Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

32 reviews

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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

While I had quite a few issues with this book, it was ultimately fine and I did enjoy reading it to an extent. I'm confused by all of the hype praising this book though. 
The writing was... not great. Clunky sentences, things were worded strange for characters, and there were whole paragraphs and pages of "filler" that felt repetitive - all of the things going on in Lina's head that seemed to just loop. I admit to skimming a lot of those sections. Also the part in Spain was a shockingly small part of the book?
I did like Aaron's character. Sure he could be stand offish and cold, definitely didn't deal with things in the right way and said "baby" way too much - but I felt like his character had more depth in some ways than Lina. 

Anyways. The banter was fun, I liked the fake dating aspect. This is NOT enemies to lovers though. It was a fine read. 
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jpfortmiller's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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brookey8888's review against another edition

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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. 
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annahamburger's review against another edition

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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

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vj_thompson's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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yllenia's review against another edition

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slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I was definitely deceived.. into reading this book - dnf @ 73% (νέο ρεκόρ για εμένα)

Αυτό το βιβλίο προχωράει βασανιστικά αργά. Για να καταλάβεις, η πλοκή βασίζεται σε μια κοπέλα που φέρνει ένα ψεύτικο ραντεβού στο γάμο της αδερφής της, και δεν φτάνουμε καν στο μέρος που γίνεται ο γάμος με τη σελίδα 240 (!).

Το παραπάνω πιθανά δεν θα με πείραζε εάν ένιωθα ότι έγινε για να δώσει βάθος στους χαρακτήρες και τις περιπέτειες τους. Αντί για αυτό αναλωθήκαμε σε περιστατικά μεμονωμένα και χωρίς την απαραίτητη ροή ή σύνδεση, τα οποία πήραν τη διπλάσια έκταση από αυτή που τους αναλογούσε. 

Παράλληλα το βιβλίο προσπάθησε να δημιουργήσει σασπένς κρατώντας από εμάς πληροφορίες για τα μεγάλα συμβάντα της ζωής της πρωταγωνίστριας μέχρι (φαντάζομαι) το τέλος του βιβλίου. Κατάφερε όμως να γίνει τόσο βαρετό που δεν θα μάθω ποτέ.

#bookstagram #booktok #booktokwaswrong #willievercomebackfromthis
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thereadhersrecap's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-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

4.0

You are light. And passion. Your laughter alone can lift my mood and effortlessly turn my day around in a matter of seconds Even when it's not aimed at me. You . .. can light up entire rooms, Catalina. You hold that kind of power. And it's because of all the different things that make you who you are. Each and every one of them, even the ones that drive me crazy in ways you can't imagine.
You should never forget that"

This book was everything I needed when I needed it.

In an act of desperation Catalina tells her family she’s being her “boyfriend” to Spain for her sister’s wedding. Truth be told she very much single. Now Catalina has a few weeks to 1) find a date 2) convince her family that he’s head over heels in love with her.

So Aaron (her workplace nemesis) volunteers to accompany her to the wedding! Catalina is shocked but she’s desperate so she agrees.

My thoughts:
If I have a dollar for every time the books mentions how tall Aaron is and how blue his eyes are I’d be filthy rich. But ngl, I do love a big burly man who can carry me around like I’m a piece of paper 😍

Catalina is just amazing. She’s sweet, loud, funny & quirky. Her family is to die for. She suffers from a pretty bad previous relationship that she still carries with her years later.  

This book is definitely a mix of feel good romance and escapism. It’s told from Catalina’s pov (not usually my style) but you can feel Aaron’s longing through her perspective and I’m here for it. We love a pining, love sick man 😍 

This book definitely didn’t change my life but it was fun and spicy. I‘ve also decided I won’t stand for walking on my own two feet anymore - I demand to be carried everywhere 💁🏽‍♀️

⚠️ CW:  teacher/student relationship, death of a parent, gaslighting, sexism, cancer 
 
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mirandap442's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.5

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culzean's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.25

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jennwindham's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective tense fast-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

4.5

Exactly the kind of cute romance book I needed. It got maybe a little too cheesy at the end but I was rooting for them so it was a nice, happy ending. 
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