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samchase112's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is the true enemies to lovers we need! Pure hate becomes pure passion -- I love it! Ethan and Alison's banter was fantastic, and although the switch is immediate, you can feel it building and the characters themselves take a while to come to terms with it. My complaints here are that Ethan's character wasn't quite fleshed out; I really don't understand him as a character, and although it's through Alison's eyes, I wish we got to know him as a person a lot more.
Alison was also really unlikable at times, and I can see why many people wouldn't like that and not get enjoyment out of the book because of it, but I see why the authors did it. She's unlikable for a reason. Any more growth by the end of the story would have felt disingenuous. Nevertheless, that means she may grate on lots of readers--and that's okay.
This book is for fans of enemies to lovers, for sure, as long as you don't mind lots of high school drama and immature characters :)
Alison was also really unlikable at times, and I can see why many people wouldn't like that and not get enjoyment out of the book because of it, but I see why the authors did it. She's unlikable for a reason. Any more growth by the end of the story would have felt disingenuous. Nevertheless, that means she may grate on lots of readers--and that's okay.
This book is for fans of enemies to lovers, for sure, as long as you don't mind lots of high school drama and immature characters :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, and Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
decklededgess's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
trigger warning: emotional manipulation and abuse, broken engagement mention, job loss mention, academic stress and anxiety, mild sexual content
This book is Never Have I Ever and Candy Jar wrapped in one dorky enemies to lovers romance. I genuinely like this author duo's books but this one really blew it out of the water. Idk if it's the fact that I saw the comparison to NHIE in the description or what but I couldn't help but imagine Ethan and Allison as Ben and Devi. Most of the cast is white and there's no real parallel beyond the academic competitiveness and party related almost intimate moment that really line up. My brain could not picture anything else. But really that added to the experience imo.
This book is Never Have I Ever and Candy Jar wrapped in one dorky enemies to lovers romance. I genuinely like this author duo's books but this one really blew it out of the water. Idk if it's the fact that I saw the comparison to NHIE in the description or what but I couldn't help but imagine Ethan and Allison as Ben and Devi. Most of the cast is white and there's no real parallel beyond the academic competitiveness and party related almost intimate moment that really line up. My brain could not picture anything else. But really that added to the experience imo.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
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