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howwoolatthemoon's review
3.0
Easy read, more romance novel than I usually want to read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book enough (even jumping into the middle of a series) that I will read more by this author, but it wasn't a knock out book for me. There were a couple times that I set the book down for a break and had to force myself to pick it back up, which almost never happens for me with romance books.
The biggest problem I had with the book is actually how social responsible it is, the political correctness in this book feel over the top at times in a way that felt detrimental to the story. The book deal with both complex mental health issues and Blackness in media is notably responsible ways that felt beautifully integrated with the story. Where I started having problems was with the feminism and body positivity in the book. The book made it seem like one of the primary reasons that Anna was attracted to Ben, both physically and as a friend, was because of how he treated her femininity and fatness. Whether the book intended to or not I hated the way that it implies that most men will treat fat women poorly and that any male who treats a fat woman well is automatically datable. This is a pretty small complaint as this reason for Anna's attraction doesn't take up much page space (the book is much more plot based), but it really felt like Ben treating her well was the main reason for her attraction. It bothers me in a very pet-peeve type way that this book implies men treating women poorly is the norm. To be clear, I'm glad Ben treats Anna well, I just wish it wasn't so remarkable that he does.
Ultimately this is a good book with a fun plot, just not likely to make my favorites list.
The biggest problem I had with the book is actually how social responsible it is, the political correctness in this book feel over the top at times in a way that felt detrimental to the story. The book deal with both complex mental health issues and Blackness in media is notably responsible ways that felt beautifully integrated with the story. Where I started having problems was with the feminism and body positivity in the book. The book made it seem like one of the primary reasons that Anna was attracted to Ben, both physically and as a friend, was because of how he treated her femininity and fatness. Whether the book intended to or not I hated the way that it implies that most men will treat fat women poorly and that any male who treats a fat woman well is automatically datable. This is a pretty small complaint as this reason for Anna's attraction doesn't take up much page space (the book is much more plot based), but it really felt like Ben treating her well was the main reason for her attraction. It bothers me in a very pet-peeve type way that this book implies men treating women poorly is the norm. To be clear, I'm glad Ben treats Anna well, I just wish it wasn't so remarkable that he does.
Ultimately this is a good book with a fun plot, just not likely to make my favorites list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism, and Racism
k_reaves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
suchsweetsorrow89's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
oh my god. i was in a reading slump for a bit and this book did not pull me out of it-- sorry. not sorry. the story feels almost as if it could be divided into two books-- with the second half of the book probably more reflective of the blurb that you read on the back. not only did the book drag on very slowly, but i often found myself bored while reading it-- the spice felt a little detached from the rest of the story and the character development was there but it just didn't really move me at all. that being said, i did like the diversity and the fact that while this is a series, you can still read it on its own and not feel entirely lost. but all in all, it wasn't a bad book, it just was not for me. alsooooo the plot line with dawn as the 'lost sister' made absolutely no sense-- it was just rushed and often times i found myself forgetting that that was even a thing lol. maybe it is because we only ever really scratched the surface with ben's character and did not really dive into anything about him aside from his relationships with women
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content and Mental illness
bay_bay's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
meredith_williams_'s review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
So I read this because I bought it back a couple months ago. And then I proceeded to add the rest of the series to my to be read list. While We Were Dating had fake dating which I love because I think of it as a scenario I could see myself getting into.
Plus Ben and Anna were not trying to actually be in a committed relationship which is always the best set up. The fact it was them just casually trying to deal with the complication a work schedule for the ad campaign and life made it even more worth it when they got together. </spoiler >
I love how they both don't try to pretend because they are adults. And for that reason alone this made it past the four stars four me.
I love how they both don't try to pretend because they are adults. And for that reason alone this made it past the four stars four me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Mental illness, and Body shaming
kdailyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
alexisgarcia's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
This was overall a very cute story. I’ve never read a celebrity focused book other than The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo so it was nice to expand my reading of celebrity based books. Reading this was like watching a rom-com. The writing was smooth, the characters were admirable, and the ending was sweet. This was an easy and stress-free book. Would recommend if you enjoy books centered around celebrities love stories!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
onemorepagecrew's review
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
I grabbed this from the library while looking for a quick and easy weekend read, and this was exactly what I hoped for. I read this on a faux-spring Saturday with a coffee in hand and it was so enjoyable. In this romance storyline we meet Anna, a famous actress who is filming a new ad campaign, and Ben, an executive at the advertising firm producing the campaign. They have immediate chemistry and start off with more flirting and casual encounters and the build of their relationship staying realistic and not rushed.
I loved how the inner monologue of both characters was intertwined with their dialogue – one of my very favorite ways an author shows the near misses that happen in conversation when people hold back their true inner thoughts. Both Anna and Ben were equally developed without one as a main character which made me feel more invested in their relationship. I loved that they laid their vulnerabilities out there for each other early on and supported each other without expectation. I felt myself rooting for them the whole time.
The supporting characters were equally as charming and had just the right amount of storyline. Their best friends and siblings, their work colleagues, and their parents were all there to create the network of Ben and Anna and show who they were beyond their work and their romantic relationship. Side note, Ben’s brother and sister-in-law, Theo and Maddie, have their backstory in The Wedding Party and I scooped that up from the library to read, too.
This was another gem of a story from Jasmine Guillory – I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment