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bbygirl21's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
So I liked this book. But there was quite a bit a didn't enjoy. I didn't like the characters. They both irritated me.
I found it really difficult to get through the sex scenes. Honestly this book could've done without those two scenes. I never say that about scenes like that, but in this case, I would've preferred not to have read them.
The last 20% or so is in my opinion the best part. We actually find out what really went wrong in Cole's parents relationship/marriage(although I still wish there were more about that with how much it affected Cole).
Livvy also stands up for herself to her dad. But again, I wish we had seen more of how Livvy's parents(dad specifically) coped with Livvy straying from their church and looking for other churches. I would've liked to see which church she ended up choosing. And if she and her family stick together despite differences in religious opinions.
The bonus epilogue didn't really add much either. It wouldn't be necessary to get the epilogue since it's basically just an extra sex scene and definitely not needed.
I do plan on reading at least the second book at some point which follows Livvy's sister. The first book just wasn't for me. I don't think I'll be picking this book up again and I don't think I'll recommend it either.
I found it really difficult to get through the sex scenes. Honestly this book could've done without those two scenes. I never say that about scenes like that, but in this case, I would've preferred not to have read them.
The last 20% or so is in my opinion the best part. We actually find out what really went wrong in Cole's parents relationship/marriage(although I still wish there were more about that with how much it affected Cole).
Livvy also stands up for herself to her dad. But again, I wish we had seen more of how Livvy's parents(dad specifically) coped with Livvy straying from their church and looking for other churches. I would've liked to see which church she ended up choosing. And if she and her family stick together despite differences in religious opinions.
The bonus epilogue didn't really add much either. It wouldn't be necessary to get the epilogue since it's basically just an extra sex scene and definitely not needed.
I do plan on reading at least the second book at some point which follows Livvy's sister. The first book just wasn't for me. I don't think I'll be picking this book up again and I don't think I'll recommend it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity and Body shaming
k_berry's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Emotional abuse
abicaro17's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
In theory its cute but both characters need serious therapy. Like watching them get back together was almost painful. They're cute sure and the message about doing something new without abandoning who you are is great. Its just kind of a boring and unbelievable way to do it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
What stood out positively in this story for me was how self-reflective both MCs were and thank you to the author for making them really good at communication, not only in a sexual context(about their desires, safe-words and so on), but also in general when it came to their feelings.
Another big plus was the way the mMC loves how the fMC is a bigger girl and notices/loves small details like the soft belly or the jiggling thighs.
These where the things making this book stand out positively in the new adult romance genre.
(Even if I was hesitant to pick this book up because of religion being a main topic especially the extreme sides like purity culture and while I am more critical towards it than how the author portayed this way of life I still found it interesting to read about it and how there were different characters with differents views on it portrayed in this book. Even if I almost dnf because of the amount of religious bigotry.)
It still felt like the story could have needed a little bit more polishing (e.g. a bit more character depth, more of them as "united front" so not only the unhealthy part of their relationship is portrayed and other stuff) but as I have not read something similar this story was interesting.
Spice(quantity&quality):
2/5
only few scenes but definitely not pg-13 while still having room to improve
Another big plus was the way the mMC loves how the fMC is a bigger girl and notices/loves small details like the soft belly or the jiggling thighs.
These where the things making this book stand out positively in the new adult romance genre.
(Even if I was hesitant to pick this book up because of religion being a main topic especially the extreme sides like purity culture and while I am more critical towards it than how the author portayed this way of life I still found it interesting to read about it and how there were different characters with differents views on it portrayed in this book. Even if I almost dnf because of the amount of religious bigotry.)
It still felt like the story could have needed a little bit more polishing (e.g. a bit more character depth, more of them as "united front" so not only the unhealthy part of their relationship is portrayed and other stuff) but as I have not read something similar this story was interesting.
Spice(quantity&quality):
2/5
only few scenes but definitely not pg-13 while still having room to improve
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Misogyny, Body horror, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Drug use
mels_reading_log's review
emotional
tense
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
3.5
I love an angst filled, steamy, romance novel, and this was exactly that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
teachreadrepeat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
2.5
This was... underwhelming. I did like that it called out purity culture, but both Livvy and Cole made me angry. I don't mind friends-to-lovers, but this was more "we've secretly been in love with each other since the day we met but made up stupid internal excuses so we can't be together." That's not the same thing; it felt like one huge miscommunication trope tied to religious beliefs instead which I found incredibly frustrating. Also, there was only 1 real spicy section in the book... I don't NEED copious amounts of spice in a romance book, but the premise of this one kinda calls for it in my opinion. The divorce storyline with Cole's parents also felt odd and did not serve the purpose I think the author wanted it to. From a girl who turned her back on purity culture in her 20s at a private Christian university and really struggled with it, I was hoping for so much more agency from the FMC and fulfillment from both parties involved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
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