Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Scandalized by Ivy Owens

14 reviews

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.0

Gigi has had a rough year. She is on the verge of a mental breakdown when she gets stuck in Seattle and runs into Alec, her childhood best friend's brother. 

I was immediately sucked into Gigi and Alec's relationship. Their chemistry was fire. They have such an intense connection, which is actually believable because of their history with each other.

Gigi is a young, successful journalist on the verge of writing her first big article. She is incredibly driven and determined. Her job is incredibly important to her, but once she starts seeing Alec, she starts to make a few questionable decisions. I love her relationship with her best friend, they are so supportive of each other. 

Alec is an actor who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. He doesn't really have time for a relationship, but his connection with Gigi is unlike anything he has ever experienced. 

I liked reading how they try to juggle their relationship with the craziness of both of their jobs, especially Alec's. It is incredibly difficult for them to find a balance, but they find a way to be together. 

The major conflict was rough. Obviously Alec didn't handle it well, but that is also completely understandable given what was happening in the media. He was obviously panicking. Gigi's reaction may come across as childish, but I think it is understandable given her past relationship and her issues with trust. 

I felt like the ending was rushed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of their relationship after the 2 weeks instead of it quickly described in a short epilogue. 

Tropes: childhood best friend's brother, actor, age gap

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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Incredibly written, super juicy and entertaining, SUPER spicy. Take this book for what it is: fun, sexy, sweet. But it still has depth to it! A fangirl’s dream of a 2-week fling with a celebrity who used to be a childhood acquaintance, some great and gritty investigative journalism, lovable characters, a dreamy LA scene. A guaranteed HEA with a real story that led up to it, not just fluff. But oh my god THAT SEXY FLUFF!!!

Literally my only complaint is the couple on the cover makes this look like a YA romance—the characters are in their late 20s and early 30s. SO.

Otherwise… this book was WOWEE. You’ll be sweatinggggg oof.

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beccaand's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-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? No

4.0


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hanreads__'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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sammymilfort's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

4.5

Ivy Owens, welcome back! I say that because this book was so reminiscent of Christina Lauren's earlier work that I'm convinced Ivy was Lauren's alter ego all along. This book was sexy, steamy, tense - all my favorite things in a romance novel! The chemistry was off the charts and the conflicts all felt realistic and not blown out of proportion. Highly recommend this one! 

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hazelgirl21's review

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emotional lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.5


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natalieyera's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

5.0

This was so fun to read, made me misty eyed. 

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kfmcf's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Just so good.

The characters are good AND the plot through-line is good and it's just such a good read.

Also just TOP tier spice. The phone scene and the after party scene are just so well written.

I will say that the characters' flaws and growth aren't a real focus. Gigi's might be, but it's their relationship that grows and changes more so.

I do wish this book print was a bit prettier but the US version is at least more attractive than the UK one. 

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sdupont's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

5.0

Y’all this book so hot!! I really really enjoyed this one. Great mix of spice, sweet romance, and plot. I loved the relationship between Alec and Georgia. Probably the best famous person regular person romance I’ve ever read. This book also handles the plot surrounding a sexual assault investigation with care. I highly recommend that everyone pick this up!

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