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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
challenging
So. Many. RED. Flags.
They both need therapy.
IDK if this just didn't age well, or if I listen to too many true crime podcasts, but Holy Creepy Stalker Tendencies, Batman!
They both need therapy.
IDK if this just didn't age well, or if I listen to too many true crime podcasts, but Holy Creepy Stalker Tendencies, Batman!
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm sorry to say I've read this. Holy hell, it was terrible. I barely managed to finish it, and even then, only for the purpose of giving it 1 star with a clear conscience. I wish I could get my 99 cents back.
2.5 over the top stars
Look, I'm rounding out here...this wasn't the book for me. The pacing was super super fast, Jason's obsession with food wasn't particularly funny to me and it was played on way too much and though I liked Haley, I was frustrated with her a bit too.
The whole third act "I'm fighting for you" from Jason only for Haley to decide to forgive him and then he decides she shares blame too and then Haley has to be all "I'm fighting for you"...ah it was too much and not done well IMO. Also, there was literally no depth...so yeah.
Look, I'm rounding out here...this wasn't the book for me. The pacing was super super fast, Jason's obsession with food wasn't particularly funny to me and it was played on way too much and though I liked Haley, I was frustrated with her a bit too.
The whole third act "I'm fighting for you" from Jason only for Haley to decide to forgive him and then he decides she shares blame too and then Haley has to be all "I'm fighting for you"...ah it was too much and not done well IMO. Also, there was literally no depth...so yeah.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book was kind of silly fun. The Haley’s evolution from shy to sassy took 0.5 seconds, to the point where I don’t know why it was part of her character at all. Their friendship was also surprisingly fast, and all of his bad behavior was forgiven instantly and never really explained beyond “I know I’m an asshole”.
Despite that, Jason was a good flawed character. Kind of stupid and indeed a bit of an asshole, but I started rooting for him midway through the book.
I was very uncomfortable and hated with Haley’s attempt to get him back at the end.No matter that we know he loved her, he was tied up, asking her clearly to stop and yet she kept going. I know it’s a romance novel and it’s meant to have some dramatic resolution, but at that point they should’ve really just talked and then we could’ve had the hot makeup sex.
Despite that, Jason was a good flawed character. Kind of stupid and indeed a bit of an asshole, but I started rooting for him midway through the book.
I was very uncomfortable and hated with Haley’s attempt to get him back at the end.
This has been one of my favourite series since I first read it years ago. I found the copy that I had gifted to my sister, and I couldn't stop myself from re-reading.
Haley is such a sweetheart. I love how she finds courage in herself just by dealing with Jason. He's a complete trouble-maker. He doesn't know what boundaries are or how to make himself be a decent human being. He doesn't have any regards for anyone but himself. But when Haley finally gets fed up with Jason, he can't escape her fury, nor he can't stop himself from falling for her. She's everything he knows he need, and although she's completely different to all the other girls he dated before, he can't still make his mind up that he needs her. Haley too is scared of her feelings toward Jason, and when he screws up he will need to work hard to get her trust back.
Haley and Jason's relationship is full of so many antics, that I couldn't stop smiling from page 1.
Haley is such a sweetheart. I love how she finds courage in herself just by dealing with Jason. He's a complete trouble-maker. He doesn't know what boundaries are or how to make himself be a decent human being. He doesn't have any regards for anyone but himself. But when Haley finally gets fed up with Jason, he can't escape her fury, nor he can't stop himself from falling for her. She's everything he knows he need, and although she's completely different to all the other girls he dated before, he can't still make his mind up that he needs her. Haley too is scared of her feelings toward Jason, and when he screws up he will need to work hard to get her trust back.
Haley and Jason's relationship is full of so many antics, that I couldn't stop smiling from page 1.
I don't know why I recently started loving rom coms lately, (and only as long as there is at least a little steam in there of course), but they are definitely moving higher up on my list.
This was a decently cute little story of 2 neighbors who have pretty much been at odds for years. Even though they work together, (with adjoining classrooms none the less), they haven't ever been friends. Then poof, all it takes is some tulips, a minor property line dispute, and a swarm of yellowjackets to change everything. Of course they have their obstacles to get over, she's a shy virgin, he's a player, etc. But all in all it's a cute story with some back and forth banter and an adorable HEA.
This was a decently cute little story of 2 neighbors who have pretty much been at odds for years. Even though they work together, (with adjoining classrooms none the less), they haven't ever been friends. Then poof, all it takes is some tulips, a minor property line dispute, and a swarm of yellowjackets to change everything. Of course they have their obstacles to get over, she's a shy virgin, he's a player, etc. But all in all it's a cute story with some back and forth banter and an adorable HEA.
Mostly, I read romance books for the spice, but this one in particular became about the banter. I loved the verbal sparring between these two characters. Such an entertaining read!
