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emilym_xox's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
kimbongiorno's review against another edition
5.0
A fun look at a rising star and his field producer from a home improvement reality tv show finding genuine friendship then more in a sweet, tingly and slow way.
Really likable characters and great examples of found family all over the place in this one!
Highly recommend.
Really likable characters and great examples of found family all over the place in this one!
Highly recommend.
kels_jayne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
Read this book if you want to see an evasively grumpy man and an icy professional woman, just to have them both soon revealed to be something – not different, but instead – more, imperfect and well-rounded human beings stumbling into a situationship together.
Said situationship shows both the FMC Paige and the MMC Gannon that they have potential for so much more together, but they have different approaches to this revelation:Gannon is locked on getting a lasting relationship out of this, whereas Paige tries to build up walls and take space to protect herself from potential hurt .
Paige's approach frustrates me so much, and while reading I just wanted to grab her by shoulders so many times to shake her up and shout her to just get out of her own mind and have an actual talk with Gannon about her worries, and not to refuse to listen and work up solutions (mis-/noncommunication tropes are heavy here). Gannon is the one doing the heavy lifting in this relationship, working for it , yet Paige makes it seem like he has something to prove. Paige might be a little toxic in the way her insecurities make her act outside of professional settings, but I'm glad that she at long last realizes her shortcomings and tries to come around .
Said situationship shows both the FMC Paige and the MMC Gannon that they have potential for so much more together, but they have different approaches to this revelation:
Paige's approach frustrates me so much, and while reading I just wanted to grab her by shoulders so many times to shake her up and shout her to just get out of her own mind and have an actual talk with Gannon about her worries, and not to refuse to listen and work up solutions (mis-/noncommunication tropes are heavy here). Gannon is the one doing the
"Make me a list, and I'll fix or remove every single obstacle."
– Gannon
The plot around reality tv production irks me on-and-off in this book. On one hand, the main character and some others call out unjust, money-hungry, and sexist ways the the reality tv industry might have, but on the other hand, they also personify a lot of those issues on themselves and other characters (which is not great). This personification happens by internalizing the issues (
If an author wants to comment on an issue in an industry, they should be consistent, and also offer up a fix for it. The way the plot personifies these wider industrial issues feels just cheap. As Gannon puts it in a similar context:
"I think you'd be doing a disservice to your audience if you only show them how to identify a problem, not solve it."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
In this enthralling romance, I immersed myself in the behind-the-scenes drama of a home renovation reality show. The dynamic between the spirited Gannon and the composed field producer, Paige, unfolds into a captivating love story. Despite Gannon's playful teasing, Paige remains focused on her job and resistant to the spotlight. Their contrasting personalities and undeniable chemistry add depth to the narrative. The book skillfully addresses issues of gender inequality in the industry, shedding light on Paige's struggle. The tension builds as Gannon seeks redemption, and the conclusion is heartfelt and satisfying. With well-developed characters, humor, and a touching ending, this novel left me thoroughly enchanted.
introverted_otter's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book could have been an email
agrippinaes's review against another edition
4.0
This was just a very joyful book to read. It had a nice plot and moved along quickly. It was a fairly long book for its type, but there was always something happening.
I really liked the heroine, Paige, and how she dealt with the situations that faced her. I liked her stubbornness and the way she stood up for herself, too. Gannon was a nice hero - he was a lot sweeter than I expected from the first few pages when he was painted as the grumpy guy who liked to tease the heroine. The pair of them had good chemistry and I liked how their relationship developed. I enjoyed that the conflict they faced happened somewhere around the middle, rather than towards the end; the end of the novel was relatively conflict free except for their emotional issues, and I liked the change up a lot. Their relationship also had some really, really cute moments -
My only real complaint is that I did find some of Gannon's attitudes about their relationship a little bit pushy. It was a bit difficult, actually - I also found Paige's stubbornness on that front a bit annoying, especially as the book went on - but for a while, Gannon's refusal to accept her genuine (and in my opinion, completely understandable) concerns about forming a relationship with him grated a little. I thought some of the things he did a bit unfair. But I think he made up for it by the end and there was an acknowledgement towards the end that he'd learned about sexism etc. in the media industry to improve himself.
I would recommend it if you want a sort-of-enemies (but actually more friends) to lovers romance based around a reality television show.
Content Warnings:
I really liked the heroine, Paige, and how she dealt with the situations that faced her. I liked her stubbornness and the way she stood up for herself, too. Gannon was a nice hero - he was a lot sweeter than I expected from the first few pages when he was painted as the grumpy guy who liked to tease the heroine. The pair of them had good chemistry and I liked how their relationship developed. I enjoyed that the conflict they faced happened somewhere around the middle, rather than towards the end; the end of the novel was relatively conflict free except for their emotional issues, and I liked the change up a lot. Their relationship also had some really, really cute moments -
Spoiler
the birthday scene was a favourite - I loved the idea of scowly Gannon making cupcakes and buying her balloons; and the proposal scene at the end, whilst not normally the kind of thing I like, actually made me grin a lot.My only real complaint is that I did find some of Gannon's attitudes about their relationship a little bit pushy. It was a bit difficult, actually - I also found Paige's stubbornness on that front a bit annoying, especially as the book went on - but for a while, Gannon's refusal to accept her genuine (and in my opinion, completely understandable) concerns about forming a relationship with him grated a little. I thought some of the things he did
Spoiler
like declaring he was trying to win her back in front of all her staff, for exampleI would recommend it if you want a sort-of-enemies (but actually more friends) to lovers romance based around a reality television show.
Content Warnings:
Spoiler
Mentions of cancer, terminal illness, homelessness, sexism, depictions of injuries.readundancies's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I just felt like there was a lot of pre-established backstory that should’ve been included to ease into the relationship between the two leads.
Like it could’ve used a prologue or something.
Other than that, well, it was fine.
But like, just fine, ya know?
Like it could’ve used a prologue or something.
Other than that, well, it was fine.
But like, just fine, ya know?
ell_n's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0