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kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
- 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
After already loving some of Ali Hazelwood's book, I was excited to get my hands on this book. I absolutely love to read about women in STEM. You can see that Ali Hazelwood writes from own experiences. The short author's note at the end of the book gives insights in why the topics addressed in the book are important to the author. I love that. As a going-to-be teacher I share Hazelwood's opinion on standardised tests. I loved the movement that was started in the book.
At the moment, I am fully into enemies-to-lovers books. I can't get enough of them. I immediately fell in love with Bee's style. The hair colour, her clothes - she's a legend. She faces a lot of struggles. Being a woman in STEM is not easy at all. I love how calm she remained when faced with misogynistic comments. I probably would have exploded. Levi gives Bee a lot of credit and defends her if needed. Both did not have the best start, which mostly was because of miscommunication. Their chemistry was okay. I honestly hoped for more. I also expected more spice. Most side characters did not grab my attention. I would have loved to read more about Lily and Penny. They are the sweetest.
This book was not as good as the other two books I read by Ali Hazelwood, but I enjoyed it a lot. I read it in one go. I started the book at midnight, only wanting to read one chapter. The next time I was checking the clock it was past three in the morning. Well, I did not get a lot of sleep, but it was worth it. Can't wait to read more books by Ali Hazelwood!
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
marygg3's review against another edition
- 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
Bee is the funniest, smartest, most idiotic and interesting woman ever!
Oh well, not everyone can be God's favorite like Bee.
Who else could have the best, most loving man adoring her every everything, living the life of her dreams and having the most amazing, hottest, loveliest sex ever?
On a totally unrelated topic, science man! So interesting! And the Marie Curie references had me hooked. Bee's quirks and useless parasympathetic nervous system were the best ever.
Every single character was so likeable and engaging! Except Tim. Fuck Tim. And, honestly? Bee is a better person than me because I still think Annie can go fuck herself. But then again, there's a reason I'm not God's favorite.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexism
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I had a good time reading this book. Hazelwood is a talented author. The characters were fun and their relationships were good. I liked the pacing and the plot held my attention.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Death of parent
koistyfishy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Ummmm being a woman in STEM ... I am offended.
Now, don't get me wrong — I deliberated on this internally for a while, and I believe there's a Catch-22 tied to this issue. So, I'm not sure if there was a way to avoid offending some people.
This is my first Ali Hazelwood and overall, I can't say I'm impressed. I didn't hate the book, nor did I love it. Without anything to compare it to, I can't say if my issues with the book are inherent to all her STEM novels or if it's just this one.
Now, onto why I say it's a Catch-22: this book can be both praised and criticized for its portrayal of science and people in STEM. On one hand, it's commendable as it initiates a conversation with readers who may not necessarily be familiar with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It makes these subjects accessible to everyone and provides insight into the layers within a research laboratory. Some may even argue that this book could serve as a positive influence in inspiring women and girls to pursue careers in the STEM field.
However, on the other hand, the overly stereotyped characters in this book completely undermine all the good it was trying to achieve. I do not believe one woman was NOT either overly quirky, awkward or had some unusual characteristic about her or they are absolute perfect snowflakes. Bee (who is named after a Bee, Buzz Buzz, has an unhealthy obsession with veganism and Marie Curie and is obviously "not like the other girls" as she has a septum piercing and purple hair).
My main issue with her character is that Ali Hazelwood gave her this annoying habit of thought vomit in her internal monologue, trying too hard to be funny by throwing random cliché references or puns about cocks and hoping that something might stick with the reader. Bee felt immature, childish, and seriously like she had just finished high school and was not almost thirty.
Then we have the portrayal that NO MAN IN STEM (besides apparently Levi Ward) is not a misogynistic Neanderthal who believes a woman's place is in the kitchen and not in a laboratory. Every single man in this book except Levi objectifies women, has something against women or women in STEM or just Bee. I don't know, but this stereotype of what men are like in the STEM field is entirely incorrect. While some aspects are true and historically STEM is mostly male-dominated, the constant reinforcement of "this is actually what they are like in STEM" is appalling and annoying.
Levi Ward? There's not much to say about the man as mostly he just grunts or speaks in one-liners, and we are told he had issues but is over them now. And the fact that he's been in love with Bee since seeing her the first time (talk about a little worrisome) — I just have no read on the guy! Good for him; he is perfect for Bee. I did dislike that their entire relationship was built on miscommunication or lack of communication though.
Overall, nothing in this book from a romance side stood out — it wasn't groundbreaking, novel, or worth a Nobel Prize in discovery. I am most likely going to forget about it. In the end, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing... just meh.
Trope Summary:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ STEM Setting
▶ Secret Pen Pals
▶ He is SOOOO BIG and she is so smol
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Cats
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Death of parent
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, and Sexism
witcheep's review against another edition
- 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
"If nice means being alone, then so be it."
"I can give you nice. I can give you better than nice. I can give you everything."
This doesn't mean that I wouldn't have enjoyed the book — the opposite is true, actually. I wanted to know how the truth would unfold and how the relationship would gradually evolve from assumed hatred to something much warmer. I had to consume this book as fast as possible, it fit my current mood for reading perfectly: the book offers such a warm and fuzzy romance read with just the right amount of turmoil.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
hjb_128's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
tor_tor_199's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cute enemies to lovers story, some cat content (literally), office romance, smarty pants. As a current PhD student I also really appreciated the content against GRE! Super enjoyable
Wish we got a little more of Levi’s backstory. Honestly would read another book about these two characters!
Definitely will be reading more Ali Hazelwood!
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, and Death of parent
whackettreading's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
vaguelyredhead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Death of parent