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madi_reads13's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
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
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
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
relin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
amalauna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
heartsforhawkins'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
4.75
from an author that wasn’t Hannah Grace and I really liked Ali Hazelwood’s writing style. It was easy to read and flowed well! The characters were really easy to like and their problems felt relatable, close to real life.
Overall banger of a book
Graphic: Cancer, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
slowburnsrus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fatphobia
jess_h7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
corrieroe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol