A review by theespressoedition
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
If you're a fan of Red, White & Royal Blue, you will most likely love this book. Considering that I am not a big fan of RWRB, I struggled to enjoy this one, particularly at the beginning.
Enemies-to-lovers is not my jam... like, at all. It takes a lot for me to really like that trope and this story just didn't have good enough reasons for me to put up with it. Our MC - a completely stuck-up, selfish, "I just bought an island because I was sad and wanted to prove myself" rich boy - doesn't like the love interest at first because... what... he exists in the same space as him and doesn't appreciate fashion and skincare? Okay. The initial dislike felt more like a disconnect and I just couldn't get with the program.
As time went on, I softened to the protagonist, understanding some of why he operated the way he did. However, the final conflict could have been avoided ENTIRELY, had he just not been a prick who refused to hear the other side of the story. Oh, and if he had recognized that his parents were just as selfish and fake as he was. Yeah, it was a lot. I felt I had finally gotten into the story for it to do a spin on me again and make me dislike it just as much as I did when I started.
The redeeming factor for me was the comedic aspect. This book is definitely funny and had me laugh aloud a few times. The other part that I appreciated was that it had pretty great anxiety rep. I appreciated the author's note at the beginning and the list of resources at the end of the book. That was really cool. More of that, please and thanks. I just wish I had actually loved the story itself.
Entertaining to some degree but not worth writing home about.
Enemies-to-lovers is not my jam... like, at all. It takes a lot for me to really like that trope and this story just didn't have good enough reasons for me to put up with it. Our MC - a completely stuck-up, selfish, "I just bought an island because I was sad and wanted to prove myself" rich boy - doesn't like the love interest at first because... what... he exists in the same space as him and doesn't appreciate fashion and skincare? Okay. The initial dislike felt more like a disconnect and I just couldn't get with the program.
As time went on, I softened to the protagonist, understanding some of why he operated the way he did. However, the final conflict could have been avoided ENTIRELY, had he just not been a prick who refused to hear the other side of the story. Oh, and if he had recognized that his parents were just as selfish and fake as he was. Yeah, it was a lot. I felt I had finally gotten into the story for it to do a spin on me again and make me dislike it just as much as I did when I started.
The redeeming factor for me was the comedic aspect. This book is definitely funny and had me laugh aloud a few times. The other part that I appreciated was that it had pretty great anxiety rep. I appreciated the author's note at the beginning and the list of resources at the end of the book. That was really cool. More of that, please and thanks. I just wish I had actually loved the story itself.
Entertaining to some degree but not worth writing home about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic friendship