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storytimed's review against another edition
3.5
I feel like although this was a fairly uneven novel, it somehow retained enough of that deranged fandom energy to be Interesting
Maddy (aka Andrea) is a cheerful Australian journalist. Elena (aka Miranda) is an ice queen who Secretly Cares
The first large chunk of the book is kind of basic cheerful girl/cynical girl courtship... And then Elena fires Maddie and the whole book gets a kick in the pants
Don't get me wrong — it still doesn't all work. You do get that very fanfic sense of "oh boy, here comes the author's personal interests" like in this case uhhhh steampunk fashion
But the enthusiasm is v charming so it works!
paperairplanes's review against another edition
2.0
I finished The Red Files from the same author and loved it, so I hurriedly ordered The Brutal Truth from my local library as it was the only other book they had of her's. Sadly, I was a little disappointed. I found Elena to be completely unlikable and therefore, even when reading Maddie's POV, I couldn't get behind her or the romance at all. I also felt the book suffered a little from to much exposition, there was several plot relevant scenes that we were told happened after the fact and never shown. I do love the author's writing style and that kept me hooked enough to finish the book, but I probably won't pick it up again.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Maddie as a character and was rooting for her.
Winter has a penchant for "ice queens" and as such Elena does not live up to that moniker as she readers and Maddie quickly see through her tough façade.
Winter has a penchant for "ice queens" and as such Elena does not live up to that moniker as she readers and Maddie quickly see through her tough façade.
jinjthm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the_starless_sea's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
- 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
extrafolklore's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-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? No
5.0
elialoves's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
kaitlinjohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0