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eliz1207'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
groovybouvie's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
emilygibbs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism
noellegrace8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This being said, there wasn't a terribly detailed plot line; it's mostly just a PhD student trying to get through her program while also navigating her past experiences as well as her current relationships. Additionally, there were many times I wondered why Olive didn't just say no to some things Ahn asked of her during the fake dating, especially because Olive didn't seem the type of person to be pushed around. I also found a few too many similarities between this book and the only other Ali Hazelwood book I've read: Love, Theoretically. I got a little tired of hearing about how the female lead couldn't read anything on the male lead's face, some of the cheesy dialogue or circumstances, about the tallness, washboard abs, and dimples of the dudes, and the best female friend who is kind of loud/obnoxious and pretty much only present to further the lead's story. I also would liked to have seen some more communication between the main couple before they moved along with their relationship, because there was a lot of lying involved initially. And, as just a nit-picky thing, I hate that some of the characters say "Ol." To me, it just doesn't sound like an organic nickname and is too phonetically similar (when you're listening to an audiobook) to Ahn's name.
I love a book that can make me cry, and the aftermath of the incident with Tom did just that. It is worth noting that what happened with him in the book could be a trigger for some people. It was jarring, although well-written.
Finally, while I've heard this began as a Reylo fanfic, I really don't see much of a connection to their story. Olive in particular is nothing like Rey. Adam is merely an indistinct shadow of Kylo. And to be honest, Adam just doesn't have much character at all.
I give Callie Dalton 4/5 ⭐ . She very much has a Valley Girl voice, which is a sensory frustration for me. She can sometimes be a tad overdramatic in her reading efforts, but also, her male voices are quite good.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
victoriascotta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
lkristin2018'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content warning: it does have some super explicit sexual content, but I skipped those two chapters. Ali Hazelwood also has content warnings on her website, which I really appreciated knowing beforehand <3
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Death of parent
jenniferbowman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
morgankailackerman'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
rachelfayreads'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment