leegoldfarb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
4.5
oatsandtotes's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this more than the novellas. It had tension, a strong FMC, and honestly it was fun.
jessie_m3's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
earth2sammi's review against another edition
5.0
Ali Hazelwood simply never misses and I think she may be one of my favorite authors of all time. As soon as she accepts my DM invite on Instagram she will be blasted with many drunk ramblings about how much I adore her.
Elsie is the MC I've related to the most so far. Between her Twilight love and her tendency to mold herself into versions that are more palatable, I just really related to her. Her tendency to idolize adults in her life was jarring to me, and so achingly familiar. Also, her guilt over having childhood health issues wasn't something I had ever read before, and it wasn't something I ever realized I needed to read. It's so exhausting to chip away at yourself until you're nothing but swiss cheese, and then still feel raw and exposed when you aren't chosen. Ugh.
Elsie is the MC I've related to the most so far. Between her Twilight love and her tendency to mold herself into versions that are more palatable, I just really related to her. Her tendency to idolize adults in her life was jarring to me, and so achingly familiar. Also, her guilt over having childhood health issues wasn't something I had ever read before, and it wasn't something I ever realized I needed to read. It's so exhausting to chip away at yourself until you're nothing but swiss cheese, and then still feel raw and exposed when you aren't chosen. Ugh.
connie_a's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
mckellstar's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
I was really excited for this book but honestly, I kept forgetting what it was actually about in the extremely long length of time I had to wait to get my hands on it. I feel like I've been waiting for this book for over a year, lol. But the thing I *did* remember during that time was the cover. When I first saw this cover, for whatever reason, I was all in, I was ready; I knew I was going to like it.
Then, I read the book.
I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it wasn't similar in any way to her other books, because it was. But... I didn't care!
Out of her full-length novels, this is my favourite by far. Jack is the swooniest cinnamon roll I have read in a long, long time. Was he "big" and "tall" with "huge hands" and did I mention that he was a "giant", just like every other Hazelwood hero? Yeah, sure, but again I DID NOT CARE because his personality? His EMOTIONAL MATURITY? The fact that we got so much character development for both him AND our heroine?! Speaking of...
Elsie. I related and connected to her so viscerally that I was brought to tears not once, but twice while reading this book. I read a review that said they got annoyed by her low self-esteem, by her seemingly unbelievable naivety or "stupidity" when it came to Jack and his feelings for her, but I didn't have the same experience. I think their opinion is valid, but I just don't share it. *shrug* At the end of the day, this is a book review, not a chance for me to divulge my inner workings or emotional trauma so I'm not going to, but when I tell you I felt Seen through Elsie's characterization, I felt Seen.
More than anything, go into this book with an open mind, and try not to get too hung up on the "fake dating" trope the back of the book promises. While that's in there, it's a small detail of the bigger picture- a picture I thought was really well crafted, paced, and thought out. Ali Hazelwood continues to grow as a writer, and I'm excited to see where it takes her next!
------
Review to come once I’m emotionally stable again
I was really excited for this book but honestly, I kept forgetting what it was actually about in the extremely long length of time I had to wait to get my hands on it. I feel like I've been waiting for this book for over a year, lol. But the thing I *did* remember during that time was the cover. When I first saw this cover, for whatever reason, I was all in, I was ready; I knew I was going to like it.
Then, I read the book.
I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it wasn't similar in any way to her other books, because it was. But... I didn't care!
Out of her full-length novels, this is my favourite by far. Jack is the swooniest cinnamon roll I have read in a long, long time. Was he "big" and "tall" with "huge hands" and did I mention that he was a "giant", just like every other Hazelwood hero? Yeah, sure, but again I DID NOT CARE because his personality? His EMOTIONAL MATURITY? The fact that we got so much character development for both him AND our heroine?! Speaking of...
Elsie. I related and connected to her so viscerally that I was brought to tears not once, but twice while reading this book. I read a review that said they got annoyed by her low self-esteem, by her seemingly unbelievable naivety or "stupidity" when it came to Jack and his feelings for her, but I didn't have the same experience. I think their opinion is valid, but I just don't share it. *shrug* At the end of the day, this is a book review, not a chance for me to divulge my inner workings or emotional trauma so I'm not going to, but when I tell you I felt Seen through Elsie's characterization, I felt Seen.
More than anything, go into this book with an open mind, and try not to get too hung up on the "fake dating" trope the back of the book promises. While that's in there, it's a small detail of the bigger picture- a picture I thought was really well crafted, paced, and thought out. Ali Hazelwood continues to grow as a writer, and I'm excited to see where it takes her next!
------
Review to come once I’m emotionally stable again
kellyn_p_alcalde's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
kyharrington's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked this much more than The Love Hypothesis! i’m not sure if this was also fanfiction but it wasnt quite as obvious if it was. i thought the sex scenes were well written and the characters were likeable, and i loved the aro/ace representation. it was a fun read made better by the fact that i got it for free via libby.
that being said, the ending felt incredibly rushed. im not sure if it was publishers or deadlines limiting page limit but the fight, revelation, makeup, growth, all felt super smooshed into the end of the book.
that being said, the ending felt incredibly rushed. im not sure if it was publishers or deadlines limiting page limit but the fight, revelation, makeup, growth, all felt super smooshed into the end of the book.
debwendler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0