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hannaxg's review
I didn’t like the main characters, or how the story evolved (I thought it was boring, put it down, and couldn’t read it. Eventually, I got tired of the constant sexism, from both male and female characters. The highlight of this book for me was the fact that mental illnesses and bipolar disorder was a reality for some of the side characters — very refreshing and important. Yes, it could have been integrated better in the dialogs, but at least it would help spreading awareness and normalising mtalking about mental health.
dontcallmejo's review
Literally nothing has happened I cannot keep going I’m so done
stewarb1's review
funny
relaxing
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
I got annoyed with the double standard the main male character had with the main female character.
kewlshort1's review
4.0
Mixed feelings after a rocky start
This is the first book in the series, however I actually read Beckett’s book 1st (which I adored) then went back to start from the beginning. To be honest had I read this book first I’m not certain that I would’ve continued with the series. I actually may not have even pushed myself to finish the book, although by the time I did finish it I will say I enjoyed it and a, glad I finished it.
The first part of the book was pretty rough for me. There was definitely a lot of hot and cold and the characters did not sell themselves to me. I adore a good alpha-hole, or an enemies to lovers, or a got off on the wrong foot to lovers. But when a woman says NO, says “please leave” repeatedly, and the guy refuses and says “too bad. I want you and I always get what I want” that’s not ok. Particularly in today’s climate of #MeToo. It’s not a guy saying he’s going to pursue her and change her mind, this was someone saying “I don’t respect that I’m in your space while you’re actually telling me no while physically pushing me away”. She was clearly stating her position, saying NO, and he could not care less. Do better. No means NO.
And then the dreadful “my body betrayed me” line
This is the first book in the series, however I actually read Beckett’s book 1st (which I adored) then went back to start from the beginning. To be honest had I read this book first I’m not certain that I would’ve continued with the series. I actually may not have even pushed myself to finish the book, although by the time I did finish it I will say I enjoyed it and a, glad I finished it.
The first part of the book was pretty rough for me. There was definitely a lot of hot and cold and the characters did not sell themselves to me. I adore a good alpha-hole, or an enemies to lovers, or a got off on the wrong foot to lovers. But when a woman says NO, says “please leave” repeatedly, and the guy refuses and says “too bad. I want you and I always get what I want” that’s not ok. Particularly in today’s climate of #MeToo. It’s not a guy saying he’s going to pursue her and change her mind, this was someone saying “I don’t respect that I’m in your space while you’re actually telling me no while physically pushing me away”. She was clearly stating her position, saying NO, and he could not care less. Do better. No means NO.
And then the dreadful “my body betrayed me” line
scareads's review
4.0
This one teetered between 3 ⭐ and 4 ⭐ for me during much of the story. In the end, I went with four because the resolution and ending were nicely done.
One of the things that pushed this up a star were the large numbers of subplots for a romance novel that all came together at the end in a very logical manner. That was a great job on the author's part and was one of the reason I didn't decide to put this book aside. The pace was nice and quick, and the characters were fun. I did enjoy Ashton's numerous secondary friendships and relationships. They are what tied this book together.
As to why I debated on it being 3 ⭐ - first reason, the romance went from 0 to 100 in a matter of 10 pages. The overwhelming attraction Ashton displayed just seemed to come out of nowhere, which was a little over the top. There was no buildup for their relationship, and with the constant neverending smut, I was quickly losing interest. I enjoy smut but not on every other chapter. At that point, it's too much.
Secondly, Lorelei pushed back against Ashton's arrogance and bossiness only to give in shortly thereafter every time. It got to the point where her character seemed wishy washy and weak for not choosing a course of action (even if that is to choose giving in) and sticking to it. Personally, I felt it contradicted her character's other behaviors and what Ashton's character repeatedly stated he liked about her.
Thirdly, I never really understood Lorelei's insecurities that were alluded to or what her friend Sienna mentioned several times. It never really seemed to come into play, and it wasn't clear from where it stemmed but somehow it affected her romantic relationships in a very ambiguous way. I believe the point was to show that both characters compromise for each other, but I didn't see it. Ashton keeps being the same extremely bossy man that doesn't give in. Being apprehensive about it isn't a compromise. I feel like his character arc needed work.
So while this book wasn't bad at all and served as a good distraction from every day life, I sadly came out of the read unsatisfied. Even now, I wish we could give 1/2 stars because while it was better than a 3, I really don't feel like it deserves a 4 either.
One of the things that pushed this up a star were the large numbers of subplots for a romance novel that all came together at the end in a very logical manner. That was a great job on the author's part and was one of the reason I didn't decide to put this book aside. The pace was nice and quick, and the characters were fun. I did enjoy Ashton's numerous secondary friendships and relationships. They are what tied this book together.
As to why I debated on it being 3 ⭐ - first reason, the romance went from 0 to 100 in a matter of 10 pages. The overwhelming attraction Ashton displayed just seemed to come out of nowhere, which was a little over the top. There was no buildup for their relationship, and with the constant neverending smut, I was quickly losing interest. I enjoy smut but not on every other chapter. At that point, it's too much.
Secondly, Lorelei pushed back against Ashton's arrogance and bossiness only to give in shortly thereafter every time. It got to the point where her character seemed wishy washy and weak for not choosing a course of action (even if that is to choose giving in) and sticking to it. Personally, I felt it contradicted her character's other behaviors and what Ashton's character repeatedly stated he liked about her.
Thirdly, I never really understood Lorelei's insecurities that were alluded to or what her friend Sienna mentioned several times. It never really seemed to come into play, and it wasn't clear from where it stemmed but somehow it affected her romantic relationships in a very ambiguous way. I believe the point was to show that both characters compromise for each other, but I didn't see it. Ashton keeps being the same extremely bossy man that doesn't give in. Being apprehensive about it isn't a compromise. I feel like his character arc needed work.
So while this book wasn't bad at all and served as a good distraction from every day life, I sadly came out of the read unsatisfied. Even now, I wish we could give 1/2 stars because while it was better than a 3, I really don't feel like it deserves a 4 either.
finia's review
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
stucknbooks14's review against another edition
Just because this isn't my cup of tea, doesn't mean it isn't yours!
Trust me, this DNF doesn't hurt anyone as much as it hurts me. I'm doing better about 'why' I finish books all the way through.
There's nothing wrong with DNFing a book for yourself. There's plenty of books to read, and not enough time in the day. Our TBRs are proof of that babes!
I know I DNFed this. But I started off really liking this book! The first time Ashton and Lorelai meet, I had a Grinch grin. I would consider it a meet cute, though I don’t think the book community would. Since it wasn’t in the least bit cute, but it was perfect nonetheless. Lorelai’s building isn’t for sale, but Ashton still believes it’s his for the taking. That man instantly annoyed me, but I only wanted more of him! And I needed more of their verbal sparring! But unfortunately…the more I wanted more of him…the less I wanted to read the book. I loved the kind of man, friend, brother, and uncle Ashton was. He’s over protective, over attentive. He’s beginning to question the “why” of it all. Ashton very easily got attached to Lorelai, even though she was ready to push him off a cliff. He was ready to go to battle over making this woman his! I was ready for it to get messy! But then it happened…I realized as I was starting chapter 9 I was barely 60 pages into a 445 page book! Here I was, thinking that this would be a fun, easy love story. Arrogant guy pines over girl boss and changes his ways to be the man she deserves. Either that is in fact what happens and there is completely unnecessary drama around them (like there’s already been hints of) or there’s a whole lot of fluff to get there. Neither of which I wanted from a story like this. They were each already their own worst enemy, they didn’t need outside sources to cause damage, too. But the kicker? Lorelai always stood her ground with Ashton’s arrogance. She had a “no sir, not in my office” attitude. But then he made it abundantly clear that he was very physically into her, and suddenly her brain short circuits? What happened to the badass girl boss who took no shits from anyone? I didn’t like that she so easily became a totally different character. We went from strong female lead to…written by a man vibes.
Things Ashton said that really made me debate calling it quits:
• “I only want the best and I have a feeling I’m looking at her right now.”
• ‘She will be mine. She’ll be the best sex I’ve ever had because sex you have to work for is a sweet victory.’
• “I know you’re a woman who can pay her way, but you’re also the sexiest damn woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating with and this is going to be the first of many meals I pay for.”
• “The last thing I want from you is casual sex. I can get that anywhere. I can’t get you anywhere. I want you in my bed just as much as I want you in my life.”
Trust me, this DNF doesn't hurt anyone as much as it hurts me. I'm doing better about 'why' I finish books all the way through.
There's nothing wrong with DNFing a book for yourself. There's plenty of books to read, and not enough time in the day. Our TBRs are proof of that babes!
I know I DNFed this. But I started off really liking this book! The first time Ashton and Lorelai meet, I had a Grinch grin. I would consider it a meet cute, though I don’t think the book community would. Since it wasn’t in the least bit cute, but it was perfect nonetheless. Lorelai’s building isn’t for sale, but Ashton still believes it’s his for the taking. That man instantly annoyed me, but I only wanted more of him! And I needed more of their verbal sparring! But unfortunately…the more I wanted more of him…the less I wanted to read the book. I loved the kind of man, friend, brother, and uncle Ashton was. He’s over protective, over attentive. He’s beginning to question the “why” of it all. Ashton very easily got attached to Lorelai, even though she was ready to push him off a cliff. He was ready to go to battle over making this woman his! I was ready for it to get messy! But then it happened…I realized as I was starting chapter 9 I was barely 60 pages into a 445 page book! Here I was, thinking that this would be a fun, easy love story. Arrogant guy pines over girl boss and changes his ways to be the man she deserves. Either that is in fact what happens and there is completely unnecessary drama around them (like there’s already been hints of) or there’s a whole lot of fluff to get there. Neither of which I wanted from a story like this. They were each already their own worst enemy, they didn’t need outside sources to cause damage, too. But the kicker? Lorelai always stood her ground with Ashton’s arrogance. She had a “no sir, not in my office” attitude. But then he made it abundantly clear that he was very physically into her, and suddenly her brain short circuits? What happened to the badass girl boss who took no shits from anyone? I didn’t like that she so easily became a totally different character. We went from strong female lead to…written by a man vibes.
Things Ashton said that really made me debate calling it quits:
• “I only want the best and I have a feeling I’m looking at her right now.”
• ‘She will be mine. She’ll be the best sex I’ve ever had because sex you have to work for is a sweet victory.’
• “I know you’re a woman who can pay her way, but you’re also the sexiest damn woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating with and this is going to be the first of many meals I pay for.”
• “The last thing I want from you is casual sex. I can get that anywhere. I can’t get you anywhere. I want you in my bed just as much as I want you in my life.”
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
2.0
Oh my word! That book took a long freaking time to get through. I was maybe 35% in and I was ready to mark this as DNF! But I had a feeling that there were certain elements of the plot that were going to develop that I really wanted, so I stuck it out. It wasn’t really even worth it, even when the things I was hoping would happen actually happened.
Okay PLEASE, for the love of everything holy, how many times can you use the term “snaked a hand around her waist”/“snaked his hand around my waist”????? I think she actually put that in there like 10 times and it drive me insane!
Ashton spent the first half of the book being an absolute douche! He was borderline predatory and it was creepy. She would tell him no and he wouldn’t listen and it creeped me out so bad. Then, he is always wanting to have these lengthy talks with people. He wants them to talk out their problems and I’m here like... who the f does this? Really?!? Then he has like a complete personality change in the second half of the book.
Lorelai was annoying. She was all about self empowerment, yet half the time, she is letting this guy boss her around. Internally she doesn’t want to, but she still lets him and it’s stupid to me.
Finally, the stuff that I wanted to happen: the crazy ex coming in and stirring shit up, was not even that great...
All in all I was thoroughly disappointed in this book. While it wasn’t completely awful, I cannot freaking fathom how it has such a high star rating! It’s baffling to me, really.
Okay PLEASE, for the love of everything holy, how many times can you use the term “snaked a hand around her waist”/“snaked his hand around my waist”????? I think she actually put that in there like 10 times and it drive me insane!
Ashton spent the first half of the book being an absolute douche! He was borderline predatory and it was creepy. She would tell him no and he wouldn’t listen and it creeped me out so bad. Then, he is always wanting to have these lengthy talks with people. He wants them to talk out their problems and I’m here like... who the f does this? Really?!? Then he has like a complete personality change in the second half of the book.
Lorelai was annoying. She was all about self empowerment, yet half the time, she is letting this guy boss her around. Internally she doesn’t want to, but she still lets him and it’s stupid to me.
Finally, the stuff that I wanted to happen: the crazy ex coming in and stirring shit up, was not even that great...
All in all I was thoroughly disappointed in this book. While it wasn’t completely awful, I cannot freaking fathom how it has such a high star rating! It’s baffling to me, really.