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ambercunningham's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Rape, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-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? Yes
4.5
I liked the way this book didn’t just focus on the relationship between Asher and Phoebe, it painted a picture of the whole town and introduced you to everyone they came in contact with. It was like a sitcom, setting up storylines for other characters too. I like that, it makes it feel more real when every conversation in the whole book isn’t about the romance. I can’t wait to read the next in the Whitlock Series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Death of parent
kat7794's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Cursing
scmp73's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I wanted to like this. I really did. I’m not always sucked in by Corinne Michael’s books like I am with other authors, but I enjoy them. This one, however, was just tough for me.
I didn’t like the MCs very much and didn’t see anything real in their connection. We’re they sexually attracted to one another? Sure. Did they have any sort of connection outside of the bedroom? Nope. Asher was cringy for me. I love dirty talk in my smut scenes, but there’s something about Asher and what he said that gave me the ick. He just didn’t do it for me. Phoebe was fine. I felt she wasn’t really a sunshine character, and at times, it felt like she was a little immature. Their age difference wasn’t a big deal because they’re both adults, and I’m not sure why it was brought up as much as it was. It got to be annoying each time he brought up Phoebe being younger than Brynn.
I enjoyed the deaf representation and the way the author handled Olivia and how certain things may affect her world. That was something you don’t see often, and it was nice to see in a story. As someone that isn’t hard of hearing or deaf, I have no way of knowing how accurate it was, but Olivia was my favorite character.
The 3rd act plot twist/drama was so incredibly unnecessary. I know there’s usually a lot of drama in CM books, but this was just stupid to me. Phoebe has an affair with her (unknown to her) married grad school professor and ends up pregnant. That same professor was best friends with Asher and groomed/raped Brynn. Why does Phoebe need to be pregnant? I would have liked it more if Asher just found out who the professor was and lost his mind. If CM wanted to have this professor be important, she could have done it without the surprise pregnancy that served no purpose.
Overall, this just wasn’t a good read for me. I’m not sure if I’m invested enough to read the others in this new series, but who knows?
I didn’t like the MCs very much and didn’t see anything real in their connection. We’re they sexually attracted to one another? Sure. Did they have any sort of connection outside of the bedroom? Nope. Asher was cringy for me. I love dirty talk in my smut scenes, but there’s something about Asher and what he said that gave me the ick. He just didn’t do it for me. Phoebe was fine. I felt she wasn’t really a sunshine character, and at times, it felt like she was a little immature. Their age difference wasn’t a big deal because they’re both adults, and I’m not sure why it was brought up as much as it was. It got to be annoying each time he brought up Phoebe being younger than Brynn.
I enjoyed the deaf representation and the way the author handled Olivia and how certain things may affect her world. That was something you don’t see often, and it was nice to see in a story. As someone that isn’t hard of hearing or deaf, I have no way of knowing how accurate it was, but Olivia was my favorite character.
Overall, this just wasn’t a good read for me. I’m not sure if I’m invested enough to read the others in this new series, but who knows?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Bullying
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