friendship in the span that the reader is able to get glimpses of was definitely cute, sweet build, definitely a nice additive to understand the build of their chemistry plus their ultimate downfall to their friendship, which believe it or not, wasn't because someone made a move on the other, more like someone moved...
Once the adult Ivy and Dawson come out to play things change a bit. Dawson was definitely my favorite character in this mix. He fell into that swoon worthy, broodily handsome book boyfriends that I need to fawn over aimlessly. I just honestly enjoyed his personality, his charming, overly sweet mouth made it easy to fall madly in love with everything about them. That also goes for Ivy, it was hard to not NOT adore these characters.
Ivy did slightly irk me on many points of the spectrum pole in terms of her personality however, she was very timid, almost inferior in her actions both as her teenager and later in her adult life. She allows herself to cower, she also seems to act like a love sick teenager even as an adult. On many occasions, though I understand her perspective, I wanted to shake her senseless, maybe bash her brains in a smidge to add some better perspective on the situation. It was as if she had the least amount of growth in her character when I felt she could have been a little more developed, more stronger; not saying she wasn't a strong female character, but there were definitely things that stuck out over the rest that really overstepped her more stronger attributes as a strong leading female character.
And that chemistry – oh my lanta. Watching Ivy and Dawson rebuild their friendship was like watching a slow trainwreck of delicious foreplay, mostly because Dawson was in a committed relationship when Ivy returned to town and denying their burning chemistry, playing that ‘we can just be friends‘ was melting me off my seat waiting for them to collide. I liked them together, they meshed well as personalities. Both sweet and passionate, it was undeniable to resist their chemistry was melting off the pages.
Overall, I rather enjoyed Chasing Ivy. Sylvis absolutely blew me away. I have said this before and I will say it again, it takes a lot for me to enjoy the ‘Best Friends to Lovers’ trope, and when I say that this one was absolute greatness I mean it was sublime. I truly enjoyed the sweet, blissfully scrumptious build of their chemistry, Ivy and Dawson were so believable I could almost imagine them in my head in all their beautiful glory – that is their romance – simply beautiful.
Chasing Ivy takes place in two parts essentially, which is probably the main reason I really enjoyed how the build of the romantic dynamic took place - there was teenage version verses adult version of Dawson and Ivy. Oh my goodness, this is what I want, this is what I need as a reader to be able to connect to this type of trope, I need a build, I need some kind of history that makes this trope believable. Ivy and Dawson exceeded this expectation, at least from my point.
During the teenage view, both Ivy and Dawson admit having feelings, though they both were friend-zoned not wanting to break their trust and bond, which was adorable. Their friendship in the span that the reader is able to get glimpses of was definitely cute, sweet build, definitely a nice additive to understand the build of their chemistry plus their ultimate downfall to their friendship, which believe it or not, wasn't because someone made a move on the other, more like someone moved...
Once the adult Ivy and Dawson come out to play things change a bit. Dawson was definitely my favorite character in this mix. He fell into that swoon worthy, broodily handsome book boyfriends that I need to fawn over aimlessly. I just honestly enjoyed his personality, his charming, overly sweet mouth made it easy to fall madly in love with everything about them. That also goes for Ivy, it was hard to not NOT adore these characters.
Ivy did slightly irk me on many points of the spectrum pole in terms of her personality however, she was very timid, almost inferior in her actions both as her teenager and later in her adult life. She allows herself to cower, she also seems to act like a love sick teenager even as an adult. On many occasions, though I understand her perspective, I wanted to shake her senseless, maybe bash her brains in a smidge to add some better perspective on the situation. It was as if she had the least amount of growth in her character when I felt she could have been a little more developed, more stronger; not saying she wasn't a strong female character, but there were definitely things that stuck out over the rest that really overstepped her more stronger attributes as a strong leading female character.
And that chemistry – oh my lanta. Watching Ivy and Dawson rebuild their friendship was like watching a slow trainwreck of delicious foreplay, mostly because Dawson was in a committed relationship when Ivy returned to town and denying their burning chemistry, playing that ‘we can just be friends‘ was melting me off my seat waiting for them to collide. I liked them together, they meshed well as personalities. Both sweet and passionate, it was undeniable to resist their chemistry was melting off the pages.
Overall, I rather enjoyed Chasing Ivy. Sylvis absolutely blew me away. I have said this before and I will say it again, it takes a lot for me to enjoy the ‘Best Friends to Lovers’ trope, and when I say that this one was absolute greatness I mean it was sublime. I truly enjoyed the sweet, blissfully scrumptious build of their chemistry, Ivy and Dawson were so believable I could almost imagine them in my head in all their beautiful glory – that is their romance – simply beautiful.
alexbobalix's review
Once they got together a villain manifested. Seems very by the numbers and descriptions were odd/distracting. Like her hair moving 'wistfully' and 'quiped' eyebrows.
bookishonabudget's review
4.0
This was so cute! I love friends to lovers tropes and this one was so adorable. I loved the teenage perspective from their younger years as well
kaesface's review
5.0
This was my third book by S.J. Sylvis, and it just happened to be my first ARC. I was not disappointed. I am loving watching this author grow.
jennie_reads's review
5.0
"I felt alive. I felt a fire burning deep within. Like the butterflies flying around my stomach had wings made of fire."
This book might be my favorite from SJ Sylvis so far. I absolutely fell in love with Ivy and Dawson. They were such amazing characters and they were perfect! This book had me crying for their heartbreak, smiling like a giddy schoolgirl for their romance, and sitting on my bed cackling at 2AM for their quirkiness. I can't wait to read Emmett's book and see where the rest of the series takes me!
This book might be my favorite from SJ Sylvis so far. I absolutely fell in love with Ivy and Dawson. They were such amazing characters and they were perfect! This book had me crying for their heartbreak, smiling like a giddy schoolgirl for their romance, and sitting on my bed cackling at 2AM for their quirkiness. I can't wait to read Emmett's book and see where the rest of the series takes me!
amburhostyn's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by S.J. Sylvis and I really enjoyed it! I really liked Ivy and Dawson, and I absolutely loved seeing their feelings evolve throughout the story. I could've done without a tiny bit of the angst and some of the obstacles keeping them apart, but overall, I thought it was a really wonderful story and I really, really loved their chemistry! I'm especially excited the next book because I am SUPER curious about Dawson's big brother. ;)
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
jenniereads9aba0's review against another edition
5.0
"I felt alive. I felt a fire burning deep within. Like the butterflies flying around my stomach had wings made of fire."
This book might be my favorite from SJ Sylvis so far. I absolutely fell in love with Ivy and Dawson. They were such amazing characters and they were perfect! This book had me crying for their heartbreak, smiling like a giddy schoolgirl for their romance, and sitting on my bed cackling at 2AM for their quirkiness. I can't wait to read Emmett's book and see where the rest of the series takes me!
This book might be my favorite from SJ Sylvis so far. I absolutely fell in love with Ivy and Dawson. They were such amazing characters and they were perfect! This book had me crying for their heartbreak, smiling like a giddy schoolgirl for their romance, and sitting on my bed cackling at 2AM for their quirkiness. I can't wait to read Emmett's book and see where the rest of the series takes me!
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