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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall, this was a fairly quick and very cute book! I think that YA readers will be very happy with the representation, family wholesomeness, and romantic aspect of Fake Dates and Mooncakes.
It took me a little bit to get into the story, as I found that at first the characters were just explaining their background/purpose in a very obvious manner. There was almost a hint of insta love in the beginning, but it did take until the end of the book for the relationship to flourish, which I was happy with (I don't typically like insta love haha). Theo went to extraordinary lengths for Dylan, and if I was in Dylan's place, I think I would be wayyyy too caught off guard by it. But Theo's care for Dylan is evident, and by the end of the book, you're left with a very heartwarming, comforting feeling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinions.
It took me a little bit to get into the story, as I found that at first the characters were just explaining their background/purpose in a very obvious manner. There was almost a hint of insta love in the beginning, but it did take until the end of the book for the relationship to flourish, which I was happy with (I don't typically like insta love haha). Theo went to extraordinary lengths for Dylan, and if I was in Dylan's place, I think I would be wayyyy too caught off guard by it. But Theo's care for Dylan is evident, and by the end of the book, you're left with a very heartwarming, comforting feeling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinions.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay, so it was cute and all but they knew each other for like 2 weeks and he was FLYING TO SINGAPORE FOR HIM!?!?! Like huh? I get that he's rich and all but....InstaLove is weird. His whole family was cool though. I liked Tim and Megan and Terri. That's all.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
This is a sweet romcom of a book.
2.5 This was cute, but I didn't feel compelled to pick it back up after having to put it down, or even to keep reading when I did pick it up.
I really lost interest after the fake date. I don't know if that should have come later in the story, since it was the biggest, most engaging event, but nothing really held me after that.
I think this suffers from what a lot of romance books suffer from for me: all the plot of the story being focused around only one of the characters. It makes the world feel very flat and it doesn't let me get invested in the love interest. Some books do a bit better at making sure to make the love interest intriguing, but YA - romances in general - tend to make the story too overwhelmingly about the MC.
Don't get me wrong, Theo's a great person, but I was not at all compelled by him. He serves to help Dylan achieve his goals and not much outside of that. He's not very evolved. He has family issues, and they're pretty centric to the plot, but only really in ways that affect Dylan. (Not a huge spoiler, but bordering spoiler territory) Theo just came off as static and personality-less. I think he would have been more intriguing if he had his own goal, something he wanted that Dylan could have helped him with with full care and love, no getting frustrated and quiting, like Theo did for him so there is some balance to the relationship. Because as is, Theo is doing all the leg work in the relationship and is just this image of the ideal boyfriend, not his own person.
(This is why its importnat to give your central characters a want and a need... and the two things should typically be seperate... Theo technically has these, but again, he doesnt really have a goal. There'snothing he'sworking for like Dylan is working to do well in the competion or keep his family's business afloat). ... this is also a reason why I prefer romances told with multiple povs. It forces the author to really think about the other person and dive deep into their character.
But at least this focus on Dylan didn't make me completely dislike Dylan as these kinds of set ups tend to do.
I also read this via audiobook and that didn't really help. The delivery was very flat. I'd also give the audio performance a 2.5
I really lost interest after the fake date. I don't know if that should have come later in the story, since it was the biggest, most engaging event, but nothing really held me after that.
I think this suffers from what a lot of romance books suffer from for me: all the plot of the story being focused around only one of the characters. It makes the world feel very flat and it doesn't let me get invested in the love interest. Some books do a bit better at making sure to make the love interest intriguing, but YA - romances in general - tend to make the story too overwhelmingly about the MC.
Don't get me wrong, Theo's a great person, but I was not at all compelled by him. He serves to help Dylan achieve his goals and not much outside of that. He's not very evolved. He has family issues, and they're pretty centric to the plot, but only really in ways that affect Dylan. (Not a huge spoiler, but bordering spoiler territory)
Spoiler
There was a point where Theo's father put him in a very difficult position, but it was left to be Dylan's decision. I felt Theo should have chosen to fight what happened (to make the ultimatum more climatic) or we should have explored more inner conflict within him to choose between his father and Dylan, but, Dylan made the decision for him and he didn't contest.(This is why its importnat to give your central characters a want and a need... and the two things should typically be seperate... Theo technically has these, but again, he doesnt really have a goal. There'snothing he'sworking for like Dylan is working to do well in the competion or keep his family's business afloat). ... this is also a reason why I prefer romances told with multiple povs. It forces the author to really think about the other person and dive deep into their character.
But at least this focus on Dylan didn't make me completely dislike Dylan as these kinds of set ups tend to do.
I also read this via audiobook and that didn't really help. The delivery was very flat. I'd also give the audio performance a 2.5
Really enjoyed this read! Pulled at heartstrings of grief well also being an easy feel good story.