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a_ab's review against another edition
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? No
1.5
This was a surprisingly frustrating and blood-boiling reading experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
This series has a great fun premise, and I naively keep hoping that it will start living up to it, but so far - no luck.
There is a lot of lip service to progressive ideas in each book, but the characters' actions (even those of the protagonists and sympathetically portrayed characters) are full of internalized misogyny, toxic masculinity, patriarchal BS and rich entitled elitism.
I wish this idea landed in the hands of a better author or that this one would make some self improvement efforts, but I should accept that this wish is not going to be granted. Not even at Christmas.
This book has another relationship which survives entirely on the power of "magical" sex, because outside of it there is nothing that could possibly keep these characters even interested in each other. They are not a good match, they do not treat each other with respect or understanding, they keep making wrong decisions for and on behalf of the other, and they never really learn from their mistakes - they just plaster it all over with more intense supposedly passionate sex.
There was a detail in this book which made me incandescent with rage - the main female character is supposed to be competent and a lawyer, yet all effective decisions in her life are made for her by different men around her - aside from making a coffee house order, nothing she does by herself or of her own free will sticks - not a single thing throughout the whole book! What. The. Hell?!?!
This series has a great fun premise, and I naively keep hoping that it will start living up to it, but so far - no luck.
There is a lot of lip service to progressive ideas in each book, but the characters' actions (even those of the protagonists and sympathetically portrayed characters) are full of internalized misogyny, toxic masculinity, patriarchal BS and rich entitled elitism.
I wish this idea landed in the hands of a better author or that this one would make some self improvement efforts, but I should accept that this wish is not going to be granted. Not even at Christmas.
This book has another relationship which survives entirely on the power of "magical" sex, because outside of it there is nothing that could possibly keep these characters even interested in each other. They are not a good match, they do not treat each other with respect or understanding, they keep making wrong decisions for and on behalf of the other, and they never really learn from their mistakes - they just plaster it all over with more intense supposedly passionate sex.
There was a detail in this book which made me incandescent with rage - the main female character is supposed to be competent and a lawyer, yet all effective decisions in her life are made for her by different men around her - aside from making a coffee house order, nothing she does by herself or of her own free will sticks - not a single thing throughout the whole book! What. The. Hell?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
krisalexcole's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Violence, and Gaslighting
1990sjc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
infectiousreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was cuuuute; I love grump + sunshine so much and I did love Colton and Gretchen's relationship. The beginning 50% is a struggle, however, to get through; I loved Colton, felt bogged down by Gretchen, and then when the 50% mark hits and they begin "dating," it gets better. Much better in so many ways. We also get more about Gretchen and her family dynamic which I wish was in the first half of this novel.
I loved the banter, the cuteness, and the Colton!!! The fucking COLTON!!! I loved everything about his swag, his love, and the way his heart was described. Gretchen was very much me about 5-7 years ago, so I also did enjoy her elevation to get to where she was at the end. She learned, sacrificed, and understood what it meant to have to choose your family and those that surround you. It is about who you associate with that can change your mood entirely.
I love a good HEA, of course, and this was perfect for my pick-me-up from the smutty-eroticism I read. There is not a ton of spicy sex in it, but enough to wet my palette. They had some really sensual and nice lovemaking between the two and that part I enjoyed. Even when it was forceful, it was hot and sensual. Loved that it felt so caring and sweet.
I loved the banter, the cuteness, and the Colton!!! The fucking COLTON!!! I loved everything about his swag, his love, and the way his heart was described. Gretchen was very much me about 5-7 years ago, so I also did enjoy her elevation to get to where she was at the end. She learned, sacrificed, and understood what it meant to have to choose your family and those that surround you. It is about who you associate with that can change your mood entirely.
I love a good HEA, of course, and this was perfect for my pick-me-up from the smutty-eroticism I read. There is not a ton of spicy sex in it, but enough to wet my palette. They had some really sensual and nice lovemaking between the two and that part I enjoyed. Even when it was forceful, it was hot and sensual. Loved that it felt so caring and sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
le3713's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Lots of fun returning to this cast of characters (even if I can't keep them entirely straight). The Christmas setting of this one was charming, and I love the interactions of the friend groups. I found the external conflict in this one somewhat over the top, but enjoyed it nonetheless. Quick seasonal romance with some emotional substance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
licensetoshelbs's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
zoelynn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse
mairead_parade's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
I like this series and cast of characters a lot, but this one felt a little underbaked - a lot of components and not enough page time for most of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
susanknights's review
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity
iamsammie27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse