A review by sami_leigh
Reluctantly Yours by Erin Hawkins

lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

A lighthearted dual POV, enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating story with some likeable characters and growth in the male protagonist. I enjoyed the side character of Emma, which is the main reason I would read the next in this series. It lacked depth in Chloe’s backstory and her subsequent character development -or lack there of. While I am a fan of the Billionaire trope, this billionaire begins the story not caring about anything but himself and never really changes his ways
Even during his reconciliation with Chloe in the third act, he explains away his actions as his love without fully admitting how overbearing and manipulative he was. Blackmailing Chloe into a fake relationship, beginning a sexual relationship before clearing up that she was no longer being blackmailed, and having her apartment renovated without her knowledge as if he couldn’t be in a relationship with someone who lived in an apartment; it all made me cringe.
There is also far more depth to Barrett’s journey of falling for Chloe than hers for him
it felt like there were chapters missing from the book on Chloe’s side as she goes from hating him to having sex with him out of nowhere to saying she’s in love but never expressing why she fell for him.

There aren’t enough conversations of substance for their love to seem believable. The enemies-to-lovers is also a stretch
it’s never explained why he treated her poorly and then suddenly they don’t hate each other…

🌶🌶🌶
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