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syl_val15's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars.
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Am I adding this book to my tbr merely because the mc and I share the same name?
Plus it's a rom-com. :)
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Am I adding this book to my tbr merely because the mc and I share the same name?
Plus it's a rom-com. :)
kbarenthaler's review against another edition
5.0
Completely adorable! Deliciously devious! You’ll be sucked in from the first page to the very last.
ivybean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ahh this book was really good. It has a lot of feeling and a fair bit of spice and multiple side plots that were ALSO love stories.
I accidentally read the sequel standalone (Codename Charming) a while back, not realizing it was the 2nd in a series. So it was fun to meet the same characters in a different context (and for Pet to get her bear I DIED).
I appreciated the struggles that the MCs had to deal with in their personal journeys. And their connection to each other felt genuine. There was always something *happening* in this book, just a lot of things with side characters or the MCs, and not much down time. So it felt like the book went by super fast. It was an easy read, it was exciting at times, funny at others, had some spicy scenes, and made me weep like a baby a couple of times. So basically this was a perfect book lol
🌶️ 3.5/5 for a few steamy scenes.
I accidentally read the sequel standalone (Codename Charming) a while back, not realizing it was the 2nd in a series. So it was fun to meet the same characters in a different context (and for Pet to get her bear I DIED).
I appreciated the struggles that the MCs had to deal with in their personal journeys. And their connection to each other felt genuine. There was always something *happening* in this book, just a lot of things with side characters or the MCs, and not much down time. So it felt like the book went by super fast. It was an easy read, it was exciting at times, funny at others, had some spicy scenes, and made me weep like a baby a couple of times. So basically this was a perfect book lol
🌶️ 3.5/5 for a few steamy scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
mengwe's review against another edition
4.0
very good, love dom nd syl, props for that shock bit at the end, this might be controversial but i totally think we could have done without the jay’s heartbreak storyline. but overall great story i enjoyed it
itslightsout's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This was so cute I couldn’t put it away and needed to finish it at 2:15 in the morning. It truly combines a lot of my favourite things cake, romance, enemies (rivals) to lovers. But I have to say the thing that happened shortly before the end was a bit unnecessary for me but I guess it was needed to set up the second book. Overall very good, everyone go read it.
dotts's review against another edition
1.0
DNF in chapter 2.
I found the unclear, convoluted writing style in Battle Royal to be a major turn off. It made the actual story quite difficult to process. A pity, as I was looking forward to it in general and Dominic De Vere in particular. Oh well. I'll just have to reread Act Like It for a more pleasurable experience.
Not for the impatient, nor faint of heart.
I did find the following exchange to be noteworthy (edited for simplicity, of course):
Sylvie: “Some of the staff actually smile at customers. I casually mention.”
Mabel: “Some of the staff are simpering twits... Most human beings are insincere cretins who cover egocentric impulses with meaningless social gestures... Kids are usually more tolerable. Stickier fingers, but less bullshit.”
I found the unclear, convoluted writing style in Battle Royal to be a major turn off. It made the actual story quite difficult to process. A pity, as I was looking forward to it in general and Dominic De Vere in particular. Oh well. I'll just have to reread Act Like It for a more pleasurable experience.
Not for the impatient, nor faint of heart.
I did find the following exchange to be noteworthy (edited for simplicity, of course):
Sylvie: “Some of the staff actually smile at customers. I casually mention.”
Mabel: “Some of the staff are simpering twits... Most human beings are insincere cretins who cover egocentric impulses with meaningless social gestures... Kids are usually more tolerable. Stickier fingers, but less bullshit.”
halfbloodapril's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. It is truly one of the best books of the year in every way. I mean, who can resist:
✓ crazy cool female lead
✓ dessert
✓ sunshine-grumpy romance
✓ enemies-to-lovers
✓ dessert
✓ royal feuding
✓ reality TV show
✓ have I mentioned dessert??
Lucy Parker's humor is so effortless and perfect; it's impossible not to get swept up in her at once witty and heartbreaking writing voice. I loved Sylvie and I loved Dominic, two very different people who managed to make the best of their situations and reflect that on each other, not to mention the rest of the cast of characters. Come on, it's impossible not to adore Pet. She is the only person with the name Petunia that can ever own my heart.
The description of the food, the edgy competition in and out of the reality baking show--masterfully executed and deliciously satisfying. It's just such an easy book to indulge in and come out of feeling light and happy and wonderful.
The only thing I didn't like was that it ended too quickly, and the sequel is yet to come. (A sequel with Pet and Matthias???? OMG????!) I will be counting down the days until its release, and until then, I am coming for the rest of Lucy Parker's books!
✓ crazy cool female lead
✓ dessert
✓ sunshine-grumpy romance
✓ enemies-to-lovers
✓ dessert
✓ royal feuding
✓ reality TV show
✓ have I mentioned dessert??
Lucy Parker's humor is so effortless and perfect; it's impossible not to get swept up in her at once witty and heartbreaking writing voice. I loved Sylvie and I loved Dominic, two very different people who managed to make the best of their situations and reflect that on each other, not to mention the rest of the cast of characters. Come on, it's impossible not to adore Pet. She is the only person with the name Petunia that can ever own my heart.
The description of the food, the edgy competition in and out of the reality baking show--masterfully executed and deliciously satisfying. It's just such an easy book to indulge in and come out of feeling light and happy and wonderful.
The only thing I didn't like was that it ended too quickly, and the sequel is yet to come. (A sequel with Pet and Matthias???? OMG????!) I will be counting down the days until its release, and until then, I am coming for the rest of Lucy Parker's books!
lotusross's review against another edition
3.0
“You walked into my life, tipped it upside down, and when it finally righted—you were right there in the center. In a very short space of time, you’ve changed everything.” He lowered his head. Against her mouth, he said, with a lightness he obviously didn’t feel, “Bane of my existence four years ago. The best part of it now.”
3.25/3.5 stars.
Full disclosure, it took me some time to get into this, the writing was so peculiar I genuinely started doubting my knowledge of the english language, however, I did end up pushing through and enjoying this... Granted, not as much as I thought I would, but nonetheless, I did.
However, I do feel like the romance was overshadowed sometimes, which was unfortunate because it had great potential to be even better than it was but alas it was just... fine. And the whole best friend having unrequited feeling for the mc just ruined it for me to be honest. There was absolutely NO reason whatsoever to put this in, it added NOTHING to the narrative... It just pissed me off quite frankly.
Anyway, all in all, this was a fairly good book, and I am looking forward to Pet and Matthias' book!