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stravabutforbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
how are you going to write a second chance romance and literally never once address why they broke up in the first place?? the only reason I didn't DNF was bc I needed to know and yet I'm still confused
the dialogue was way more concerned with quips and banter than actually communicating anything which tracks since their relationship was very surface level. also everyone keeps referring to Kian as a journalist when he'd ask questions but any time something was actually important he'd have zero follow up...again, never once did he ask "why did you dump me in the first place?"!!
also pop culture references got to be a bit much but that's a personal annoyance
the dialogue was way more concerned with quips and banter than actually communicating anything which tracks since their relationship was very surface level. also everyone keeps referring to Kian as a journalist when he'd ask questions but any time something was actually important he'd have zero follow up...again, never once did he ask "why did you dump me in the first place?"!!
also pop culture references got to be a bit much but that's a personal annoyance
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual harassment
minimaiasaura's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, and Alcoholism
pawtory's review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
I feel bad rating this so low because I almost never rate below a 3, but it felt like I was being gaslit at times due to inconsistencies that should have been caught by an editor if not the author. There were also things I'd think would be important to include in a book about getting back together with an ex - like why he broke up in the first place - that weren't?? I slogged through it just hoping for a reason to cheer for them but it just seemed really shallow without that. The pacing felt weird and events and conversations all over the place, the characters contradicting themselves from mere chapters earlier. I give it one star for representation and one for the writing "voice" being decent, including the sex scenes even if I felt uninvested in them. I wish I hadn't wasted my time tbh and recommend you don't either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism and Gaslighting
There is no way to tag this but there is akaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Alcoholism
passedduebooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 ⭐️
2 🌶️
This book has some messy family drama in it that made it seem more realistic because let’s face it families can be messy.
I loved the fake dating aspect and have not seen fake dating with recent exes that made for some more challenges with them pulling off the fake dating.
I would definitely pick up more from this author.
CW: alcoholism, driving while drunk and causing an accident recounted, homophobia, sexual harassment, and physical altercation
2 🌶️
This book has some messy family drama in it that made it seem more realistic because let’s face it families can be messy.
I loved the fake dating aspect and have not seen fake dating with recent exes that made for some more challenges with them pulling off the fake dating.
I would definitely pick up more from this author.
CW: alcoholism, driving while drunk and causing an accident recounted, homophobia, sexual harassment, and physical altercation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Car accident
aesantiago's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
readandfindout's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
Style/writing: 2.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 2.5 stars
Plot: 1.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 2.5 stars
Plot: 1.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Classism, Sexual harassment, Racism, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism and Blood
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book expertly combines the tropes of fake dating and exes to lovers - both of which are personal favourites of mine! The cast is diverse with Black and queer MCs and side characters throughout. It addresses themes of wealth disparity, race and homophobia in an accessible and interesting way.
This being said, I found Kian and Hudson's relationship to be really toxic. They are on again and off again constantly without any clear resolution for their fights or clear communication for what to work on moving forward. We never understand why they broke up prior to the book, which leaves the relationship feeling very unfulfilled for me. It feels like their fights are showcased as passionate instead of acknowledging them as volatile.
This being said, I found Kian and Hudson's relationship to be really toxic. They are on again and off again constantly without any clear resolution for their fights or clear communication for what to work on moving forward. We never understand why they broke up prior to the book, which leaves the relationship feeling very unfulfilled for me. It feels like their fights are showcased as passionate instead of acknowledging them as volatile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Classism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Slavery, and Car accident
lizziealex's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Truly I wanted to like this but there are so many things I feel like I needed more context in. Hudson’s parents don’t really seem to like Kian, the reason for fake dating seems paper thin, and the wedding was so unimportant I forgot it was happening. Hudson was a walking red flag and I knew what was going to happen with Randall as soon as he was introduced. I usually love fake dating but this fell so flat.
Also: there were SO MANY unnecessary pop culture references. True Blood, Twilight, Star Wars, Star Trek, Disney princesses, the list goes on.
Kian deserved better.
Also: there were SO MANY unnecessary pop culture references. True Blood, Twilight, Star Wars, Star Trek, Disney princesses, the list goes on.
Kian deserved better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment