You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
✨DNF at 30%✨ Don't let the hot guy on the cover fool you
Have you ever been listening to a teacher or lecture, and you wanted to fall asleep but forced yourself awake? That's what it felt like reading this book. And this year, I decided that if I feel like I have to force myself to read a book, I'm DNFing. It's not worth my time to read something subpar when I could be reading something exceptional.
This book has been on my TBR for ages and received high praise from BookTok and Bookstagram, so my expectations were high. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype.
It had all the elements to a contemporary romance I could want:
- NYC setting
- grumpy x sunshine trope
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- he's a handsome, smart and rich lawyer
- she's a hard working, sweet coffee shop owner
Unfortunately, the story was slow moving, unnecessarily wordy, and incredibly cliche. The characters are boring. There's ZERO romantic chemistry. And what even is the plot? In the words of American Idol ex-judge, Randy Jackson, "It's a no from me dawg".
Have you ever been listening to a teacher or lecture, and you wanted to fall asleep but forced yourself awake? That's what it felt like reading this book. And this year, I decided that if I feel like I have to force myself to read a book, I'm DNFing. It's not worth my time to read something subpar when I could be reading something exceptional.
This book has been on my TBR for ages and received high praise from BookTok and Bookstagram, so my expectations were high. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype.
It had all the elements to a contemporary romance I could want:
- NYC setting
- grumpy x sunshine trope
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- he's a handsome, smart and rich lawyer
- she's a hard working, sweet coffee shop owner
Unfortunately, the story was slow moving, unnecessarily wordy, and incredibly cliche. The characters are boring. There's ZERO romantic chemistry. And what even is the plot? In the words of American Idol ex-judge, Randy Jackson, "It's a no from me dawg".
Hang In There, It’s Worth The Time.
Some times you need a fast and fun rom-com, other times you need a lengthy book so if you’re looking for a quick read, come back to this one when you have the time to be submerged into their story.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this book. I feel the grumpy lovable hero is adorable and I never doubted for a second Jack’s devotion for Rose. His possessiveness and protection of her was swoon worthy. Rose was his perfect match to bring out his lighter side with her vivacious personality.
I cherished their relationship progress, as backward as it was. It’s a love story for one and all.
Some times you need a fast and fun rom-com, other times you need a lengthy book so if you’re looking for a quick read, come back to this one when you have the time to be submerged into their story.
There were so many things I enjoyed about this book. I feel the grumpy lovable hero is adorable and I never doubted for a second Jack’s devotion for Rose. His possessiveness and protection of her was swoon worthy. Rose was his perfect match to bring out his lighter side with her vivacious personality.
I cherished their relationship progress, as backward as it was. It’s a love story for one and all.
2.5/5⭐️
Ok where to start? This book started good, I've always loved the marriage of convenience trope and this book was very popular on tiktok. Now, reviewing this post-read I can confirm that the problem with this book isn't that it isn't great it's that it was over hyped.
I don't know why but I felt like the writing was off, as a reader who has read The Hardest Fall and To love Jason Thorn I agree that Ella Maise is an incredible writer. This book was just not it for me.
It felt like it was trying to be a Mariana Zapata kind of slow burn romance but failed. (Again, no hate to the author)
Here's a few things I didn't like (Slight spoiler alert):
- Throwing stuff in anger isn't hot
- Not saying sorry after fucking up simply because you "love her" is shitty
- Rose annoyed me at times
- Here's a direct quote from Jack: "I still couldn't believe she had forgiven me without making me work for it." Me neither Jack. Me neither. I was flabbergasted by the lack of groveling on his part.
- These characters should have taken a page out of Ana Huang's books. I mean the level of groveling those men did -especially Alex- and the women let them and MADE them grovel.
- I was tempted to dnf this book when she got sick, I think it was around the 55% percent check point.
- I will leave you with a few quotes that stuck with me:
°°"This is your last warning. If i ever see you break her heart again, or hear about it, I'll kill you."
Before I could make good on my words, I turned around and forced myself to walk away.°°
LIKE CALM DOWN BOY, YOU'RE A NORMAL CITIZEN, ACT LIKE IT.
°° "I feel like everyone is looking at us, in there." "That's because they are." Jack's eyes moved on my face, then my body. I felt my cheeks heat up. "Look at you. How could they not." °°
AND TO FINNISH THE REASON WHY THIS BOOK WENT FROM A 3.5 RATING TO A 3.
°° "You make my heart go pitty-pat. Did you know that?" "Hmm. I do?" °°
Like what are you two?
PLUS the line that has the title in it (MARRIAGE FOR ONE) seemed forced. You know what I mean? Like she put it in JUST to have the title in her book.
Ok where to start? This book started good, I've always loved the marriage of convenience trope and this book was very popular on tiktok. Now, reviewing this post-read I can confirm that the problem with this book isn't that it isn't great it's that it was over hyped.
I don't know why but I felt like the writing was off, as a reader who has read The Hardest Fall and To love Jason Thorn I agree that Ella Maise is an incredible writer. This book was just not it for me.
It felt like it was trying to be a Mariana Zapata kind of slow burn romance but failed. (Again, no hate to the author)
Here's a few things I didn't like (Slight spoiler alert):
- Throwing stuff in anger isn't hot
- Not saying sorry after fucking up simply because you "love her" is shitty
- Rose annoyed me at times
- Here's a direct quote from Jack: "I still couldn't believe she had forgiven me without making me work for it." Me neither Jack. Me neither. I was flabbergasted by the lack of groveling on his part.
- These characters should have taken a page out of Ana Huang's books. I mean the level of groveling those men did -especially Alex- and the women let them and MADE them grovel.
- I was tempted to dnf this book when she got sick, I think it was around the 55% percent check point.
- I will leave you with a few quotes that stuck with me:
°°"This is your last warning. If i ever see you break her heart again, or hear about it, I'll kill you."
Before I could make good on my words, I turned around and forced myself to walk away.°°
LIKE CALM DOWN BOY, YOU'RE A NORMAL CITIZEN, ACT LIKE IT.
°° "I feel like everyone is looking at us, in there." "That's because they are." Jack's eyes moved on my face, then my body. I felt my cheeks heat up. "Look at you. How could they not." °°
AND TO FINNISH THE REASON WHY THIS BOOK WENT FROM A 3.5 RATING TO A 3.
°° "You make my heart go pitty-pat. Did you know that?" "Hmm. I do?" °°
Like what are you two?
PLUS the line that has the title in it (MARRIAGE FOR ONE) seemed forced. You know what I mean? Like she put it in JUST to have the title in her book.
It was amazing from start to finish
Broody hero and super awesome kick ass heroine- that’s all you need to know
And they author is just as awesome, you have to read this book!!
Broody hero and super awesome kick ass heroine- that’s all you need to know
And they author is just as awesome, you have to read this book!!
4.75 , i’ve never highlighted that much in a book, like wow this book got me
What make me don’t give it a 5 is that i don’t loveee when the MMC eat my head with “no i shouldn’t fall for her” or “ it’s just a business deal” likkkeee noooo shuttt uppp
What make me don’t give it a 5 is that i don’t loveee when the MMC eat my head with “no i shouldn’t fall for her” or “ it’s just a business deal” likkkeee noooo shuttt uppp
⭐️ 3,5/5
A nice little romance.
Cliché but I liked it.
I liked the characters, their stubbornness, their relationship, etc…
A nice little romance.
Cliché but I liked it.
I liked the characters, their stubbornness, their relationship, etc…
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5 stars
From the moment I heard about this book I just knew I would fall in love with this story. And I'm so glad that I was right!
Until this book, I'd never read a book by this author before. She was one I'd heard about, especially her popular "The Hardest Fall" but I was just so worried about the hype that I never ended up reading anything of her. And then I heard about this book, and I just fell in love with everything about it. I loved the cover, but I especially loved the concept/plot. I am a sucker for the marriage of convenience plot and I think that Ella Maise did it justice in this book, and I liked her little spin to the trope as well.
I loved Jack and Rose and I loved their slow burn romance. I loved pretty much everything about this book with the exception of one little thing. I wasn't a fan of one of the sub-plots in this book. It wasn't anything horrible or anything but I would've preferred it didn't happen, even though I do understand it's necessity in the book and why the author had this happen. In an effort to keep this review spoiler free I will say that it didn't take away from how much I loved it and that chances are, I'm in the minority when it comes to my minor complaint. Also the writing style took a little getting used to at first but once I got a couple of chapters in, I was completely invested and was deeply in love with this story and these characters.
Overall, I cannot wait to read more from this author and if you are a fan of the marriage of convenience trope and slow burn romances than I highly recommend this book!
*copy of book given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
From the moment I heard about this book I just knew I would fall in love with this story. And I'm so glad that I was right!
Until this book, I'd never read a book by this author before. She was one I'd heard about, especially her popular "The Hardest Fall" but I was just so worried about the hype that I never ended up reading anything of her. And then I heard about this book, and I just fell in love with everything about it. I loved the cover, but I especially loved the concept/plot. I am a sucker for the marriage of convenience plot and I think that Ella Maise did it justice in this book, and I liked her little spin to the trope as well.
I loved Jack and Rose and I loved their slow burn romance. I loved pretty much everything about this book with the exception of one little thing. I wasn't a fan of one of the sub-plots in this book. It wasn't anything horrible or anything but I would've preferred it didn't happen, even though I do understand it's necessity in the book and why the author had this happen. In an effort to keep this review spoiler free I will say that it didn't take away from how much I loved it and that chances are, I'm in the minority when it comes to my minor complaint. Also the writing style took a little getting used to at first but once I got a couple of chapters in, I was completely invested and was deeply in love with this story and these characters.
Overall, I cannot wait to read more from this author and if you are a fan of the marriage of convenience trope and slow burn romances than I highly recommend this book!
*copy of book given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!