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riversofrain's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
jdew4516's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
rellimreads's review against another edition
3.0
The first 30% was absolutely a Fifty Shades of Grey MM rewrite and it took me a while to get past that. After, it was an enjoyable, though protracted, listen. Though - it felt like…what’s the MM version of chick lit? Like the best parts were Arden being Arden. His thoughts, actions, etc. He was hilarious, relatable. I felt him so much.
Yet, despite the sex and Arden’s feelings about Caspian and the HFN ending … this just didn’t feel like romance. With everything from Arden’s POV and Caspian barely appearing, it was more like “The Arden Show” with Caspian a semi-recurring but background character. I actually wanted more Ellery & Arden than Caspian & Arden because I enjoyed his time with Ellery more.
I love Alexis Hall’s writing and style, but the overall plot/arc didn’t blow me away.
Joel Leslie’s narration was good. I enjoyed listening, but I didn’t feel like his accents were consistent. Sometimes everything felt very “British” and other times it was very much an American accent with Hall’s British-isms kind of jarring.
Yet, despite the sex and Arden’s feelings about Caspian and the HFN ending … this just didn’t feel like romance. With everything from Arden’s POV and Caspian barely appearing, it was more like “The Arden Show” with Caspian a semi-recurring but background character. I actually wanted more Ellery & Arden than Caspian & Arden because I enjoyed his time with Ellery more.
I love Alexis Hall’s writing and style, but the overall plot/arc didn’t blow me away.
Joel Leslie’s narration was good. I enjoyed listening, but I didn’t feel like his accents were consistent. Sometimes everything felt very “British” and other times it was very much an American accent with Hall’s British-isms kind of jarring.
casspom's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
I liked that it was funny with the comical writing style of Alexis.
However, Arden and Caspian barely interacted, the reader was kept out of their interactions in the bedrooms. It made it hard to understand their dynamic and why they even cared about each other…
I prefered Arden with his bestie to be honest. They had more chemistry.
I also didn’t like how it followed 50 shades of grey’s plot very closely, I was sent back to my teenage self reading it…
Caspian is a red flag and treats Arden like a boytoy. He is so disconnected from reality and human emotions, that’s it’s a pain to watch Arden trying to connect with him. My fav chapter was when Arden ran away to do drugs with Caspian’s sister lol
It lacked substance. It felt dry and problematic.
I wish I didn’t read this, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
millibee's review against another edition
4.0
I’ll be honest, I definitely judged this book by the cover and title. I was so pleasantly surprised and blown away. This was beautifully written with a main character that stole my heart. It has easily become a favourite.
tbwilliam's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 51% just couldn’t get into it, the main character was really annoying and i’ve read better smut lol might finish at a later date but for now i’m putting this down.
aliaalia's review against another edition
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
5.0
Unexpectedly delightful - this is not a spicy story, it’s more of a love story.
raindrops333's review against another edition
Whiney protagonist. Do not continue series.