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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This books was 50 pages longer than it needed to be. I don’t know how I managed to get through it without declaring myself celibate. It seems as thought Callihan’s solution for everything is sex. Disappointed.
Wowowow where do I even begin?! I think this is going to be my jumbled thoughts more than a coherent review.
I loved that the set up for the book was contained to the prologue. I get frustrated when a book description is like, “she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her” and then we have to suffer through 20% of the book with her being with that guy (I’m looking at you, Intercepted). This books prologue was beautifully written, short and sweet, and gave so much context to both Lucian and Emma - their past, their present, and their current state of mind.
The food descriptions. I mean… c’mon. I’ve never been one to savor food like an experience or like wine but damn, apparently I’m missing out because the food and eating descriptions were sexy. I wish I could bake. But, like Emma, I don’t have the patience.
The chemistry and banter between them felt effortless. The side characters were fun and brought a lot of life to the page - even that dick Anton.
The reflection it does on fame and sports was so good. I felt like it did it without putting a literal lens up and being like “SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??” - the author just showed the effects through her characters actions. When Emma worries about Lucian approaching her as a potentially dangerous fan; when she says that people usually see her only as Princess Anya, not Emma, and have expectations from her because of that; when she worries about the future of her career after being cut from a show - these aren’t things I can identify with, but I felt so much for her. Same with Lucian. The fact that hockey was “his thing”, and he feels incomplete without it - even knowing it may kill him or a part of him. I don’t relate to that, but I felt so deeply for him and that choice, and him feeling like he was no longer the same person.
Did I get frustrated at the third act conflict? Yes, because
I loved that the set up for the book was contained to the prologue. I get frustrated when a book description is like, “she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her” and then we have to suffer through 20% of the book with her being with that guy (I’m looking at you, Intercepted). This books prologue was beautifully written, short and sweet, and gave so much context to both Lucian and Emma - their past, their present, and their current state of mind.
The food descriptions. I mean… c’mon. I’ve never been one to savor food like an experience or like wine but damn, apparently I’m missing out because the food and eating descriptions were sexy. I wish I could bake. But, like Emma, I don’t have the patience.
The chemistry and banter between them felt effortless. The side characters were fun and brought a lot of life to the page - even that dick Anton.
The reflection it does on fame and sports was so good. I felt like it did it without putting a literal lens up and being like “SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??” - the author just showed the effects through her characters actions. When Emma worries about Lucian approaching her as a potentially dangerous fan; when she says that people usually see her only as Princess Anya, not Emma, and have expectations from her because of that; when she worries about the future of her career after being cut from a show - these aren’t things I can identify with, but I felt so much for her. Same with Lucian. The fact that hockey was “his thing”, and he feels incomplete without it - even knowing it may kill him or a part of him. I don’t relate to that, but I felt so deeply for him and that choice, and him feeling like he was no longer the same person.
Did I get frustrated at the third act conflict? Yes, because
Spoiler
I hate when couples only get back together at the 95% mark. And that’s what happened in the last chapter! But I’ll let it slide because it made sense for the story, AND because they were only apart a few weeks, didn’t break up, and he had to leave to know he wanted to go home for himself, not just Emma.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
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
This novel was lovely. The whole thing was literally so sweet. I could have read much more of Em and Lucian's story!
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:
Yes
Man, this book. The way that Lucian and Emma's relationship developed throughout just made it seem so much longer than it actually was in the best way possible. I loved seeing them heal together and slowly fall for each other. I also adored that Lucian was a baker and all of the sweet treats he made. I loved the beginning and the middle but near the end I just started getting so frustrated with Lucian and his bullheadedness. If it weren't for the last bit + Lucian needing to grovel way more I would've given this a higher score tbh.
Abbandonato boh forse al 20%? ORRORE, DISGUSTO, SONO NERAH COME LA SCHIENA DELL’AMICA DI IRAMA
Pienah. Rasah.
Iniziamo male con questa sorta di insta-love (pure quello fatto male), in cui lei è una guardona (molto creepy, io chiamerei il 112) che perde ogni capacità mentale per due pettorali e due occhi verde agrifoglio/ghiaccio (
Pienah. Rasah.
Iniziamo male con questa sorta di insta-love (pure quello fatto male), in cui lei è una guardona (molto creepy, io chiamerei il 112) che perde ogni capacità mentale per due pettorali e due occhi verde agrifoglio/ghiaccio (
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I personally didn’t vibed with and liked the characters. Especially the heroine which was awful as I was really hoping to like it. I also find their romance very much not at all convincing enough; just had the foundation of good ‘ol insta-Lust.
When with the tropes, and plot this really could have been amazing! Wasted potential.
Ending: HFN
When with the tropes, and plot this really could have been amazing! Wasted potential.
Ending: HFN
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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