jules_c's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking and Vomit
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Sexism
victorianbsilva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
skiesarereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I'll admit romance isn't my usual, chick-lit tends to have me so frustrated it becomes a DNF by the end, but this one is just amazing (still frustrating with the hating game *pun intended).
Everything about this book is entertainment, it has just the right amount of character personality as much as a plot (a playful plot at that) involving extremely relatable, messy hustlers and over-achievers. What else can I say? If you're in for a hot slow-burn that consumes you, with office romance and enemies-to-lovers with fake-dating and messy, unreasonable parts that keeps you on the edge and wanting to know what they do by the end, definitely pick this book up.
Also, the audiobook? Masterpiece.
(Add. notes: some parts of this book I admit feels a bit off, but somehow I shrug it off because I can't imagine the two characters with anyone else. I can't tell if that's good or not, but it was a very fun read that's fast-paced and keeps you locked in for the whole narrative).
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
kayesomething's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia, Ableism, and Gaslighting
michellemaas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am going to start by saying that if you liked this book you'll also like The Spanish Love Deception and vice versa. Cue my problem. It was for the most part the same book. Short girl, super tall guy, a wedding where they go as fake dates to not be embarrassed in front of family members and ex, a work environment where they met and consequently don't get along, the male character having daddy-issues . . . Just take my word for it that a lot of the aspects are the same. By that, I'm not saying that it's a word-for-word match or anything, since the actual plot of this book does focus on different things than The Spanish Love Deception despite having a bunch of similar scenes and settings, and this doesn't take away from the fact that it's still a good book but I had to mention it. I also don't read a ton of contemporary romance novels (I'm more of a fantasy reader) so it is very possible that all books in the genre have this same premise and that I'm complaining about nothing.
That being said, I liked the relationship between Lucinda and Joshua and the book was entertaining. It's just overall creativity causing me to knock a few stars down. As I said, it was a good contemporary romance but it didn't blow my mind as I was hoping it would. Still, a worthwhile read though because Lucy and Josh are adorable.
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
tiitu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content, Ableism, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
empathreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse and Gaslighting
fanygrza's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thus, I really didn't dig their enemies to lovers relationship—I think the reason they hated each other was ridiculous. Their whole relationship was based on the old concept that if a boy likes you, he treats you badly. Lucy spent a lot of the time being emotionally abused, and Joshua seemed to only care about her emotions once she started to show some interest in him.
This, plus the lack of diversity in characters made it really uncomfortable for me to read it atItimes. I would definitely not read it again but if you're okay with these kinds of things, then you may enjoy this. It has good writing and could've been a great story if it wasn't for the whole romanticized idea of violent love.
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship