Reviews

The Setup by Lizzy Dent

nookandcrannyseattle's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This blew me away. I can't recall the last romcom I liked this much. On paper, the FMC would have been a bit insufferable, but the narrator of the audio was OUTSTANDING and really lured me into her corner. Recommended for your next beach read!

hlinds's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

caillie's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

allycwitt's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

mrsbennettreads's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.5

daniellenilsenreads's review

2.0

I wanted to read a really good rom com during February, so I picked up The Setup by Lizzy Dent. I read an advanced copy of Just One Taste last month and LOVED it, so I had high hopes. And yet...those hopes were dashed. I wanted to love this book, but I just did not.

The premise was interesting: a woman visits a palm reader and based on that woman's clues, our main character *thinks* she meets the person she is fated to end up with. However, the person she really should be with is right under her nose and she doesn't see it! Frustrating, right? To make things even more infuriating, when she finally does catch some feelings for the right-under-her-nose guy, she resists...because she is holding out for the other guy. In my opinion, she held out for far too long and did not show nearly enough emotional growth or character development throughout the book. This made the last half of the book difficult to finish because I just wanted it to be over already.

This might be someone's cup of tea but it was not mine! Still, I will give Dent's other books a go because Just One Taste was so sweet. Perhaps this one was just a fluke. *shrug emoji*

mariahreadsmore's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

bookedwithallie's review against another edition

4.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️

imogencobbx's review

4.0

A very cute romance! Easy to read x

practicingshelfcare's review against another edition

5.0

This book is just so good! I laughed out loud several times reading this book and I just adore Lizzy Dent’s writing. The Setup follows Mara, a big believer in signs and not having any responsibility for her own actions, as she attempts to make herself and her life over in the course of a summer. She believes her soul mate is coming to meet her in the last week of August so she tries to get herself ready to meet him. Her makeover is largely cosmetic, without going under the surface to face her fears, fix her relationship with her parents, or her friendship with her closest friend. She expands her life and her wardrobe, experiencing lots of personal growth while focusing on her goal. But, when she is getting ready for Joe to come in August, is she missing what has been right in front of her all along? This book is perfect for fans of The Summer Job, Lizzy Dent’s debut novel. This book leans more heavily into the romance than the Summer Job though, which is excellent in my opinion. I’ve smiled so much in this book my cheeks hurt, and I stayed up way too late to finish it. I think that’s the best endorsement I can give!