TW: kind of murky consent in regards to the penetrative sex
I really wanted to give this 2 stars based solely on my enjoyment (or rather my lack thereof) but really it's just a bottom tier average romance book - by bottom tier I mean it leans more heavily to 2 stars over 4 stars even though it's ostensibly still 3 stars. Labeling it 2 stars would be making a kind of statement that I don't think this book deserves when the biggest sin is that it's dull.
I love friends to lovers and I needed something cute to balance out some stress in my life. I now can't believe that I wasted half the night reading this of all things.
The friendship part is the only part I'd say is well done. The reason the two did not get along until this juncture was plausible and their transition into friendship despite the previous 'bad blood' was believable. The early stages when the two are simply hanging out had good chemistry that initially boded well for when the sexual aspect would be added in.
Unfortunately, I was horribly incorrect.Once the sex happens it's all totally downhill.
They don't have penetrative sex because Haley is a virgin and waiting until the 'right moment'. Jason is unaware of her being a virgin but is willing to take it slow per her request. That's perfectly fine. I think penetrative sex is grossly overrated in fiction. The issue is quality and quantity.
They have sex on page four times. Once is the first sexual encounter. The next is when they do finally have penetrative sex. One instance of angry sex. And after that is the third act conflict makeup scene. The sex is vanilla in execution and action. I found them all very rote for sex scenes - slot A goes into slot B = orgasm. It's not fun or sultry in the moment. If you read fanfiction I'd put this at a Fanfiction.net M rating: so basically just above fade to black.
And the sex is exceedingly short to boot. You could have edited them out entirely and I honestly would have enjoyed the book a lot more for it because I wouldn't have the disappointment weighing me down. I don't need constant sex, but it was annoying to have weeks of apparently steamy encounters pass like water through a sieve. Also, if you're a fan of realistic first times look elsewhere - Jason forcefully takes her with no consequences on her end by way of pain or soreness.
The relationship trajectory is predictable which to a point is fine. I'm reading this for comfort not high literature. That's not to say it couldn't be high literature, it's just that romance novels of this caliber are serving a specific purpose that does not require the same level of quality I expect in other novels or genres.
Their fight had merit initially, but when it switched over to Haley needing to make it up to Jason it lost me. Not because I disagreed with her needing to make amends, but because I was bored going through the same exact motions Jason just went through like two pages beforehand only from her point of view.
So yeah, an overall milquetoast little adventure. All I can say is, at least it was short.
I really wanted to give this 2 stars based solely on my enjoyment (or rather my lack thereof) but really it's just a bottom tier average romance book - by bottom tier I mean it leans more heavily to 2 stars over 4 stars even though it's ostensibly still 3 stars. Labeling it 2 stars would be making a kind of statement that I don't think this book deserves when the biggest sin is that it's dull.
I love friends to lovers and I needed something cute to balance out some stress in my life. I now can't believe that I wasted half the night reading this of all things.
The friendship part is the only part I'd say is well done. The reason the two did not get along until this juncture was plausible and their transition into friendship despite the previous 'bad blood' was believable. The early stages when the two are simply hanging out had good chemistry that initially boded well for when the sexual aspect would be added in.
Unfortunately, I was horribly incorrect.Once the sex happens it's all totally downhill.
They don't have penetrative sex because Haley is a virgin and waiting until the 'right moment'. Jason is unaware of her being a virgin but is willing to take it slow per her request. That's perfectly fine. I think penetrative sex is grossly overrated in fiction. The issue is quality and quantity.
They have sex on page four times. Once is the first sexual encounter. The next is when they do finally have penetrative sex. One instance of angry sex. And after that is the third act conflict makeup scene. The sex is vanilla in execution and action. I found them all very rote for sex scenes - slot A goes into slot B = orgasm. It's not fun or sultry in the moment. If you read fanfiction I'd put this at a Fanfiction.net M rating: so basically just above fade to black.
And the sex is exceedingly short to boot. You could have edited them out entirely and I honestly would have enjoyed the book a lot more for it because I wouldn't have the disappointment weighing me down. I don't need constant sex, but it was annoying to have weeks of apparently steamy encounters pass like water through a sieve. Also, if you're a fan of realistic first times look elsewhere - Jason forcefully takes her with no consequences on her end by way of pain or soreness.
The relationship trajectory is predictable which to a point is fine. I'm reading this for comfort not high literature. That's not to say it couldn't be high literature, it's just that romance novels of this caliber are serving a specific purpose that does not require the same level of quality I expect in other novels or genres.
Their fight had merit initially, but when it switched over to Haley needing to make it up to Jason it lost me. Not because I disagreed with her needing to make amends, but because I was bored going through the same exact motions Jason just went through like two pages beforehand only from her point of view.
So yeah, an overall milquetoast little adventure. All I can say is, at least it was short.