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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
When I tell you that I couldn’t wait to read Javi’s story, I mean, All I kept thinking was Javi and all the possibilities of what his story will be.. and O M G !!!!!!
I was not ready for it, and we got Mavick and Ofi too… and can we talk about Lola and her BFFS!!!?!?!?!? There’s nothing that I love more than Found Family
I was not ready for it, and we got Mavick and Ofi too… and can we talk about Lola and her BFFS!!!?!?!?!? There’s nothing that I love more than Found Family
I really liked the setup of this, but then it moved way too fast and was thin in places. I think it would have been better to build up more before immediately speeding to the fake date arrangement. Though I was very fond of Javi being a soft dom. This also might be a hard read for those who deal with family members constantly calling them fat. It was very repetitive in regard, and that knocked a lot of wind out of me. That conflict aspect wasn't handled the best.
I really enjoyed this story and Javi and Lola’s relationship! It was great to see some representation as both a Latina and a curvy girl
medium-paced
I just loved this story. I love how Lola wasn’t afraid to be herself. She loves her body the way it is. She just wants others to appreciate her self confidence. Javi, well we all need a Javi. He like her for her confidence, for her full bodied personality. She is unlike her family in the fact that she has goals that she has to work for, not sit back and watch it come to her.
The way Anastasia Dean brings these two together each time is amazing, and very in with the times I think. Makes it more relatable. It’s a reason I love reading her books!!
I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The way Anastasia Dean brings these two together each time is amazing, and very in with the times I think. Makes it more relatable. It’s a reason I love reading her books!!
I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed Fixed Up Ever After. I like that the author dove into mental health (anxiety and childhood trauma) and had a plus-sized queen FMC. Lola was a great FMC. I hated so much how her family treated her, and I’m happy the book ended the way it did, even though everything wasn’t wrapped up neatly with a cute bow. That’s not real life, and I’m glad the author chose to show that not everything magically gets better. Javi was a perfect cinnamon roll. I love the side characters and I’m really looking forward to the next book.
The book definitely could’ve been tightened up a bit. There were sentences that didn’t make sense, the wrong name on one occasion, and wording that didn’t seem edited (“he had an inkling suspicion” - redundant wording). And this is a personal issue of mine, but I’m not into buzz words surrounding mental health (validation, allowing space, etc). As someone with a veritable alphabet soup of mental illnesses, I feel like those popular buzz words actually minimize mental health issues in a way. When I see MCs using those words, it’s almost like the author is trying too hard to make them a mental health ally, when they could just be supportive naturally.
I know Lola being whitewashed is a huge theme of the book, but I would like to assure the author that not all white people want that. It made me so sad that Lola seemed disconnected from her heritage. I honestly thought that would be given more play between Lola and Javi, since he was clearly more in touch with his culture.
I received an ARC of Fixed Up Ever After from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book definitely could’ve been tightened up a bit. There were sentences that didn’t make sense, the wrong name on one occasion, and wording that didn’t seem edited (“he had an inkling suspicion” - redundant wording). And this is a personal issue of mine, but I’m not into buzz words surrounding mental health (validation, allowing space, etc). As someone with a veritable alphabet soup of mental illnesses, I feel like those popular buzz words actually minimize mental health issues in a way. When I see MCs using those words, it’s almost like the author is trying too hard to make them a mental health ally, when they could just be supportive naturally.
I know Lola being whitewashed is a huge theme of the book, but I would like to assure the author that not all white people want that. It made me so sad that Lola seemed disconnected from her heritage. I honestly thought that would be given more play between Lola and Javi, since he was clearly more in touch with his culture.
I received an ARC of Fixed Up Ever After from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Racism
emotional
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
emotional
funny
reflective
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
ARC Review!
Fixed Up Ever After is the second book in the New Beginnings Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. While I have not yet read the first book (but I will!), I suggest starting with Ofelia and Maverick's story first, then delve straight into this one.
Now onto the second book in the series, let's start with that cover! Curvy FMCs have become more popular in modern contemporary romance books, but they are still scarcely represented, whether on the front cover or in teasers. It is refreshing to see a cover that accurately represents the characters as described in the story.
Onto the story...Meet Lola, the fierce and independent FMC, whose relationship with her family has been far from easy. After a rather difficult family event, she impulsively decides to engage in a one-night stand with a man she matched with on a dating app. Enter Javi, the lucky guy, who immediately feels a connection with Lola, but knows that their encounter is a one time thing, and they will most likely never see each other again.
Fast forward to several months later, Lola seizes an opportunity to become her own boss by buying a bookshop. The store requires renovation, and coincidentally, Javi is looking to start his own construction business. Meanwhile, Lola is faced with another family event she dreads attending alone, and ends up asking Javi to be her fake date for a week. To her surprise, he eagerly accepts, seeing this as a chance to spend more time with her. The fine line between real and fake gradually starts to blur, thrusting them into a whirlwind of emotions as they navigate through their newfound feelings.
This book is full of self-discovery, witty banter, and unexpected connections. It is beautifully written and well paced, and will definitely keep you enthralled until the very last page.
Fixed Up Ever After is the second book in the New Beginnings Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. While I have not yet read the first book (but I will!), I suggest starting with Ofelia and Maverick's story first, then delve straight into this one.
Now onto the second book in the series, let's start with that cover! Curvy FMCs have become more popular in modern contemporary romance books, but they are still scarcely represented, whether on the front cover or in teasers. It is refreshing to see a cover that accurately represents the characters as described in the story.
Onto the story...Meet Lola, the fierce and independent FMC, whose relationship with her family has been far from easy. After a rather difficult family event, she impulsively decides to engage in a one-night stand with a man she matched with on a dating app. Enter Javi, the lucky guy, who immediately feels a connection with Lola, but knows that their encounter is a one time thing, and they will most likely never see each other again.
Fast forward to several months later, Lola seizes an opportunity to become her own boss by buying a bookshop. The store requires renovation, and coincidentally, Javi is looking to start his own construction business. Meanwhile, Lola is faced with another family event she dreads attending alone, and ends up asking Javi to be her fake date for a week. To her surprise, he eagerly accepts, seeing this as a chance to spend more time with her. The fine line between real and fake gradually starts to blur, thrusting them into a whirlwind of emotions as they navigate through their newfound feelings.
This book is full of self-discovery, witty banter, and unexpected connections. It is beautifully written and well paced, and will definitely keep you enthralled until the very last page.