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ofbooksandromance's review
3.0
This one was such a fun ride.
Brief summary
Patrick is an actor who’s taking some time off from shotting his latest movie because he wants to work alongside the NYPD to learn how to be a detective so he can act the role better. Sabrina is a detective there and they are paired together. They fall in love.
I really loved how many scenes of them doing detective things there was in the book. They were just all so much fun to read about and I enjoyed them so much. I really enjoyed seeing so many parts of their job and what their every day life were like.
I really liked how they got together. They didn’t really want to like each other but they couldn’t help but enjoy each other’s company and I really enjoyed reading about that. I loved the easy way how they bounded over so many things and got comfortable with each other over their every interactions, that just really worked for me.
Sadly, I just didn’t really enjoy some of the language used in this book and Sabrina’s personality didn’t really work for me. I thought that she was a super strong and fun character in some scenes but sometimes she was just a little too judgemental and not nice enough for me.
Regardless of that, I really enjoyed this book and I had such a great time reading this one.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
Brief summary
Patrick is an actor who’s taking some time off from shotting his latest movie because he wants to work alongside the NYPD to learn how to be a detective so he can act the role better. Sabrina is a detective there and they are paired together. They fall in love.
I really loved how many scenes of them doing detective things there was in the book. They were just all so much fun to read about and I enjoyed them so much. I really enjoyed seeing so many parts of their job and what their every day life were like.
I really liked how they got together. They didn’t really want to like each other but they couldn’t help but enjoy each other’s company and I really enjoyed reading about that. I loved the easy way how they bounded over so many things and got comfortable with each other over their every interactions, that just really worked for me.
Sadly, I just didn’t really enjoy some of the language used in this book and Sabrina’s personality didn’t really work for me. I thought that she was a super strong and fun character in some scenes but sometimes she was just a little too judgemental and not nice enough for me.
Regardless of that, I really enjoyed this book and I had such a great time reading this one.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
pkrantz's review
4.0
I received this from the publisher to read and review!
It was a really quick and easy read which is nice (just shy of 250 pages). I liked the mix of action/romance, and I'm always a sucker for crime mysteries! The banter was fun and I'm all here for badass female MC:s. Sabrina reminds me of Rosa from Brooklyn 99
It was a really quick and easy read which is nice (just shy of 250 pages). I liked the mix of action/romance, and I'm always a sucker for crime mysteries! The banter was fun and I'm all here for badass female MC:s. Sabrina reminds me of Rosa from Brooklyn 99
micaelamariem's review
3.0
When Dawn Hill publications reached out to me to read and review the ARC of Looking for Like by Ravina Hilliard, I couldn’t help but say yes. I’ve been in a romance mood lately, and this seemed like the perfect oppurtunity to indulge.
I recieved an e-book in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for the oppurtunity!
In Looking for Like by Raina Hilliard, an actor, Patrick Townsend, goes for ridealongs with a tough cop, Sabrina, on the premise that he wants to help his method acting career. He’s hiding something, though, and though Sabrina doesn’t know what it is, she’s not thrilled about this ‘babysittig’ sidejob. Arguably following the grumpy woman x sunshine man trope, things start to get heated between the two–and I’m not just talking about the dangerous criminal gunfire they encounter.
There were some really great parts about this book. I thought the plot was spectacular, and the author put some great twists in the trope with the secrets Patrick was hiding. I also always appreciate a grumpy x sunshine and enemies to lovers type trope. Plus, there was clearly a lot of research with police procdurals, showing not only a romance but a subplot with the makings of a crime novel, including some great action scenes. But speaking of the romance, I also thought there was a perfect amount of spice in this book. There were only a few spicy scenes, and they were satisfyingly steamy, but not in an overbearing or off-putting way! I’ve read too many stories that incorporate spice too much for my taste, sacrificing plot for smut, and this novel did not do that.
Unfortunately, there were a few things I wasn’t enthralled by in the story. I thought parts of the story developed too quickly, specifically the attraction between Patrick and Sabrina. Sometimes it felt like one sentence she was telling him she would never sleep with him, and the next his mouth was on hers. Plus, Sabrina changed her mind so much about him and their relationship that it gave me whiplash. I suppose, though, that leads to my main concern about the story: Sabrina, the main heroine, just wasn’t likable. She was smart and strong and witty, sure, but also mean and cold. Of course a heroine doesn’t need to be likable for a story to be enjoyed, but I personally prefer it! Maybe I would have liked it better to have read more from Patrick’s perspective, though I’m glad some of that was given as well.
I’m giving this book three stars, but I’m sure this would be an enjoyable quick read for those who love romances and police procedurals! It’s action-packed, sometimes steamy, and a fun fast read! And note: it’s free on kindle unlimited.
I recieved an e-book in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for the oppurtunity!
In Looking for Like by Raina Hilliard, an actor, Patrick Townsend, goes for ridealongs with a tough cop, Sabrina, on the premise that he wants to help his method acting career. He’s hiding something, though, and though Sabrina doesn’t know what it is, she’s not thrilled about this ‘babysittig’ sidejob. Arguably following the grumpy woman x sunshine man trope, things start to get heated between the two–and I’m not just talking about the dangerous criminal gunfire they encounter.
There were some really great parts about this book. I thought the plot was spectacular, and the author put some great twists in the trope with the secrets Patrick was hiding. I also always appreciate a grumpy x sunshine and enemies to lovers type trope. Plus, there was clearly a lot of research with police procdurals, showing not only a romance but a subplot with the makings of a crime novel, including some great action scenes. But speaking of the romance, I also thought there was a perfect amount of spice in this book. There were only a few spicy scenes, and they were satisfyingly steamy, but not in an overbearing or off-putting way! I’ve read too many stories that incorporate spice too much for my taste, sacrificing plot for smut, and this novel did not do that.
