Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - All the Feels

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an arc of this book.

Alex is doing well in his career as Cupid on the hit show Gods of the Gates. But his boss doesn't like the publicity he's been getting, and assigns him with a 'minder' to keep him out of trouble. Enter his cousin Lauren, who is taking time to decide what to do next after getting burned out in her job in an emergency room.

This was very cute! I liked the body positivity and the discussions surrounding it. Lauren is a really great character and I liked seeing her grow throughout the book. Alex is also a good character! I liked having a few moments with Marcus, too, so if you've read Spoiler Alert, you get that!

I didn't really love the miscommunication that happened in this book. I know that's a big trope in the romance genre, but the specific way it happened felt rather contrived. I also wasn't in love with the epilogue at the ending. But I liked the rest of the book!

Content Warnings

biblisophagist's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.5/5

"She'd almost forgotten the specific pain of attempting to make herself as small as possible... She'd almost forgotten the reality of her life."

"You're my wish come true, Wren."

AHHHHHHHHH

Okay okay... I do indeed have all the feels. Hi. I have them. All of them. My heart is very full. So full.

Spoiler Alert didn't work for me. I was excited for it, but the chemistry wasn't there and I dragged through it. Even so, I loved the premise and the rep and the nuanced conversations between characters and I went into All the Feels willing to be burned again if Alex and Lauren could turn up the fire like I thought they could. And they did!

This book is full of loveable characters, with Alex and Lauren at it's helm. They are full of banter and snark and ANNOYINGNESS and love and light and sweetness. Their supporting cast is adorable , though most of the book is focused on our main characters. I compared them over and over in my mind to Sophie and Howl. Alex is the preening pretty boy with a fierce protective streak and Lauren is the soft, smart, strong woman trying to do keep him in line.

The book is about finding love, overcoming trauma, healing, taking up space for yourself, etc. There's a very nuanced discussion throughout about how much harm you can take from others and yourself while trying to serve others to the best of your ability. Both Alex and Lauren experience this in different ways and really dig into it. I felt really connected to both characters. Alex has ADHD and a lot of anxiety. Lauren is a fat and ugly based on society standards. I was like.... oh. Me? You wrote this for ME? (thank u olivia bb i love u). Seeing both of these beautiful humans actually work through their ish (looking at you dark romances with no therapy or healing...) and work toward a future together and for themselves separately was so unbelievably calming and joyful. Add in the constant banter, the snark, the spice ;) and this book has probably my entire heart.

Weirdly enough, I'm the exception here? Idk what y'all read but this was immaculate and I never wanted to put it down even when I absolutely had to.

Also, I weirdly thought of Alicia and Scot McCarvell (tiktok) through the entire book? They should play these characters in the movie for sure.

Recommended for those who love:
1. books that include Fanfiction. Game of Thrones fanfiction lowkey??
2. FAT GIRL REP!!!!! FAT GIRLS BEING LOVED FULLY REP!!!!! LIKE APPLE SHAPED FAT GIRLS <3
3. Relationships similar to Howl and Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle
4. Fiercely protective lovers
5. Not enemies by Annoyances-to-Friends-to-Lovers
6. There's only one bed trope
7. Kind of Sunshine/Grumpy trope??
8. Endless banter, flirty and fiesty
9. kind of slow build romance?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

Content Warnings

decklededgess's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

trigger warnings: description of domestic abuse, fatphobia and related bullying, sexual content, alcohol mention, physical violence, workplace violence and abuse mention

This book was LOAAADS better than the first, as much as I liked that one too. The chemistry between the leads was so charming and I loved the quick witted banter and bickering. Alex as a character is so similar to the way I conduct myself that it was a bit unnerving to read certain parts. Lauren is so sweet and wholesome and I loved her character journey through and through. I genuinely loved this book so so so so sooo much.

Content Warnings

sarahholliday's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

What a delightful read! It was wonderful getting to read fat-positive (but honestly, mostly body neutral) heroine and a neurodiverse hero. And I loved that neither of those things defined their characters. They were part of each of their respective identities, but the story didn't revolve around them. Instead, it focused on how their pasts shaped their personalities and world-views.

The chemistry was delightful and the sex scenes deliciously steamy. But my favorite part of these stories, including All the Feels, is seeing how the characters care for one another in ways small and large.

If you're looking for a slightly manic, genuinely funny romance full of heart and personal evolution, look no further.

Content Warnings

More...