megghonk's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun, light read! Fake dating trope, silly at times but just what the heart wants.
A little too heavy handed on some of the repeating about being poor or how much they hate academia but would read the next one!
A little too heavy handed on some of the repeating about being poor or how much they hate academia but would read the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
miijiju's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Spoilers ↓
Better than expected
What I liked:
The storyline was fine, the concept worked too. It wasn't really an enemies to lovers or academic rivals but the twist was nice, Brenton did seem like an ass from the beginning (like he himself mentioned) and I like the goofy revenge that Olive gave him.
What I didn't like:
The characters were bland and boring, especially Adam felt like he didn't have a personality and his random switch from "never giving a fuck" to "I'm going to kill you" near the end with Brenton felt unnatural and weird. Malcolm was annoying and imo Anh was a pushover even after she mentioned it. The sex scene too 😭
I don't get how the book has an average 4⭐ rating on GoodReads but it doesn't deserve it.
Better than expected
What I liked:
The storyline was fine, the concept worked too. It wasn't really an enemies to lovers or academic rivals but the twist was nice, Brenton did seem like an ass from the beginning (like he himself mentioned) and I like the goofy revenge that Olive gave him.
What I didn't like:
The characters were bland and boring, especially Adam felt like he didn't have a personality and his random switch from "never giving a fuck" to "I'm going to kill you" near the end with Brenton felt unnatural and weird. Malcolm was annoying and imo Anh was a pushover even after she mentioned it. The sex scene too 😭
I don't get how the book has an average 4⭐ rating on GoodReads but it doesn't deserve it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I had a good time with this. There were some of my fatal flaws that are typical in romance (man is so big, woman is so tiny & horribly cliche ending) but it didn’t completely ruin the story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Cancer
Minor: Toxic friendship
allonsyahhlee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
lmy612's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fantastic fauxmance! Adam is dark and brooding but also protective and caring. A swoon worthy read for anyone who likes smart people and some spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Cancer, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
arxchiell's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
[EDIT: 27/01] Nevermind 2 stars I still pissed of about the stereotypes about asexuality and "I'm broken" shit
Very very very rounded 3 stars
Ok it's a easy read but the mc wants to be so relatable makes me ugh
Don't want to be mean but I read crack fanfic better than this
Very very very rounded 3 stars
Ok it's a easy read but the mc wants to be so relatable makes me ugh
Don't want to be mean but I read crack fanfic better than this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
lyrapollock's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexism, Cancer, and Death of parent
lousnewchapter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, Death of parent, Cancer, and Sexual harassment
notmatmat's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
thesawyerbean's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would considering my previous foray into Hazelwood’s stuff. I was heavily invested and the story was fun and addictive.
I will say, however, the writing wasn’t exactly great. It was absolutely littered with predictable plot points, heinous tropes and weird turns of phrase. I was absolutely sick of hearing how absolutely gargantuan and broad and tall and massive Adam is and how he has so many abs and rippling pecs and… give it a rest, Olive. The way the author wrote. Like. This. For. Emphasis. and repeated the same thing several times to portray awkwardness was also extremely agitating.
Every single character other than Adam annoyed me greatly at some point in the novel - I found the characterisation of the gay characters to be a bit on the nose and stereotypical … did the gay character really have to be known to be promiscuous? Olive was utterly frustrating throughout and I wish she would just communicate one time - but I guess that wouldn’t make for a good novel. The smutty scenes were actually not bad which is surprising considering, but there were some lines in there that were very … peculiar, let’s say.
Overall, lived up to the hype! Definitely a fun-filled read.
I will say, however, the writing wasn’t exactly great. It was absolutely littered with predictable plot points, heinous tropes and weird turns of phrase. I was absolutely sick of hearing how absolutely gargantuan and broad and tall and massive Adam is and how he has so many abs and rippling pecs and… give it a rest, Olive. The way the author wrote. Like. This. For. Emphasis. and repeated the same thing several times to portray awkwardness was also extremely agitating.
Every single character other than Adam annoyed me greatly at some point in the novel - I found the characterisation of the gay characters to be a bit on the nose and stereotypical … did the gay character really have to be known to be promiscuous? Olive was utterly frustrating throughout and I wish she would just communicate one time - but I guess that wouldn’t make for a good novel. The smutty scenes were actually not bad which is surprising considering, but there were some lines in there that were very … peculiar, let’s say.
Overall, lived up to the hype! Definitely a fun-filled read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent