poshwoodpecker's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Had a hard time for Teo, he was mean to Sara at first but got better towards the end. I didn't like that he kept calling Sara ugly despite falling in love with her. He was an asshole and the other men in this book were no better. I liked Sara and she was probably the reason I continued reading the book and finished it in one day. Liked her character and she was not afraid to speak her mind.
vanessa_issa's review
1.0
Thanks to Aria for the ARC!
I apologize that I wasn't able to write my feedback before the pub date. I didn't enjoy this read. After 10 chapters, I realized that I still wasn't in love with the main characters, so I didn't finish it. This story is very similar to other books I've read before, and even though I love clichés, this time was just too much for me... Maybe it's a good book for new readers or people who reeeeeally enjoy clichés... But, as someone who reads lots of romances, I was hoping for something that would surprise me and always remind me of these characters. And it didn't happen. I'm so sorry.
I apologize that I wasn't able to write my feedback before the pub date. I didn't enjoy this read. After 10 chapters, I realized that I still wasn't in love with the main characters, so I didn't finish it. This story is very similar to other books I've read before, and even though I love clichés, this time was just too much for me... Maybe it's a good book for new readers or people who reeeeeally enjoy clichés... But, as someone who reads lots of romances, I was hoping for something that would surprise me and always remind me of these characters. And it didn't happen. I'm so sorry.
lauri_'s review
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
2.0
saradarling's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bananatricky's review
1.0
DNF at 7%.
Sorry, the writing style is so strained I can't bear to read any longer. I don't know whether this is a translation from the original Italian or an Italian writing in English but either way the characters seem like caricatures, see:
Anyway, it's a terrible thing to DNF at 7% but I can't see myself wading through any more of this.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Sorry, the writing style is so strained I can't bear to read any longer. I don't know whether this is a translation from the original Italian or an Italian writing in English but either way the characters seem like caricatures, see:
'Why be bored when you can get laid," that's my motto. I wonder if this Sara is easy enough to just give it up on the spot, or if I'll have to subject her to my charm for half an hour? I wouldn't usually have to waste more than ten minutes, but you have to account for circumstances.So far the male lead, Teo, speaks in misogynist cliches like this all the time, it's like he's a feral animal that has never been to a wedding before.
Anyway, it's a terrible thing to DNF at 7% but I can't see myself wading through any more of this.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
ssejig's review
3.0
This book opens, as many romance novels do, at a wedding. Teo is railing against the fact that his friend and former wingman, the one who racked up as many notches as Teo himself on their proverbial bedposts, is getting married. Teo doesn't understand it to begin with and, even worse, he keeps getting berated by the bride's sister, Sara. He immediately dismisses her as not his kind of woman and therefore not worth worrying over. They exchange insults and he goes on his merry way. Except that his merry way is suddenly roadblocked. The previously spoiled son of an Italian media mogul, Teo is now expected to... work. And he has to start by getting a degree. Too bad the class he's signed up for is the one Sara teaches. The two continue to knock heads until he offers a trade. She helps him pass her class and he will help her nab the professor she has her matrimonial eyes set on.
The premise of this book is fantastic and enemies to lovers is one of my catnips. I honestly can't tell if this book is really this choppy or if it is a problem with the translation (I tend toward the latter.) It seems like this was translated word for word rather than trying to capture the nuance of the story,. without trying to create any flow, and without any regard to social norms. Teo several times calls Sara ugly. Just straight up which is pretty shocking in a romance, even in a book that is women's fiction. His character starts as a spoiled brat and doesn't really grow that much.
The premise of this book is fantastic and enemies to lovers is one of my catnips. I honestly can't tell if this book is really this choppy or if it is a problem with the translation (I tend toward the latter.) It seems like this was translated word for word rather than trying to capture the nuance of the story,. without trying to create any flow, and without any regard to social norms. Teo several times calls Sara ugly. Just straight up which is pretty shocking in a romance, even in a book that is women's fiction. His character starts as a spoiled brat and doesn't really grow that much.
anistasia's review
3.0
it was semi entertaining but lmfao teo is just... yikes for most of the book.
klyanovska's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming
lucykate's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
phuong's review
2.0
Opposite attracts right? It was never as true as with this book. Teo and Sara couldn't be more different. And I really love this trope. Two enemies hating each other and thinking they are in no danger in falling in love. It didn't work for me in this book. The main reason is Teo. He is an entitled and superficial asshole. He's lazy, he's a playboy, he's good for nothing. And the worse? He looks down Sara nose so much. I REALLY don't have a problem when guys are assholes in books but Teo is just next level.. He actually thinks she is ugly and there is nothing attractive about her and that is such a turn off in a romance book.
The only reason I don't one star this book is for Sarah. I really liked her! She's a strong, smart and confident woman who (mostly) knows what she wants. I liked it that she stood her ground with Teo even though he repetitively tells her how unattractive she is (such a charmer, isn't he?) Here just some of his unpleasant thoughts about Sara:
"The girl has become quite red, which makes her appearance even more unpleasant."
"Probably because she knows she's got no chance and that no-one will ever marry her. That's usually how it works with ugly woman."
"And then he leaves. Leaves me alone with a woman that no-one would touch if she had a bag on her head."
"You are objectively unattractive. And just as a objectively you don't look after your appearance. You'd be completely at odds with someone like me."
Big YIKES. What a way to describe the love of your life. The men in this book were absolutely disgusting. Teo obviously, but Silvio his best friends too, who told himself that he fell with his wife first because of her beauty. Wow these men know how to talk. *swoon* The Professor (I can't even remember his name because he's not worth it) who Sara has a crush on at the beginning is not better. He's as much of a prick like the rest of them.
I added half a star because Teo does get better at the end. With Sara. With his job and with himself. I still really dislike him, but there is a bit of character development.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
The only reason I don't one star this book is for Sarah. I really liked her! She's a strong, smart and confident woman who (mostly) knows what she wants. I liked it that she stood her ground with Teo even though he repetitively tells her how unattractive she is (such a charmer, isn't he?) Here just some of his unpleasant thoughts about Sara:
"The girl has become quite red, which makes her appearance even more unpleasant."
"Probably because she knows she's got no chance and that no-one will ever marry her. That's usually how it works with ugly woman."
"And then he leaves. Leaves me alone with a woman that no-one would touch if she had a bag on her head."
"You are objectively unattractive. And just as a objectively you don't look after your appearance. You'd be completely at odds with someone like me."
Big YIKES. What a way to describe the love of your life. The men in this book were absolutely disgusting. Teo obviously, but Silvio his best friends too, who told himself that he fell with his wife first because of her beauty. Wow these men know how to talk. *swoon* The Professor (I can't even remember his name because he's not worth it) who Sara has a crush on at the beginning is not better. He's as much of a prick like the rest of them.
I added half a star because Teo does get better at the end. With Sara. With his job and with himself. I still really dislike him, but there is a bit of character development.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
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