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greta_b8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book was definitely too long! I had to make myself read the first half, then I was invested for 100 pages and the rest I just wanted to get through. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun, although pretty foreseeable (which is fine!) read; it simply could have done with a couple hundred pages less. And especially since it is such a long book (for romance standards that is), I was disappointed that the storyline with Gerald was only scratching the surface of the underlying issue of how men and women are regarded and judged differently when it comes to workplace-romance/relationships. Still, I really enjoyed sometimes laugh-out-loud family/friendship dynamics. Overall I’d say it is great for fans of the hating game and love theoretically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, Bullying, and Eating disorder
bibliochica's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Bullying, and Sexism
brookey8888's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed this! I always love a good fake dating story(even though it was like 5 chapters). I really liked Lina was a character I felt like she was so strong and sweet. Her family was so cute. I loved Aaron. I thought he was the sweetest honestly. The reason this isn’t a full five star is because during the dialogue it wasn’t that well written at times. It was always you are, we are( never you’re, we’ll). So that would always take me out of the story. Other than that I liked everything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Bullying
hq_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a great summer read! A workplace rivals/enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity AND fake dating romance!!! It done really well!
Aaron is of course ginormous and an absolute grumpy Adonis! I enjoyed the chemistry between him and Lina. Lina was also a great character - she had a few funny moments and despite fake dating tropes always being a bit ridiculous, I found her reasoning actually quite believable. The story was excellent, however the final two chapters were a bit ick-inducing for me. They were too lovey dovey, and the insta-love vibe was a bit unbelievable for me.
The spice was really good as well...!
Aaron is of course ginormous and an absolute grumpy Adonis! I enjoyed the chemistry between him and Lina. Lina was also a great character - she had a few funny moments and despite fake dating tropes always being a bit ridiculous, I found her reasoning actually quite believable. The story was excellent, however the final two chapters were a bit ick-inducing for me. They were too lovey dovey, and the insta-love vibe was a bit unbelievable for me.
The spice was really good as well...!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Cancer, Misogyny, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexism, and Xenophobia
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, Bullying, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Medical content
amarenora's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i love it. though at first it feels a bit boring bcs it did took me a few weeks to actually read the book but in the middle chapters, i fell in love with it. "Your Thea" part really did something emotional for me. I recommend reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Bullying
rianneso's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
I've seen people compare this to the Hating Game (and say they prefer THG), and I can see the comparison in some ways, but I much preferred this book. Something that really annoyed me in THG was the petty/childish games they played, and I just didn't feel that was a realistic portrayal of the behaviour of two supposedly grown adults.
With the way this book started (Lina addressing Aaron via her friend), I was afraid this would go the way of childish petty behaviour as well, but it turns out it was only that scene that was annoying in a similar way to THG. After that, it got better and I really enjoyed reading this.
Lina was cute and I think her worries about relationships/trust were understandable given her past. Aaron is basically the perfect man and I thought it was amazing how he made consent sexy.
With the way this book started (Lina addressing Aaron via her friend), I was afraid this would go the way of childish petty behaviour as well, but it turns out it was only that scene that was annoying in a similar way to THG. After that, it got better and I really enjoyed reading this.
Lina was cute and I think her worries about relationships/trust were understandable given her past. Aaron is basically the perfect man and I thought it was amazing how he made consent sexy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
lizzye33's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Grief, Eating disorder, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Bullying
giulia_acobac's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Well I’m obviously in the minority with this but I didn’t really enjoy it. Some parts were cute sure but most of it wasn’t for me.
500 pages that could have been much less if they only flipping talked to each others!!!
Aaron had his cute moments but I had lots of issues with him too. The stuff he said about Lina at the beginning ( that he couldn’t work with her ) just because he was basically flustered. How is it that he didn’t think this could cause issues for her? In a male dominated work place. And he didn’t stand up for her for nearly 2 years!!! Like what?
Lina was ugh. I felt for her in many ways but instead of communicating like an adult she assumed a lot of things. I wasn’t a fan
500 pages that could have been much less if they only flipping talked to each others!!!
Aaron had his cute moments but I had lots of issues with him too. The stuff he said about Lina at the beginning ( that he couldn’t work with her ) just because he was basically flustered. How is it that he didn’t think this could cause issues for her? In a male dominated work place. And he didn’t stand up for her for nearly 2 years!!! Like what?
Lina was ugh. I felt for her in many ways but instead of communicating like an adult she assumed a lot of things. I wasn’t a fan
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Bullying