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breaklikeafish's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
I think this might have been the worst book I have ever read. However, I also want to note that reading it was an experiment and an attempt to read outside my comfort zone, so maybe that's not a huge surprise.
The characters were okay, for the most part, excluding all scenes in which the men were seemingly competing for the title of Most Toxically Masculine Alpha Male. Sadly, that was a lot of scenes. There were so many moments where the women had to be saved by some knight in shining armor, and I was decidedly not into it. Just as an example, there was a bit of a rat problem going on in the house, and this was leading man Connor's reaction:
„Lo, Ryke, and I can set rat traps tomorrow.” But I add this just to rile her, “The perks of having three men living under one roof.“
Staying on the topic of being deeply uncomfortable, why is Daisy, a sixteen-year-old, continuously sexualized? I appreciate that everyone in the book seems to realize that teenage Daisy dating a adult man in his early twenties is problematic. However, nobody seems to have a problem with Ryke being interested in her?
„It’s okay to like her.” Hell, I like any guy that makes my sister happy and treats her well. Julian does neither.“
Even ignoring all of that, I did not find Rose and Connor's relationship cute at all. One major conflict is that Rose doesn't want kids, but Connor does, and instead of talking about it and breaking up due to different plans for their respective futures, Connor pressures her until she agrees to have children with him. It would be different if it was Rose's own internal character development. She's in her early twenties, and of course she's allowed to change her mind about things. What bothered me was that Connor never seemed to take her perspective seriously. From their first conversation about it on he seemed absolutely certain that he could change Rose's mind about it. That's not how having children works! You can't change someone else's mind about a topic like that. But Connor seems to have no problem pressuring people into doing what he wants. He also pressures his therapist into prescribing him drugs (what kind of therapist would do something like that?! I get that he pays you, but you're the professional in this context, please act like it) and his girlfriend into having sex with him. Yep. It's like that. I hate Connor.
It is by far not my biggest concern with this novel, but I still was annoyed at the incredibly heteronormative mindset with which it was written. Just as an example, at one point, Rose thinks about how she would be more comfortable having sex with a woman than a man. This thought is not further explored, or even taken as any indication that Rose could identify as anything other than straight. Something similar happens when Daisy explains that she doesn't really enjoy sex, and instead of validating her (very valid!) feelings, Rose says:
“And that’s ridiculous. [...] You can orgasm[.] [...] You just have to find the right person.“
„Oops. Tact. I lose it sometimes. “You’ll find someone,” I tell her, squeezing her shoulder encouragingly. But I think I squeeze a little too hard because she winces. I let go. “…Just keep dating. And when you find a loser, ditch him quickly. Please.“
That is genuinely such terrible advice.
The only positive thing I have to say is that Lily and Lo were actually kind of cute together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
sophiejo_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
no spoilers; triggers at the bottom
tbh i have no clue why i decided to pick up this book after rating “addicted to you” one star, but i had hope in Rose’s strong character. but ig let’s get into why i rated this book 2 stars…
✨ the unsurprising bad ✨
* rose and connor’s relationship was a disappointment. i thought they’d finally write a strong, independent, anti-Lily character, but the minute they try to… they give her a partner whose ego is through the roof. it’s like the authors are so stuffed with internal misogyny, they can’t let an independent woman win a simple argument with her boo thing. no he has to be constantly right and hold her back from ferally attacking people, but don’t worry! they have a very equal relationship! well except for in bed when aLpHa cOnNoR gets all the control because ofc he does! UGH I COULD VOMIT it’s a super gross “exchange”
* on the same token, they’re both portrayed as rich, snotty pricks with nothing better to do but quote Confucius and constantly compete with each other. and i can appreciate some competition in a relationship, but the way it was written in this book was UNHEALTHY; you can’t hide life changing decisions for weeks bc you want your partner to figure it out on his own. period, full stop.
* the smut was pretty foul. aLpHa cOnNoR and his bdsm kink is one thing, but how is the entire book supposed to spout the importance of protection and safe sex to lily and loren, but then PURPOSEFULLY ignore condoms when they do it, EVEN WHEN ROSE ASKED. it’s like this book is displaying what NOT to do in a relationship, bc if that was the goal, they’re doing real well.
* scott needs to die in a hole full of leeches, but ig they needed an anger-inducing antagonist so check that box
* the plot twist at the very end was rushed, but i’m finding that’s how these authors right: not like a usual plot mountain but just quick ups and downs until the book ends.
* there’s prob more i’m missing, including numerous plot holes, but it’s been a few days and my memory is foggy :’)
✨ the minimal good ✨
* the entire reason i finished this book after all the misgivings was the whole reality show concept tbh. it was FULL of drama and while it could get very unhealthy and repetitive (?) it was certainly entertaining. this goes back to the writing style as well, the concept of an ongoing reality show hid the lack of plot mountain, and instead just introduced problems and solved them (or attempted to) as the book flowed on.
* RYKE AND DAISY y’all they have my heart i loved their dynamic throughout this book, esp. how he protected her from Julian and all the other idiots slobbering after her. can’t WAIT for their book.
* Lilly and Lo IRONICALLY were mostly good in this book. it was rough reading in Lilly’s pov, but outside of it just reading little snippets of them comforting each other or just being affectionate or flipping off the cameras to mess with Scott, it was all very enjoyable.
* the constant FMK game with fictional characters was really funny and prob the most relatable part of the whole book lmaoo.
* Connor’s therapist was such a mood. enough said.
overall, it really was a very bad book. couldn’t stand the main characters (yet again), and anyone reading this could learn some VERY bad advice for having relationships, dealing with stress, and other things that i would name, but they’re spoilers. if the only redeeming qualities are the side characters, two stars seems about right for me.
⚠️ triggers ⚠️
violence, mention of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, explicit sexual content, harassment, drug abuse, sex and alcohol addiction, and ofc, mommy issues.
tbh i have no clue why i decided to pick up this book after rating “addicted to you” one star, but i had hope in Rose’s strong character. but ig let’s get into why i rated this book 2 stars…
✨ the unsurprising bad ✨
* rose and connor’s relationship was a disappointment. i thought they’d finally write a strong, independent, anti-Lily character, but the minute they try to… they give her a partner whose ego is through the roof. it’s like the authors are so stuffed with internal misogyny, they can’t let an independent woman win a simple argument with her boo thing. no he has to be constantly right and hold her back from ferally attacking people, but don’t worry! they have a very equal relationship! well except for in bed when aLpHa cOnNoR gets all the control because ofc he does! UGH I COULD VOMIT it’s a super gross “exchange”
* on the same token, they’re both portrayed as rich, snotty pricks with nothing better to do but quote Confucius and constantly compete with each other. and i can appreciate some competition in a relationship, but the way it was written in this book was UNHEALTHY; you can’t hide life changing decisions for weeks bc you want your partner to figure it out on his own. period, full stop.
* the smut was pretty foul. aLpHa cOnNoR and his bdsm kink is one thing, but how is the entire book supposed to spout the importance of protection and safe sex to lily and loren, but then PURPOSEFULLY ignore condoms when they do it, EVEN WHEN ROSE ASKED. it’s like this book is displaying what NOT to do in a relationship, bc if that was the goal, they’re doing real well.
* scott needs to die in a hole full of leeches, but ig they needed an anger-inducing antagonist so check that box
* the plot twist at the very end was rushed, but i’m finding that’s how these authors right: not like a usual plot mountain but just quick ups and downs until the book ends.
* there’s prob more i’m missing, including numerous plot holes, but it’s been a few days and my memory is foggy :’)
✨ the minimal good ✨
* the entire reason i finished this book after all the misgivings was the whole reality show concept tbh. it was FULL of drama and while it could get very unhealthy and repetitive (?) it was certainly entertaining. this goes back to the writing style as well, the concept of an ongoing reality show hid the lack of plot mountain, and instead just introduced problems and solved them (or attempted to) as the book flowed on.
* RYKE AND DAISY y’all they have my heart i loved their dynamic throughout this book, esp. how he protected her from Julian and all the other idiots slobbering after her. can’t WAIT for their book.
* Lilly and Lo IRONICALLY were mostly good in this book. it was rough reading in Lilly’s pov, but outside of it just reading little snippets of them comforting each other or just being affectionate or flipping off the cameras to mess with Scott, it was all very enjoyable.
* the constant FMK game with fictional characters was really funny and prob the most relatable part of the whole book lmaoo.
* Connor’s therapist was such a mood. enough said.
overall, it really was a very bad book. couldn’t stand the main characters (yet again), and anyone reading this could learn some VERY bad advice for having relationships, dealing with stress, and other things that i would name, but they’re spoilers. if the only redeeming qualities are the side characters, two stars seems about right for me.
⚠️ triggers ⚠️
violence, mention of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, explicit sexual content, harassment, drug abuse, sex and alcohol addiction, and ofc, mommy issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Abandonment, and Addiction
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