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cheerful_bursts's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The contrast between the sex scenes and the plot was a bit unexpected. Lots of sex scenes. Not a lot of plot or character development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Rape
chloedreads's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
bookish_dustjacket's review against another edition
4.5
Georgia Ross, an investigative journalist, is about to loose it. Her flight has been cancelled, the hotel's in the area are completely booked, and all she wants is to be in her own bed after working on a story that will make her career if she can get it right. Enter Alec Kim, a childhood friend's older brother when he offers her help. That night in Seattle shouldn't have been more than that, but their connection is too real to ignore. They have two weeks to work through what they're feeling. But when he's got information that could break her story wide open, will their relationship withstand the possibility of an international scandal?
I absolutely adored this book. The relationship between Georgia and Alec was so great to watch develop and their interactions were so sweet and fun. I loved the way they understood each other, I love that they never pushed each other to be someone they weren't. And the ending was exactly what I wanted/needed.
The bit of suspense around Georgia's story was a perfect addition to the story that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is definitely a spicy book, but the story was so intriguing. It was an honest struggle to put this book down to live my normal daily life.
I would highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the following.
✔️ One Night Stand Turned Fling
✔️ Old Friends Reconnecting
✔️ Celebrity Hero
✔️ Journalist Heroine
✔️ First Person Single POV
I absolutely adored this book. The relationship between Georgia and Alec was so great to watch develop and their interactions were so sweet and fun. I loved the way they understood each other, I love that they never pushed each other to be someone they weren't. And the ending was exactly what I wanted/needed.
The bit of suspense around Georgia's story was a perfect addition to the story that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is definitely a spicy book, but the story was so intriguing. It was an honest struggle to put this book down to live my normal daily life.
I would highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the following.
✔️ One Night Stand Turned Fling
✔️ Old Friends Reconnecting
✔️ Celebrity Hero
✔️ Journalist Heroine
✔️ First Person Single POV
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
natalieyera's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was so fun to read, made me misty eyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Rape
markedwithanm's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kfmcf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Just so good.
The characters are good AND the plot through-line is good and it's just such a good read.
Also just TOP tier spice. The phone scene and the after party scene are just so well written.
I will say that the characters' flaws and growth aren't a real focus. Gigi's might be, but it's their relationship that grows and changes more so.
I do wish this book print was a bit prettier but the US version is at least more attractive than the UK one.
The characters are good AND the plot through-line is good and it's just such a good read.
Also just TOP tier spice. The phone scene and the after party scene are just so well written.
I will say that the characters' flaws and growth aren't a real focus. Gigi's might be, but it's their relationship that grows and changes more so.
I do wish this book print was a bit prettier but the US version is at least more attractive than the UK one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Racism and Rape
inkdrinkers'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? No
5.0
This book was obscenely amazing.
Gigi is about to make her biggest career move yet as a journalist - breaking an assault story wide open about one of London's biggest clubs, but when an airplane mishap lands her in a hotel, desperate to find a room for the night, she happens to run into an old friend. Alec Kim knew Gigi when she was his little sister's best friend, but he's a high profile actor now and is shocked to learn that Gigi doesn't actually recognize him for his work, only from their past.
This book grabbed me by the collar and just drug me along for the ride. I don't know what else to say about Scandalized except it hit every single marker I have that makes a book perfect for me. Gigi as a main character was one of my favorite things, she's scrappy, she has teeth, and she's a damn good journalist. The journalistic thread through the plot of this novel... I don't think I've read another book that does it genuinely as good as this one does. I felt at home in the words, the nuances that Owens threaded through the plot made me stop and question if she had a journalistic background because the insights are only things journalists would know. Regardless, it merged the open and outward facing press industry with the private - crafting a story that not only made fantastic commentary on the male-run press world, but one that stood on two legs and called it out for how dog-eat-dog social media has made the career and field.
I have to talk about the fact this is a brother's best friend / celebrity romance. I adore a good celebrity romance, key word being good. Celebrity romances fall into two categories for me, the first is some feel like they've been ripped straight from the "real person fic" tag on AO3 and the second, being, the celebrity romances that actually take time to craft the celebrity as a real character with emotions, desires, and a purpose. Owens absolutely nailed the second one, making Alec a wonderfully faceted character with a lot of love for his job as an actor, but very self-aware at how quickly it can all crash and burn. Again, she had some amazing commentary on how dumpster-fire social media can get with anyone, but especially celebrities that blip in and out of being loved or hated.
When I reached the 80% mark, I just didn't want this book to end. I saw where the story was going and I couldn't look away. Without giving spoilers, everything felt so devastatingly accurate, but still wrapped up with such a satisfying ending that I can't even crave more from these two characters. They're easily one of my favorite book couples I've read about in a really long time and I just hope and pray and beg that Ivy Owens continues to write passion projects like this one - because they're incredible, and I'm selfish and I want more.
I laughed, I got choked up, I had to fan myself a little bit - Scandalized had it all and I adored every, damn, second.
Content warnings are listed below: sexual content, mentions but no description of sexual assault / rape
Gigi is about to make her biggest career move yet as a journalist - breaking an assault story wide open about one of London's biggest clubs, but when an airplane mishap lands her in a hotel, desperate to find a room for the night, she happens to run into an old friend. Alec Kim knew Gigi when she was his little sister's best friend, but he's a high profile actor now and is shocked to learn that Gigi doesn't actually recognize him for his work, only from their past.
This book grabbed me by the collar and just drug me along for the ride. I don't know what else to say about Scandalized except it hit every single marker I have that makes a book perfect for me. Gigi as a main character was one of my favorite things, she's scrappy, she has teeth, and she's a damn good journalist. The journalistic thread through the plot of this novel... I don't think I've read another book that does it genuinely as good as this one does. I felt at home in the words, the nuances that Owens threaded through the plot made me stop and question if she had a journalistic background because the insights are only things journalists would know. Regardless, it merged the open and outward facing press industry with the private - crafting a story that not only made fantastic commentary on the male-run press world, but one that stood on two legs and called it out for how dog-eat-dog social media has made the career and field.
I have to talk about the fact this is a brother's best friend / celebrity romance. I adore a good celebrity romance, key word being good. Celebrity romances fall into two categories for me, the first is some feel like they've been ripped straight from the "real person fic" tag on AO3 and the second, being, the celebrity romances that actually take time to craft the celebrity as a real character with emotions, desires, and a purpose. Owens absolutely nailed the second one, making Alec a wonderfully faceted character with a lot of love for his job as an actor, but very self-aware at how quickly it can all crash and burn. Again, she had some amazing commentary on how dumpster-fire social media can get with anyone, but especially celebrities that blip in and out of being loved or hated.
When I reached the 80% mark, I just didn't want this book to end. I saw where the story was going and I couldn't look away. Without giving spoilers, everything felt so devastatingly accurate, but still wrapped up with such a satisfying ending that I can't even crave more from these two characters. They're easily one of my favorite book couples I've read about in a really long time and I just hope and pray and beg that Ivy Owens continues to write passion projects like this one - because they're incredible, and I'm selfish and I want more.
I laughed, I got choked up, I had to fan myself a little bit - Scandalized had it all and I adored every, damn, second.
Content warnings are listed below: sexual content, mentions but no description of sexual assault / rape
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Content: A large portion of this book focuses on the main character, Gigi, as she breaks a news story revolving around sexual assault in one of London's largest clubs. She discusses the assaults with her colleague. A side character comes forward as a survivor. Alex and Gigi have consensual sex multiple times in the book and it's described in detail.amino's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Truly, truly wanted to like this book more than I did. The side characters were more compelling than the protagonists (always sad to see) and the plot barrelled towards a haphazard and desperate happy ending that could’ve been more carefully constructed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape