lizalikeminnelli's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
2.5
I had expectations because I was so excited by these characters from the first book but when they get to be the leads they don't confidently take the stage. Have the supporting characters from the first book acknowledge that they lived life as supporting did not hit as well. There was definitely a lot of potential for this book and we got really cute scenes but the overall execution left a lot to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
bookhyperfixation's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity
now_booking's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
I feel like it’s pretty much impossible not adore the characters in this series- even when they’re kind of out-of-touch like Piper in Book 1, or incredibly damaged by toxic masculinity and society’s hypersexualisation of handsome boys and men like with Fox, in this book, this author creates something angsty and beautifully broken out of characters that on the surface could be perceived as flaky and sort of vacuous.
The premise of this rom-com-ish but angsty romance is that from childhood, Fox has been told he will be a heartbreaker and a massive success in sexual exploits much like his ain’t ish father. As a result, feeing the need to live up to society’s expectations and also getting burned the one time he tried to buck that weight, he’s a commitment-phobic womanizer. A commitment-phobic womanizer who is best friends with sweet but lacking in confidence, Hannah. This genesis of this friendship is mentioned several times in this book but makes much more sense and makes this a richer read if you’ve read book 1 in this series (Piper’s book). Everybody loves Hannah and feels protective over her and Fox has been warned to keep his filthy reputation away from everyone’s favourite little sister (Hannah).
I liked that there was a lot of growth realised by both characters. Hannah finds her inner leading lady and begins to believe in herself and her worth, while Fox begins to heal from years of low self-worth and the damage being hypersexualised from a young age made on him. I think sometimes this was angstier and more love triangular than necessary- especially in situations where a single conversation would have solved the angst and would have fit in the narrative as Fox and Hannah have excellent communication and were quite open and honest with each other. I think another weakness of this was that even though we clearly knew and had affection for Piper and Brendan from the first novel, the supporting characters somehow didn’t pop as much as they did in the first book. That said, this was a really solid romance that took me on an emotional journey that felt deep and real and heartfelt and that really tackled a male main character’s emotions and society’s normalization of sexualisation of young boys and men with a lot of nuance and heart, and it’s not something I’ve read thematically before in a romance. Recommend if you’re looking for angst with some laughs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this rom-com-ish but angsty romance is that from childhood, Fox has been told he will be a heartbreaker and a massive success in sexual exploits much like his ain’t ish father. As a result, feeing the need to live up to society’s expectations and also getting burned the one time he tried to buck that weight, he’s a commitment-phobic womanizer. A commitment-phobic womanizer who is best friends with sweet but lacking in confidence, Hannah. This genesis of this friendship is mentioned several times in this book but makes much more sense and makes this a richer read if you’ve read book 1 in this series (Piper’s book). Everybody loves Hannah and feels protective over her and Fox has been warned to keep his filthy reputation away from everyone’s favourite little sister (Hannah).
I liked that there was a lot of growth realised by both characters. Hannah finds her inner leading lady and begins to believe in herself and her worth, while Fox begins to heal from years of low self-worth and the damage being hypersexualised from a young age made on him. I think sometimes this was angstier and more love triangular than necessary- especially in situations where a single conversation would have solved the angst and would have fit in the narrative as Fox and Hannah have excellent communication and were quite open and honest with each other. I think another weakness of this was that even though we clearly knew and had affection for Piper and Brendan from the first novel, the supporting characters somehow didn’t pop as much as they did in the first book. That said, this was a really solid romance that took me on an emotional journey that felt deep and real and heartfelt and that really tackled a male main character’s emotions and society’s normalization of sexualisation of young boys and men with a lot of nuance and heart, and it’s not something I’ve read thematically before in a romance. Recommend if you’re looking for angst with some laughs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Sexism
Minor: Grief
cheye13's review against another edition
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Alcohol
tristaesque's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
laurynreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Sexual harassment
ekcanales's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.75
Tessa Bailey does it again with another sweet, lighthearted, yet surprisingly poignant romance!
This story felt very similar to Piper and Brendan's in It Happened One Summer, but was different enough to keep the reader engaged and excited for more! I was so excited to get back into this universe and reconnect with these characters and check in on their lives after the first book ended and Bailey was masterfully able to incorporate new and existing characters, while still keeping the focus on Hannah and Fox.
The dual-perspective between the two really gives this romance a whole new depth and allows the reader to understand the tensions, desires, and challenges facing the relationship. This will-they-won't-they and forbidden romance is so well done, as the tensions slowly build throughout the novel. The side plot about Hannah's career and connecting to her father was really impactful and deep, which shows her independence and strength as a character as she learns to stand up for herself and pursue what she truly wants (in more ways than one). Learning about Fox's past allows the reader to better understand his actions and sympathize with his struggles, while adding a layer of difficulty to the relationship that forms throughout the book.
Overall, this book was a fast, easy romance with some tension and deeper elements that keep it interesting. Although, the romance feels similar to some of Tessa Bailey's other works.
This story felt very similar to Piper and Brendan's in It Happened One Summer, but was different enough to keep the reader engaged and excited for more! I was so excited to get back into this universe and reconnect with these characters and check in on their lives after the first book ended and Bailey was masterfully able to incorporate new and existing characters, while still keeping the focus on Hannah and Fox.
The dual-perspective between the two really gives this romance a whole new depth and allows the reader to understand the tensions, desires, and challenges facing the relationship. This will-they-won't-they and forbidden romance is so well done, as the tensions slowly build throughout the novel. The side plot about Hannah's career and connecting to her father was really impactful and deep, which shows her independence and strength as a character as she learns to stand up for herself and pursue what she truly wants (in more ways than one). Learning about Fox's past allows the reader to better understand his actions and sympathize with his struggles, while adding a layer of difficulty to the relationship that forms throughout the book.
Overall, this book was a fast, easy romance with some tension and deeper elements that keep it interesting. Although, the romance feels similar to some of Tessa Bailey's other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
emmahe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
I loved this!!!!!!!! Fox and Hannah forever!!!! This series has perfectly balanced modern romantic respect and consent in a way that feels honest snd integral and authentic snd doesn’t pull you out of the story because it feels shoehorned in. I truly loved these books, and this was my favourite of the two. STUN. a new automatic romance recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book surpassed my expectations and my (not insignificant) appreciation for its predecessor. I already knew that the Hannah/Fox energy was my type on paper (we're talking peak Raven/Beast Boy vibes aka the best of all ships). It's a swoony friends-to-lovers story with strong communication and wise decisions about when to give space, when to push, when to discuss weighty issues. I loved Fox dearly, but it was Hannah's intuition, protectiveness, and steady mind that most impressed me. Even their final act drama felt mature and considered, and what a freaking joy that is.
While I loved Piper's self-discovery in Westport, I think Fox's journey ended up being yet more powerful for me. Where the town is idyllic and tight-knit in the first book, Fox's experience shows how that same small community can trap you in amber with expectations for your behavior, a specific preemptive measure of your potential. The story also plays around with the ways toxic masculinity affects everyone. The pressure on Fox's image and his slow unfurling of honesty with Hannah to see a different, happier path forward for himself were cathartic. I also don't mean to shortchange Hannah stepping up to the challenge of fighting for the career she wants. I loved the way she grows into pursuing her passion and sticking up for her vision.
This is a tender love story with a built-in soundtrack that gave me the full ambience I crave when reading (my spotify queue was very active while I blazed through this book). It has all the sexual tension and then some. It has thoughtful conversations and unwavering trust and support. It has personal growth and the seizing of new dreams. The further I read, the more satisfied I was with its trajectory. A true delight. Thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual harassment
lola_milk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content
The male lead was sexualised by everyone in his family as a child, including his mother.