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pickypricklypessimest's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Rape
amanda_reads13's review
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
2.5
After losing her uncle and her fiance breaking up with her, Rose is about to lose everything she has worked for. She was about to open a coffee shop in a building that was owned by her uncle, but her dream is over before it began. Her uncle's will states that the building will go to Rose's husband, but Rose isn't married so now the building will go to her awful cousin. Enter Jack. Jack is a lawyer at the firm who represents her uncle. He proposes that they get married that way he will get the building and she can still open her shop.
Rose is a ball of sunshine. She is independent, hardworking, and incredibly driven. She has never had anyone to rely on and has always had to work for everything she has. Jack is grumpy and closed off. Due to his guilt, he tries to avoid developing feelings for Rose, but as he spends more time with her and then when she gets sick, he realizes how strong his feelings are for her. He decides that lying to her and withholding the truth behind their marriage is the best route.
I was actually able to predict the twist pretty early on.Jack had met Rose at a party a year earlier and was completely taken with her. Unfortunately for him, she was engaged. Jack had his assistant do a deep dive on her life and found out that her fiance was a compete scammer. After her uncle's death, Jack paid her fiance to break up with her and disappear. He plays this off as him "looking out for her", but he didn't even know her. It is giving stalker vibes. He then proposes the marriage deal to "help" her secure the building for her shop. He never tells her the truth and his real motivations. He only admits what he did when Rose's ex tells her everything.
I get that Rose loves him and what he did helped her in the long run, but it's also very creepy. Basically stalking was the foundation of their relationship. Which according to her friend, was actually sweet and endearing? Then after like a week, she just forgives him! He never apologizes and there is hardly any grovelling. He barley fights for her, he just stands outside her cafe for a few nights and then shows up with divorce papers. Yes he changes thought their relationship, but that doesn't absolve his behaviour at the start of their relationship!
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience, slow burn, he falls first
Rose is a ball of sunshine. She is independent, hardworking, and incredibly driven. She has never had anyone to rely on and has always had to work for everything she has. Jack is grumpy and closed off. Due to his guilt, he tries to avoid developing feelings for Rose, but
I was actually able to predict the twist pretty early on.
I get that Rose loves him and what he did helped her in the long run, but it's also very creepy. Basically stalking was the foundation of their relationship. Which according to her friend, was actually sweet and endearing? Then after like a week, she just forgives him! He never apologizes and there is hardly any grovelling. He barley fights for her, he just stands outside her cafe for a few nights and then shows up with divorce papers. Yes he changes thought their relationship, but that doesn't absolve his behaviour at the start of their relationship!
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience, slow burn, he falls first
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Death
thefatpaperback's review
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
victorianbsilva's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Bullying, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
starry's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I wanted to like this book, but the pacing was inconsistent to the point of disengaging and the sentences were often distractingly long and unwieldy. The characters were well-written, nuanced, and ultimately likable, but some of the topics tackled (like the severe medical condition!) seemed overly ambitious. The second-act breakup was also tough for me. Usually I don’t mind them, but in this case I felt so betrayed alongside Rose that I was actually angry when they resolved it so quickly. Jack’s behavior felt unjustified and controlling, and him refusing to apologize made me angry enough that it soured the end of the book for me. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this one :/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Cancer
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