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ankiaisreading'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
1.75
“Stacy can choke on store-bought sugar cookies like the rest of us. Why's he even bringing them? They're dentists. They should be eating celery.”
WARNING: Guess what? It's unpopular opinion time again!!
I had such a great time reading Twice Shy last year, and I've been meaning to read more of her books ever since. I decided to turn to her debut You Deserve Each Other next, because I do enjoy a good enemy-to-lover romance and the premise sounded like so much fun... But sadly it just wasn't ment to be in the end. Honestly, this book made me. SO. ANGRY. It's been a long time since I despised a main character this much, but Naomi definitely wins the prize here. Self-centered, immature, vindicative, mean and simply despicable; I honestly could not find one thing I liked about her. I only started to hate her more and more with each page, and Nicholas was no picnic either. He is basically a mommy boy who still does everything she demands of him even though he is in his thirties. Healthy relationship much? Plus he is just as bad with him returning Naomi's bad behavior. Oh yes, the two definitely deserve each other after all, and not in a good way. Basically, Naomi has been lying to Nicholas from the very beginning of their relationship, then gets mad when things aren't going her way... Nevermind the fact that she doesn't exactly stand up for herself in the beginning either. The miscommunication trope seems to be a big part of the plot, but I didn't like how it was developed and it was mostly Naomi refusing to communicate properly or accept her faults. Sure, the second half did have some redeeming moments, but for me it was too little too late and I was already actively hating the story too much by then to be swayed by it. I confess that I started skimreading sooner than later, and I kind of wish I had just DNFed it instead... Oh yes, it's easy to say that You Deserve Each Other and me most definitely didn't get along.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
haley49's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
analenegrace'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
4.5
This has been on my list for a while but I hadn't picked up until now and I can't believe I haven't! That was so fun, silly, but so sweet, I loved it! Naomi and Nicholas were initially hard characters to love that I eventually fell in love with so much as their story progressed. I also first didn't love not having Nicholas's POV, but I think it ended up working super well because Naomi really was so much "the problem" in the relationship.
Nicholas was so kind for so much of the book that I would have loved a little more exposition on how it got as bad as it did in the first few chapters. I also would have liked some characterization for either of their families besides just plain awful, they felt very flat. Otherwise, amazing book I can't wait to gush about in book club.
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Toxic friendship
namedroppingsleaze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty and Sexual harassment
janetriestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Fatphobia
eddaccine_alfredo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spice: 🌶🌶/5 - good chemistry, but not given a lot of attention. There’s only one or two physically intimate scenes. I kinda wanted more (I always want more haha) but I do think the other themes of the novel would have made more physical scenes feel icky, you know?
Writing: 🖊🖊🖊🖊/5 - really funny writing. I laughed out loud many times! And the thanksgiving scene?? *chefs kiss* I tend to prefer dialogue over description and (while the dialogue was great!) there where some moments where the main character’s inner thoughts felt a tad rambly or repetitive.
Gender dynamics: 💟💟💟💟💟/5 - something I pay attention to is the use of gender roles between the MLIs. The characters don’t start perfect (kinda the point) but the growth from both of them felt sincere.
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Grief
town_scar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infertility and Mental illness