Reviews

As Long As You Love Me by Marianna Leal

mugsy211's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-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

5.0

This book was so freaking good. While, I’ll admit, there were some heavy tones and tough situations, it really made you feel for Cata. I really loved that I actually liked Gabe from the start. He didn’t just seem like some immediately arrogant jerk. I was rooting for him and Cata through the whole book. I really loved her friends too. Was a bit disappointed that nothing really came of Maya’s brother but that didn’t detract from the story or anything. Even with the heavier subjects, this was more of a feel good story with all of Gabe’s family shenanigans.

Spicy level is on the lower side. There’s some make out scenes but nothing that gets too steamy.

Definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a good enemies to lovers. It’s one of the few that doesn’t make you feel like your heart has been ripped out of its chest during parts.

lattes_lipstick_literature's review

3.5

  *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

First of all, if anyone needs a book boyfriend can I recommend Gabe? He's so sweet, I can really see why Catalina ends up falling in love with him (although he falls first, which I am always a sucker for). First, let us talk about how Leal addressed the political situation in Venezuela as it is not something you hear talked about much less used as a plot point in a book. 

As for Catalina and Gabe, I loved them. Rivals to Lovers and Fake Marriages just give me the tingles and never fail to make me completely fall in love with a book. I will say that I could have done without the drama from a certain side character (looking at you Gabe's Mama), but that shouldn't deter you from this sweet romance.

Overall, very good read. 

shaniethings's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

nobookmark_noproblem's review

4.0

As Long As You Love Me
Marianna Leal
Pub Date: September 12, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

addiesbookshelf_'s review against another edition

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

This was a fun read! I really related with the pressure that Catalina put on herself to be perfect and to achieve everything that she set out to, and I loved how Gabe gave her the space to both succeed but also not have to succeed in order to have worth. I do wish that we had had more opportunities to better get to know Gabe, since this was written only from Catalina's POV, but other than that I highly enjoyed this book!

Thank you to Wattpadd Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

jrojas's review against another edition

2.5

At first it was cute and i was interested but things kept happening to the MC only for the love interest to solve them and it got to a point where i was annoyed. She never did anything!! Just wallow until someone else would help her, I’m annoyed now

jem_mp_19's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

shelbyturningpages_'s review

5.0

4.5 Stars

This book is written with two tropes that I absolutely love, "enemies to lovers" and "fake dating." I went into this book knowing that that Catalina and Gabe were enemies and she needed to stay in the U.S. despite her visa renewal being rejected. I was prepared to fall head over heels in love with their story and I did. I was not prepared for some of the heartbreak that came from this story. Some of the events occurring in Venezuela broke my heart.

Catalina was in a constant war with herself. Carrying the weight of her brother's death on her shoulders, constantly worried about her family's safety. Facing repercussions of her identical twin sister's actions. Fighting tooth and nail to stay in the country even though her job told her they can only accept one applicant as a full time employee. It was almost as though everywhere Catalina turned, she was faced with a difficult challenge and instead of leaning on her support system, she did everything in her power to fix the matters herself.

This story evolved beautifully. What started as a fake dating ploy for Catalina to land her job and for Gabe to "ruin" his siblings wedding, turned into a beautiful love story. Catalina learned that it was okay to lean on others. Gabe learned that the reason relationships were never successful in the past was because it was always someone else who occupied his mind.

Please read this book if you like:
-Enemies to lovers
-Fake Dating
-STEMinists
-Bilingual

Spice Level:
1/5

Overall, I liked this book a lot. I also enjoyed the about the author section showed that Catalina was very much inspired by the Author.

Thank you NetGalley, W by Watt Pad and the author Marianna Leal for the amazing opportunity to read this book. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

mbooksbycandlelight's review

emotional medium-paced

4.5

myblackbookish_life's review

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0