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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
I'm disappointed by the ending. For me, the enjoyment of reading a book about one MC using the other to fulfill a bet is the catharsis of the other MC's verbal evisceratation when they find out about the bet. All of that satisfaction was completely ruined in this book when Spencer's best friend Darby was the one who told Cory off, very briefly, for his bad behavior and cruel bet. Darby taking that confrontation made the build up the story, of watching Spencer falling for Cory knowing he'll find out about the bet, useless and shallow. All the tension was killed pretty soon after that when Spencer just forgives Cory after like 2 apologies. That definitely wasn't enough groveling to warrant forgiveness, let alone taking Cory back.
funny
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF @ 86%
Went into this book wanting hurt and grovelling, ended up being disappointed.
The start was alright. I see people complaining that Spencer is too uptight--especially since he makes such a big deal about his parking spot--but I think it was kinda funny so I didn't have an issue with it.
Cory was stereotypically the sunshine trope. Rich guy who everyone likes and is kind of overconfident but nobody faults him for it because he's the golden boy. He makes a bet that he can get with Spencer and that sets off the entire story.
The lead up to their first sexual encounter was fine if a little boring and low stakes. Never was there a point where I was convinced that Spencer held any sort of true dislike for Cory (which is where the real heat comes from imo)
There wasn't passionate hatred or dislike, which made the journey feel a little flat. It just seemed like these two were an old married couple. While funny, it isn't enough to sustain the romantic journey. Not enough tension, which isn't helped by the lack of a big emotional moment when Spencer does find out about the bet.
We assume he's devastated but we don't really get to experience much of it. We get about 2-3 paragraphs before it switches to Cory's perspective and his roommates just tell him that Spencer's upset. It would've been great if Spencer was the one who confronted him, or if we saw them directly interact. Unfortunately it just goes from Spencer finding out -> Spencer ignoring Cory and Cory giving him space.
Realistically, that's what should be done in this situation. In literature though, that just makes for a flat resolution. There wasn't any passion, any heat in the supposed hatred. It maybe would've been ok if Cory's internal dialogue was truly groveling or if he was devastated, but he didn't seem like he was. At least, not enough to the point that it would carry the story alone.
Also a annoyed at Darby trying to convince Spencer to reconsider his position, as if she magically forgot that she was she went through with Royan. Was it not embarrassing when she found out that she was the subject of a bet in high school? Did it not mortify her? And that was just for a dance. Wouldn't being bet on for sex be even worse? How could someone who's been through a similar situation even consider asking Spencer to forgive Cody? I didn't buy it.
All in all, this book was fine. It has the bones for an okay story, it just lacks tension, passion, or any deep emotion that would otherwise have compelled me to finish it. The structure is solid which is why I give it a 2.75 (rounded up to 3)
Went into this book wanting hurt and grovelling, ended up being disappointed.
The start was alright. I see people complaining that Spencer is too uptight--especially since he makes such a big deal about his parking spot--but I think it was kinda funny so I didn't have an issue with it.
Cory was stereotypically the sunshine trope. Rich guy who everyone likes and is kind of overconfident but nobody faults him for it because he's the golden boy. He makes a bet that he can get with Spencer and that sets off the entire story.
The lead up to their first sexual encounter was fine if a little boring and low stakes. Never was there a point where I was convinced that Spencer held any sort of true dislike for Cory (which is where the real heat comes from imo)
There wasn't passionate hatred or dislike, which made the journey feel a little flat. It just seemed like these two were an old married couple. While funny, it isn't enough to sustain the romantic journey. Not enough tension, which isn't helped by the lack of a big emotional moment when Spencer does find out about the bet.
We assume he's devastated but we don't really get to experience much of it. We get about 2-3 paragraphs before it switches to Cory's perspective and his roommates just tell him that Spencer's upset. It would've been great if Spencer was the one who confronted him, or if we saw them directly interact. Unfortunately it just goes from Spencer finding out -> Spencer ignoring Cory and Cory giving him space.
Realistically, that's what should be done in this situation. In literature though, that just makes for a flat resolution. There wasn't any passion, any heat in the supposed hatred. It maybe would've been ok if Cory's internal dialogue was truly groveling or if he was devastated, but he didn't seem like he was. At least, not enough to the point that it would carry the story alone.
Also a annoyed at Darby trying to convince Spencer to reconsider his position, as if she magically forgot that she was she went through with Royan. Was it not embarrassing when she found out that she was the subject of a bet in high school? Did it not mortify her? And that was just for a dance. Wouldn't being bet on for sex be even worse? How could someone who's been through a similar situation even consider asking Spencer to forgive Cody? I didn't buy it.
All in all, this book was fine. It has the bones for an okay story, it just lacks tension, passion, or any deep emotion that would otherwise have compelled me to finish it. The structure is solid which is why I give it a 2.75 (rounded up to 3)
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Neve wilder loves exhibitionism and I do too. Probably my fave in the whole series.