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readwithsuzie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (several very descriptive open door scenes and lots of innuendo)
Trigger Warning: death of a parent recounted briefly
When Kat's friends drag her to a porn convention, she never expects to meet a handsome stranger named Tristan. Unfortunately, she soon finds out that Tristan is there because he's also known as porn star Robby Lingus. When Tristan tells Kat he wants to be friends, the two begin spending time together bowling, at the aquarium, and hanging out at his house. But from the beginning Kat has been interested in more than friendship. Can she move out of the friend zone, overcome her jealous feelings about Tristan's job, and finally start a relationship with her perfect guy?
Is this a book I would normally choose to read? No. Did I expect to enjoy it as much as I did? Also, no. The only reason I picked this up is because I wanted to finish all the books on Mariana Zapata's backlist. Yes, it had crass jokes and conversations and several open door scenes at the end that I skimmed. But 75% of the book was a fun friends to lovers story that won me over. Sure, there were some plot holes that could have been filled in and details about Tristan's life that could have been explored more, but I honestly didn't mind that. Tristan won me over from the beginning with his flirting, teasing, and kindness. I fell in love with him just as much as Kat did. I enjoyed seeing these two spend time together, and I thought Kat's other friends were hilarious, if a bit horny. Overall, it was a good time. I know this book will not appeal to everyone, but I'm glad I decided to read it. If this doesn't make me an MZ super fan, then I don't know what does!
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (several very descriptive open door scenes and lots of innuendo)
Trigger Warning: death of a parent recounted briefly
When Kat's friends drag her to a porn convention, she never expects to meet a handsome stranger named Tristan. Unfortunately, she soon finds out that Tristan is there because he's also known as porn star Robby Lingus. When Tristan tells Kat he wants to be friends, the two begin spending time together bowling, at the aquarium, and hanging out at his house. But from the beginning Kat has been interested in more than friendship. Can she move out of the friend zone, overcome her jealous feelings about Tristan's job, and finally start a relationship with her perfect guy?
Is this a book I would normally choose to read? No. Did I expect to enjoy it as much as I did? Also, no. The only reason I picked this up is because I wanted to finish all the books on Mariana Zapata's backlist. Yes, it had crass jokes and conversations and several open door scenes at the end that I skimmed. But 75% of the book was a fun friends to lovers story that won me over. Sure, there were some plot holes that could have been filled in and details about Tristan's life that could have been explored more, but I honestly didn't mind that. Tristan won me over from the beginning with his flirting, teasing, and kindness. I fell in love with him just as much as Kat did. I enjoyed seeing these two spend time together, and I thought Kat's other friends were hilarious, if a bit horny. Overall, it was a good time. I know this book will not appeal to everyone, but I'm glad I decided to read it. If this doesn't make me an MZ super fan, then I don't know what does!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
3.75
I liked Tristan and the friendship and the relationship between the MCs. I also liked that the epilogue was from his perspective. However, I found Kat simply insufferable. I disliked everything that came out of her mouth. She sucked as a character/human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
quietmarki's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment, Transphobia, and Body shaming
daisycantread24's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
thisreadingcorner's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The profanity and misogyny in this book are so odd. How does a woman who is best friends with a sex worker feel so comfortable relegating other women to these archetypes?? Why is there a constant barrage of random using of bitch and references to bodily fluids?? It’s almost “edgy” for the sake of edginess instead of necessity of usefulness to push the plot along. The Roommate Equation is what this could have been and I’m really disappointed that it wasn’t. Even Tristan’s crossroads decision could have been fleshed out better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
madz_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
P*rn. Should have read description.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
booknerdbetty's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Body shaming, Misogyny, Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
kande0321's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
If you’ve read a lot of Zapata’s works, you’ll be able to tell this was her first book. I don’t regret reading it, but I wouldn’t recommend reading it either. There’s some slurs and questionable commentary in this book, mainly toward women in sex work. If you want a book with a similar premise, I recommend The Roommate by Rosie Danan. Zapata’s later works are great, but this doesn’t hold up well against time her her other writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Minor: Ableism