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livlamentloathe's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
All I've heard is good reviews of this book and I need to ask: have you ever been in a relationship with good communication? Have y'all ever heard of TELLING your partner your feelings and being straight with them and listening before storming off?
That said, I did like parts of this. Despite the bad communication, Elle and Darcy were sweet together. I especially liked Elle's family issues, and Darcy's whole thing. Like just her period. I adored her.
Spoilers under cut:
The ending was exhausting. How Elle was perfect and never did a bad thing in her life and was such a sad martyr. Boo hoo. I liked Elle and I totally side with her on all her family nonsense, but with Darcy? Yeah, she was partly right but she was also a bitch about it. She told Darcy she didn't have a heart when everything she'd learned until that point said otherwise. ALSO LET'S CONTEXTUALIZE: IT'S BEEN A MONTH SINCE THEY STARTED DATING!!! Maybe TWO since they met!!! It's not insane at ALL to be confused about what you're doing still -- and they never really HAD a convo about their relationship prior to the ending. Both were insecure and self-doubting so they took their frustrations out on one another but it made me so frustrated because they were BOTH wrong. NO, Elle, you were not fucking clear from the start. Yeah, she made a comment on their failed first date, but then everything DID get complicated, to Darcy's point. Yes, Darcy needed to grow a mouth but she's had traumatic relationships all her life so it's fair that it wasn't easy. Also fuck Elle for knowing Darcy has a bad relationship with her mom, and just assuming she would be entirely truthful in that conversation. Like oh wow how inconceivable! Girl who has issues opening up partly because of negligent parent LIES to mother who she's clearly arguing with?????? What a concept!!!
Plus a lot of the secondary characters felt so contrived to me. Their early ministrations were frustrating and often felt forced. Like how Brenden behaved in the first quarter of the book? Clearly it was all set up to justify the fake dating arc. And Margo was a real jerk sometimes-- she made up for it eventually but still.
That said, I did like parts of this. Despite the bad communication, Elle and Darcy were sweet together. I especially liked Elle's family issues, and Darcy's whole thing. Like just her period. I adored her.
Spoilers under cut:
The ending was exhausting. How Elle was perfect and never did a bad thing in her life and was such a sad martyr. Boo hoo. I liked Elle and I totally side with her on all her family nonsense, but with Darcy? Yeah, she was partly right but she was also a bitch about it. She told Darcy she didn't have a heart when everything she'd learned until that point said otherwise. ALSO LET'S CONTEXTUALIZE: IT'S BEEN A MONTH SINCE THEY STARTED DATING!!! Maybe TWO since they met!!! It's not insane at ALL to be confused about what you're doing still -- and they never really HAD a convo about their relationship prior to the ending. Both were insecure and self-doubting so they took their frustrations out on one another but it made me so frustrated because they were BOTH wrong. NO, Elle, you were not fucking clear from the start. Yeah, she made a comment on their failed first date, but then everything DID get complicated, to Darcy's point. Yes, Darcy needed to grow a mouth but she's had traumatic relationships all her life so it's fair that it wasn't easy. Also fuck Elle for knowing Darcy has a bad relationship with her mom, and just assuming she would be entirely truthful in that conversation. Like oh wow how inconceivable! Girl who has issues opening up partly because of negligent parent LIES to mother who she's clearly arguing with?????? What a concept!!!
Plus a lot of the secondary characters felt so contrived to me. Their early ministrations were frustrating and often felt forced. Like how Brenden behaved in the first quarter of the book? Clearly it was all set up to justify the fake dating arc. And Margo was a real jerk sometimes-- she made up for it eventually but still.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Biphobia
Emotional Abuse from family/parents, Biphobia mentioned very brieflykfmcf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I think I liked the writing of this book more than I liked the book itself. I'm not one for the fake dating trope (I think it's fantastic when done well but leaves me uninterested when not overtly successful). I wanted to feel the chemistry between the characters more than I did. Elle also felt a little MPDG to me.
I am very interested in the sequels. I do think the writing of this book is what kept me going. And since I like Brendon and Margot more than Elle (sorry not sorry), I have a feeling I will like the next books more. I'm hoping this series progresses like the Talia Hibbert trilogy where they improve with time.
ALL that aside, I do think that bi representation is extremely important and Bellefleur does a great job with it. A lot of bi rep in books makes it feel like it's the character's only or leading by a mile personality trait, but it really just felt like it was just an inherent part of Elle.
