Scan barcode
vmillswood's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kyeruhh's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I ate this up until abt half way through and then I fell off for a bit as the story seemed to slow. Ethan wasn’t my favorite MMC but I did like the resolution to his character arc. He just seemed a bit flat. I liked Grey as well as the side characters though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Moderate: Death and Drug use
clowdywings's review against another edition
2.0
this author is really good at building up tension but when it came time for the climax and resolution, it all fell apart. story was entertaining until then. also who is sam???? we were never told and it seemed they were quite important.
whendevreads's review against another edition
4.0
Despite going into this book thinking it was a cute little romcom & nothing more, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will say that I don’t believe this book is marketed properly. From the cover design to the blurb on the back, it 100% gives off the vibes of a silly little fake-dating romcom. However, it has some darker themes that I think the audience needs to know going into it. It’s honestly barely a romance, as the main couple spends more time broken up than they do together. I do understand, though, because let’s be honest… the books with bright colors and cartoon(ish) covers are the ones currently flying off the shelves. It only makes sense they’d want to capitalize on that.
After realizing that it was less romantic comedy, more romantic drama, it made me understand the characters better. I like Grey. She’s sweet, pretty down-to-earth, and I like that she is willing to get out when she needs to. I did end up liking Ethan, despite not having much to like about him in the beginning. Hearing his insecurities over & over was frustrating, and I grew tired of seeing him mope around when things were oftentimes his fault. However, I think he is a very raw character, just trying to deal with his grief and feelings in the wrong way. I enjoyed the bits and pieces of him we got when he was with Grey and sober, and I loved that he got a redemption arc on his own terms, she didn’t “fix him.”
I think as long as the reader is going into this knowing that it isn’t a romantic comedy, it’s a solid book. The characters, for the most part are well-rounded, and they both get character development that isn’t a part of the “love fixes everything” trope I see too many times in romance novels. I do wish we had gotten to see a little more chemistry between the two of them, if Ethan had let his guard down and was able to be himself.
spice level:
After realizing that it was less romantic comedy, more romantic drama, it made me understand the characters better. I like Grey. She’s sweet, pretty down-to-earth, and I like that she is willing to get out when she needs to. I did end up liking Ethan, despite not having much to like about him in the beginning. Hearing his insecurities over & over was frustrating, and I grew tired of seeing him mope around when things were oftentimes his fault. However, I think he is a very raw character, just trying to deal with his grief and feelings in the wrong way. I enjoyed the bits and pieces of him we got when he was with Grey and sober, and I loved that he got a redemption arc on his own terms, she didn’t “fix him.”
I think as long as the reader is going into this knowing that it isn’t a romantic comedy, it’s a solid book. The characters, for the most part are well-rounded, and they both get character development that isn’t a part of the “love fixes everything” trope I see too many times in romance novels. I do wish we had gotten to see a little more chemistry between the two of them, if Ethan had let his guard down and was able to be himself.
spice level:
sdematos1443's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aaliyajaensch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
3.0
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
5.0
Picked this book up thinking it would be a light hearted shallow read - but honestly this was so nicely written and the characters were so real! What started as a fake relationship gets real (and scary) for two people who clearly have a lot of shit to deal with. And it felt super real when Ethan and his vulnerability comes out - dealing with his trauma from losing his best friend, his attachment issues, and mainly substance abuse. Grey, too, her dealing with what felt like an identity crisis. The ending was lovely, and the romance so beautiful and feel-good
lindsaymck's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was good, but I wanted it to be great. Grey Brooks was a captivating enough FMC, but deserved more from Ethan Atkins as the MMC.
I liked the backdrop of Hollywood setting the scene for the fake relationship as a PR stunt and mutually beneficial career boost, but there was such a heaviness with the leaked explicit photos and alcoholism/addiction. I wish their relationship had been developed a bit more beyond the attraction/lust based in wanting something you think you can’t have and her consistently dealing with his insecurities and lack of self-worth.
I got real Ben Affleck vibes from Ethan and it made me realize why I always liked Matt Damon more. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s creative partnership seemed to be the inspiration for Ethan and Sam’s.
I think my favorite character might’ve been Ethan’s ex-wife, Nora. She was so emotionally and professionally supportive of Grey, reminding her not to get sucked into Ethan’s downward spiral, and then being there for her when that spiral brought him to rock bottom. Then she used her production studio to help Grey bring her film project to life. Nora did right by her ex’s new partner, supported her ex in getting help at rehab, and parented their daughters with stability and grace. A co-parenting queen and a true girl’s girl!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual harassment
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Glad to see a realistic depiction of addiction and alcoholism.
Glad to see a realistic depiction of addiction and alcoholism.
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0