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melledotca's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I'm very much of two minds on this one, as there are several things I think the author did really well, and several that are just not my cup of tea in stories. I think Barry walked the fine line of Bree's pining that was certainly part of and informed by childhood trauma bonding and long-time friendship, but made it believable that she really did love Sam and their dynamic wasn't just habit and clinging to the past.
Bree was a good balance of grown up and a competent professional, and a solid, caring friend, but still a bit of a mess on some fronts, with trouble believing in her own competence and in that she makes a difference in the world. Even if it's something you don't personally relate to, it feels like a common issue and you probably know someone who struggles that way.
Sam I found fairly exhausting, but then, comedians are pretty often very messy people. The book does get across that for a variety of reasons, as talented and hard-working as Sam is, it's amazing his world hasn't completely crashed and burned already. It definitely sets you up to expect that; it's just a matter of when and how. Plus, as much as he loves and relies on her, Sam pretty clearly doesn't deserve Bree as a partner as he is.
A lot of angst is not really my thing in romance, and there was too much of it for me in this story, but it was well handled in showing how often people can and will just keeping walking on a broken leg, so to speak, until something happens to knock them over hard. I don't know that Sam's big gesture was quite right or enough, but that's just opinion and I'm sure others would think it's perfect.
I had trouble staying in the story when the comedy or sketches were included, because I don't think that's something that translates well to a book. I understand it kind of had to be there, but it's so contextual and such an individual experience. What's supposed to be funny never is to me; song lyrics don't sound catchy, etc. (And really, authors don't tend to be songwriters or standup comedians.) It's not unique to this book. It's something I tend to scan through quickly.
Bree was a good balance of grown up and a competent professional, and a solid, caring friend, but still a bit of a mess on some fronts, with trouble believing in her own competence and in that she makes a difference in the world. Even if it's something you don't personally relate to, it feels like a common issue and you probably know someone who struggles that way.
Sam I found fairly exhausting, but then, comedians are pretty often very messy people. The book does get across that for a variety of reasons, as talented and hard-working as Sam is, it's amazing his world hasn't completely crashed and burned already. It definitely sets you up to expect that; it's just a matter of when and how. Plus, as much as he loves and relies on her, Sam pretty clearly doesn't deserve Bree as a partner as he is.
A lot of angst is not really my thing in romance, and there was too much of it for me in this story, but it was well handled in showing how often people can and will just keeping walking on a broken leg, so to speak, until something happens to knock them over hard. I don't know that Sam's big gesture was quite right or enough, but that's just opinion and I'm sure others would think it's perfect.
I had trouble staying in the story when the comedy or sketches were included, because I don't think that's something that translates well to a book. I understand it kind of had to be there, but it's so contextual and such an individual experience. What's supposed to be funny never is to me; song lyrics don't sound catchy, etc. (And really, authors don't tend to be songwriters or standup comedians.) It's not unique to this book. It's something I tend to scan through quickly.
bandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
gosh what a fun, sexy, and angsty romance for these two forever friends. HE is such an absolute disaster and mess, and i really loved seeing how Barry worked how these two forever friends finally got their HEA. An epic Howl's Moving Castle inspired tale (he is SUCH a Howl).
I will definitely need to reread this at some point because I want to hear the jokes on audio!
thank you to the publisher for the ARC
I will definitely need to reread this at some point because I want to hear the jokes on audio!
thank you to the publisher for the ARC
hadleygenelle's review against another edition
3.0
Admittedly I’m not that big of a fan of cheesy romance books. They always have to work really hard to grasp hold of my attention, and most do not work hard. I thought the plot was really repetitive and boring—but if you like friends to lovers this may be for you. Tune in for simply the yearning desire for each other between two friends and the romance.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up for quality of writing
I enjoy a good friends to lovers story, but those where one half of the equation has been secretly pining for years don’t always land well with me. I loved the journey both of these characters were on as individuals, but I did have a harder time getting invested in them as a couple because I just couldn’t invest in the hero. While their arc is believable in the end, it’s not my favorite type of story. (Although I love that Emma Barry has the range she does, and I will read anything she writes.)
I enjoy a good friends to lovers story, but those where one half of the equation has been secretly pining for years don’t always land well with me. I loved the journey both of these characters were on as individuals, but I did have a harder time getting invested in them as a couple because I just couldn’t invest in the hero. While their arc is believable in the end, it’s not my favorite type of story. (Although I love that Emma Barry has the range she does, and I will read anything she writes.)
lechepatito's review against another edition
4.0
The author calls this a “caustic romance” in the end note, and that feels right to me. There is pining, there is deep knowing between the characters, and there is true love, but this is not a sweet love story the way many romances are (and don’t expect Chick Magnet II here!). Sam and Bree are both damaged from their childhoods, and the wounds are right at the surface for him in particular. It took me a bit to get into the feel of this edgier atmosphere, but there was a good payoff for getting there.
hann_smc's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sikonat's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Troubled man. Supportive female best friend. Ignored feelings. It's a tale as old as time and yet Emma Barry infuses this story with a fresh perspective with compelling characters.
Sam, is a paid funny guy suffering the humiliation of his foibles aired in public via his pop-singer ex-girfriend's song. His brand of comedy is caustic, borne out of his childhood, but now he's seeing tables turned on him.
With his career in near-tatters, he yet again comes to rely on his long-suffering best friend Bree, who is hiding not only her feelings for him, but her plans for the future which involve physically distancing herself from him. Both of them are bonded from their shitty childhoods, with Sam suffering from the after effects, while Bree has managed to carve out a successful career as an urban planner.
This book was such a surprise as the cover made me think it was going to be an easy-breezy and slightly cliche friends-to-lovers book. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I love an easy read, but I also love the challenge this book brought. Barry infuses the inner turmoil and self-sabotage of Sam well He knows he has massive issues and needs to sort himself out, while also trying not to deal with his long hidden feelings for Bree. You could see that his ways of coping weren't serving him well and struggling to be a better man. I loved him slowly taking a younger comedian under his wing as through that, he could see he truly was worth something.
I also love that when we open the book Bree has already made a decision to finally deal once and for all her feelings for Sam, but moving forward with her life - literally and figuratively. Too often I read books where the heroine is stuck in the same loop over and over. While that is relatable and realistic, it was refreshing to see Bree make the difficult but necessary step to set herself free from a man she can't have.
This book is sharp, witty, but also poignant. I really felt the character's vulnerabilities and how that made them not communicate directly with each other. Now I want to go through Emma Barry's back catalogue. If you love a good friends-to-lovers trope, this one should be added to the top of our TBR pile.
Troubled man. Supportive female best friend. Ignored feelings. It's a tale as old as time and yet Emma Barry infuses this story with a fresh perspective with compelling characters.
Sam, is a paid funny guy suffering the humiliation of his foibles aired in public via his pop-singer ex-girfriend's song. His brand of comedy is caustic, borne out of his childhood, but now he's seeing tables turned on him.
With his career in near-tatters, he yet again comes to rely on his long-suffering best friend Bree, who is hiding not only her feelings for him, but her plans for the future which involve physically distancing herself from him. Both of them are bonded from their shitty childhoods, with Sam suffering from the after effects, while Bree has managed to carve out a successful career as an urban planner.
This book was such a surprise as the cover made me think it was going to be an easy-breezy and slightly cliche friends-to-lovers book. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I love an easy read, but I also love the challenge this book brought. Barry infuses the inner turmoil and self-sabotage of Sam well He knows he has massive issues and needs to sort himself out, while also trying not to deal with his long hidden feelings for Bree. You could see that his ways of coping weren't serving him well and struggling to be a better man. I loved him slowly taking a younger comedian under his wing as through that, he could see he truly was worth something.
I also love that when we open the book Bree has already made a decision to finally deal once and for all her feelings for Sam, but moving forward with her life - literally and figuratively. Too often I read books where the heroine is stuck in the same loop over and over. While that is relatable and realistic, it was refreshing to see Bree make the difficult but necessary step to set herself free from a man she can't have.
This book is sharp, witty, but also poignant. I really felt the character's vulnerabilities and how that made them not communicate directly with each other. Now I want to go through Emma Barry's back catalogue. If you love a good friends-to-lovers trope, this one should be added to the top of our TBR pile.