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stefhyena's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The plot was like a Shakespeare comedy (probably intentionally). I feel like reviewers who see this book as "digging into the intersection of race and queerness" are overselling it. The protagonists are Asian Americans and African Americans which is cool but culture is more of an add on than really dug into (which is fine for a fluffy romance but let's not get overexcited). I'm all for having representation in shallow as well as deep books though (ditto queer characters).
I read elsewhere that Arden was supposed to be bisexual. I mean fair if that's just a reminder not to assume things but I don't recall it coming up in the book (Arden was in the background). I found Arden mildly irritating and Willow extremely irritating. I could understand Nozomi (cool name btw) being stupid enough to fall for Willow (as being stupid about romance at age 17 is pretty age appropriate) but I didn't want to be in the room with them. Also I feel indignant that after how callous and selfish and yes exploitative Willow was for the entire book at the end Nozomi is the only one everyone is angry with. Say what?
The romance is wholesome and PG. Sex is mentioned but this is not a book that tries to be "cool" by gratuitously featuring a lot of sex and alcohol. I appreciate that as I don't think it's needed.
Dela was my favourite character after I worked out why she was such a biatch. Some of the family stuff seemed really, really privileged but I guess there are people in the world who have gay uncles who live in mansions and own art galleries and can afford to be angry at their mum for messaging them and giving them gifts. Lance was my favourie minor character because he is just sweet and doesn't add to the drama (he has reason to).
I varied between enjoyment and irritation as I read it. I am 49 years old so likely if I was the age of the target audience I would have weighed more toward enjoyment.
I read elsewhere that Arden was supposed to be bisexual. I mean fair if that's just a reminder not to assume things but I don't recall it coming up in the book (Arden was in the background). I found Arden mildly irritating and Willow extremely irritating. I could understand Nozomi (cool name btw) being stupid enough to fall for Willow (as being stupid about romance at age 17 is pretty age appropriate) but I didn't want to be in the room with them. Also I feel indignant that after how callous and selfish and yes exploitative Willow was for the entire book at the end Nozomi is the only one everyone is angry with. Say what?
The romance is wholesome and PG. Sex is mentioned but this is not a book that tries to be "cool" by gratuitously featuring a lot of sex and alcohol. I appreciate that as I don't think it's needed.
Dela was my favourite character after I worked out why she was such a biatch. Some of the family stuff seemed really, really privileged but I guess there are people in the world who have gay uncles who live in mansions and own art galleries and can afford to be angry at their mum for messaging them and giving them gifts. Lance was my favourie minor character because he is just sweet and doesn't add to the drama (he has reason to).
I varied between enjoyment and irritation as I read it. I am 49 years old so likely if I was the age of the target audience I would have weighed more toward enjoyment.
feliciasrose's review against another edition
Ugh no. She goes and destroys someone's while art piece and acts like she was being nice about trying to help her...bitch please go fuck yourself. I can't deal with her lack of empathy, my god - fuck her.
rosiebo_15's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
r34d3r's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kbissmeyer's review
Had a hard time getting into it. A bit too kitschy for me I think?
whatashisreading's review
3.0
SO I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this, but it turned out to be a pretty cute story. I think it was a realistic take on fake dating and I really enjoyed how it all played out. I wish there were more parts between Zo and Dela tho.
keitacolada's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.25