Reviews

Guava Flavored Lies by J.J. Arias

lbrasberger's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nhdk's review against another edition

5.0

Without doubt my fave contemporary romance ever. This was packed full of feisty females, bickering to die for and characters that felt so real I’m hung over now it’s finished. I loved the family history and side characters, the school rivalry was everything and this was just *chef’s kiss*

allie_please's review

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

kat_crowley11's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

I love them. They are so CUTE.

Enemies to lovers usually isnt my favorite trope unless its done right and this is definitely done right. Even when they are considered enemies the tension between these two resonates in my bones. But then when it starts to flip I just want to scream. Kiss already! Especially with the twist I did not see coming. (Which says something for me).

I. Love. This. Book.

Their relationship is so CUTE. Like the banter between then is amazing but they compliment each other so well. They know what each other needs and provide it. Growing up hating each other they now know how to love each other. To make amends. Their relationship is so beautiful to me.

camrobbins's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

mischievous_monkey's review against another edition

1.0

Another audiobook which I decided to stop listening to due to the narration. The performer's portrayal of the whining and snarky dialogue was so over the top that I listened with my teeth gritted. Unfortunately I didn't hear anything in that first part of the book to get me interested in reading it on my own, though I wouldn't rule the possibility out.

ghostlycreature's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

r_hh's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

elreichle's review against another edition

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? No

4.0

judeinthestars's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.0

I’ve been wanting to read a J.J. Arias book for a while so when I saw this audiobook was available on Everand, it felt like the right time. It’s very light reading, which I didn’t expect—I don’t know what I expected though—and since I recently finished quite a few rather heavy stories, the timing was perfect.

Lauren and Sylvie are lifelong enemies, a family tradition that started with their great-grandfathers, each family accusing the other of having stolen their original pastry recipes. Think Romeo and Juliet but sapphic, Cuban, and with food. In Miami. Also, a lot less tragic. Maybe not so Romeo and Juliet after all.

Guava Flavored Lies is fast and funny, at times deliciously silly when the characters behave like total idiots. The slow burn is nicely done and the MCs endearing—once Sylvie’s annoying whining starts making sense. A couple of secondary characters deserved a bit more exposure but we got plenty of Regina, so I’m happy.

The narration is a little flat at times, really good at others. I read a review saying the accent and Spanish pronunciation are wrong but I wouldn’t know. I do know that a bad French accent hurts my ears so if there’s a risk of that happening to you, check the sample first. My friend Gaby, who’s Argentinian, loves the narration, and I trust her completely.

All in all, I enjoyed listening a lot and there was even some laughing out loud, especially in the second half. I’m looking forward to my next Arias book.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars