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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's like it tries to be a raunchy all the red flags dark romance while trying to be a sweet, slapstick romcom and really doesn't do either.
If I take the adult content that seemed like hate sex with emotional abuse, I actually would say I liked the two idiots. There was just way too much going on and not in a good way.
3.5 but it doesn't let me do that.
This book feels like it tried to be a bully dark adult spicy romance with lots of emotional manipulation and just nasty comments between the two MCs accompanying the spicy scenes... While at the same time attempting to be a cutesy slapstick romcom. And just didn't hit.
Also... So much going on, and not in a good way. The FMC got a raw deal from her family. They treated her as a disposable amenity, gaslit her massively, emotionally manipulative, and I found that really hard to read. The MMC I really liked... Outside of his emotional whiplash/verbal abuse to the FMC during the adult content. He was solid and dependable and really cool... Just not during the adult content. And I really liked the FMC... As she's trying to make her family love her, she's just trying so hard to do things and they are completely missing her skills and her heart.
Also difficult because she's the adopted sibling getting treated like this.
The massive red flags are just epic in this story and are called out, but pretty much totally ignored. And the chemistry just didn't really click because of how it was written.
I really wanted to like this. The premise is one of the ones I tend to enjoy (dysfunctional MCs who find each other and reluctantly come to love each other because they make each other better)... And it just was not what I was hoping to get.
If I take the adult content that seemed like hate sex with emotional abuse, I actually would say I liked the two idiots. There was just way too much going on and not in a good way.
3.5 but it doesn't let me do that.
This book feels like it tried to be a bully dark adult spicy romance with lots of emotional manipulation and just nasty comments between the two MCs accompanying the spicy scenes... While at the same time attempting to be a cutesy slapstick romcom. And just didn't hit.
Also... So much going on, and not in a good way. The FMC got a raw deal from her family. They treated her as a disposable amenity, gaslit her massively, emotionally manipulative, and I found that really hard to read. The MMC I really liked... Outside of his emotional whiplash/verbal abuse to the FMC during the adult content. He was solid and dependable and really cool... Just not during the adult content. And I really liked the FMC... As she's trying to make her family love her, she's just trying so hard to do things and they are completely missing her skills and her heart.
Also difficult because she's the adopted sibling getting treated like this.
The massive red flags are just epic in this story and are called out, but pretty much totally ignored. And the chemistry just didn't really click because of how it was written.
I really wanted to like this. The premise is one of the ones I tend to enjoy (dysfunctional MCs who find each other and reluctantly come to love each other because they make each other better)... And it just was not what I was hoping to get.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
funny
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Literally so very silly and cute. Loved Anderson, loved Evie, family dynamics were silly and fun. I think Good elf gone wrong definitely topped this book for me, but it was a very fun way to kick off holiday reading! Smut was not her best work necessarily, but also still fun! Cannot wait for her other new releases!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too many characters and too hard to keep track of what’s going on so close the the beginning of the book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I love Alina Jacobs. The cast of characters in her books are almost always the same and the pairing is almost always an enemies to lovers. However, every single book is such a fun read. This was no exception. I really love how she writes and how all of the stories are connected but standalones. Definitely recommend.
Couldn’t get into it- the language was super crass right off the bat. MMC was a dick, did not find any redeeming qualities for the guy. I may try again later but I kinda thought it was dumb.