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bremcfarland's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I like the FMC, but the MMC had some annoying moments
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
buttermellow's review
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Classism
ariana_m's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Yeah I didn't like this one. It wasn't good in my opinion at all. It's so slow and not in a slow burn way where there's tension and little moments and stuff, just slow. It was also insta lusty? Idk if that's a word but they pretty much wanted to do it after their second interaction. They didn't though but still. I didn't get the friends to lovers thing between them at all. I didn't get the connection at all either. I was bored the whole time. I initially thought it had a slow start but I was bored and eventually sped through it so I could finish. I. also didn't like how Emma's only personality trait was being a a character on a tv show that was naked at times and I didn't like how Lucian was so whiny throughout this whole thing. The third act conflict was so stupid too. I'm just glad I'm done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
a_ab's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
2.5* at most. Tried a new to me author with a very mixed result. I liked the writing style for the most part and some characterizations seemed realistic and even raw, but all those positives were brutally hampered by the fact that the whole book is based on ridiculous insta-lust. Which translated into way too many gratuitous sex scenes, some of which were contextually inappropriate. (The author seems to think that orgasms are a miracle cure for all migraines(!!!) - special miracle migraines, maybe.)
Therefore, even my usual technique of just skipping the sex scenes didn't work in this book - it was like walking in a mine field: the most unsexy, sex-irrelevant situations got interrupted by explicit sex thoughts or ended up being inappropriate setups for a sex scene. Eww.
The sex also got in the way of the relationship between the characters. Too much lust clouds both judgement and motivation, so it was difficult to gauge how reliable the first person narrators were when we got to see their thoughts about each other. But at least there were relationship building moments outside of sex - enough of them to be the saving grace of the book and the reason why I finished it despite its mine field qualities.
In conclusion:
Can this author write? Yes.
Can she write something I would really enjoy reading? Doubtful, but perhaps detailed reviews can help me figure it out in the future.
Therefore, even my usual technique of just skipping the sex scenes didn't work in this book - it was like walking in a mine field: the most unsexy, sex-irrelevant situations got interrupted by explicit sex thoughts or ended up being inappropriate setups for a sex scene. Eww.
The sex also got in the way of the relationship between the characters. Too much lust clouds both judgement and motivation, so it was difficult to gauge how reliable the first person narrators were when we got to see their thoughts about each other. But at least there were relationship building moments outside of sex - enough of them to be the saving grace of the book and the reason why I finished it despite its mine field qualities.
In conclusion:
Can this author write? Yes.
Can she write something I would really enjoy reading? Doubtful, but perhaps detailed reviews can help me figure it out in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
legallyhea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lotte5322's review
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
ecravens's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
dkgreads's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Kristen Callihan sure does know how to write real, emotional, character driven stories and I am HERE FOR IT. Gosh, I loved Lucian and Emma so much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
livelyghost's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An easy breezy read that I devoured in a day. It was fun getting to know the main characters (if you like Keely and Roy Kent in Ted Lasso you’ll love these two) and the fun secondary characters that appeal. The first half is all anticipation and delicious sounding food with some light character development. Super fun and light!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
ashleycmms's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail