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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I have to concede first that I'm reading this series out of order, which I generally hate doing. (Throwback to the time I got Hell Bent in my book of the month box, only to realize that it's a sequel. Oops.) I read Exes and Ohs (the second book in the series) first, maybe to the detriment of my review of Set on You.
This is an enemies to lovers book, kind of? Crystal Chen, a fitness influencer, immediately dislikes the extremely hot Scott when he steals her favorite squat rack at the gym. Extremely relatable, when I lifted at the gym I was often one of a handful of women by the barbells and have been pressured to be pushed off of equipment by heaving liftings bros more than once. So I get this!
Starting with what I loved: just like in Exes and Ohs, Crystal is a wildly charming narrator. I love Amy Lea's writing. It's so refreshing and honest with a dash of self-deprecation that doesn't feel like the characters dislike themselves. Crystal and Scott's chemistry is phenomenal. Their banter? Chef's kiss. I wouldn't call this a slow burn by any stretch, but the buildup of anticipation and sexual tension is so well done (and so rewarding). I also love Amy Lea's side characters. Grandma Flo is such a treat (although I found her even more charming in Exes and Ohs, but again I don't think it's really fair to compare to the subsequent book). The relationship between Crystal and her family, particularly her sister Tara, is really rewarding. The moments where Crystal had to defend her career and her decisions resonated deeply with me - it's something a lot of millennials, especially millennial women, have had to do. (I'll save my soap box rant about how women's labor is undervalued for another time.)
I really enjoyed this, but found myself hungry for more depth of character. It felt a little bit like all of Crystal's life and personality was tied up in being a fitness influencer. And fair, that's kind of the point of the book, but she felt a little less dimensional at times as a character because of it. I appreciated the message of the book, and the author's note at the front end struck a chord (in a good way!) but by the end it felt like this book clearly Had A Message and it felt like Crystal was the vehicle to communicate that message rather than a character working through a hard personal conflict.
All in all, I enjoyed this! The dialogue was quippy and fun, the flirting was top notch, and the sex scenes were spicy and satisfying.
This is an enemies to lovers book, kind of? Crystal Chen, a fitness influencer, immediately dislikes the extremely hot Scott when he steals her favorite squat rack at the gym. Extremely relatable, when I lifted at the gym I was often one of a handful of women by the barbells and have been pressured to be pushed off of equipment by heaving liftings bros more than once. So I get this!
Starting with what I loved: just like in Exes and Ohs, Crystal is a wildly charming narrator. I love Amy Lea's writing. It's so refreshing and honest with a dash of self-deprecation that doesn't feel like the characters dislike themselves. Crystal and Scott's chemistry is phenomenal. Their banter? Chef's kiss. I wouldn't call this a slow burn by any stretch, but the buildup of anticipation and sexual tension is so well done (and so rewarding). I also love Amy Lea's side characters. Grandma Flo is such a treat (although I found her even more charming in Exes and Ohs, but again I don't think it's really fair to compare to the subsequent book). The relationship between Crystal and her family, particularly her sister Tara, is really rewarding. The moments where Crystal had to defend her career and her decisions resonated deeply with me - it's something a lot of millennials, especially millennial women, have had to do. (I'll save my soap box rant about how women's labor is undervalued for another time.)
I really enjoyed this, but found myself hungry for more depth of character. It felt a little bit like all of Crystal's life and personality was tied up in being a fitness influencer. And fair, that's kind of the point of the book, but she felt a little less dimensional at times as a character because of it. I appreciated the message of the book, and the author's note at the front end struck a chord (in a good way!) but by the end it felt like this book clearly Had A Message and it felt like Crystal was the vehicle to communicate that message rather than a character working through a hard personal conflict.
All in all, I enjoyed this! The dialogue was quippy and fun, the flirting was top notch, and the sex scenes were spicy and satisfying.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is no reason for any book to have this many pop culture references oh my god.
funny
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
funny
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
This book is kind of cringy and feels like it was written in an over the top millennial way. Once you start embracing the writing style, however, the plot is cute and I liked both the characters.
It definitely isn’t for everyone but I thought it was cute enough
It definitely isn’t for everyone but I thought it was cute enough
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This was a very cute romance with a really strong message of self acceptance and self love. The FMC is described as a curvy fitness influencer. She is all about body positivity but as the story evolves and she falls for a hot firefighter, she questions this thought process. Truly a story about our struggles as human beings to love ourselves.