sara_med_h's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical content
alisonreadsitall's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly, Darcy annoyed me. I think I would have liked this book so much better if she had any will power. Tom was precious and everything you could have asked for in a MMC.
3.25 stars ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
<Spoiler>
Like I understand that she lived a pretty traumatic life with her heart condition, but that’s no excuse to say whatever is on your mind at any given point and constantly leave people on a whim.
I really enjoyed the ending and appreciate the medical representation in Darcy, but I just could not get over her annoying personality. 🫣 </Spoiler>
Tropes:
Brothers Best friend
Opposites Attract
3.25 stars ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
<Spoiler>
Like I understand that she lived a pretty traumatic life with her heart condition, but that’s no excuse to say whatever is on your mind at any given point and constantly leave people on a whim.
I really enjoyed the ending and appreciate the medical representation in Darcy, but I just could not get over her annoying personality. 🫣 </Spoiler>
Tropes:
Brothers Best friend
Opposites Attract
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
whackettreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
I thought this was a very good follow up after having read the hating game. While I like the hating game more, this is a close second. I love that they fell in love as kids and never really stop loving each other. I love the side story for her twin brother. I love that she’s a rebel with short hair. I love that they get called out on a selfishness as rich twins. I thought it was a sweet easy read that’s fairly predictable but definitely fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Medical content
lisa_m's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this better than the Hating Game. I think I just related to the characters more. The Hating Game just felt soo fictional and this book sometimes does too but it still felt way more real somehow.
There were still some weird dynamics that you have to overlook in order to enjoy this book though.
Tom Vakeska, the love interest is a childhood friend and is throughout the book referred to as "adopted" or "the third sibling". That made me a bit uncomfortable tbh but other than that there dynamic was quite cute.
What made me like this book was that two of my favourite tropes are in it:
1. absolute adoration / being 100% in love with no other option + lots and lots of pining
2. they know each other so so well including their worst flaws and still they love each other.
Also there is the sibling relationship between Darcy and her brother which was so heartwarming. I mean they fight a lot and I sometimes thought they genuinely hate each other but when they show how much they each care about the other person it's so adorable!
There were still some weird dynamics that you have to overlook in order to enjoy this book though.
Tom Vakeska, the love interest is a childhood friend and is throughout the book referred to as "adopted" or "the third sibling". That made me a bit uncomfortable tbh but other than that there dynamic was quite cute.
What made me like this book was that two of my favourite tropes are in it:
1. absolute adoration / being 100% in love with no other option + lots and lots of pining
2. they know each other so so well including their worst flaws and still they love each other.
Also there is the sibling relationship between Darcy and her brother which was so heartwarming. I mean they fight a lot and I sometimes thought they genuinely hate each other but when they show how much they each care about the other person it's so adorable!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
srah's review against another edition
4.0
Being possessive is kind of a turnoff for me, but because they were both so intense, it built a lot of tension, and that was good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
glacial_erratic848's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Was this the worst book I've ever read? At least in recent memory, yes it is.
Any cute romantic tropes are vastly overshadowed by the characters' self-hate and the toxic, controlling relationship the male twin has over the female twin and their best friend. None of this is acknowledged or dealt with.
Apart from the bad writing and shallow characters, I can't believe the author would romanticize emotional abuse and try to sell it as a romance novel. Very poorly done.
Any cute romantic tropes are vastly overshadowed by the characters' self-hate and the toxic, controlling relationship the male twin has over the female twin and their best friend. None of this is acknowledged or dealt with.
Apart from the bad writing and shallow characters, I can't believe the author would romanticize emotional abuse and try to sell it as a romance novel. Very poorly done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
miglena's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I felt like the place and the relationship between Tom and Darcy was super entertaining and I loved it.
I would have given this book better stars if Jamie and Darcy's relationship was executed differently. Doesn't sit right with me.
The ending also felt rushed and there could have been better detail to explain what was going on.
This is the second book I've read from Sally Thorne where a man in the female main character's life treats her like shit and we're supposed to just forgive him and have it glossed over without any real character development or genuine apology.
I would have given this book better stars if Jamie and Darcy's relationship was executed differently.
Spoiler
I wish there was some kind of genuine apology from Jamie. It felt like the reader was just supposed to look over his disrespect toward Darcy just cause they're twins.The ending also felt rushed and there could have been better detail to explain what was going on.
This is the second book I've read from Sally Thorne where a man in the female main character's life treats her like shit and we're supposed to just forgive him and have it glossed over without any real character development or genuine apology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual harassment
eligru's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I know this might be an uncommon/unpopular opinion, but I liked this more that The Hating Game. I definitely loved both books, but this one is more me. The characters felt real and I just love reading stories about twins. ^^
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
nemaria's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Medical content
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
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