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skyhazzard's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This book was so good. I did deduct half a star because some of the dirty talk was a bit much for me but otherwise fantastic. It was so fun and definitely did have those Legally Blonde vibes (I also enjoyed seeing the little nods to it throughout).
Abbie’s been with the same guy for 4 years, she thinks she’s in love with him and that they’re headed down a path towards marriage which is why she is completely blindsided when he dumps her on Halloween. Richard is a DICK, I hated him so much. There was this quote where she mentioned something about how a man never opened the door for her before Richard and I was just like…girl all he did was reach over in the car and shove your door open. That right there let me know what a piece of trash he was and it was confirmed as the book went on.
Anyways after getting dumped she gets drunk with her friends and realizes how much he used her during their time together, she was basically his personal assistant and he just kept dating her cause it was convenient for him. They come up with a petty (well deserved) list of things to screw with him but the cherry on the cake is when she gets matched with his boss (that he hates) on the dating app they just set up for her (best way to get over your ex is to get under a new guy). She’s determined to get an invite from this new guy to the company Christmas party that her ex never once took her to but you know of course feelings are going to get involved.
And let me tell you, Damien was like a breath of fresh air after being smothered by Richard and his dusty ass self. Damien constant did or said things that were so sweet and considerate or he’d do something just to make her happy, he treated her like a goddess. A complete turn around from asshole Richard. Like Abbie, I think I fell in love with him on the first date. Pretty much from the first date onward her seeing him became more about her enjoying her time with him than her plan for revenge (although it’s always a lingering thought).
I was so glad with how things turned out when the big reveal happened. Like you’re obviously expecting things to go one way because how could they not but I was really happy with how Damien took it.
And the whole time I kept hoping there was a book for Abbie’s sister…and there is and I’m so excited to see how Hannah and Hunter got together.
Abbie’s been with the same guy for 4 years, she thinks she’s in love with him and that they’re headed down a path towards marriage which is why she is completely blindsided when he dumps her on Halloween. Richard is a DICK, I hated him so much. There was this quote where she mentioned something about how a man never opened the door for her before Richard and I was just like…girl all he did was reach over in the car and shove your door open. That right there let me know what a piece of trash he was and it was confirmed as the book went on.
Anyways after getting dumped she gets drunk with her friends and realizes how much he used her during their time together, she was basically his personal assistant and he just kept dating her cause it was convenient for him. They come up with a petty (well deserved) list of things to screw with him but the cherry on the cake is when she gets matched with his boss (that he hates) on the dating app they just set up for her (best way to get over your ex is to get under a new guy). She’s determined to get an invite from this new guy to the company Christmas party that her ex never once took her to but you know of course feelings are going to get involved.
And let me tell you, Damien was like a breath of fresh air after being smothered by Richard and his dusty ass self. Damien constant did or said things that were so sweet and considerate or he’d do something just to make her happy, he treated her like a goddess. A complete turn around from asshole Richard. Like Abbie, I think I fell in love with him on the first date. Pretty much from the first date onward her seeing him became more about her enjoying her time with him than her plan for revenge (although it’s always a lingering thought).
I was so glad with how things turned out when the big reveal happened. Like you’re obviously expecting things to go one way because how could they not but I was really happy with how Damien took it.
And the whole time I kept hoping there was a book for Abbie’s sister…and there is and I’m so excited to see how Hannah and Hunter got together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
impalalove's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Repetitive in some ways
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny and Body shaming
forgottencupoftea's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity and Abandonment
essie__reads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Sexual content, Body shaming, and Misogyny
cluckieduck's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Ohhh boy, seems I'm in the minority with this holiday romp, but I found it completely cringe-worthy. Everything from the dialogue, to the plot, to sex just...no. And the pages upon pages of inner monologue minus any fulsome introspection?? I really started skimming ~50% because it was just became the same old, same old.
I know that, as romance readers, we need to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the fantasy of HEAs but this relationship is toxic AF. You're gonna tell me that a self-described player who enjoys his women 'young, blonde, and soft' will change his spots with a woman who's been unceremoniously dumped after being trapped in a 4-year abusive relationship and it's gonna work out?? While I enjoyed the age-gap, Damien and his magic peen were too perfect. If Damien says it's ok, Abbie believes it's ok. Damien says 'yes', Abbie says 'oh.' The number of first time experiences for Abbie because 'guys don't do that' or 'guys don't like that,' but in swaggers 'Mr. Man' Damien to show her how a 'real man' behaves...my eyes could not have rolled further back.
Anyways, I didn't connect with either MC or any side character and found the story fairly lacklustre. The perfect holiday read it was not.
I know that, as romance readers, we need to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the fantasy of HEAs but this relationship is toxic AF. You're gonna tell me that a self-described player who enjoys his women 'young, blonde, and soft' will change his spots with a woman who's been unceremoniously dumped after being trapped in a 4-year abusive relationship and it's gonna work out?? While I enjoyed the age-gap, Damien and his magic peen were too perfect. If Damien says it's ok, Abbie believes it's ok. Damien says 'yes', Abbie says 'oh.' The number of first time experiences for Abbie because 'guys don't do that' or 'guys don't like that,' but in swaggers 'Mr. Man' Damien to show her how a 'real man' behaves...my eyes could not have rolled further back.
Anyways, I didn't connect with either MC or any side character and found the story fairly lacklustre. The perfect holiday read it was not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming and Infidelity
just_klaudia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.25
I can understand why people love this book and I truly don't think it was bad. That's why I want to premise my review by saying:
I don't really like age-gap romances, they make be kind of uncomfortable. So basically this book was good and I might have rated it even higher. I just had to rate it at 3.5 stars because the smut scenes made me uncomfortable as well as some other things I will get into.
Okay first I want to write down everything I enjoyed about this book:
- I really liked the female friendship between Abbie, Cam & Kat. I generally really enjoy friendships like that in books and I think it was really well done. The friends had enough personality of their own to make them more than just boring side characters.
- I also liked Abbie most of the time. She reminded me a lot of Elle from Legally Blond who I really like (and I am quite sure she was also inspired by Elle). She is fun and unapologetically feminin, loud and interested.
- I also like Damien generally. He does often feel like a 'perfect man'. He's understanding, kind, rich (and 'self-made' rich as well & without taking advantage of people and instead helping those in need). He is caring, listens to everything Abbie tells him, he wants to build her up and values her work and he is basically obsessed with her after knowing her for less than 24 hours.
I just do not think that is a really person. (Great escapism though).
- I also quite liked the Revenge aspect of the story. Richard is truly horrible and watching his life be ruined and him being put in his place is so gratifying and cathartic.
That being said here are the things that I didn't really enjoy:
- Abbie is fun and bubbly but also she seems a bit like an old white man's fantasy. That's also why it made me uncomfortable when Damien calls her a whore and often reduces her to her looks. There are good moments but often (especially during/before the smut scenes) I felt like I was just reading about a controlling, rich, old man sleeping with a twenty-something year old girl (I think he is 42? She is 28?).
- I did not like him calling Abbie 'Rubia'. I did quite like 'naranja' (because it was explained). I don't I get why he had to use two different pet names though. (I googled it and Rubia apparently means Blonde... still I don't like it.
I don't really like age-gap romances, they make be kind of uncomfortable. So basically this book was good and I might have rated it even higher. I just had to rate it at 3.5 stars because the smut scenes made me uncomfortable as well as some other things I will get into.
Okay first I want to write down everything I enjoyed about this book:
- I really liked the female friendship between Abbie, Cam & Kat. I generally really enjoy friendships like that in books and I think it was really well done. The friends had enough personality of their own to make them more than just boring side characters.
- I also liked Abbie most of the time. She reminded me a lot of Elle from Legally Blond who I really like (and I am quite sure she was also inspired by Elle). She is fun and unapologetically feminin, loud and interested.
- I also like Damien generally. He does often feel like a 'perfect man'. He's understanding, kind, rich (and 'self-made' rich as well & without taking advantage of people and instead helping those in need). He is caring, listens to everything Abbie tells him, he wants to build her up and values her work and he is basically obsessed with her after knowing her for less than 24 hours.
I just do not think that is a really person. (Great escapism though).
- I also quite liked the Revenge aspect of the story. Richard is truly horrible and watching his life be ruined and him being put in his place is so gratifying and cathartic.
That being said here are the things that I didn't really enjoy:
- Abbie is fun and bubbly but also she seems a bit like an old white man's fantasy. That's also why it made me uncomfortable when Damien calls her a whore and often reduces her to her looks. There are good moments but often (especially during/before the smut scenes) I felt like I was just reading about a controlling, rich, old man sleeping with a twenty-something year old girl (I think he is 42? She is 28?).
- I did not like him calling Abbie 'Rubia'. I did quite like 'naranja' (because it was explained). I don't I get why he had to use two different pet names though. (I googled it and Rubia apparently means Blonde... still I don't like it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Misogyny
adenosine14's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny and Physical abuse
kaitlynnnng's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Damien Martinez…yes, ma’am!
The beginning of the book was kind of cringey and felt forced, but it got better.
Parts of this book helped me reflect on my own experiences and growth, but, as a whole, the story wasn’t life-changing or anything.
The beginning of the book was kind of cringey and felt forced, but it got better.
Parts of this book helped me reflect on my own experiences and growth, but, as a whole, the story wasn’t life-changing or anything.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Physical abuse
cassiereadsbooks_'s review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content