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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
I had a great time with this novel. There was a great chemistry between the main characters. Absolutely love the descriptions of the plus sized main character. This novel does not have the most complex writing but gets the job nonetheless.
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC!~~
I think this is where I must part with Ms. Schwartz.
Despite my meh feelings on her sophomore novel back in April, I still wanted to believe. I've been wanting to read more romance, anyway. But, man, this was just so boring.
Both main characters are so bland and don't have much going beyond how they're described in the synopsis. I was able to tolerate Preston a bit more, but Harmony's POV made me want to drop so badly. Not because she as a bad character, but because there's so much excessive focus on the music festival con that wasn't interesting, whatsoever. It's almost impressive that Schwartz made pulling off a con so tedious to read.
Another thing that really bothered me was how preachy this book got. Don't get me wrong, I'm very left-wing and very much agree with all the stances this book makes throughout the story, but the delivery was very much a bad after-school special. It made it such a grating read.
I honestly don't have much more to say. I'd rather not waste anymore energy on this book, nor anything else Schwartz may publish in the future.
I think this is where I must part with Ms. Schwartz.
Despite my meh feelings on her sophomore novel back in April, I still wanted to believe. I've been wanting to read more romance, anyway. But, man, this was just so boring.
Both main characters are so bland and don't have much going beyond how they're described in the synopsis. I was able to tolerate Preston a bit more, but Harmony's POV made me want to drop so badly. Not because she as a bad character, but because there's so much excessive focus on the music festival con that wasn't interesting, whatsoever. It's almost impressive that Schwartz made pulling off a con so tedious to read.
Another thing that really bothered me was how preachy this book got. Don't get me wrong, I'm very left-wing and very much agree with all the stances this book makes throughout the story, but the delivery was very much a bad after-school special. It made it such a grating read.
I honestly don't have much more to say. I'd rather not waste anymore energy on this book, nor anything else Schwartz may publish in the future.
You know when an author really wants to make sure you know their politics so some of the dialogue (internal or not) is just a tad too forced on occasion? This book had some of that. I liked the writer’s politics- or at very least some character’s- but it make the writing a little clunky in a few, small places. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read!
lighthearted
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 thoroughly enjoyed this gender-swapped, modern retelling of The Music Man. The autistic and plus-size rep was handled well & the characters overall were lovable and fun.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a tad too much explaining with the autistic rep and book banning issues but maybe that's how people need to get that info and not be weird about it
a really cute book!! I'm not a romance girly but it was very sweet. so fun that it's a music man retelling, I liked the little hints at it
some good spicy scenes too! i was gonna recommend this to my musical loving in laws but maybe not haha
a really cute book!! I'm not a romance girly but it was very sweet. so fun that it's a music man retelling, I liked the little hints at it
some good spicy scenes too! i was gonna recommend this to my musical loving in laws but maybe not haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Loved this story. It was a fun mix of The Music Man and Heartbreaker. Had a few small twists that I didn't predict. I wish we saw more of Preston's interactions and relationship with his sister. The discussion of autism was something I didn't know I needed in this book.
DNF’ed at around 45%
Anyone would be able to guess how this plot was gonna turn out… and I just didn’t care enough about the FMC to take that journey / deal with all that unnecessary angst.
Anyone would be able to guess how this plot was gonna turn out… and I just didn’t care enough about the FMC to take that journey / deal with all that unnecessary angst.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
This was a good, but difficult read. The representation was off the charts in both characters and the problems facing the United States today. People being trash about LGBTQ+, about Neuro diversity, about books and trying to ban them. I had to take a breather at one point because of the pop tarts of everything converging.
It wrapped up rather quickly and I wish there had been more detail about the resolution. I would still absolutely read this again, and recommend it to anyone. This one is going to stick with me awhile.
It wrapped up rather quickly and I wish there had been more detail about the resolution. I would still absolutely read this again, and recommend it to anyone. This one is going to stick with me awhile.