flor01's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
christie_seiler's review
3.0
I could not put this book down (read it in 2 days) and it's hard to explain why. It was such a frustrating novel of sexual tension & friends that should be more than friends. I Love Renee Carlino's novels and this book was well written, and had a unique story line. However, once I finished, I just couldn't really decide if I loved it or hated it... I'm kind of in the middle.
First off, I never read chapter titles and that completely screwed me over. The book does bounce around from the past to the present and any where in between, all which is indicated in the chapter titles. However, it did take some time to get myself in the right time frame of the story to understand the chapter. It was a bit frustrating to be 'in' the story of how Gavin and Penny met and then the next chapter you jump to them now, it was hard to jump back and forth and invest in the story. I did understand the idea behind it to really build up their friendship and journey together, but for me I think it made me lose connection to the story.
This novel is like a friends love story who should be together but life gets in the way. I can sense the love between them but there isn't a lot of relationship development. The relationship just escalates so quickly that it doesn't seem real. There's something missing from their relationship, whether there should be more around their feelings or more conversation between the two, it just doesn't seem like a real relationship.
First off, I never read chapter titles and that completely screwed me over. The book does bounce around from the past to the present and any where in between, all which is indicated in the chapter titles. However, it did take some time to get myself in the right time frame of the story to understand the chapter. It was a bit frustrating to be 'in' the story of how Gavin and Penny met and then the next chapter you jump to them now, it was hard to jump back and forth and invest in the story. I did understand the idea behind it to really build up their friendship and journey together, but for me I think it made me lose connection to the story.
This novel is like a friends love story who should be together but life gets in the way. I can sense the love between them but there isn't a lot of relationship development. The relationship just escalates so quickly that it doesn't seem real. There's something missing from their relationship, whether there should be more around their feelings or more conversation between the two, it just doesn't seem like a real relationship.
tab2004's review against another edition
3.0
I like Renee's writing but I just spent most of my reading time wanting to shake both of these main characters. I watched soaps, so I love angst, but most of this felt contrived on a soap opera level and in a book it doesn't work as well. It also had my biggest, my most hate worthy trope - kids with another person, - not each other - so that knocked off a star as well. When the female MC says 'what was I thinking?' I had to agree with her. Too bad it was years and years too late. The epilogue was also unsatisfying. I find Renee, like Addison Caine, doesn't seem to know how to conclude a story well. I won't stop reading her work, but in so many ways, this was unsatisfying. Considering how much I really enjoyed the start.
apeezy's review
4.0
Renée Carlino has become one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love her writing style.
This story had me hooked from the start but man. It was frustrating to read. The angst was unreal. I would read this again but I also want to throw the book against a wall. It made me feel everything and that’s why I love it.
I also don’t know how I feel about the ending. But I do know I love the book.
This story had me hooked from the start but man. It was frustrating to read. The angst was unreal. I would read this again but I also want to throw the book against a wall. It made me feel everything and that’s why I love it.
I also don’t know how I feel about the ending. But I do know I love the book.
talonvictoria's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
"My relationship with Gavin was rooted in love. Maybe a kind of love people would never understand."
I am rating this 3.5 stars but I was really torn on that (star wise) so on Goodreads I went with the good ole' four stars just because Renee and her books never fail in the emotional department and her writing is top-notch in my opinion.
But ultimately- I am conflicted. I am conflicted because although I love Renee and her writing and the way she is able to construct a relatable story every time you pick up one of her books. I am conflicted because Renee made me fall so much in love with Gavin but Penny... Penny just really got under my skin. And not in a good way.
"Life will change and change again. You just have to find a port in this storm. It doesn't have to be another person, Penny. Find something just for you."
I did love the concept of the book. As someone who is a huge fan of 180 Seconds by Jessica Park this was definitely an idea I could get behind but the execution of it really fell flat to me. I feel like these characters should have explored more of what they had and while Penny said she didn't want that, the author never really explained why Penny pushed away so hard. Not even when you finished the book.
Penny. To me, Penny was hypocritical. She was wishy-washy and indecisive and used Gavin as her doormat- which is not okay for me. Typically heroine's have reasonings as to why they are like they are but with Penny we don't really get any. She loves dance. And she wants a college degree that she doesn't really do anything with (under circumstances that come, I know). But to me that's not a believable enough reason to push as hard as Penny pushed Gavin. Usually in romance books, I am a fan of the female and it takes the male a while to grow on me but in Blind Kiss it was the opposite except, I never really grew to like Penny which it unfortunate.
What I didn't love was the constant back and forth, both between Penny and Gavin and the timelines in the book. It was exhausting. Both of them. Not only that, but it was insanely hard to read about the two main characters push each other away for the whole book. Yes, the whole book. 14 years. Pushing. Pulling. Jealousy. Wanting. It was too long for me, I got bored with it because Gavin was constantly begging or Penny was constantly begging.
I thought the book as a whole was great. There was just no gasping revelation or dramatic turning points that held perked my interests. It was a nice book to read in one sitting or if you are looking for a second chance romance. It's really a bummer, I do enjoy myself every time I pick up one of Renee's book but this one just wasn't my favorite.
"My relationship with Gavin was rooted in love. Maybe a kind of love people would never understand."
I am rating this 3.5 stars but I was really torn on that (star wise) so on Goodreads I went with the good ole' four stars just because Renee and her books never fail in the emotional department and her writing is top-notch in my opinion.
But ultimately- I am conflicted. I am conflicted because although I love Renee and her writing and the way she is able to construct a relatable story every time you pick up one of her books. I am conflicted because Renee made me fall so much in love with Gavin but Penny... Penny just really got under my skin. And not in a good way.
"Life will change and change again. You just have to find a port in this storm. It doesn't have to be another person, Penny. Find something just for you."
I did love the concept of the book. As someone who is a huge fan of 180 Seconds by Jessica Park this was definitely an idea I could get behind but the execution of it really fell flat to me. I feel like these characters should have explored more of what they had and while Penny said she didn't want that, the author never really explained why Penny pushed away so hard. Not even when you finished the book.
Penny. To me, Penny was hypocritical. She was wishy-washy and indecisive and used Gavin as her doormat- which is not okay for me. Typically heroine's have reasonings as to why they are like they are but with Penny we don't really get any. She loves dance. And she wants a college degree that she doesn't really do anything with (under circumstances that come, I know). But to me that's not a believable enough reason to push as hard as Penny pushed Gavin. Usually in romance books, I am a fan of the female and it takes the male a while to grow on me but in Blind Kiss it was the opposite except, I never really grew to like Penny which it unfortunate.
What I didn't love was the constant back and forth, both between Penny and Gavin and the timelines in the book. It was exhausting. Both of them. Not only that, but it was insanely hard to read about the two main characters push each other away for the whole book. Yes, the whole book. 14 years. Pushing. Pulling. Jealousy. Wanting. It was too long for me, I got bored with it because Gavin was constantly begging or Penny was constantly begging.
I thought the book as a whole was great. There was just no gasping revelation or dramatic turning points that held perked my interests. It was a nice book to read in one sitting or if you are looking for a second chance romance. It's really a bummer, I do enjoy myself every time I pick up one of Renee's book but this one just wasn't my favorite.
sinagaraw's review
4.0
I'm your lover, I'm your friend.
You're mine.
You were always my lover, for a lifetime in my mind.
You're mine.
You were always my lover, for a lifetime in my mind.
perrinmelaniphy's review
3.0
This book was just what I needed; a quick, engrossing read to help me get a jump on my yearly reading goal. I liked the characters, and the story line although I did find myself frustrated with Penny and Gavin... but I think that was the point.
eaghollowell's review
3.0
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. I liked the writing and I really got into the story. But these characters!!! I would love them, smile and laugh with them and then turn around and hate their selfishness. I will definitely read another by this author though.