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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I really like spoiler alert and wanted to love this one just as much but didn't. There were several aspects of the plot and characterization that just got so repetitive.
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
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: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I have to admit two things: 1. I didn't read Spoiler Alert. It's been out filling holds in my library system for awhile now and I just haven't bothered putting a hold on it myself when I'm in no hurry to wait for it. 2. I almost didn't finish this one.
I did, and I don't regret the time spent reading, but...gosh. I just had a hard time with "all the feels" of All the Feels. For one, Alex is nearly 40 years old. I get, and can even say that I think his ADHD was pretty spot on for his character, but also...he's 40 years old, and really lacked a lot of maturity. That can only partly be blamed on his ADHD. I had an easier time visualizing these characters in their mid-to-late twenties. I don't recall if it ever said how old Lauren was, but I guess I pegged her (oh god, that is not a double entendre or a pun) at my own age: 32ish. Lauren was much better at keeping it together as an adult.
But at the same time...the woman is how old, a therapist, and still lets people push her around and thinks so little of herself? I found her contradictory at best.
I had a couple of other issues going through the book. One: Ron was awful and it really didn't make sense to me that Lauren would (no matter how much her Mom pressured her) to go all the way to Spain to see him. I also don't understand why Ron, even as a total asshole, would pay her to do this job --other than some weird familial obligation. Suspension of Disbelief, engaged. Second: I have come to really dislike fanfiction. The premise of actors of a popular show (I'm visualizing Gods of the Gates as a Game of Thrones-Meets-Xena/Hercules sort of thing) fills me with this completely irrational irritation I just can't explain. The idea of Alex writing it, literally in hopes of redeeming a terrible final season is just...ludicrous. The man has never, at least not mentioned here, written anything before in his life. And apparently, he's just *good*? As someone who admits to getting their start, writing in other people's sandboxes so to speak, this just makes me mad. Writing is a honed skill; even if you're purposefully being over-the-top and ridiculous. You don't just come out of the gate with an amazing story.
So...I didn't really read those little excerpts. They felt like a waste of time. I'm here for the main couple: Alex and Lauren. Not whatever these little side trips were supposed to engage. On a similar note: the text messages were pretty "meh" as well. They didn't add anything, other than to confirm that Ian was an asshole and that the rest of the cast was great (even the weird one with the telepathic cat). However, Alex never engaged in those conversations. So...what was the point?
Over all the book was fine, and I might eventually get around to reading Spoiler Alert, but if there's to be another in this series, I'm not sure I'll bother with it personally. While the body positivity was refreshing, Alex struck me as more creepy obsessive about Lauren's size (blegh). The inclusion of an adult with (managed!) ADHD was an interesting move for inclusiveness.I had a hard time not just regarding it as tokenism though. Perhaps sex-on-a-stick Alex being very into Lauren, regardless of her looks and size was supposed to be some kind of a wish fulfillment move, but this plus-sized person wasn't on board for it, and honestly was a bit disappointed.
I have to admit two things: 1. I didn't read Spoiler Alert. It's been out filling holds in my library system for awhile now and I just haven't bothered putting a hold on it myself when I'm in no hurry to wait for it. 2. I almost didn't finish this one.
I did, and I don't regret the time spent reading, but...gosh. I just had a hard time with "all the feels" of All the Feels. For one, Alex is nearly 40 years old. I get, and can even say that I think his ADHD was pretty spot on for his character, but also...he's 40 years old, and really lacked a lot of maturity. That can only partly be blamed on his ADHD. I had an easier time visualizing these characters in their mid-to-late twenties. I don't recall if it ever said how old Lauren was, but I guess I pegged her (oh god, that is not a double entendre or a pun) at my own age: 32ish. Lauren was much better at keeping it together as an adult.
But at the same time...the woman is how old, a therapist, and still lets people push her around and thinks so little of herself? I found her contradictory at best.
I had a couple of other issues going through the book. One: Ron was awful and it really didn't make sense to me that Lauren would (no matter how much her Mom pressured her) to go all the way to Spain to see him. I also don't understand why Ron, even as a total asshole, would pay her to do this job --other than some weird familial obligation. Suspension of Disbelief, engaged. Second: I have come to really dislike fanfiction. The premise of actors of a popular show (I'm visualizing Gods of the Gates as a Game of Thrones-Meets-Xena/Hercules sort of thing) fills me with this completely irrational irritation I just can't explain. The idea of Alex writing it, literally in hopes of redeeming a terrible final season is just...ludicrous. The man has never, at least not mentioned here, written anything before in his life. And apparently, he's just *good*? As someone who admits to getting their start, writing in other people's sandboxes so to speak, this just makes me mad. Writing is a honed skill; even if you're purposefully being over-the-top and ridiculous. You don't just come out of the gate with an amazing story.
So...I didn't really read those little excerpts. They felt like a waste of time. I'm here for the main couple: Alex and Lauren. Not whatever these little side trips were supposed to engage. On a similar note: the text messages were pretty "meh" as well. They didn't add anything, other than to confirm that Ian was an asshole and that the rest of the cast was great (even the weird one with the telepathic cat). However, Alex never engaged in those conversations. So...what was the point?
Over all the book was fine, and I might eventually get around to reading Spoiler Alert, but if there's to be another in this series, I'm not sure I'll bother with it personally. While the body positivity was refreshing, Alex struck me as more creepy obsessive about Lauren's size (blegh). The inclusion of an adult with (managed!) ADHD was an interesting move for inclusiveness.I had a hard time not just regarding it as tokenism though. Perhaps sex-on-a-stick Alex being very into Lauren, regardless of her looks and size was supposed to be some kind of a wish fulfillment move, but this plus-sized person wasn't on board for it, and honestly was a bit disappointed.
I was very interested in the one after getting glimpses of Alex and Lauren in the previous story but ultimately I found myself not connecting to either character as much as I thought I might. I found the between bits (fanfic, chats, etc) more interesting to read in this one and liked that there was less focus on the Gates show.
I found Alex exhausting and Lauren quite boring but did feel they were a match, just not one that held my interest. These are just the people that they are, Alex is kind and impulsive, diving head first and giving his all without thinking anything through which can be endearing (for Lauren it is!) or it could be just too much (for me). Part of my dislike for Lauren is probably my own bias because she's fine and I'm all for people being loved for who they are but she just didn't seem to have much going on for herself. Figuring out her career future and having one friend outside of Alex? I don't feel like I learned very much about her as a person outside of her relationship with Alex, the 1 friend she has who she talks to about Alex, and her negative relationship with her cousin. She didn't seem fully formed where I felt I learned quite a bit about Alex both from this story and the previous.
Steam level - Less than the previous but open door, descriptive. (No pegging described - only mentioning because he mentions at least being curious about it in the previous story).
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I found Alex exhausting and Lauren quite boring but did feel they were a match, just not one that held my interest. These are just the people that they are, Alex is kind and impulsive, diving head first and giving his all without thinking anything through which can be endearing (for Lauren it is!) or it could be just too much (for me). Part of my dislike for Lauren is probably my own bias because she's fine and I'm all for people being loved for who they are but she just didn't seem to have much going on for herself. Figuring out her career future and having one friend outside of Alex? I don't feel like I learned very much about her as a person outside of her relationship with Alex, the 1 friend she has who she talks to about Alex, and her negative relationship with her cousin. She didn't seem fully formed where I felt I learned quite a bit about Alex both from this story and the previous.
Steam level - Less than the previous but open door, descriptive. (No pegging described - only mentioning because he mentions at least being curious about it in the previous story).
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A better book than 'Spoiler Alert' but also very similar in that it's also very middle of the road, hence the 3.25 star rating.
My sentiments about 'All The Feels' are very similar to those of 'Spoiler Alert', despite the fact that I preferred this book to 'Spoiler Alert' (especially the first 50% of this book, the other half is just okay), as while Lauren and Alex had some cute moments, I cannot say I was fully invested, connected, or in love with them as characters or as a couple. Simply put, as characters and as a couple, I found Lauren and Alex to be just fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ultimately, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it landed right in the middle for me, like 'Spoiler Alert' did.
My sentiments about 'All The Feels' are very similar to those of 'Spoiler Alert', despite the fact that I preferred this book to 'Spoiler Alert' (especially the first 50% of this book, the other half is just okay), as while Lauren and Alex had some cute moments, I cannot say I was fully invested, connected, or in love with them as characters or as a couple. Simply put, as characters and as a couple, I found Lauren and Alex to be just fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ultimately, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it landed right in the middle for me, like 'Spoiler Alert' did.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 Stars, rounding to 3 for Goodreads!
Alex Woodroe is the Hollywood star everyone inspires to be. He's talented, handsome, and charming. When he lands a starring role on one of TV's biggest shows, his demons come back to haunt him after an emotional and reckless bar fight, everyone knows his stardom is slowly diminishing. Insert Lauren Clegg, a former therapist that is hired by her cousin to keep him from going down the deep end. After another scandal starts to form, Alex is way over his head causing Lauren to lose her job. He is determined to prove to her that he is not the arrogant, selfish person Lauren or others think he is.
I have seen this book everywhere since it came out last year. I may not have the same opinion as others, but it didn't do anything for me. I felt like the chemistry between Alex and Lauren was forced. In most enemies to lovers books, you're rooting for the couple to get together because the chemistry is flying off the pages. But, All the Feels didn't do that for me. For a while, Alex treated Lauren like crap and I was annoyed with him! He was rude and somewhat immature for someone who was supposed to be a bit older. I just couldn't connect with the characters and wasn't impressed. What I did love is the Hollywood background of the plot and the cover is beautiful
Alex Woodroe is the Hollywood star everyone inspires to be. He's talented, handsome, and charming. When he lands a starring role on one of TV's biggest shows, his demons come back to haunt him after an emotional and reckless bar fight, everyone knows his stardom is slowly diminishing. Insert Lauren Clegg, a former therapist that is hired by her cousin to keep him from going down the deep end. After another scandal starts to form, Alex is way over his head causing Lauren to lose her job. He is determined to prove to her that he is not the arrogant, selfish person Lauren or others think he is.
I have seen this book everywhere since it came out last year. I may not have the same opinion as others, but it didn't do anything for me. I felt like the chemistry between Alex and Lauren was forced. In most enemies to lovers books, you're rooting for the couple to get together because the chemistry is flying off the pages. But, All the Feels didn't do that for me. For a while, Alex treated Lauren like crap and I was annoyed with him! He was rude and somewhat immature for someone who was supposed to be a bit older. I just couldn't connect with the characters and wasn't impressed. What I did love is the Hollywood background of the plot and the cover is beautiful
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated