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blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a lovely mix of a lot of my favorite contemporaries I've read this year so far, bringing in the secret admirer elements seen in Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum and Listen To Your Heart by Kasie West, the sweet summery atmosphere of Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson and If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and the romantic coming of age story like Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia and Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi. All six of those books are new all-time favorites and, perhaps after stewing about it, this book could very well join those books on my shelf.
However, I have one big issue with this book and it isn't even something that was in the content of the book. Rather, it was what ended up on the inside flap for this book as well as the Goodreads page that has me really disappointed, despite how much I did enjoy the book. That thing is the fact that the blurb spoils the crux of the secret admirer plot. I'm going to tag that spoiler because I feel like the principle of this really needs to have a light shone on it.
With that all said and my frustrations known, I still found this book to be endlessly charming, incredibly sweet, unexpectedly poignant, and so sweet and romantic I felt like I was going to burst into a flurry of heart-shaped confetti, darling movie references, and sugar cookie dough.
However, I have one big issue with this book and it isn't even something that was in the content of the book. Rather, it was what ended up on the inside flap for this book as well as the Goodreads page that has me really disappointed, despite how much I did enjoy the book. That thing is the fact that the blurb spoils the crux of the secret admirer plot. I'm going to tag that spoiler because I feel like the principle of this really needs to have a light shone on it.
Spoiler
Anyone could guess from the word "go" that Porter was Alex. It's a very simple, straightforward story and it wouldn't make sense if Porter wasn't Alex for some reason, but the fact that the big reveal is saved until the very end (as well as a multitude of other things and how they play out in the book) tells me the author definitely did not want it advertised in the blurb that Porter was the secret admirer and Bailey was his this whole time because it is treated like a huge reveal when this information becomes known to both characters, just like S.N.'s reveal in Tell Me Three Things.With that all said and my frustrations known, I still found this book to be endlessly charming, incredibly sweet, unexpectedly poignant, and so sweet and romantic I felt like I was going to burst into a flurry of heart-shaped confetti, darling movie references, and sugar cookie dough.
abbalanche's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pemdas97's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
emperor_nero's review against another edition
5.0
five stars simply for porter roth :)
side note though: the enemies to lovers trope and the anonymous texting/messaging tropes are my absolute favorites, so them combined here is basically my heaven
also, yes, i did not move from my bed in time it took me to read this. i take one-sitting VERY seriously
side note though: the enemies to lovers trope and the anonymous texting/messaging tropes are my absolute favorites, so them combined here is basically my heaven
also, yes, i did not move from my bed in time it took me to read this. i take one-sitting VERY seriously
candicee's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a sweet predictable YA romance. Even though it was obvious where this was going I enjoyed the ride, there were a few twists I didn’t see coming (Mr.Pangborn).
My main complaint as always is know your sweet spot in terms of pages, this could have been 30 pages shorter and would have been a solid 4 stars for me. The 3.5 was because at the end even though it was made quite obvious what was happening and the main character should have understood she was oblivious and it felt out of character. Especially with the many clear signs and that started to make the ending less fun because it felt drawn out in a weird way. I don’t think it made the ending better.
It was a super easy read, it hooked me even though the plot is predictable i wanted to see it unfold of how they realize it’s eachother.
My main complaint as always is know your sweet spot in terms of pages, this could have been 30 pages shorter and would have been a solid 4 stars for me. The 3.5 was because at the end even though it was made quite obvious what was happening and the main character should have understood she was oblivious and it felt out of character. Especially with the many clear signs and that started to make the ending less fun because it felt drawn out in a weird way. I don’t think it made the ending better.
It was a super easy read, it hooked me even though the plot is predictable i wanted to see it unfold of how they realize it’s eachother.
vhylace's review against another edition
4.0
fluffy cute romance abt a surfer dude and a film fanatic :D they r both dense but that’s okay i enjoyed reading their banters
anniereads3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence