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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Reread March 2023 rating upgraded to 5 stars
I don’t know why, but this book just REALLY worked for me this time. I don’t know if it’s because I could relate with Oscar in some aspects of his anxiety, or if I’m just in a different headspace, idk? I really liked this one on this read.
Something else I really liked, and I think it’s something that I’m seeing from authors who write all sorts of romances, is that sex doesn’t have to be penetrative to be sex. Or, I guess blowjobs are penetrative… but I really appreciate that in this book sex is getting off with another person, whatever that may look like.
Also, I’ve recently joined Ripper’s Patreon and there was a fantastic little Jack/Oscar story that takes place 2 years after the book, and it is kind of perfect. Tentacles, baby!🐙
_____
3.5 stars
Of the three books in the series, I liked this one the least, though I still liked it! I think the reason I didn't like it as much was because the characters, Oscar and Jack, aren't as likeable as the characters in the other two books, except that's the whole point. They are both assholes. They are constantly fighting and are snarky with each other, and it is THE BEST. Like, they are even snarky and low-key mean when they're having sex, which I feel like shouldn't work, except that it totally does.
Despite all the snarky fighting, I really liked that the sex didn't come across as hate sex, which I don't think it was at all, but I could see how it could have easily gone there. That is something that I just don't understand, so I'm glad that's not what happened.
I also really liked how Jack was understanding of Oscar's anxiety. He was quite blunt about it, just asking what he needed to know, and I liked that, that he wasn't tiptoeing around or being weird, it's just a part of Oscar that he's getting to know.
I also LOVED the author's note at the very beginning, where it mentions that the book contains depictions of anxiety and panic attacks, that it's not a quirky plot point, it's just how the character is and that he still has anxiety at the end of the book and that anxiety and depression can totally be part of a HEA. I think that somewhat relates to what I said above; Jack just takes Oscar as he is, with his anxiety, he doesn't try to fix it or anything, and at the same time Jack isn't portrayed as being a "cure" to Oscar's anxiety. Ugh, just give me all that realistic mental health rep, please!
I don’t know why, but this book just REALLY worked for me this time. I don’t know if it’s because I could relate with Oscar in some aspects of his anxiety, or if I’m just in a different headspace, idk? I really liked this one on this read.
Something else I really liked, and I think it’s something that I’m seeing from authors who write all sorts of romances, is that sex doesn’t have to be penetrative to be sex. Or, I guess blowjobs are penetrative… but I really appreciate that in this book sex is getting off with another person, whatever that may look like.
Also, I’ve recently joined Ripper’s Patreon and there was a fantastic little Jack/Oscar story that takes place 2 years after the book, and it is kind of perfect. Tentacles, baby!🐙
_____
3.5 stars
Of the three books in the series, I liked this one the least, though I still liked it! I think the reason I didn't like it as much was because the characters, Oscar and Jack, aren't as likeable as the characters in the other two books, except that's the whole point. They are both assholes. They are constantly fighting and are snarky with each other, and it is THE BEST. Like, they are even snarky and low-key mean when they're having sex, which I feel like shouldn't work, except that it totally does.
Despite all the snarky fighting, I really liked that the sex didn't come across as hate sex, which I don't think it was at all, but I could see how it could have easily gone there. That is something that I just don't understand, so I'm glad that's not what happened.
I also really liked how Jack was understanding of Oscar's anxiety. He was quite blunt about it, just asking what he needed to know, and I liked that, that he wasn't tiptoeing around or being weird, it's just a part of Oscar that he's getting to know.
I also LOVED the author's note at the very beginning, where it mentions that the book contains depictions of anxiety and panic attacks, that it's not a quirky plot point, it's just how the character is and that he still has anxiety at the end of the book and that anxiety and depression can totally be part of a HEA. I think that somewhat relates to what I said above; Jack just takes Oscar as he is, with his anxiety, he doesn't try to fix it or anything, and at the same time Jack isn't portrayed as being a "cure" to Oscar's anxiety. Ugh, just give me all that realistic mental health rep, please!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely enjoyed this one a LOT more than the first in the series. Oscar and Jack have interesting chemistry. There was a lot of times I related to Oscar but also felt so frustrated being in his head. I think what would’ve improved this drastically would’ve been a dual pov. The story could’ve benefited from Jack’s perspective on the relationship and Oscar’s behavior.
Still, I did like this. The start was great then got very slow.
Still, I did like this. The start was great then got very slow.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
emotional
reflective
tense
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
hopeful
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
I picked up this book after seeing a review flutter by somewhere, because the overview seemed interesting. And as much as I had hoped to just breeze through a predictable romance, I ended up treasuring this tale. Sure, there were some of my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers, meddling snarky grandma), but here also was a main character with severe anxiety paired with a snappy dark humor. His love/hate interest tried to appear at first as an emotionless asshole, but the genius plot device had them literally sorting through years of his and his family’s history. So my heart went out to both of them, and I had to keep reading and reading. But also I didn’t want to read too fast, because the writing was hilarious and smart and full of every insight I didn’t know I needed.
Strangely, I did try reading the first book in this series, which told the romance of two other people in Oscar’s friend group, but it just didn’t interest me. But this second book stood great on its own.
Strangely, I did try reading the first book in this series, which told the romance of two other people in Oscar’s friend group, but it just didn’t interest me. But this second book stood great on its own.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A funny and well written rom-com that kept me smiling and rooting for the characters.
It's well written, the characters are interesting and I liked the humor.
It's the first book i read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's well written, the characters are interesting and I liked the humor.
It's the first book i read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine