Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
This is a hard book to review because while I did not love this book like I did the previous one, I think the author did an excellent job writing from the perspective of a hero we would not normally see in a romance. This author is really good at presenting realistic depictions of anxiety. It makes for a slightly uncomfortable read, but I think it is also powerful.
I think I would have liked the book more if we had spent more time with the other main character, Jack. It was great to revisit the friend group from the first group, but I found the pacing here slower and more awkward, though that does fit the hero, Oscar.
Don’t read this if you what a traditional enemies to lovers romance, as this defies those expectations. It’s not sweet or funny. It’s tough and anxious.
I will definitely still check out the next book in the series.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review
I think I would have liked the book more if we had spent more time with the other main character, Jack. It was great to revisit the friend group from the first group, but I found the pacing here slower and more awkward, though that does fit the hero, Oscar.
Don’t read this if you what a traditional enemies to lovers romance, as this defies those expectations. It’s not sweet or funny. It’s tough and anxious.
I will definitely still check out the next book in the series.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
I'm conflicted as I attempt to write this review. Part of me doesn't even want to rate it but since it's a review copy I'll try to voice my thoughts. From the synopsis I went in expected two grouchy personalities and a hate to love situation. For the most part that's what I got from it, but I'm not sure if I fully enjoyed the experience. {{head scratch}}
Let's talk characters, I'll start with Oscar because the whole book is from his point of view which single POV is always a huge missed opportunity in my opinon. Oscar is on the heavy side, battling depression, very little comfort in his own skin and his life is completely control by his anxiety. He has a lot of rambly internal dialogue which at first I didn't mind at all because I could relate very much to most of his train of thought because of my own struggles with anxiety. All his mental struggles made him into the stand-offish and sort of rude person he behaved as, therefore I found it unfair to call him "a grouch". Around halfway through the rambling became exhausting which I think if it had been broken up by Jack's POV that may have not been an issue.
Now onto Jack, who I don't have much to say about because we never got into his head and spent so much time in Oscars struggles that he sort of just existed within the story to me. Jack could have been any closed off or prickly bastard and it wouldn't have made a difference to me. Now together Oscar and Jack were just constantly arguing even before during and after intimacy. In my opinion it wasn't in a "hate sex , wow that's hot" kind of way. Oscar lashed out because of his anxiety and fears while Jack slashed out because he was an a**hole .
By the end of the story I was just ready for it to be over. I gave up expecting any sort of cute moments between the two. Even the end when they "make up" it was filled with harsh language and bluntness. Sadly I don't think I'll be reading any more by this other.
I'm conflicted as I attempt to write this review. Part of me doesn't even want to rate it but since it's a review copy I'll try to voice my thoughts. From the synopsis I went in expected two grouchy personalities and a hate to love situation. For the most part that's what I got from it, but I'm not sure if I fully enjoyed the experience. {{head scratch}}
Let's talk characters, I'll start with Oscar because the whole book is from his point of view which single POV is always a huge missed opportunity in my opinon. Oscar is on the heavy side, battling depression, very little comfort in his own skin and his life is completely control by his anxiety. He has a lot of rambly internal dialogue which at first I didn't mind at all because I could relate very much to most of his train of thought because of my own struggles with anxiety. All his mental struggles made him into the stand-offish and sort of rude person he behaved as, therefore I found it unfair to call him "a grouch". Around halfway through the rambling became exhausting which I think if it had been broken up by Jack's POV that may have not been an issue.
Now onto Jack, who I don't have much to say about because we never got into his head and spent so much time in Oscars struggles that he sort of just existed within the story to me. Jack could have been any closed off or prickly bastard and it wouldn't have made a difference to me. Now together Oscar and Jack were just constantly arguing even before during and after intimacy. In my opinion it wasn't in a "hate sex , wow that's hot" kind of way. Oscar lashed out because of his anxiety and fears while Jack slashed out because he was an a**hole .
By the end of the story I was just ready for it to be over. I gave up expecting any sort of cute moments between the two. Even the end when they "make up" it was filled with harsh language and bluntness. Sadly I don't think I'll be reading any more by this other.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
really liked this book! it didn't quite beat "the love study" for me but still did an excellent job at making a pretty unlikeable character a very good narrator (normally i dislike reading from the POV of unlikeable characters but i didn't feel that about oscar). also very accurate depictions of anxiety and depression where the character isn't fixed by romance but it helps them to become a better person, and i really liked the chemistry between oscar and jack. also oscar and ronnie's relationship is lovely it's such great trans rep especially for oscar talking about ronnie early in her transition. the narrator for this book was Perfect as well. kris ripper's books have been so good so far, can't wait for the final one in this series! (also great to see a different side to declan and his relationship with sidney in this book it's very cute)
emotional
funny
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
I adored this book
I really liked reading a book with a lead who struggles so hard with anxiety. I also loved that his personality wasn’t just anxiety; he was a jerk even without the anxiety! The anxiety was just part of him.
And it’s written in a way that didn’t trigger MY anxiety like some books that deal with anxiety do.
I didn’t understand the romance? But I didn’t feel like I had to, either, and I think the same goes for Oscar.
Very tired, may edit this review later.
I really liked reading a book with a lead who struggles so hard with anxiety. I also loved that his personality wasn’t just anxiety; he was a jerk even without the anxiety! The anxiety was just part of him.
And it’s written in a way that didn’t trigger MY anxiety like some books that deal with anxiety do.
I didn’t understand the romance? But I didn’t feel like I had to, either, and I think the same goes for Oscar.
Very tired, may edit this review later.