Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

30 reviews

sestout's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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gracescanlon's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What a fun story! There was so much I thoroughly enjoyed. From April and Emily really developing a sisterly bond, to Simon’s first time kissing Emily (as himself), to the small-town wholesomeness, Well Met is a charming summer read!
 
The only real issue I had with the story was Emily’s lack of comprehension skills overall.
Like, obviously Chris isn’t going to train you in additional responsibilities and then fire you, Emily, new part-time employee or not! Obviously you’re getting a promotion! 🙄
Emily was a repeat offender with these weird, short-sighted conclusions, but by the end of the book she finally got it right.

Like many romances, Well Met did rely heavily on the miscommunication trope. However, these miscommunications, while relatively frequent, were also quickly cleared up — a much more realistic approach to miscommunication than the usual “letting things grow and grow and grow and then causing an unnecessary and melodramatic third-act breakup.”

I disliked the cover, as it seemed to show Emily’s misinterpretation of the situation with Simon in the first half of the book, rather than the reality. His posture and gestures indicated disgust, which was never actually the case — he’s just intense, reticent, and has his own stuff going on.
 
A perfect, fun beach read I definitely recommend!

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zoeyoey's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-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

4.25

Super lovable characters and I loved the whole Renaissance Faire aspect of the story. I think this could be a fun future reread!

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beth_s98's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

I really, really enjoyed this one! I loved the setting and the care given to the description of the Faire. The characters were strong, and I felt as though the growth was reasonable. There are some spicy scenes, but not over-the-top and they felt very realistic. 

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maddireads13's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5


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mabellene's review against another edition

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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

3.75


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bibliomania_express's review against another edition

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4.0

Well Met by Jen DeLuca is a fun Renaissance Faire-themed romance between an English teacher with a piratey side and a woman looking for roots. I really liked Emily and Simon and how their relationship develops as the summer progresses. They're a bit grumpy/sass (I wouldn't call Emily sunshiney, but the vibes work). We're filtered through Emily's POV, so there's some ways she misunderstands Simon, but it works. 

I loved so much that this book cuts off its potential misunderstandings by having characters actually talk to each other. Quite a few things were fairly obvious, and I appreciated that characters actually discovered those things by confronting assumptions. 

For all this book is lighthearted and fun, it does deal with some serious topics. Content warnings for grief and death of a sibling, car accident, and toxic relationship (all in the past, not on page). I think all these issues were handled with care, especially the death of Simon's brother, which is the most central to the story. 

I enjoyed Emily and Simon's banter, the relationships Emily builds with Stacey, Mitch, and Chris, as well as the sister relationship between Emily and April. I know this is the first in a series, so I'm excited to read the next one and see more of the characters.

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bexi's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

2.75

The heroine was kind of dense. The hero was a butthead. They both needed therapy. 

Also,
WOOING SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN ONE DAY! ✋️😭


But it was cute, I guess?? It kept me entertained 🤷‍♀️

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booksandbabble's review

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funny 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

4.0


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jg34's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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? No

4.0

It was cute and cheesy but a tolerable amount of cheese.
I could see how all Emily’s second guessing and over complicating things would be annoying but I kind of related. Simon’s extreme grumpiness was over the top and the change from grumpy to lovey was not gradual at all but
overall it was a nice story and an easy read

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