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gwenswoons's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pedophilia, Infidelity, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness
gretchenplz's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
This book was missing some of the spark that really drew me to FYSA, but it certainly doesn’t lack charm or uniqueness or charisma. We all know I’m a very harsh critic of second chance romances, but have a soft spot for celebrity romances!
This book was like Camp Rock x Disney Channel stars x Musical Theatre, and it was lovely. I think the arrangement of the plot and pacing held it back a bit for me, but it’s certainly an overall enjoyable read. I would have liked to know more about our main characters, and think they came off a bit shallow amid all the plot movement.
I noted several missed typos/editing errors that detracted from the experience, but I will be so happy to keep buying any books Elissa Sussman writes in the future.
This book was like Camp Rock x Disney Channel stars x Musical Theatre, and it was lovely. I think the arrangement of the plot and pacing held it back a bit for me, but it’s certainly an overall enjoyable read. I would have liked to know more about our main characters, and think they came off a bit shallow amid all the plot movement.
I noted several missed typos/editing errors that detracted from the experience, but I will be so happy to keep buying any books Elissa Sussman writes in the future.
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness and Antisemitism
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Her acknowledgments started off by saying, "There are few things more tragic than a theater kid who can't sing, dance, or act" and as a former (barely) theater kid who can't sing AT ALL, I felt that, and this book, so much.
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and that third-act fight scene felt necessary to me for Harriet and Kathleen to continue their adult friendship.
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during sex with Cal; women just don't really call them that, in my experience.
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
cc_shelflove's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is described as being a “friends-to-lovers meets enemies-to-lovers story,” and that is the perfect way to define the relationship between Kathleen and Cal. The spark from when they were kids has since dissolved, and now the two can’t even stand to be in the same room. When their mutual friend writes a Broadway play, the two find themselves in forced proximity.
What would I say to the author after finishing this book? Why, once more with feeling, of course. The characters were extremely flat, and I did not notice a lot of development or growth in their relationships overall. While I wasn’t necessarily bored and it turned out to be a quick read, there was nothing to this story. Fights and kisses popped up out of nowhere, and I didn’t really care if Kathleen and Cal ended up together or not. In short, I would compare this book to trying to make tacos without any seasoning. Huh? Who wants that? #blandAF
This book is described as being a “friends-to-lovers meets enemies-to-lovers story,” and that is the perfect way to define the relationship between Kathleen and Cal. The spark from when they were kids has since dissolved, and now the two can’t even stand to be in the same room. When their mutual friend writes a Broadway play, the two find themselves in forced proximity.
What would I say to the author after finishing this book? Why, once more with feeling, of course. The characters were extremely flat, and I did not notice a lot of development or growth in their relationships overall. While I wasn’t necessarily bored and it turned out to be a quick read, there was nothing to this story. Fights and kisses popped up out of nowhere, and I didn’t really care if Kathleen and Cal ended up together or not. In short, I would compare this book to trying to make tacos without any seasoning. Huh? Who wants that? #blandAF
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Eating disorder and Body shaming
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