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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I received the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Two women with two completely different ways of life. Elle is an over-the-top, astrology loving, free-spirit who just wants to fall in love. Darcy is a by-the-book actuary who just wants to be left alone. When they are set up on a date, chaos is sure to follow.
I am not one to read romances often, I tend to prefer romance as a subplot with other things taking center stage. But with this being marketed as an own voices, queer, fake-dating romance with hints of Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice… how could I resist? This ended up being a bit more on the “spicy” side than the cute side, which is not what I really prefer in books, but I know so many people do so this book’s for you! But there was still plenty of cuteness!
I really enjoyed watching Darcy and Elle’s relationship evolve and how their relationships with their families also changed over the course of the book. One of my favorite things about this book is that it was an actual contemporary romance that just so happens to be about the relationship of two women. There were plenty of conflicts, but none of them were about coming out or dealing with homophobia (Books dealing with those topics are great, but there also needs to be books about queer individuals living life, so kudos to this author!).
For the negatives, I will say it did fall a bit flat for me, but I recognize this really isn’t my genre so that’s expected. I just wasn’t AS hooked on the relationship as I would want to be. The story also tended to drag at certain parts and there were a few times it felt repetitive. But still, overall, a decent read.
The audiobook itself was fine, no issues there. The narrator was great. I was really glad I requested the audiobook instead of reading a physical copy, I think I would’ve enjoyed it less that way with the parts that kind of dragged for me.
It wasn’t my personal brand of book, but I enjoyed many aspects of it nonetheless. I would highly recommend this book for those who love opposites attract, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, or just a good contemporary, queer romance! 4 / 5 stars!
read this after abandoning it earlier this year and it’s hot but the writing didn’t live up :/
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As far as romance books go, this is one of the better ones which I have read. It was a quick read and fairly enjoyable. However, I have zero care for the astrology plot line and the voodoo doll bit was just odd. For a book that was about two characters falling in love it was frustrating at how abrupt it ended. Why create a conflict within the last 20% of the book and give us no time with the characters post make-up.
(my rating is probably a bit harsh for regular readers of romance)
(my rating is probably a bit harsh for regular readers of romance)
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This is one is my comfort books. One I'll always come back to. I'm a sucker for a fun Jane Austen adaptation.
funny
hopeful
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
This was a fun and festive wintery read. I found the characters took a bit of time for me to warm up to, particularly Elle. Once I had warmed to the characters I found this book a lot of fun to read. There were a point two-thirds into the book that I found it hard to pick back up. I am not sure why this happened, something just wasn't clicking. Once I picked it back up I really enjoyed it again. I loved the side characters, Margot and Brendon! I am excited that both of these characters have their own books and I can't wait to read those books.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was cute and the characters felt realistically fleshed out. Just not what I'm looking for in a fake relationship romcom. Didn't feel any tension between the characters or driving the story forwards. The third act breakup was SOOOOOOO long, I had to literally force myself through the chapters and chapters of boring sadness where nothing happened and which didn't feel necessary.
When I hear fake relationship I want UST, awkwardness, forced proximity, PINING, and this did not give me any of that. Very sweet. But I'm a bit bored of sapphic romances just being sweet.
When I hear fake relationship I want UST, awkwardness, forced proximity, PINING, and this did not give me any of that. Very sweet. But I'm a bit bored of sapphic romances just being sweet.