Unfortunately, there were a few things I wasn’t enthralled by in the story. I thought parts of the story developed too quickly, specifically the attraction between Patrick and Sabrina. Sometimes it felt like one sentence she was telling him she would never sleep with him, and the next his mouth was on hers. Plus, Sabrina changed her mind so much about him and their relationship that it gave me whiplash. I suppose, though, that leads to my main concern about the story: Sabrina, the main heroine, just wasn’t likable. She was smart and strong and witty, sure, but also mean and cold. Of course a heroine doesn’t need to be likable for a story to be enjoyed, but I personally prefer it! Maybe I would have liked it better to have read more from Patrick’s perspective, though I’m glad some of that was given as well.
I’m giving this book three stars, but I’m sure this would be an enjoyable quick read for those who love romances and police procedurals! It’s action-packed, sometimes steamy, and a fun fast read! And note: it’s free on kindle unlimited.
readthatromance's review
4.0
The banter in this was a thing of beauty.
I picked this up because it was a no-nonsense female detective being forced to work with a billionaire Hollywood star. And on that front, it absolutely did not disappoint. I loved how the characters were portrayed, complete with witty banter, angst, and sudden unexpected attraction that slowly led to more.
I thought that the case they were working was something they could reasonably achieve, but it was difficult enough that it kept me guessing and drove the story forward. And I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all, but it made everything fall into place so nicely.
All told, these two had the witty banter you want from a rivals to lovers style romance, all the chemistry and sizzle that has the windows steaming, and more than enough drama to go around. I loved how their relationship developed in a way that made sense for them, and I really loved how that element tied into the title of this novel.
I personally would have preferred jumping a little more into the story without the prologue, or else getting a little more of a hint in the prologue of what I was about to see regarding the twist. I also would have liked a little more of a distinct voice from Patrick, and felt that at times the story moved a little slower than I wanted.
I don’t think these things detract too much from the story, though, and would definitely recommend this book if you are into spicy scenes, female detectives, billionaire Hollywood actors, or enemies-to-lovers style banter.
3.5 / 5 Stars.
I was granted a review copy of this title in order to facilitate this voluntary and honest review.
I picked this up because it was a no-nonsense female detective being forced to work with a billionaire Hollywood star. And on that front, it absolutely did not disappoint. I loved how the characters were portrayed, complete with witty banter, angst, and sudden unexpected attraction that slowly led to more.
I thought that the case they were working was something they could reasonably achieve, but it was difficult enough that it kept me guessing and drove the story forward. And I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all, but it made everything fall into place so nicely.
All told, these two had the witty banter you want from a rivals to lovers style romance, all the chemistry and sizzle that has the windows steaming, and more than enough drama to go around. I loved how their relationship developed in a way that made sense for them, and I really loved how that element tied into the title of this novel.
I personally would have preferred jumping a little more into the story without the prologue, or else getting a little more of a hint in the prologue of what I was about to see regarding the twist. I also would have liked a little more of a distinct voice from Patrick, and felt that at times the story moved a little slower than I wanted.
I don’t think these things detract too much from the story, though, and would definitely recommend this book if you are into spicy scenes, female detectives, billionaire Hollywood actors, or enemies-to-lovers style banter.
3.5 / 5 Stars.
I was granted a review copy of this title in order to facilitate this voluntary and honest review.
whendevreads's review
3.0
I received an ARC of this book from Dawn Hill Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was not able to get through this one. I really wanted to, as the plot sounds amazing, but there were a few things that I could not get over in order to finish. I typically try to avoid DNF-ing but unfortunately this one fell victim to the DNF.
The language & stylistic choices in this book have really thrown me for a loop. It comes across as awkward & stilted because there’s so many words that do not fit. The vocabulary in this novel would make you think that all of the characters were Ivy League graduates or spelling bee champions. I personally relate to the story and to the characters when they speak like I do, with the vocabulary of your average human, not fancy words I’m gonna have to look up. It all comes across as very posh, when they’re blue collar workers. I’m also confused since Patrick is supposed to be British, but his readable accent (ie slang & colloquialisms) seem to come and go. It was really hard for me to continue because when I would look up the fancy words I didn’t know, the definition would be a commonly used word or expression and I didn’t understand why the author wouldn’t just use the common words.
Even though this was not my cup of tea, it might be someone else’s. As a result, I will not be posting this review on my instagram as to not promote negativity surrounding the release.
I was not able to get through this one. I really wanted to, as the plot sounds amazing, but there were a few things that I could not get over in order to finish. I typically try to avoid DNF-ing but unfortunately this one fell victim to the DNF.
The language & stylistic choices in this book have really thrown me for a loop. It comes across as awkward & stilted because there’s so many words that do not fit. The vocabulary in this novel would make you think that all of the characters were Ivy League graduates or spelling bee champions. I personally relate to the story and to the characters when they speak like I do, with the vocabulary of your average human, not fancy words I’m gonna have to look up. It all comes across as very posh, when they’re blue collar workers. I’m also confused since Patrick is supposed to be British, but his readable accent (ie slang & colloquialisms) seem to come and go. It was really hard for me to continue because when I would look up the fancy words I didn’t know, the definition would be a commonly used word or expression and I didn’t understand why the author wouldn’t just use the common words.
Even though this was not my cup of tea, it might be someone else’s. As a result, I will not be posting this review on my instagram as to not promote negativity surrounding the release.
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