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imme_van_gorp's review
DNF @30%
I’ll never understand why so many authors use the evil ex trope. After all, it makes me instantly feel like the main character is an absolute loser for previously being in a relationship with someone like that.
I truly believe that the person someone chooses as their partner is a reflection of someone’s own character. So, if you choose to spends years of your life with a rude arsehole, then what the hell is wrong with you?? A lot. Obviously.
And if someone chooses to still hang out with their arsehole ex and continue to defend their actions, even after being, for example, cheated on by the arsehole ex? Then that makes them an even bigger tosser. Which was clearly what Zeb was.
Now, when it comes to the actual relationship between Zeb and Jesse I have to say I simply wasn’t impressed. It was lust-at-first sight with no depth and no build-up. It was just boring and empty.
Their dynamic also felt very forced; I didn’t really like the way Zeb treated Jesse as a child and they literally didn’t even have any chemistry whatsoever.
The writing also felt over the top and emotionless. It obviously tried to be funny, but it simply wasn’t. It really didn’t hook me at all.
In summary, this was just not fun or interesting, so I’m not going to finish the book because I can already tell that that fact won’t change.
I’ll never understand why so many authors use the evil ex trope. After all, it makes me instantly feel like the main character is an absolute loser for previously being in a relationship with someone like that.
I truly believe that the person someone chooses as their partner is a reflection of someone’s own character. So, if you choose to spends years of your life with a rude arsehole, then what the hell is wrong with you?? A lot. Obviously.
And if someone chooses to still hang out with their arsehole ex and continue to defend their actions, even after being, for example, cheated on by the arsehole ex? Then that makes them an even bigger tosser. Which was clearly what Zeb was.
Now, when it comes to the actual relationship between Zeb and Jesse I have to say I simply wasn’t impressed. It was lust-at-first sight with no depth and no build-up. It was just boring and empty.
Their dynamic also felt very forced; I didn’t really like the way Zeb treated Jesse as a child and they literally didn’t even have any chemistry whatsoever.
The writing also felt over the top and emotionless. It obviously tried to be funny, but it simply wasn’t. It really didn’t hook me at all.
In summary, this was just not fun or interesting, so I’m not going to finish the book because I can already tell that that fact won’t change.
theoguinto's review against another edition
4.0
This had the chance of being really really good, but it unfortunately doesn't stick the landing.
Zeb being scared of becoming his father (to the point of swinging too far to the other end of the spectrum) was interesting to read. His incredible commitment to his word was definitely a fatal flaw that needed to be addressed. Though I will be honest, it didn't really come through during the story. It seemed to be more like a spoken threat rather than an actual concern since Zeb really didn't seem to have very many issues with it other than keeping his promise to Patrick (everything else he seemed to be a generally well adjusted person)
Jesse on the other hand was portrayed to be Zeb's opposite. Chaotic and impulsive, which definitely come through. He's funny, quick witted, and infatuated with Zeb and the author does a really good job of telling that story. I constantly shared Jesse's fears that Zeb was going to hurt him in the end.
The setup was perfect. I got invested in Zeb and Jesse's attempts to stay their attraction for each other. It was amazing when they finally gave in, and then Zeb's immediate rejection was a nice reversal (even if I wish Jesse had stayed angry for a little longer after the hate sex)
Everything up until the wedding was well done. I enjoyed reading about their novel dates and getting to know each other.
Then when Jesse saw Zeb kissing Patrick, I was gutted. That was really such a nice heartbreak moment, but everything after that didn't live up to the experience.
Jesse leaving the note for Zeb was a great followup, no notes on that. His heartbreak was palpable.
Zeb running to his office to find Jesse's parents' house was messy. The scene was paced awkwardly since Zeb went from rushing, desperately trying to find the address to getting stuck in a weird setup for a future story between Felix and Max. He even found time to make quips with the two, and that just slowed the whole thing down.
Then when he does find the address, Jesse's dad essentially just does an emotional dump on Jesse and why Zeb should treat him with respect, and I felt that was incredibly lazy. I mean, we've seen how strongly Jesse feels about Zeb, having his dad give Zeb the OK to marry a younger man because he himself was older than Jesse's mom felt like a cop-out way of making Zeb okay with the age difference.
AND the worst sin of all, Jesse immediately taking Zeb back. I get that Jesse really wanted to get back together, but how could he take Zeb at face value? He was literally scared of Zeb getting back with Patrick, and THAT HAPPENED in front of his eyes. He saw Patrick and Zeb kissing. Like he was more angry when Zeb rejected him the morning after they had sex for the first time. Why? Shouldn't he be angrier and more hurt now that his worst fear had come true?
He took him back way too easily and without any ramifications, which felt incredibly disappointing for what could've been an amazing grovel and redemption.
4 stars because the first 90% of the book was great, but I will forever lament the wasted opportunity of being a great story with this one.
Zeb being scared of becoming his father (to the point of swinging too far to the other end of the spectrum) was interesting to read. His incredible commitment to his word was definitely a fatal flaw that needed to be addressed. Though I will be honest, it didn't really come through during the story. It seemed to be more like a spoken threat rather than an actual concern since Zeb really didn't seem to have very many issues with it other than keeping his promise to Patrick (everything else he seemed to be a generally well adjusted person)
Jesse on the other hand was portrayed to be Zeb's opposite. Chaotic and impulsive, which definitely come through. He's funny, quick witted, and infatuated with Zeb and the author does a really good job of telling that story. I constantly shared Jesse's fears that Zeb was going to hurt him in the end.
The setup was perfect. I got invested in Zeb and Jesse's attempts to stay their attraction for each other. It was amazing when they finally gave in, and then Zeb's immediate rejection was a nice reversal (even if I wish Jesse had stayed angry for a little longer after the hate sex)
Everything up until the wedding was well done. I enjoyed reading about their novel dates and getting to know each other.
Then when Jesse saw Zeb kissing Patrick, I was gutted. That was really such a nice heartbreak moment, but everything after that didn't live up to the experience.
Jesse leaving the note for Zeb was a great followup, no notes on that. His heartbreak was palpable.
Zeb running to his office to find Jesse's parents' house was messy. The scene was paced awkwardly since Zeb went from rushing, desperately trying to find the address to getting stuck in a weird setup for a future story between Felix and Max. He even found time to make quips with the two, and that just slowed the whole thing down.
Then when he does find the address, Jesse's dad essentially just does an emotional dump on Jesse and why Zeb should treat him with respect, and I felt that was incredibly lazy. I mean, we've seen how strongly Jesse feels about Zeb, having his dad give Zeb the OK to marry a younger man because he himself was older than Jesse's mom felt like a cop-out way of making Zeb okay with the age difference.
AND the worst sin of all, Jesse immediately taking Zeb back. I get that Jesse really wanted to get back together, but how could he take Zeb at face value? He was literally scared of Zeb getting back with Patrick, and THAT HAPPENED in front of his eyes. He saw Patrick and Zeb kissing. Like he was more angry when Zeb rejected him the morning after they had sex for the first time. Why? Shouldn't he be angrier and more hurt now that his worst fear had come true?
He took him back way too easily and without any ramifications, which felt incredibly disappointing for what could've been an amazing grovel and redemption.
4 stars because the first 90% of the book was great, but I will forever lament the wasted opportunity of being a great story with this one.
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Jesse's character. He was funny, clever and bright without seeming childish and I loved that. Zeb was an interesting character too and their relationship as a whole was beautiful.
kira_dance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
k_a_r_e_n_b's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lukka2008's review
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
3.5
One MC gets the other MC to be his fake boyfriend to his exes wedding. Premise that has been done plenty of times. I enjoyed it.
xdeano's review
5.0
4.5/5
This was my favourite book by Lily Morton so far. Jesse is an amazing character, and so is Zeb. I also really enjoyed the side characters! Can’t wait to read Felix’s & Max‘s story! Loved the setting, had the right amount of spice (for my personal liking), and I enjoyed the development!
This was my favourite book by Lily Morton so far. Jesse is an amazing character, and so is Zeb. I also really enjoyed the side characters! Can’t wait to read Felix’s & Max‘s story! Loved the setting, had the right amount of spice (for my personal liking), and I enjoyed the development!
jjkook13's review
2.0
4 out of 10.
Forgettable fluff. I can't even remember what the book really is about now.
Forgettable fluff. I can't even remember what the book really is about now.
lollymac's review
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content