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literarymary95'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
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia and Alcohol
kelseyfontaine'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
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia and Alcohol
town_scar'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? Yes
3.75
Pros: Very relatable and funny female lead. Really sweet relationship* between the two characters. For me, loved the MN representation. It's impressive considering neither author is from the area how local it felt. Sex scenes are implied rather than shown and it works well.
Cons: almost impossible to say without spoiling. But suffice to say some strange choices were made that I'm not enthusiastic about.
Graphic: Infidelity, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
annakinsky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
WHEREAS AMI IS A FOUR-LEAF clover, I have always been unlucky. I don’t say that to be theatrical or because I only seem unlucky in comparison
Ami is an optimist who looks for the silver lining; I tend to assume the sky is falling
I wish I knew what was happening, both between us and inside my heart. It feels like the organ itself has gotten bigger, like it’s demanding to be seen and heard, reminding me that I am a warm-blooded female with wants and needs that go beyond the basics. Being with Ethan increasingly feels like spoiling myself with a perfect new pair of shoes or an extravagant dinner out. I just remain unconvinced that I deserve this daily . . . or that it can last.
He smiles over at me, and my heart does an uneasy somersault beneath my breastbone because I realize I’m wrong: for the first time in months—maybe years—I’m happy. And with Ethan, of all people.
Being an expert at self-sabotage, I revert back to old habits. “That must be hard for you.”
you’re the first one to mention this to me. I realize part of it is outlook, but honestly—it’s luck, too.”
“Okay, but . . . my lucky penny is just a coin. It doesn’t have any great power, it’s not magic, it’s just something I found before a bunch of awesome things happened. So now I associate it with those awesome things.”
I think it’s easier for you to believe that when things don’t go your way, it’s not because of something you did, it’s because you’re a pawn in some cosmic game of chance. But, news flash, Olive: you end up unemployed and alone because of the choices you make
"WHEREAS AMI IS A FOUR-LEAF clover, I have always been unlucky. I don’t say that to be theatrical or because I only seem unlucky in comparison"
Ami is an optimist who looks for the silver lining; I tend to assume the sky is falling
He smiles over at me, and my heart does an uneasy somersault beneath my breastbone because I realize I’m wrong: for the first time in months—maybe years—I’m happy. And with Ethan, of all people.
Being an expert at self-sabotage, I revert back to old habits. “That must be hard for you.”
you’re the first one to mention this to me. I realize part of it is outlook, but honestly—it’s luck, too.”
“Okay, but . . . my lucky penny is just a coin. It doesn’t have any great power, it’s not magic, it’s just something I found before a bunch of awesome things happened. So now I associate it with those awesome things.”
I wish I knew what was happening, both between us and inside my heart. It feels like the organ itself has gotten bigger, like it’s demanding to be seen and heard, reminding me that I am a warm-blooded female with wants and needs that go beyond the basics. Being with Ethan increasingly feels like spoiling myself with a perfect new pair of shoes or an extravagant dinner out. I just remain unconvinced that I deserve this daily . . . or that it can last.
I think it’s easier for you to believe that when things don’t go your way, it’s not because of something you did, it’s because you’re a pawn in some cosmic game of chance. But, news flash, Olive: you end up unemployed and alone because of the choices you make
"WHEREAS AMI IS A FOUR-LEAF clover, I have always been unlucky. I don’t say that to be theatrical or because I only seem unlucky in comparison"
Ami is an optimist who looks for the silver lining; I tend to assume the sky is falling
He smiles over at me, and my heart does an uneasy somersault beneath my breastbone because I realize I’m wrong: for the first time in months—maybe years—I’m happy. And with Ethan, of all people.
Being an expert at self-sabotage, I revert back to old habits. “That must be hard for you.”
you’re the first one to mention this to me. I realize part of it is outlook, but honestly—it’s luck, too.”
“Okay, but . . . my lucky penny is just a coin. It doesn’t have any great power, it’s not magic, it’s just something I found before a bunch of awesome things happened. So now I associate it with those awesome things.”
I wish I knew what was happening, both between us and inside my heart. It feels like the organ itself has gotten bigger, like it’s demanding to be seen and heard, reminding me that I am a warm-blooded female with wants and needs that go beyond the basics. Being with Ethan increasingly feels like spoiling myself with a perfect new pair of shoes or an extravagant dinner out. I just remain unconvinced that I deserve this daily . . . or that it can last.
I think it’s easier for you to believe that when things don’t go your way, it’s not because of something you did, it’s because you’re a pawn in some cosmic game of chance. But, news flash, Olive: you end up unemployed and alone because of the choices you make
As much as the size and presence of my family can feel oppressive at times, it’s the greatest comfort I have right now. Even if I pretend to be annoyed that they’re constantly checking up on me, they all see through it. Because if it were any of them struggling—and it has been, many times—I would find a reason to drop by at four o’clock wherever they work, too.
A fracture forms right down the middle of my heart. Half of it belongs to my sister, for what she’s about to go through; the other half will always keep beating for myself even when no one else will.
On the one hand, screw him for not having my back, for enabling his brother to be a terrible boyfriend/husband, for being obstinately obtuse about a serial cheater. But on the other hand, what would I do in the same situation to protect Ami? Would it be hard to see her as sketchy the same way it was hard for Ethan to see Dane?
There are two responses in me. One is a joyful Okay then, let’s do this! and the other is a fearful Oh hell no. The first feels breezy and light, the second feels comforting and familiar and safe. As good as it feels to be careful, and to risk boredom and loneliness over heartache, I don’t particularly want comfortable and safe anymore.
“I guess you deserve another chance
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Vomit, and Alcohol
lvd92's review against another edition
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Misogyny
gwenswoons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I also kind of hated how
Overall I’d recommend it as a light beginner rom-com as it’s fade to black with enough basic tropes but I won’t be keeping my copy.
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
ahsokasbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Infidelity and Vomit
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
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: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fatphobia
thegazillionthreader'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
This was my first Christina Lauren book (which I think it is so cool it is two friends co writing!!) after having a couple on my TBR for awhile. Finally read this and it was so fun!! It had some of the best tropes (enemies to more, fake dating/relationship, a vacation, one bed) and it is a perfect read for summer. And for those who maybe don’t like it toooo spicy but still like a little, I think this could fit that. I was honestly expecting more spice tbh! It was there but not as much as other books. 💘🔥
Spoilers below
spoilers below
spoilers below
you have been warned
Spoilers Below
I was kinda surprised by the ending with Dane and Ami tbh. That was pretty sad. :( It was also frustrating when nobody was believing Olive. It also kinda made me have trust issues with Ethan… but I guess the epilogue helped restore it mostly.
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Fatphobia