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haileym_25's review against another edition
emotional
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ohheyy_itsbee's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
rereader33's review against another edition
2.0
2022 February Nothin but Love Reading Challenge
Prompt: a romance novel featuring POC
I hate to say it, but this was pretty disappointing. This book (and this series, for that matter) have been hyped on Booktube and beyond with how sweet and wonderful and perfect it is, but I just didn't feel the magic.
The biggest issue I had was with the characters, both main and side. Our budding romantic duo did not interest me and did not keep my interest. Not only did this start out as enemies-to-lovers (which I'm not fond of), but their relationship consisted of witty banter, arguing, and sudden deep discussions about their baggage. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but I started reading this after reading the final volumes of 3 of my fave romance manga, and this relationship didn't hold a matchstick to any of them.
On top of the main couple being disinteresting, the side characters felt like quirky, over the top personifications of their stand-out traits. I have no idea why this is a thing in romance novels, specifically contemporaries, where each side character has to be quirky and charming, but still flawed, and that's suppose to make them...endearing? Funny? Cute? I have no fucking clue, but it was frankly fucking annoying and I couldn't take any of them seriously. Side note, Chloe and her sisters legitimately reminded me of anime tropes. If this was a harem and Red was the protagonist, Chloe would be the uptight ice queen who puts on a professional persona, Dani would be the rebellious free spirit, and Eve would be the hyper active, quirky kouhai who would sparkle every time she'd appear.
On a slightly different note, could all of these grown-ass adults MIND THEIR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS?! No joke, if my family/friends were as nosy as Chloe's and Red's, I would excommunicate them from my life. Chloe and Red are adults, for fuck's sake leave them the fuck alone and stop interfering in their lives.
So, yeah. Didn't really vibe with this novel. I don't think it was inherently bad or even poorly written, it just didn't do anything for me. I'm sure way more people will love it, and that's fine. Just wasn't for me.
Prompt: a romance novel featuring POC
I hate to say it, but this was pretty disappointing. This book (and this series, for that matter) have been hyped on Booktube and beyond with how sweet and wonderful and perfect it is, but I just didn't feel the magic.
The biggest issue I had was with the characters, both main and side. Our budding romantic duo did not interest me and did not keep my interest. Not only did this start out as enemies-to-lovers (which I'm not fond of), but their relationship consisted of witty banter, arguing, and sudden deep discussions about their baggage. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but I started reading this after reading the final volumes of 3 of my fave romance manga, and this relationship didn't hold a matchstick to any of them.
On top of the main couple being disinteresting, the side characters felt like quirky, over the top personifications of their stand-out traits. I have no idea why this is a thing in romance novels, specifically contemporaries, where each side character has to be quirky and charming, but still flawed, and that's suppose to make them...endearing? Funny? Cute? I have no fucking clue, but it was frankly fucking annoying and I couldn't take any of them seriously. Side note, Chloe and her sisters legitimately reminded me of anime tropes. If this was a harem and Red was the protagonist, Chloe would be the uptight ice queen who puts on a professional persona, Dani would be the rebellious free spirit, and Eve would be the hyper active, quirky kouhai who would sparkle every time she'd appear.
On a slightly different note, could all of these grown-ass adults MIND THEIR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS?! No joke, if my family/friends were as nosy as Chloe's and Red's, I would excommunicate them from my life. Chloe and Red are adults, for fuck's sake leave them the fuck alone and stop interfering in their lives.
So, yeah. Didn't really vibe with this novel. I don't think it was inherently bad or even poorly written, it just didn't do anything for me. I'm sure way more people will love it, and that's fine. Just wasn't for me.
qraiqe's review against another edition
3.0
While the romantic scenes were really cute, and the diversity of the main character is appreciated and handled well, I kinda wish this book was less 50 shades of grey.
At this point I can’t tell if this smut was cringy or if I just find all smut cringy, because I have yet to find one that didn’t make me recoil.
Ps: Don’t listen to the audiobook unless you want Lady Danbury to read smut to you.
At this point I can’t tell if this smut was cringy or if I just find all smut cringy, because I have yet to find one that didn’t make me recoil.
Ps: Don’t listen to the audiobook unless you want Lady Danbury to read smut to you.
debbie234'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
faithratesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
readingafrica's review against another edition
4.0
This book (the characters and narration) is very horny! Or at least very horny according to my prudish standards. It's a little awkward hearing sex scenes being narrated to you in an audiobook. I enjoyed the story: the characters are real and cute, and it didn't rely on all the cheesy romance tropes. I didn't realise that the author and characters are British until I heard the audiobook narration.