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kira20's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
tiredfangirl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
the_rabble's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rad as hell. Ended up laughing out loud often and feeling big feelings.
I don't think this one was a 5-star for me until the reread, bc it takes you for a ride. Big feelings abound and when you aren't laughing, swooning, or vibing, sometimes the big ones are uncomfortable.
But even when chaotic choices are made, the feelings and internal logic of those choices are deeply in-character.
Expert depiction of a stressed out ADHDer (hyperactive type) and a professionally burned out person used to minimizing her own needs, feelings, and comfort.
Some of these romance books give me crushes on one or both main characters- this one was definitely an "oh shit, I just am both of these characters," which this time was a joyful experience.
Also an extremely good depiction of how hotness actually works- Alex finding Laureninteresting and pleasant to look at and relating her appearance to positive things in his past while finding conventional/common aesthetics boring was highly relatable. On an extremely shallow level- everyone's a 10 (or a 1) to someone and you never know how it's going to play out.
This book also does "strangers to friendship to more" very well and that emotional intimacy drives the romance- I just appreciated the realistic take on physical attraction.
I don't think this one was a 5-star for me until the reread, bc it takes you for a ride. Big feelings abound and when you aren't laughing, swooning, or vibing, sometimes the big ones are uncomfortable.
But even when chaotic choices are made, the feelings and internal logic of those choices are deeply in-character.
Expert depiction of a stressed out ADHDer (hyperactive type) and a professionally burned out person used to minimizing her own needs, feelings, and comfort.
Some of these romance books give me crushes on one or both main characters- this one was definitely an "oh shit, I just am both of these characters," which this time was a joyful experience.
Also an extremely good depiction of how hotness actually works- Alex finding Lauren
This book also does "strangers to friendship to more" very well and that emotional intimacy drives the romance- I just appreciated the realistic take on physical attraction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Ableism, and Bullying
ordinaryroyalty's review against another edition
1.0
Moments of adorable romance but explicit sex was pervasive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Domestic abuse
nightlight_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
These two were my favorite in Spoiler Alert, I was so glad to see them again! I LOVED Alex, I felt seen, I felt his chaos, I loved his voice and his tone and his joy. Lauren was a delight to get to know better, she’s so strong and brave and made such a great contrast to Alex. Such a different protagonist compared to April from Spoiler Alert.
I loved them. Alex and Lauren are so goofy together, I love that they found each others’ love languages in a perfect way. Alex’s favorite tropes are also my favorite tropes and I would read any of his fics any day.
I loved them. Alex and Lauren are so goofy together, I love that they found each others’ love languages in a perfect way. Alex’s favorite tropes are also my favorite tropes and I would read any of his fics any day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, Mental illness, and Suicide
leonwingstein's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia
maakbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's difficult, because I don't remember much from book one, but I enjoyed everything I read in this book. Alex's ADHD is quite relatable, as someone with ADHD and feeling like you're the root of all problems for those you love.
For a book that follows a tv star, so many parts of this felt so grounded. I read this coming off of a book that wasn't nearly as grounded but had a similar concept and I don't feel great to compare them, but it's hard not to.
Lauren's feelings with her family were also something that I found so relatable. Bad family relationships are so difficult to navigate, especially when you can't just leave the family/relationship.
I really really loved this book and this series, but I find it so difficult to remember that much from the writing of this series that it's difficult to give it a 5 or call it a favorite.
For a book that follows a tv star, so many parts of this felt so grounded. I read this coming off of a book that wasn't nearly as grounded but had a similar concept and I don't feel great to compare them, but it's hard not to.
Lauren's feelings with her family were also something that I found so relatable. Bad family relationships are so difficult to navigate, especially when you can't just leave the family/relationship.
I really really loved this book and this series, but I find it so difficult to remember that much from the writing of this series that it's difficult to give it a 5 or call it a favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Alex gives money to a DV charity and his mother was abused by her ex and Alex goes into the story.avabanana's review
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Dysphoria
cluckieduck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Profoundly irked by the lack of pegging!
Overall enjoyable…more good than bad, I’d say.
Definitely some problematic elements, especially surrounding the intense focus on Lauren’s appearance that didn’t let up from page 1 right through to the end of the epilogue. I also found Alex a bit infantile for a 39-year old and I don’t know if that was the best way to show his ADHD. Being a “delightful asshole” came across more grating than endearing at times.
But otherwise, I enjoyed the crossover timeline from Spoiler Alert and how they interconnected. I really liked the slow burn of Alex & Lauren’s relationship, plus the extra tidbits of the fanfics and playing up the romantic tropes on their road trip.
Overall enjoyable…more good than bad, I’d say.
Definitely some problematic elements, especially surrounding the intense focus on Lauren’s appearance that didn’t let up from page 1 right through to the end of the epilogue. I also found Alex a bit infantile for a 39-year old and I don’t know if that was the best way to show his ADHD. Being a “delightful asshole” came across more grating than endearing at times.
But otherwise, I enjoyed the crossover timeline from Spoiler Alert and how they interconnected. I really liked the slow burn of Alex & Lauren’s relationship, plus the extra tidbits of the fanfics and playing up the romantic tropes on their road trip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Mental illness
kay_chan's review
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Cute story. Opposites attract with a plethora of miscommunication tropes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Domestic abuse
*disclaimer w. spoilers: some of the MMC's mannerisms in this book gave me the huge ick. Think borderline fat fetishism and miscommunication based bullying. I finished it but lost investment about 60% through. Romance just did not feel relatable or believeable.