yvo_about_books's review
1.75
Finished reading: August 17th 2023
“Stacy can choke on store-bought sugar cookies like the rest of us. Why's he even bringing them? They're dentists. They should be eating celery.”
WARNING: Guess what? It's unpopular opinion time again!!
I had such a great time reading Twice Shy last year, and I've been meaning to read more of her books ever since. I decided to turn to her debut You Deserve Each Other next, because I do enjoy a good enemy-to-lover romance and the premise sounded like so much fun... But sadly it just wasn't ment to be in the end. Honestly, this book made me. SO. ANGRY. It's been a long time since I despised a main character this much, but Naomi definitely wins the prize here. Self-centered, immature, vindicative, mean and simply despicable; I honestly could not find one thing I liked about her. I only started to hate her more and more with each page, and Nicholas was no picnic either. He is basically a mommy boy who still does everything she demands of him even though he is in his thirties. Healthy relationship much? Plus he is just as bad with him returning Naomi's bad behavior. Oh yes, the two definitely deserve each other after all, and not in a good way. Basically, Naomi has been lying to Nicholas from the very beginning of their relationship, then gets mad when things aren't going her way... Nevermind the fact that she doesn't exactly stand up for herself in the beginning either. The miscommunication trope seems to be a big part of the plot, but I didn't like how it was developed and it was mostly Naomi refusing to communicate properly or accept her faults. Sure, the second half did have some redeeming moments, but for me it was too little too late and I was already actively hating the story too much by then to be swayed by it. I confess that I started skimreading sooner than later, and I kind of wish I had just DNFed it instead... Oh yes, it's easy to say that You Deserve Each Other and me most definitely didn't get along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
haley49's review against another edition
4.25
It was a fun read. I laughed and made all the faces reading this. The mc’s voice is so fun and the writing was good. I can’t decide if the main characters were 100% right for each other because they seemed to go from one extreme to the other pretty easily. However I 100% enjoyed myself and choose to believe they made it and lived happily to spite their families
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
Read for Blue Cypress Books HEA May 2023 Book Club!
This has been on my list for a while but I hadn't picked up until now and I can't believe I haven't! That was so fun, silly, but so sweet, I loved it! Naomi and Nicholas were initially hard characters to love that I eventually fell in love with so much as their story progressed. I also first didn't love not having Nicholas's POV, but I think it ended up working super well because Naomi really was so much "the problem" in the relationship.
Nicholas was so kind for so much of the book that I would have loved a little more exposition on how it got as bad as it did in the first few chapters. I also would have liked some characterization for either of their families besides just plain awful, they felt very flat. Otherwise, amazing book I can't wait to gush about in book club.
This has been on my list for a while but I hadn't picked up until now and I can't believe I haven't! That was so fun, silly, but so sweet, I loved it! Naomi and Nicholas were initially hard characters to love that I eventually fell in love with so much as their story progressed. I also first didn't love not having Nicholas's POV, but I think it ended up working super well because Naomi really was so much "the problem" in the relationship.
Nicholas was so kind for so much of the book that I would have loved a little more exposition on how it got as bad as it did in the first few chapters. I also would have liked some characterization for either of their families besides just plain awful, they felt very flat. Otherwise, amazing book I can't wait to gush about in book club.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
Minor: Toxic friendship
michmoo's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I went into the beginning of the book with a strong dislike for Nicholas, but as the bickering and plotting continued, I started to find their combative dynamic hilarious. Would this be healthy or desirable in real life? Possibly not. But was it extremely amusing to read as they irritated each other? Absolutely yes.
I do agree with another reviewer that an epilogue would have been nice, but it did feel like a fitting and somewhat chaotic end for a very chaotic couple.
Spoiler
Each for very different reasons, which I was also amused by.I do agree with another reviewer that an epilogue would have been nice, but it did feel like a fitting and somewhat chaotic end for a very chaotic couple.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic friendship
evefleming's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Body shaming, Sexism, Classism, Toxic friendship, and Cursing
Minor: Infidelity and Gaslighting
ecobookworm's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Ah, what a delightful book. I'd heard SO much about this one so I was really looking forward to it - and sometimes that makes for a disappointing read - but this lived up to the hype. The audiobook is also well done, I would recommend it. I alternated between audio and ebook, but mostly read it as an ebook. The premise is just genius - an engaged couple want to break up but neither wants the repercussions of calling off the wedding, so they try to terrorize each other into doing so. But in the process they realize they may not want to after all...
I have to admit that the first half or so of the book had me cringing a bit. Their relationship starts off so toxic, with a huge lack of communication and being downright awful to each other. It is kind of hilarious at times as the prank wars escalate, but it was also a bit sad - I skipped ahead to the end to reassure myself it would be fine at one point. However, once they start to soften up to each other it more than makes up for it.
I really appreciated how this book explored the realities of long-term relationships, how we tend to hide our inner self and vulnerabilities and the parts we dislike or are ashamed of. Seeing Nicholas and Naomi slowly start to trust each other again, support and validate and do nice things for each other, was truly a joy to see unfold. This is a medium-low steam book (one explicit scene), but the tension and physical aspect of their relationship is incorporated so well. You really get their tenderness for each other, and their relationship comes out even stronger for choosing each other all over again. I also appreciated how the book explores the stresses of an (unnecessary and unwanted) big wedding, the pressures toxic family members can put on a relationship, and the importance of prioritizing and standing up for your partner. Nicholas' mother is an absolute terror. That being said, the side characters are lovely, and I enjoyed Naomi's workplace dynamics and the subplot of her employment troubles. The ending was absolutely satisfying, and so well done. Go check out the illustrated epilogue on the author's insta!
I have to admit that the first half or so of the book had me cringing a bit. Their relationship starts off so toxic, with a huge lack of communication and being downright awful to each other. It is kind of hilarious at times as the prank wars escalate, but it was also a bit sad - I skipped ahead to the end to reassure myself it would be fine at one point. However, once they start to soften up to each other it more than makes up for it.
I really appreciated how this book explored the realities of long-term relationships, how we tend to hide our inner self and vulnerabilities and the parts we dislike or are ashamed of. Seeing Nicholas and Naomi slowly start to trust each other again, support and validate and do nice things for each other, was truly a joy to see unfold. This is a medium-low steam book (one explicit scene), but the tension and physical aspect of their relationship is incorporated so well. You really get their tenderness for each other, and their relationship comes out even stronger for choosing each other all over again. I also appreciated how the book explores the stresses of an (unnecessary and unwanted) big wedding, the pressures toxic family members can put on a relationship, and the importance of prioritizing and standing up for your partner. Nicholas' mother is an absolute terror. That being said, the side characters are lovely, and I enjoyed Naomi's workplace dynamics and the subplot of her employment troubles. The ending was absolutely satisfying, and so well done. Go check out the illustrated epilogue on the author's insta!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual harassment and Infertility
Heat level: medium-low
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