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funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so excited to read this book, but it was such a disappointment. The love story was so shallow, they never even really talked. And the cheating? Uh, no thanks. The ending was so cheesy that I was gagging.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a hard book for me to review. I loved the concept and the overall storyline, however, I think the final product could use a little additional work. Granted, not a lot, but some last-minute changes might just give it an extra star rating.
Here we have a story of Elle, someone who has been unhappy in her recent relationship (who also happens to be cheating on her) and has recently been laid off from her job. While Elle didn't start off by being passionate about food, she stumbled into the career of being a chef and has become passionate about it. Through this new line of work, she meets Nick Salco, a professional tennis player, when she is hired as his personal chef. Nicky is always surrounded by an entourage of people, from his assistant, coach and training partner as well as his fiancé. However, he is not happy with his current life situation and his tennis game is suffering from it. Elle and Nicky spend a lot of time together and start to fall in love. However, Elle is reluctant to get involved with Nicky as she does not want to be the other woman. This forbidden attraction and late-night encounters are eating at Elle, especially because she was recently cheated on by her previous boyfriend. Nick is not happy with his fiancé but feels trapped in the relationship and his situation and can't leave her, despite wanting to be with Elle. They eventually part ways until Nicky can prove he is worthy of Elle.
The steamy love story was good, but I had some issues with the details. I didn't enjoy the cheating. While Elle did acknowledge her feelings about being the other woman, she still went along with it. And Nicky was aware that she was cheated on and still was ok with making her the other woman. As we get to know Elle, I understand why she didn't, or rather, I see how little self-worth she had for herself and wasn't in a position to demand the right respect from others. However, how can Nicky be so selfish as to flirt with Elle, pursue her and know that he isn't going to break things off with his fiancé?
While there are 31 chapters in the book, some chapters have breaks in them to indicate the change of story. Some of these breaks were just to let the reader know of some information that was deemed important. However, the chapters were just tidbits of information. They could have been rewritten to include that information in other areas of the story without having to add in that particular small section. It just added additional text and information in the story that could have been done differently. It made the story drag on in some parts.
I also wanted to point out that there are a few typos. Nothing that will take away from the story but there are a few that the reader should be aware of.
I did enjoy the secondary characters that are with Nick and Elle, however, Josie was a bit harsh at times and I didn't fully understand Rag and his attitude. Also, poor Oliver. I felt bad for the guy.
I enjoyed the book but I think this is one that I could have enjoyed as an audiobook even more than a reading book. While it was fine, it is not one that I would return to. I wish Elle had a bit more self-respect and confidence but she eventually got there.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC copy and offer my feedback.
Here we have a story of Elle, someone who has been unhappy in her recent relationship (who also happens to be cheating on her) and has recently been laid off from her job. While Elle didn't start off by being passionate about food, she stumbled into the career of being a chef and has become passionate about it. Through this new line of work, she meets Nick Salco, a professional tennis player, when she is hired as his personal chef. Nicky is always surrounded by an entourage of people, from his assistant, coach and training partner as well as his fiancé. However, he is not happy with his current life situation and his tennis game is suffering from it. Elle and Nicky spend a lot of time together and start to fall in love. However, Elle is reluctant to get involved with Nicky as she does not want to be the other woman. This forbidden attraction and late-night encounters are eating at Elle, especially because she was recently cheated on by her previous boyfriend. Nick is not happy with his fiancé but feels trapped in the relationship and his situation and can't leave her, despite wanting to be with Elle. They eventually part ways until Nicky can prove he is worthy of Elle.
The steamy love story was good, but I had some issues with the details. I didn't enjoy the cheating. While Elle did acknowledge her feelings about being the other woman, she still went along with it. And Nicky was aware that she was cheated on and still was ok with making her the other woman. As we get to know Elle, I understand why she didn't, or rather, I see how little self-worth she had for herself and wasn't in a position to demand the right respect from others. However, how can Nicky be so selfish as to flirt with Elle, pursue her and know that he isn't going to break things off with his fiancé?
While there are 31 chapters in the book, some chapters have breaks in them to indicate the change of story. Some of these breaks were just to let the reader know of some information that was deemed important. However, the chapters were just tidbits of information. They could have been rewritten to include that information in other areas of the story without having to add in that particular small section. It just added additional text and information in the story that could have been done differently. It made the story drag on in some parts.
I also wanted to point out that there are a few typos. Nothing that will take away from the story but there are a few that the reader should be aware of.
I did enjoy the secondary characters that are with Nick and Elle, however, Josie was a bit harsh at times and I didn't fully understand Rag and his attitude. Also, poor Oliver. I felt bad for the guy.
I enjoyed the book but I think this is one that I could have enjoyed as an audiobook even more than a reading book. While it was fine, it is not one that I would return to. I wish Elle had a bit more self-respect and confidence but she eventually got there.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC copy and offer my feedback.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In the wake of Challengers, I was so excited for this book. Tennis is cool and sexy again and I couldn’t wait to read a romcom book on tennis. But, I was so disappointed by this book mainly because I couldn’t root for Nikki and Elle because they were cheaters! Regardless of how hatable Mac was, it didn’t redeem Nikki and Elle. I spent most of the book just wanting to yell at them both to pull it together. The book was well written and I would read this writer again, but I do hope she’ll drop the romanticizing cheating storyline for future books.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes