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gondorgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a sweet millennial-confusion, workplace-enemies-to-lovers romance! Some of the one-liners definitely made me snort, and I ended up liking how this took on some problems of modern cishet girlboss feminism. I do think all Brinkley's crappy academic ex-friends needed to get rolled into one, more solid character and maybe made a little less cartoonishly bad... same with the rollercoaster of info that comes about her mom, which could've been simplified. But this was really fun and I'm glad I read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
kenziewol's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This books plot instantly intrigued me, a company that specializes in getting revenge on men? It gave major spy/secret agent vibes so I had to read it.
Overall, the plot with the company was honestly really interesting and I really enjoyed the main character, Brinkley (however, I do no love her name). But, I found myself wanting more on the Heartbreak for Hire company & Margo herself. I found a lot of it to be hard to believe, which it’s fiction so I get it, but at the same time I just wanted more. That and I just greatly disliked Margo and wish we knew more about her motives. She just seems sketchy and there were a lot of things I didn’t like about her and only felt maybe 2 were even slightly addressed. However, the assignments themselves were really fun to read about, even if they were outlandish.
I loved Mark and how they meet. Him becoming her coworker after being her target was fun to read about, especially after their original encounters. I loved the banter & jokes between Mark & Brinkley and overall just found them a fun couple to read about. And the spice!??? I had no idea this book had any sort of page so when I got only 30 pages in I was surprised, but I thought it was well done and rate the overall spice level in the book to be a 2/2.5 🌶
Overall I enjoyed reading this and felt it to be a pretty solid read. There were a few things here and there I didn’t love, but it’s still a good book and a pretty light & quick read!
Overall, the plot with the company was honestly really interesting and I really enjoyed the main character, Brinkley (however, I do no love her name). But, I found myself wanting more on the Heartbreak for Hire company & Margo herself. I found a lot of it to be hard to believe, which it’s fiction so I get it, but at the same time I just wanted more. That and I just greatly disliked Margo and wish we knew more about her motives. She just seems sketchy and there were a lot of things I didn’t like about her and only felt maybe 2 were even slightly addressed. However, the assignments themselves were really fun to read about, even if they were outlandish.
I loved Mark and how they meet. Him becoming her coworker after being her target was fun to read about, especially after their original encounters. I loved the banter & jokes between Mark & Brinkley and overall just found them a fun couple to read about. And the spice!??? I had no idea this book had any sort of page so when I got only 30 pages in I was surprised, but I thought it was well done and rate the overall spice level in the book to be a 2/2.5 🌶
Overall I enjoyed reading this and felt it to be a pretty solid read. There were a few things here and there I didn’t love, but it’s still a good book and a pretty light & quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
kimiichanga's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
im fluctuating between 3.75 and a 4
i obv liked the premise, im all for the man eating gigs. i also loved how that path panned out for everyone involved.
im kinda iffy about the parts towards the end bec it was going too fast?? BUT the conclusion was solid for a standalone. u cant possibly tie up every loose end if it's just one book
i obv liked the premise, im all for the man eating gigs. i also loved how that path panned out for everyone involved.
im kinda iffy about the parts towards the end bec it was going too fast?? BUT the conclusion was solid for a standalone. u cant possibly tie up every loose end if it's just one book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
optimisticcautiously's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book never answers the pivotal questions: (a) Did Mark do the awful thing his colleague said he did, therefore was deserving of Brinkley's services, or did she do this to sabotage him? (b) Is the owner of Heartbreak for Hire creative or crazy? (c) Can people be redeemed?
The premise is a little gross, but it is at least unique. I figured that a talented author can overcome a little cringe, make you sympathetic through point-of-view, and sometimes it is good to start there to move on to another space. I do not want to say Hartl is a bad author - there's solid skills in her work - but someone who has the character questioning the ethics of years of her life should be capable of recognizing that she needs to work harder to make us sympathetic towards the characters. All she did was use Brinkley's (her heroine's) point-of-view, and make Mark hot. She didn't win me over, and I fail to see where she was even trying.
I really like the gloss of romance books (not everything needs to be gritty). However, you need to think of that gloss like icing glaze. Glaze on a cake is pretty awesome: it makes it all shiny and presentable, while bringing out the inherent sweetness. Glaze is generally good. However, no one is going to sit there and eat glaze; glaze is cloying, needing to be tempered with the substance of the cake, and not at all satisfying. Nor would you eat glaze on a turd - it doesn't matter how good the glaze, I'm not eating shit.
Hartl acknowledged the existence of the issue, but never addressed the issue. She didn't truly address any reservations about Mark; I guess because he's hot and happens to have family, one showy gesture of putting clothes on her cat (for which his hatred was established but not felt) is suppose to undo this notion that he may be a sabotaging misogynist? She mentions Brinkley's guilt over her position, but it is so fleeting and easily forgotten the moment she quits the agency , that it does not seem genuine and does not come across as having character. Yeah, we've all done things that are actually against our morals (I don't like who I become when I wasn't watching, was pushed, etc.) but, if she's really a grown-up - a heroine - there's needs to make amends, prove her worth to herself, residual guilt, more conscious efforts to be different, something! I hate this trope of <i>I acknowledged it and put it into words, so now it's okay and I get to do the horrible thing</i>. *sarcasm* After all, just saying it puts an end to prejudice, misogyny, and every other evil-will.
And the sex just made Brinkley look like a slut. It's not that she would have sex early in a relationship, enjoy it, whatever. It's that it is <i>not</i> erotica; sex in romance is fine (heck, healthy sex where the woman gets to orgasm too? I encourage it!), but the genre necessitates emotional bond, usually before the sex but sometimes after. Sure, there's chemistry, there's lust, but little real between the characters. Yet, she lies to herself that <i>this is a relationship.</i> No, Brinkley, you are just lonely and wanted sex with the hot guy. You're allowed, but own it like a grown woman.
All-in-all, don't bother.
The premise is a little gross, but it is at least unique. I figured that a talented author can overcome a little cringe, make you sympathetic through point-of-view, and sometimes it is good to start there to move on to another space. I do not want to say Hartl is a bad author - there's solid skills in her work - but someone who has the character questioning the ethics of years of her life should be capable of recognizing that she needs to work harder to make us sympathetic towards the characters. All she did was use Brinkley's (her heroine's) point-of-view, and make Mark hot. She didn't win me over, and I fail to see where she was even trying.
I really like the gloss of romance books (not everything needs to be gritty). However, you need to think of that gloss like icing glaze. Glaze on a cake is pretty awesome: it makes it all shiny and presentable, while bringing out the inherent sweetness. Glaze is generally good. However, no one is going to sit there and eat glaze; glaze is cloying, needing to be tempered with the substance of the cake, and not at all satisfying. Nor would you eat glaze on a turd - it doesn't matter how good the glaze, I'm not eating shit.
Hartl acknowledged the existence of the issue, but never addressed the issue. She didn't truly address any reservations about Mark;
And the sex just made Brinkley look like a slut. It's not that she would have sex early in a relationship, enjoy it, whatever. It's that it is <i>not</i> erotica; sex in romance is fine (heck, healthy sex where the woman gets to orgasm too? I encourage it!), but the genre necessitates emotional bond, usually before the sex but sometimes after. Sure, there's chemistry, there's lust, but little real between the characters. Yet, she lies to herself that <i>this is a relationship.</i> No, Brinkley, you are just lonely and wanted sex with the hot guy. You're allowed, but own it like a grown woman.
All-in-all, don't bother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
Revenge, revenge by proxy, stalker by proxy, dishonestyreadingandteaching247's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was so much fun! It has such a unique concept that grabbed and held my attention for the whole story. Heartbreak for Hire is a company that is women owned and operated and focuses on getting back at men who have broken women’s hearts, stolen from them or played them. The company has individual divisions run by each woman: players, workplace, cheaters, etc.
The story follows Brinkley as she does her job and how complicated it can been when she may or may not fall for someone. There’s office romance and some enemies to lovers in this one and we know I’m here for both of these tropes!
Honestly I LOVED the first 2/3rds of this book. It was interesting and fun and fast paced. The last third Brinkley becomes a bit unlikeable and you become frustrated with her and her love interest. Though I do like how the author wrapped this one up and I was satisfied by the ending.
I would recommend this for my romance lovers and those who are interested in this unique concept. It’s a fun ride and I read this one very quickly!
Thank you NetGalley, Gallery and Goodreads for my copies of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
nitya's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Note: Thank you to the author for the ARC!!
Not gonna lie I inhaled the last 100 pages, this was the enemies to lovers/forced proximity story I wanted and a lot more. The Chicago references!! And the sex scenes are unbelievable, that elevator scene especially!
Also, I am not excusing Mark's actions at ALL, because what he did was horrible and deceitful. I only wish Brinkley had actually apologized for her mistakes; it's not the same level as Mark's betrayal but still very fucked up (and he was an easy albeit innocent target).
Not gonna lie I inhaled the last 100 pages, this was the enemies to lovers/forced proximity story I wanted and a lot more. The Chicago references!! And the sex scenes are unbelievable, that elevator scene especially!
Also, I am not excusing Mark's actions at ALL, because what he did was horrible and deceitful. I only wish Brinkley had actually apologized for her mistakes; it's not the same level as Mark's betrayal but still very fucked up (and he was an easy albeit innocent target).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
sabrielsbell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Heartbreak for Hire follows Brinkley who works at H4H to get revenge for scorned women. Her particular field is the men with egos but it goes wrong when she falls for a target. Even worse, that target becomes a coworker and she has to navigate a lot of new and confusing feelings. There were pros and cons to this book that I think could really make a reader love or dislike this book. I leaned more towards the later with a final rating of 2.75 stars. I did love the romance dynamic in this book. I enjoyed the back and forth between the two main characters and enjoyed the way they grew together throughout their journey. There were also a lot of fun rom-com chaotic moments that were super fun.
I want to look closer at the things I disliked in this book because I feel like a reader may be able to enjoy this book more if they go in knowing what to expect. Firstly, the first 30% of this book is a struggle! I do recommend continuing to read if you find yourself considering a DNF because a lot of the issues I had at the beginning diminished during the rest of the book. One of two major issues for me were the characters being very one note. The girls (especially at the beginning) generalize A LOT about men. All guys are horrible, backstabbing, and unreliable in there eyes and they have no remorse for their destruction to the point that I didn't support them. Instead they felt like a group of mean girls that each had a single personality role. The mother/daughter relationship felt the same but went more in-depth towards the end. Although the characters didn't get as much depth as I would have liked I will say they became less annoying and outrageous by the end.
Secondly, the boss, work environment, and general concept was manipulative and toxic to the point where it was painful to read.(slight spoilers ahead) It took me some time to accept that this was the point of the book and the main character realizing the wrongness of H4H was part of the plot. Still I struggled with the way the boss kept saying it was empowering for women to get revenge all while manipulating her employees who had been hurt and were still vulnerable. In my mind the resolution to this plot point did not get enough of a turn around and I wanted a stronger statement against the H4H business than I received by the end of the book.
I want to look closer at the things I disliked in this book because I feel like a reader may be able to enjoy this book more if they go in knowing what to expect. Firstly, the first 30% of this book is a struggle! I do recommend continuing to read if you find yourself considering a DNF because a lot of the issues I had at the beginning diminished during the rest of the book. One of two major issues for me were the characters being very one note. The girls (especially at the beginning) generalize A LOT about men. All guys are horrible, backstabbing, and unreliable in there eyes and they have no remorse for their destruction to the point that I didn't support them. Instead they felt like a group of mean girls that each had a single personality role. The mother/daughter relationship felt the same but went more in-depth towards the end. Although the characters didn't get as much depth as I would have liked I will say they became less annoying and outrageous by the end.
Secondly, the boss, work environment, and general concept was manipulative and toxic to the point where it was painful to read.(slight spoilers ahead) It took me some time to accept that this was the point of the book and the main character realizing the wrongness of H4H was part of the plot. Still I struggled with the way the boss kept saying it was empowering for women to get revenge all while manipulating her employees who had been hurt and were still vulnerable. In my mind the resolution to this plot point did not get enough of a turn around and I wanted a stronger statement against the H4H business than I received by the end of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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