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victoriadiesattheend's review against another edition
3.0
bear with me, i’m trying to be better at actually reviewing books lmfao
sadly, i really only finished this because i bought the physical copy of the book (which is GORG by the way). i would have DNFd at around 35%, which is sad because my favorite part of the book was actually the last 10-15%.
i really enjoyed the whimsical, witchy setting. there was a huge focus on magic, love, and flowers as it pertains to the main character’s career. the writing and vibes reminded me of the ex hex / the kiss curse by erin sterling if it was set in the springtime. the prose is slightly flowery, but not distractingly so. there were a lot of lines i liked, but in particular - “i’m not going to spend any time pressing the bruise on purpose, missing him when he’s right here.” 😭
my main complaint is that many of the interactions between the characters were SUPER awkward. i wish i could explain it better than that. first, this is a second chance romance between two people who were together from ages 16-18. eleven years later they’re still obsessed with each other and have never been able to forget each other (even though they did not interact at all throughout those 11 years…?) now they’re almost 30 and each interaction they have plays out as if they’re still 16-18. awkward, immature, and uncomfortable to read.
**** FROM THIS POINT ON I VAGUELY EXPLAIN SCENES FROM THE BOOK. I DONT THINK THEY’RE SPOILERY BUT THEY COULD BE***
second, there is fake-dating plot between the FMC (romina) and her best guy friend (trevor). they do not sell it AT ALL and each interaction they have to show they’re fake-dating (for a few reasons, but mainly to make the MMC jealous) was insanely uncomfortable. i think it was meant to be funny, but it left me visibly cringing.
even while alex, the MMC, thinks romina is dating someone - he acts flirty towards her. when trevor asks alex “are you flirting with my girl?” he replies “no, i’m flirting with mine” … straight to jail. and to harp on the awkwardness - while there’s banter there is somehow no chemistry for the majority of the book?!?! for example, there is a point early on in the book where romina is dating trevor (as far as everyone knows) and she has a conversation with alex. she ends up randomly reaching her hand up and lightly choking him? i was extremely confused.
there’s also a scene where alex forces his mom and future step-dad, romina and trevor, and some other random people in the family to play the “newlywed game” to see who knows their other half best. he basically just asks trevor and romina really awkward sexual questions about each other in front of everyone (trying to prove that the two don’t know each other that well). again, i visibly cringed during this scene.
as soon as alex found out romina was actually single, they 69 in a field. immediately. like out of all sex things, she had to pick the most awkward position from the jump. slay i guess. the awkwardness subsided once alex found out romina and trevor weren’t dating. it also grew to be sort of charming…. at like 90% (which in my opinion is way too long for a book to get cute).
i will say, the big secret kept by alex and revealed later didn’t bother me as much as it bothered other reviewers. as far as alex knew for most of the book she was “dating” someone else so there was no time he could’ve really told her. i really liked the reveal and thought it was perfect for the story. outside of a reveal that doesn’t take long to resolve, there isn’t really a third act conflict which i like.
its obvious the series will continue and follow romina’s two sisters. i’m a little disappointed because given that i really only liked the vibes and the last 10% of the book, i don’t know if i would pick up the rest of this series.
sadly, i really only finished this because i bought the physical copy of the book (which is GORG by the way). i would have DNFd at around 35%, which is sad because my favorite part of the book was actually the last 10-15%.
i really enjoyed the whimsical, witchy setting. there was a huge focus on magic, love, and flowers as it pertains to the main character’s career. the writing and vibes reminded me of the ex hex / the kiss curse by erin sterling if it was set in the springtime. the prose is slightly flowery, but not distractingly so. there were a lot of lines i liked, but in particular - “i’m not going to spend any time pressing the bruise on purpose, missing him when he’s right here.” 😭
my main complaint is that many of the interactions between the characters were SUPER awkward. i wish i could explain it better than that. first, this is a second chance romance between two people who were together from ages 16-18. eleven years later they’re still obsessed with each other and have never been able to forget each other (even though they did not interact at all throughout those 11 years…?) now they’re almost 30 and each interaction they have plays out as if they’re still 16-18. awkward, immature, and uncomfortable to read.
**** FROM THIS POINT ON I VAGUELY EXPLAIN SCENES FROM THE BOOK. I DONT THINK THEY’RE SPOILERY BUT THEY COULD BE***
second, there is fake-dating plot between the FMC (romina) and her best guy friend (trevor). they do not sell it AT ALL and each interaction they have to show they’re fake-dating (for a few reasons, but mainly to make the MMC jealous) was insanely uncomfortable. i think it was meant to be funny, but it left me visibly cringing.
even while alex, the MMC, thinks romina is dating someone - he acts flirty towards her. when trevor asks alex “are you flirting with my girl?” he replies “no, i’m flirting with mine” … straight to jail. and to harp on the awkwardness - while there’s banter there is somehow no chemistry for the majority of the book?!?! for example, there is a point early on in the book where romina is dating trevor (as far as everyone knows) and she has a conversation with alex. she ends up randomly reaching her hand up and lightly choking him? i was extremely confused.
there’s also a scene where alex forces his mom and future step-dad, romina and trevor, and some other random people in the family to play the “newlywed game” to see who knows their other half best. he basically just asks trevor and romina really awkward sexual questions about each other in front of everyone (trying to prove that the two don’t know each other that well). again, i visibly cringed during this scene.
as soon as alex found out romina was actually single, they 69 in a field. immediately. like out of all sex things, she had to pick the most awkward position from the jump. slay i guess. the awkwardness subsided once alex found out romina and trevor weren’t dating. it also grew to be sort of charming…. at like 90% (which in my opinion is way too long for a book to get cute).
i will say, the big secret kept by alex and revealed later didn’t bother me as much as it bothered other reviewers. as far as alex knew for most of the book she was “dating” someone else so there was no time he could’ve really told her. i really liked the reveal and thought it was perfect for the story. outside of a reveal that doesn’t take long to resolve, there isn’t really a third act conflict which i like.
its obvious the series will continue and follow romina’s two sisters. i’m a little disappointed because given that i really only liked the vibes and the last 10% of the book, i don’t know if i would pick up the rest of this series.
linsey1828's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
rants_n_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
deepbutdazzlingdarkness's review against another edition
4.0
This was wonderful! Sarah Hogle does such a good job writing annoying characters being annoying to each other LOL and I mean that as a compliment! I love that Romina and Alex are silly and cute and playful with each other and egg each other on with their Bits. It’s so real and such a great example of characters being compatible. Also I loved the hints of them being casually kinky!
Romina’s backstory with her ex and his daughter was so sad and once again Sarah Hogle totally nails the third act conflict in a way in that makes complete sense and isn’t contrived or frustrating. I cried several times reading this, and the ending was so satisfying. I assume by this being labeled as part of a series that we’ll be getting follow up books about her sisters, and I’m excited to see what is in store for them! The magical aspects of this universe were also her fun! Romina’s powers being linked to flowers was so interesting, and it was incorporated really well into the story.
Romina’s backstory with her ex and his daughter was so sad and once again Sarah Hogle totally nails the third act conflict in a way in that makes complete sense and isn’t contrived or frustrating. I cried several times reading this, and the ending was so satisfying. I assume by this being labeled as part of a series that we’ll be getting follow up books about her sisters, and I’m excited to see what is in store for them! The magical aspects of this universe were also her fun! Romina’s powers being linked to flowers was so interesting, and it was incorporated really well into the story.
doremelodie's review against another edition
4.0
Second chance romance. Fake dating to make the other person jealous. They fell together but circumstance.
nanumm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
steparker's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
prikhanal11's review against another edition
wasn’t as hooked, but might try again later?
kaulhilo's review against another edition
4.0
this book made me so tooth achingly, infectiously HAPPY. i love sarah hogle so, so, so, so, so, so, so much!
thank you to g.p. putnam’s sons for the arc.
thank you to g.p. putnam’s sons for the arc.