jeanettesreadingcorner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- Olive and Ethan are so fun together! Their banter is fun and I love how they call each variations of their own names.
- It seemed like they had some misconceptions about each other, which caused the misguided notions. They clearly like to bicker and compete with each other. To me they weren’t exactly enemies.
- Olive and Ethan remind me of Mia and Nicholas from the movie The Princess Diaries 2 (especially the “I loathe you” and kiss scene!)
- The timing of the comedic and dramatic scenes are so on point
- I definitely understand why Christina Lauren books are so popular! This one specifically had a lot of charm, romance, humor.
- Olive’s family is so supportive and protective of each other.
- The epilogue is amazing and I loved it!
- The drama between Ami and Dane. OMG. I didn’t see it coming but I’m not surprised either. I immediately got bad vibes from Dane. I think it’s interesting that they were together from the beginning but Olive and Ethan are meant to be.
- I didn’t like or understand the obsession with boobs and body parts in this book. It was too repetitive about them. Like we get it, Olive has big boobs and Ethan is attractive. However, I’m not opposed to reading other Christina Lauren books.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Fatphobia
karyan1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Fatphobia, Vomit, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
chainsiren's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Cursing, Body shaming, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
axm1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse
bookswithlauren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, and Sexism
a_alves00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
lizzye33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
65%: I was a little anxious because I felt the character's lack of communication was a little repelling, and that was before the drop of five chapters full of sad struggles. I found Olive funny, but for a scientist, she seemed dumb up to that point. I am a woman, and I overthink too, but it's really challenging because of all the tidbits of thinking Ethan feels some other way; even though we were reading this story from her perspective, I understood Ethan's words, actions, and decisions much better than Olives. That's not new; I naturally understand the male perspective in most cases, especially regarding relationships. However, that does not extend to people like Dean; I am the only woman who will never be able to justify what he did. I was still curious about this book and have enjoyed it from this; all the same, hoping the end will be good and resolved well.
By the end: Yes, it did end well!!! It ended beautifully between the two, it was not perfect like a movie, but it was perfect for them and this book. I was shocked at the downers that came left and right in this story, but there was an element of hope Olive did not see before despite those things, which was wonderful. I loved how they gave justice to the end cycle of disbelief and stereotypes; at that moment, it became less about a character and more about the issues they went through. I am even more thrilled at finally seeing the character arch and growth between everyone! It had a beautiful last chapter and an even better epilogue. I would love to read this again one day, and I would definitely recommend this to romantic comedy lovers who enjoy travel, adventure, sweet moments, awkward moments, and love that wins in the end.
This book had so many wonderful things, seamless transitions, witty banter, adventure, enemies to lovers, and a one-bed trope. There were so many fantastic moments, and I laughed so hard so many times; I was on my little stairway, finding a spot with lights in many directions so that if someone turned one or two lights off, I would still be able to read. I would gasp, cackle (yes, this book made me cackle,) nearly cry, jk, but my family would come over, double take, point fun, and they would debate who died in the book based on what I told them about it. XD Spoiler: no one dies. I would highly recommend this book because it is not only popular for a reason, but it is also one of the few rom-com books I have been introduced to this year because of its popularity, and it is worth it!!! I did not realize how much I needed such a lighthearted and funny read; it was a wonderful change of pace!
Moderate: Alcohol and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
readingwithtrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
1. It didn’t seem very realistic. Olive running into the CEO of a company that she literally got hired at 5 minutes ago in Maui (they live in Minnesota) was already a stretch. THEN you add in Ethan running into a newly engaged ex on top of that and we’re really grasping at straws here. Let’s say it’s all for the sake of a story. I’ll pretend it’s not unrealistic… but then…
2. Dane. How in the world can one guy be SUCH a tool and there not be any red flags??? I just don’t understand. There’s no way Ami didn’t see any red flags prior to marrying him. Like he was able to put on that much of an act with her? So much so that she was willing to believe him over her own sister? I don’t buy it.
All that aside, when I just pretend those things don’t bother me, the story was cute and I did find myself wanting to keep reading. Also the entire paintball scene commentary was hilarious. I legit laughed out loud.
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TRIGGER WARNING FOR HP REFERENCES
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
Divorce - parents and others Multiple Harry Potter referenceszoebill96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship