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mysticserenity's review
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
juanat77's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
2.75
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was a cute, closed-door romance set in the world of a small publisher. The environment of the publishing house was really interesting to me and I wish the story focused more on that aspect than the really random and unnecessary aspect of fatphobia and body shaming that the two sisters focused on throughout the "fitness" challenge. The family toxicity also really threw me off and they all really need a lot of therapy.
The romance was paced well, even though the male MC did feel a little stalky in the beginning, always showing up where she was and popping in to take her places, even though he's her boss.
This was a cute, closed-door romance set in the world of a small publisher. The environment of the publishing house was really interesting to me and I wish the story focused more on that aspect than the really random and unnecessary aspect of fatphobia and body shaming that the two sisters focused on throughout the "fitness" challenge. The family toxicity also really threw me off and they all really need a lot of therapy.
The romance was paced well, even though the male MC did feel a little stalky in the beginning, always showing up where she was and popping in to take her places, even though he's her boss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual harassment
karolinaz's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Bullying, and Eating disorder
theespressoedition's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had so much potential. So much and yet... it just didn't happen.
I loved the concept of two characters that work for a publishing company. YES! Give me all the books about books. Then add in a "forbidden" manuscript and a quirky You've Got Mail-style editing conversation in the margins? EXTRA YES! This was creative and cute and it was off to a good start.
Then it went absolutely nowhere... for the longest 320 pages (or in my case, 4 hours on 2.75x speed audio) of my life. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen: for the chemistry to grow, for the characters to experience a real conflict, for literally ANYTHING - and it just... didn't. I can't even say that it was necessarily a bad book, it was just so mediocre that it was almost painful.
One thing I will say was super offensive, however, was the fact that Savannah's sister is very obviously fatphobic and there's really no discussion about that or growth in the area. Throughout the entire story, she's obsessively working out, talking about needing to be skinny, and telling her sister that she needs to do the same, even commenting on her weight at times. It's really toxic and brushed off as "she's just so busy all the time" or "she's a workaholic that loves fitness." No, the girl is a bully. And towards the end of the story, you're supposed to feel bad for her. Well, honestly, I didn't. Without this plot line, I think I would have actually enjoyed the book a little more - not a lot, but at least a little more.
I can't say I recommend this one. I can't say I hate it either, but I'd never want to pick it up again.
I loved the concept of two characters that work for a publishing company. YES! Give me all the books about books. Then add in a "forbidden" manuscript and a quirky You've Got Mail-style editing conversation in the margins? EXTRA YES! This was creative and cute and it was off to a good start.
Then it went absolutely nowhere... for the longest 320 pages (or in my case, 4 hours on 2.75x speed audio) of my life. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen: for the chemistry to grow, for the characters to experience a real conflict, for literally ANYTHING - and it just... didn't. I can't even say that it was necessarily a bad book, it was just so mediocre that it was almost painful.
One thing I will say was super offensive, however, was the fact that Savannah's sister is very obviously fatphobic and there's really no discussion about that or growth in the area. Throughout the entire story, she's obsessively working out, talking about needing to be skinny, and telling her sister that she needs to do the same, even commenting on her weight at times. It's really toxic and brushed off as "she's just so busy all the time" or "she's a workaholic that loves fitness." No, the girl is a bully. And towards the end of the story, you're supposed to feel bad for her. Well, honestly, I didn't. Without this plot line, I think I would have actually enjoyed the book a little more - not a lot, but at least a little more.
I can't say I recommend this one. I can't say I hate it either, but I'd never want to pick it up again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Bullying, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
tea_rea's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
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