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garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
This was a surprisingly deep book, as the fmc is dealing with the trauma and after effects of an abusive relationship while also trying to start a new romance. From my non-survivor perspective, I thought it treated the issues well, and with accuracy. All the trigger warnings though, we really are in her head as she is trying to cope.
Single POV, 1st person, fmc. Fmc is Black/mixed, mmc is white.
Single POV, 1st person, fmc. Fmc is Black/mixed, mmc is white.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Stalking, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Minor: Racism, Alcohol, Racial slurs, and Vomit
The sexual assault tag is forlucyhargrave's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was hard to rate because its a very quick and easy read but it covers some serious and dark topics - namely dosmetic abuse. The heroine, Naya, is still emotionally and mentally recovering from a previously abusive relationship when she meets the hero, Jake, and of course that has an impact on her developing relationship with Jake. Then her previously abusive boyfriend Davis comes back into her life and immediately starts the toxic behaviour from before. So I enjoyed it, I liked Jake and Naya as a couple - their relationship without all the external issues was easy and natural. But I doubt I'll re-read it due to the dosmetic abuse storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Racism
rlbitt's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
shaynicole's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
kfmcf's review against another edition
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
4.25
MAJOR CW for gaslighting, emotional abuse, and a toxic relationship
I read this way back in '21 when I was first getting into contemporary romance as a genre and thought it was pretty good. Honestly, reading it again, I really enjoyed it. I think in my last read, I had just come off of reading some of my all time favs (The Kiss Quotient, PYMoV, etc.) and it warped my views of the book a bit.
I really enjoyed the chemistry of the two characters and what they were dealing with. I appreciated the single POV as we really were able to invest in time with Naya and understand what she was feeling with Jake and appreciating him as a character (though...I don't know why the name Jake just doesn't work for him imo for some reason).
Normally when I see characters communicating over text or email or whatever I skim really hard, but the interactions between Naya & Jake over text was fun and cute. I don't know, friends, something about these two just hit for me rn.
The drama with Davis gets a little over dramatic and he was cartoonishly evil at some points, but having gone through an emotionally abusive relationship myself, sometimes it is just like that.
I'm reading The Fastest Way to Fall and Technically, Yours right now for book club and I'm...not happy there was a shift from single POV. I think Denise Williams is stronger in single based off of this book, but I'll reserve judgment for those books until I'm finished.
I read this way back in '21 when I was first getting into contemporary romance as a genre and thought it was pretty good. Honestly, reading it again, I really enjoyed it. I think in my last read, I had just come off of reading some of my all time favs (The Kiss Quotient, PYMoV, etc.) and it warped my views of the book a bit.
I really enjoyed the chemistry of the two characters and what they were dealing with. I appreciated the single POV as we really were able to invest in time with Naya and understand what she was feeling with Jake and appreciating him as a character (though...I don't know why the name Jake just doesn't work for him imo for some reason).
Normally when I see characters communicating over text or email or whatever I skim really hard, but the interactions between Naya & Jake over text was fun and cute. I don't know, friends, something about these two just hit for me rn.
The drama with Davis gets a little over dramatic and he was cartoonishly evil at some points, but having gone through an emotionally abusive relationship myself, sometimes it is just like that.
I'm reading The Fastest Way to Fall and Technically, Yours right now for book club and I'm...not happy there was a shift from single POV. I think Denise Williams is stronger in single based off of this book, but I'll reserve judgment for those books until I'm finished.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Bullying, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Cursing
jordynlee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed the main characters and their love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
Naya is a college professor who decides to relieve stress from the possible loss of her job by having a one night stand that doesn’t go as planned.
Naya is a college professor who decides to relieve stress from the possible loss of her job by having a one night stand that doesn’t go as planned.
I am writing this review from the middle of what has become a binge of Denise Williams books and I have zero regrets. This was my first title by Denise and I loved it so much—the nuanced way it dealt with domestic violence and trauma, the gorgeous unfolding of Naya and Jake’s love story, and the academic setting all combined to make this one a joy to read.
As a college professor myself, the depiction of Naya’s connection with her students (one in particular but I won’t spoil it) and her clear love of teaching and education made this book so deeply meaningful to me, but I think it will resonate with a lot of different readers. HIGHLY recommend.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: academic settings; one-night-stands gone wrong; stories of healing
CW: domestic violence (physical and emotional abuse); gaslighting; misogyny/sexism; racism; sexual violence; mentions of infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity
ksuazo94's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Infidelity
wendahh324's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can’t decide if I liked this book or not. Love interest reacts too strongly to something at one point even though he knows that female lead had been in an abusive relationship and is antsy. It made me like him a lot less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexism and Racism
Main character was previously in an abusive relationship. The ex comes back and threatens her. There’s also an intense scene where he attempts to hurt her.rickireadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
WOW WOW WOW. this is my second book by denise and definitely my favorite!! nia and jake just felt so real. like they were imperfect characters, their reactions to certain situations was just so human, and i loved them for it. i honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this book. each of their pasts made me cry ngl - especially nia’s. they were just so cute with each other - the back and forth was so funny and had me giggling and smiling while listening. the spice was phenomenal - jake could GET IT.
⚠️: domestic abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, toxic relationship (fmc and her ex), gaslighting, misogyny, sexual assault (attempted), sexual harassment (workplace), racism, stalking, panic attacks/disorders, infidelity (not mcs), vomit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Sexual assault
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Infidelity