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kam_be's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Drug abuse
lorenab's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
Very relaxing book which basically ends the way you expect it to end from the beginning . But it's definitely worth the read. Also I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the main characters and their changes throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use
triple_m's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. I was surprised that I not only didn't like it, but actively hate it. The most significant reason I hated this book is because I fucking hate Knox as an MMC.
Let's start with the positives, I really enjoyed the plot and loved Naomi as our FMC. She really is such a genuine and wonderful person and I enjoyed reading about her overcoming all of the obstacles thrown at her. I also found that overall the writing was good, not the best or anything, but good. It kept me engaged enough to finish a like 600-page book when I hated the MMC so that says something.
Now onto the negatives. This book is way too long. I have no problem reading lengthy books, the problem is that the reason this book is so long because it’s repetitive. For example, we're told ad nauseum that Naomi needs to stop prioritizing everyone else's well being over her own. I get it! I can see that in Naomi's actions and thoughts, you don't need to keep telling me!
I also felt like the author really cheapened the climax of the book. What could have been a very tense, keep you on the edge of your seat, type of scene was watered down with poorly executed humor. The humor felt so out of place and really took me out of the scene.
Why I Hate Knox:
Finally, let's talk about why I believe Knox is by far the worst MMC I've read in a romance. I'm going to be going over specific actions, so it'll all be under a spoiler tag. TLDR: Knox is an asshole who gets no character development and has absolutely no respect for Naomi.
Knox is an asshole
Knox is rude to Naomi from their first interaction because of a misunderstanding. Okay. But once the misunderstanding is resolved he continues behaving rude towards her. Why? Because this grown ass man doesn't want to be attracted to her. He goes so far as trying to prevent her from working at his restaurant he though he knows how her life just got turned upside down and she needs employment. Dude, her niece she didn't know existed just got dumped into her care, your attraction towards her is the least of her worries.
After they "break up," Knox continuously points out that they were never dating, even though he went out of his way to constantly do very boyfriend-like things for Naomi. He continues to belittle her very valid feelings, acting like she's some dumb bitch who got attached. He even goes as far to call her HIS LEFTOVERS in front of a party. Disgusting and unforgivable.
When Knox decides he's ready to open up to Naomi, it's on his time. Even though she's in the middle of a serving seven tables (which is insane, a new server would never have that many at once), he decides that he wants to speak to her RIGHT NOW. When she doesn't immediately come to his beck and call like a fucking dog, he lifts her over his shoulder, flashing her underwear to the entire restaurant. I know the whole "guy throwing girl over shoulder" thing is swoon-worthy, but there is a time and a place, and this was not it. It just solidifies the fact that he has no respect for Naomi.
Knox oversteps
Throughout the story, Naomi is trying really hard to care for and connect with her eleven-year-old niece, Waylay. In what I think we're supposed to interpret as Knox stepping up to help, I interpret as Knox inserting himself where he doesn't belong. I don't have a problem with him helping out and connecting with Waylay. The problem is that I feel like these nice moments happen between Knox and Waylay in replace of Naomi and Waylay. HE takes them shopping and buys her clothes; HE is able to get her to stop cussing at the ref. These are moments where Naomi is trying to form a relationship and is unable to because of Knox's constant involvement. It's also important to note that these are events that Knox is not invited to, he invites himself.
Knox doesn't change
Who cares if he's an asshole in the beginning, that's what character development is for, right? Wrong. Knox's character development involves overcoming his weak reasoning for not wanting a relationship, it has nothing to due with his treatment of Naomi. Even though no one is on Knox's side in the break up or defends his behavior, he never really has to own up to it. He acts like his "boo hoo, my dad lost it when mom died" is an apology, but it's not. Naomi never holds him accountable. Girl, he called you his leftovers. I don't care how upset he was (at his own doing), that will never be okay. I think he does give some half-assed apology, but it's just not enough to me to make up for his behavior.
If I'm being honest, there really wasn't anything I liked about Knox. He's the worst. I genuinely don't understand how anyone could enjoy him as a character, especially as a romantic lead.
I read this book over a month ago and I still think about how much I hated it… I guess you could say I never really got over it 🤪
Let's start with the positives, I really enjoyed the plot and loved Naomi as our FMC. She really is such a genuine and wonderful person and I enjoyed reading about her overcoming all of the obstacles thrown at her. I also found that overall the writing was good, not the best or anything, but good. It kept me engaged enough to finish a like 600-page book when I hated the MMC so that says something.
Now onto the negatives. This book is way too long. I have no problem reading lengthy books, the problem is that the reason this book is so long because it’s repetitive. For example, we're told ad nauseum that Naomi needs to stop prioritizing everyone else's well being over her own. I get it! I can see that in Naomi's actions and thoughts, you don't need to keep telling me!
I also felt like the author really cheapened the climax of the book. What could have been a very tense, keep you on the edge of your seat, type of scene was watered down with poorly executed humor. The humor felt so out of place and really took me out of the scene.
Why I Hate Knox:
Finally, let's talk about why I believe Knox is by far the worst MMC I've read in a romance. I'm going to be going over specific actions, so it'll all be under a spoiler tag. TLDR: Knox is an asshole who gets no character development and has absolutely no respect for Naomi.
Knox is an asshole
Knox is rude to Naomi from their first interaction because of a misunderstanding. Okay. But once the misunderstanding is resolved he continues behaving rude towards her. Why? Because this grown ass man doesn't want to be attracted to her. He goes so far as trying to prevent her from working at his restaurant he though he knows how her life just got turned upside down and she needs employment. Dude, her niece she didn't know existed just got dumped into her care, your attraction towards her is the least of her worries.
After they "break up," Knox continuously points out that they were never dating, even though he went out of his way to constantly do very boyfriend-like things for Naomi. He continues to belittle her very valid feelings, acting like she's some dumb bitch who got attached. He even goes as far to call her HIS LEFTOVERS in front of a party. Disgusting and unforgivable.
When Knox decides he's ready to open up to Naomi, it's on his time. Even though she's in the middle of a serving seven tables (which is insane, a new server would never have that many at once), he decides that he wants to speak to her RIGHT NOW. When she doesn't immediately come to his beck and call like a fucking dog, he lifts her over his shoulder, flashing her underwear to the entire restaurant. I know the whole "guy throwing girl over shoulder" thing is swoon-worthy, but there is a time and a place, and this was not it. It just solidifies the fact that he has no respect for Naomi.
Knox oversteps
Throughout the story, Naomi is trying really hard to care for and connect with her eleven-year-old niece, Waylay. In what I think we're supposed to interpret as Knox stepping up to help, I interpret as Knox inserting himself where he doesn't belong. I don't have a problem with him helping out and connecting with Waylay. The problem is that I feel like these nice moments happen between Knox and Waylay in replace of Naomi and Waylay. HE takes them shopping and buys her clothes; HE is able to get her to stop cussing at the ref. These are moments where Naomi is trying to form a relationship and is unable to because of Knox's constant involvement. It's also important to note that these are events that Knox is not invited to, he invites himself.
Knox doesn't change
Who cares if he's an asshole in the beginning, that's what character development is for, right? Wrong. Knox's character development involves overcoming his weak reasoning for not wanting a relationship, it has nothing to due with his treatment of Naomi. Even though no one is on Knox's side in the break up or defends his behavior, he never really has to own up to it. He acts like his "boo hoo, my dad lost it when mom died" is an apology, but it's not. Naomi never holds him accountable. Girl, he called you his leftovers. I don't care how upset he was (at his own doing), that will never be okay. I think he does give some half-assed apology, but it's just not enough to me to make up for his behavior.
If I'm being honest, there really wasn't anything I liked about Knox. He's the worst. I genuinely don't understand how anyone could enjoy him as a character, especially as a romantic lead.
I read this book over a month ago and I still think about how much I hated it… I guess you could say I never really got over it 🤪
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use
kayolay's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Violence, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Abandonment
marybsimp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Gun violence
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