I also did like the astrology lists. They were very cute, I am not going to lie
I am very interested in the sequels. I do think the writing of this book is what kept me going. And since I like Brendon and Margot more than Elle (sorry not sorry), I have a feeling I will like the next books more. I'm hoping this series progresses like the Talia Hibbert trilogy where they improve with time.
ALL that aside, I do think that bi representation is extremely important and Bellefleur does a great job with it. A lot of bi rep in books makes it feel like it's the character's only or leading by a mile personality trait, but it really just felt like it was just an inherent part of Elle.
I also did like the astrology lists. They were very cute, I am not going to lie
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was cute! It wasn't something that completely blew me away, but I definitely enjoyed the story.
The hardest thing for me was probably the fact that I adore fake dating, and the actual fake dating aspect of this didn't last for very long. They kind of called off the "fake" part really quickly, and a lot of outsiders knew it wasn't fake from the beginning, which changed the vibe entirely.
One thing I absolutely loved was the astrology list at the beginning of some of the chapters. I'm a Pisces, so I was constantly impatient, waiting to hear (I listened to the audiobook) my sign at the end and whatever corresponded with it. It was a really fun addition to the story.
There were a few really relatable moments that made me gush aloud. The top one on my list is when they go underneath the Christmas tree to look up at the lights. That's something I did all the time as a kid and it made me so happy to see that referenced in a book!
Anyway, basically, I recommend this book but I won't say to go into it with high expectations for something phenomenal, heartbreaking, or moving. It's sweet and cute and quick. A lighthearted read!
The hardest thing for me was probably the fact that I adore fake dating, and the actual fake dating aspect of this didn't last for very long. They kind of called off the "fake" part really quickly, and a lot of outsiders knew it wasn't fake from the beginning, which changed the vibe entirely.
One thing I absolutely loved was the astrology list at the beginning of some of the chapters. I'm a Pisces, so I was constantly impatient, waiting to hear (I listened to the audiobook) my sign at the end and whatever corresponded with it. It was a really fun addition to the story.
There were a few really relatable moments that made me gush aloud. The top one on my list is when they go underneath the Christmas tree to look up at the lights. That's something I did all the time as a kid and it made me so happy to see that referenced in a book!
Anyway, basically, I recommend this book but I won't say to go into it with high expectations for something phenomenal, heartbreaking, or moving. It's sweet and cute and quick. A lighthearted read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Abandonment
atlas_shruggs's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a pretty nice romance read, the relationship dynamic was pretty cute and the fake dating trope was, as always, excellent. However, I didn't really feel super invested in the characters, maybe because I didn't like them very much. They both just annoyed me a little bit, and I especially disliked Darcy's brother Brendon, he got on my nerves so bad. I also felt the ending was a bit abrupt, I would've liked a little epilogue at the end.
I don't think I'll pick up the second book in the series, but I might give the third one a chance as I really liked Margot as a side character.
I don't think I'll pick up the second book in the series, but I might give the third one a chance as I really liked Margot as a side character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Abandonment
erikawynn's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Infidelity
Minor: Biphobia
storykath's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Another day, another queer romance novel!
I love reading about queer relationships, but I'm still not a big enough fan of the romance genre in general to rate this very highly. All my complaints about this book are just aspects of the romance genre, which are not bad in and of themselves, just not my own preference. As with most romance that I've read, this is a fun read that looks at some deeper themes while keeping everything neatly packaged and mildly unrealistic.
I love reading about queer relationships, but I'm still not a big enough fan of the romance genre in general to rate this very highly. All my complaints about this book are just aspects of the romance genre, which are not bad in and of themselves, just not my own preference. As with most romance that I've read, this is a fun read that looks at some deeper themes while keeping everything neatly packaged and mildly unrealistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Infidelity
Minor: Biphobia, Abandonment, Cursing, and Grief
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Pretty cute. If you're looking for something fluffy with some heartache and steamy elements, you'll probably enjoy this romcomin which two very different women work on not falling in love. You may especially enjoy it if you're interested in astrology. I didn't enjoy the undertone of aphobia with Darcy's bro forcing her into dates and insisting she needed to be seeing someone.
๐The Gist ๐: Darcy's blind date with El was a disaster, but when Darcy lies and tells her brother that it was great just to get him to stop setting her up on dates, that disasterous date won't be their last.
๐Representation๐: wlw mc
๐ For readers looking for ๐: fluffy romance, fake relationship trope, astrology, opposites attract Trope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Infidelity
Minor: Death
Some implied aphobianyxiee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
its only getting 2 stars for 1 the comedy + 2 fighting against astrology slander
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief
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