Scan barcode
debosmitathereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
The guy is such a charmer and the girl is a bookish reflection of me. What more can I say than that this is a freaking cute romance and I got more than I expected?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
saraavowlerr's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Misogyny
bbygirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I just probably wouldn't read it again. It was a great story and has some great characters. But my issue is that I've read something really similar to this before and i felt this one was a little too slow for me.
I'd still recommend it. The plot was good, I loved the characters, and there were a lot of really funny moments scattered throughout.
I'd still recommend it. The plot was good, I loved the characters, and there were a lot of really funny moments scattered throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Cursing, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Racism, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Cancer
marmellowreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Xenophobia and Cancer
naturally's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the concept of fake-exes-to-lovers and the public radio setting really sell the ex talk. dominic and shay have enjoyable banter and chemistry - their relationship is a fun and smart spin of the fake-dating trope. it's fresh, and different, and rachel lynn solomon's writing style made the story a compelling read. additionally, i adore the level of detail given to shay's occupation as a producer/radio host. there was a lot to learn about the radio industry and podcasting too.
i'll hold my hands up and say that i enjoy a problematic/unlikeable heroine from time-to-time. shay starts out having a dose of sympathy the death of her dad, her mother and best friend in loving relationships while shay is single and unlucky in lover etc to balance out her flaws. but she becomes insufferable by the third act.
the exploration of sexism in the workplace was okay...but under-baked. shay's thinking lacks intersectionality. her mantra of What Would A Mediocre White Man do was...weird considering she doesn't often acknowledge her own white privilege. as a white woman, she doesn't give much thought to how dominic may face barriers as a man of colour. moving onto the depiction of characters of colour...i liked the diversity, however i felt there were maybe missed opportunities to integrate different cultures/practices beyond Judaism. e.g. shay's (future) stepfather was nigerian, but he and his children all had anglican names and there was no mention of their culture.
dominic was a cute love interest, but he felt a little too put-together for a gen z/zillenial man. overall, he was a lot more patient and mature than shay was. he's never done anything wrong a day in his life, in fact!!! and i don't think he was in any way at fault in the third act!
the ex talk is a fun time! there was a lot to love, but also a lot to loath. the plot was very messy too like, did PPR not have a HR manager? bc how was the company able to just pay for an Air Bnb with one ONE bed, so shay and dominic could get to know each other??? .
i'll hold my hands up and say that i enjoy a problematic/unlikeable heroine from time-to-time. shay starts out having a dose of sympathy
the exploration of sexism in the workplace was okay...but under-baked. shay's thinking lacks intersectionality. her mantra of What Would A Mediocre White Man do was...weird considering she doesn't often acknowledge her own white privilege. as a white woman, she doesn't give much thought to how dominic may face barriers as a man of colour. moving onto the depiction of characters of colour...i liked the diversity, however i felt there were maybe missed opportunities to integrate different cultures/practices beyond Judaism. e.g. shay's (future) stepfather was nigerian, but he and his children all had anglican names and there was no mention of their culture.
dominic was a cute love interest, but he felt a little too put-together for a gen z/zillenial man. overall, he was a lot more patient and mature than shay was. he's never done anything wrong a day in his life, in fact!!! and i don't think he was in any way at fault in the third act!
the ex talk is a fun time! there was a lot to love, but also a lot to loath. the plot was very messy too
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Sexism
cliterature's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
shelbyeric's review
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
erinfitzharris's review
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
readbycarina's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking
kathigh86's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Interesting plot line. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Did it have any sort of “omph-factor?” No. But that’s okay because it’s still a great story and romance. I’m quite a sucker for work-place, fake dating, “enemies” to lovers, and one bed tropes. It hit all the necessary marks for a good comfort read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent