The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
3.0
An easy read that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
It was hard to get into rooting for the characters and at times the dynamic, pace and storyline were a bit confusing. I still liked the book and thought a couple of the celebrity cameos were funny. It would have made more sense if the main character was ten to fifteen years younger, because she continually acted immature to the point I forgot she was in her mid forties. The romance was also confusing at times but I liked the dual POV. I wish the story explored Lu’s brother Cole more because that felt like a dramatic and traumatic issue that was only ever alluded at. I was not on board with the whole “Let’s stalk a celebrity” premise, but I understand how the story was trying to employ that aspect.
It was hard to get into rooting for the characters and at times the dynamic, pace and storyline were a bit confusing. I still liked the book and thought a couple of the celebrity cameos were funny. It would have made more sense if the main character was ten to fifteen years younger, because she continually acted immature to the point I forgot she was in her mid forties. The romance was also confusing at times but I liked the dual POV. I wish the story explored Lu’s brother Cole more because that felt like a dramatic and traumatic issue that was only ever alluded at. I was not on board with the whole “Let’s stalk a celebrity” premise, but I understand how the story was trying to employ that aspect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Racism
zalouis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Car accident, Racism, Blood, Death, and Grief
martamae77's review against another edition
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Car accident, Death, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
readerette's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If the author chose to write another story, particularly something not a romance, I'd be willing to read it. Her writing style is appealing and approachable, and I liked the super supportive best friend, Dawn, as well as True when he was still just a super supportive best friend, before the love stuff unfolded. I also appreciate the author's insertions of characters experiencing subtle racism in the text, since it's a good way to be put in those uncomfortable shoes for readers who don't regularly experience racism.
However, even as a homebody with some social anxiety who likes her routine, I could not connect with the very similar Lu. It was believable that she could have nursed this lifelong crush on a star, but to be as devastated as she was to hear a rumor that she never really got confirmed that he was getting married, which raised some unspecified fear for her... It was too bizarre.
Then True spent an inordinate amount of time gushing (internally) about Lu's body and her eyes and lips, which just made the love between them seem all the more immature and superficial, since Lu basically just drooled over his butt and lips and hair.
And the whole tracking down Keanu thing... So weird. Just a series of near misses with finding him, a predictable romance trope, a bunch of other run-ins with random movie stars, "Gary" the Keanu insider, and everyone just slathering on the praise about Keanu. I get it, he's her crush, and he is a Hollywood darling in real life too. But all of it was, again, too much.
The scene where she actually meets Keanu makes no sense to me. I think it was an attempt at Keanu's often pithy, laid-back engagement with fans and interviewers, but it didn't come together for me. And the surfing stunt, and why would True not just give her the necklace... And for Daniel to go from creepy capitalist rapey guy to all business just because Lu's agent came along, considering we really didn't need Daniel at all (and he'd have needed to not be a slimeball to be a serious competitor for True), just piled on.
I usually like a "will they/won't they" but this one was too disjointed and superficial for my taste, and Lu and True waffled way too many times for no reason at all. Like teens, not 40-somethings. Not what I was hoping for, and not what I like to read.
However, even as a homebody with some social anxiety who likes her routine, I could not connect with the very similar Lu. It was believable that she could have nursed this lifelong crush on a star, but to be as devastated as she was to hear a rumor that she never really got confirmed that he was getting married, which raised some unspecified fear for her... It was too bizarre.
Then True spent an inordinate amount of time gushing (internally) about Lu's body and her eyes and lips, which just made the love between them seem all the more immature and superficial, since Lu basically just drooled over his butt and lips and hair.
And the whole tracking down Keanu thing... So weird. Just a series of near misses with finding him, a predictable romance trope, a bunch of other run-ins with random movie stars, "Gary" the Keanu insider, and everyone just slathering on the praise about Keanu. I get it, he's her crush, and he is a Hollywood darling in real life too. But all of it was, again, too much.
I usually like a "will they/won't they" but this one was too disjointed and superficial for my taste, and Lu and True waffled way too many times for no reason at all. Like teens, not 40-somethings. Not what I was hoping for, and not what I like to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Racism and Sexual harassment
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Racism
veronicats's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I thought this would read like a fun little fanfic, but it just wasn't cohesive for me. The only character I really liked was the love interest, True, who was a well written man as told from a female perspective. He's patient and sweet and devoted. However, the main character, Lu, is immature and lacks the self awareness a professional woman in her 40s should have. The pace was too slow, the plot was confusing, and I love a celebrity cameo as much as the next guy, but the ones in this were just. Kind of ridiculous.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Death, Racism, and Sexual harassment
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