Reviews

Love Between Enemies by Molly E. Lee

ankysbookbubble's review against another edition

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4.0

After reading a serious mystery thriller, I had been in search of a sweet YA (,because it's my comfort genre, if that's even a term!) novel and though this was far from sweet -until the very ending- it did the job pretty well.

The story spans twenty-four hours, a single day, that changes the lives of Zoey and Gordon.

One misunderstood conversation leads to a day full of destruction, hurt, revenge plans and broken dreams.

But the story ends on a positive note, and that's what made me raise up the rating to four. I loved the ending!

Love Between Enemies is the perfect read if you're looking for something short sweet and hundred percent YA!

belellcollins's review against another edition

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3.0

Zoey and Gordon's rivalry for every project and award throughout their childhood comes to a head on graduation day. When Zoey wins a full ride to college Gordon realizes his dreams of college might not happen. This story is everything the reader wants from a rivalry turned romance story as college looms on the horizon.

booksandladders's review against another edition

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4.0

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Full review to come on Books and Ladders!

shellysbookcorner's review against another edition

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4.0

Gordon and Zoey have been in competition with each other since they were young kids. They both make judgment and assessments of each other without knowing the full story or background. Gordon is a hard working student with a heart of gold!! I loved him and his hard work ethic. Zoey surprised me as well as she wasn’t your typical rich kid and worked twice as hard to prove everyone wrong.

I’ve never read anything by this author and this was a cute read. At first I thought it was going to be your typical YA read but it taught a very important lesson about judging others, mending fences and acceptance. I liked how the author was able to convey this message with her story telling! I also purchased “Love In The Friend Zone” and I can’t wait for the next book about Lennon and Jade!

[b:Love in the Friend Zone|35683226|Love in the Friend Zone (Grad Night, #1)|Molly E. Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500148967s/35683226.jpg|57160975]

“Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review."

For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com

thewitchybibliophile's review against another edition

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4.0

Enemies to lovers are some of my favorite troupes and Molly E Lee nailed it I feel. It was fun and quirky but also reflective as well as to why these two did what they did to each other. I love how these two characters evolve through the story as well. With the overlapping from the previous book, you do get to see what happens with them as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this quick witted book with a lot of angst and banter!

readingwithlt's review against another edition

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4.0

Graduation Night one last chance at romance. Loved seeing characters from the first book. How does one misunderstanding turn into a romance? Well you’ll just have to read the book and find out

lenoreo's review

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4.0

http://celebrityreaders.com/2018/01/07/love-between-enemies-by-molly-e-lee/

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

3.5 stars — This one started off fantastically and ended leaving me super duper happy… It was just the middle that stretched a bit more than I’d like. Basically the book suffered from some similar pitfalls, or rather things that bothered me, as the first book in this series; I think I just had slightly less patience than I did for the first one. But quite a few of the things I loved about the first book were also present in this one. The funny thing is the concept of having the book take place in a 24 hour period was both a great strength because it made the book very unique, but also a source of trouble, as it makes the conflict in the book drag out a lot of the time. I’m not sure if I’m making sense. But it was another case of “will they, won’t they” and “I made a mistake, no I should stick to my guns.” Which is OK for a bit, but when it goes on too long I lose interest and just want to get to the next thing. This one was close, but…just a bit too much.

But getting back to the beginning…while you definitely don’t need to read the first book in the series, I did and so I was already curious about what had happened to make Gordon snap, and what Zoey’s revenge plan was. I was worried that I wouldn’t end up liking either character actually, b/c they both didn’t leave a great impression in the previous book. And quite frankly, I don’t tend to seek out enemies to lovers stories b/c hate can make me uncomfortable…but Zoey and Gordon weren’t really enemies so much as adversaries…competitors. So it definitely wasn’t a normal enemies to lovers story, and I appreciated that personally. So all that to say that right from the prologue and first chapter I was relieved to connect with both Gordon and Zoey. And I didn’t have to wait very long to have my curiosity satisfied and to understand what would make Gordon and Zoey make such poor choices. And I did understand them. Both of them, though I will admit I sympathized more with Gordon’s situation than Zoey’s, but they were both struggling with challenges.

I liked Zoey well enough, but I can’t honestly say I really fell in love with her. She was bright and fun and determined, but always it was overshadowed by her narrow minded focus on revenge. She was so tunneled in to her own problems, I feel like she forgot that if she didn’t confide in anyone, then they might not realize what her home life was like. One thing I did appreciate about her side of the story is that while her parents weren’t the best, they were also not monsters…basically they were flawed as well, and 3 dimensional. I liked how that resolved in the end, though part of me is not entirely sure if she learned a bigger lesson with all that happened… Obviously she regretted her revenge plan, but did she understand that perhaps not everyone’s motivations are the same? Hmmm….

My heart broke for Gordon, and I can honestly say that I *did* fall in love with him. He was smart, hardworking, kind, loyal to his family, and just kind of adorable in his cluelessness. I feel like he learned more lessons than Zoey did…though I suppose I wish it would have been more obvious if he learned not to judge other people based on things he sees on the outside. The only thing that disappointed me a bit with his side of the story was how often he would almost tell Zoey the full story, but then choose not to. I understood why; he didn’t want that to be the excuse for his behavior, b/c it was wrong no matter what. But it was frustrating how often he’d cut himself off right before… Perhaps if it never came up it would have bothered me less.

These books are interesting b/c in terms of steaminess, they are good examples of young adult…innocent and sweet and cute. I liked how innocent Zoey and Gordon were, and that made their kiss that much more satisfying. BUT in terms of the details in the partying, the drinking games, I could see some stricter readers classifying it more mature young adult. For me, I kind of liked that it didn’t pull any punches in that direction, it made it feel more authentic and realistic. And now I want to play True Americans, or at least figure out what it’s about. They definitely had a lot of fun moments at the party together, learning what it would be like if they supported instead of competed.

I loved seeing little glimpses of Braylen and Fynn throughout the story, and I’m just that much more excited to see what’s going on with Lennon and Jade. I wouldn’t have minded more stories from this group of seniors. But this one was a bit lighter on the secondary cast. We did get Gordon’s Dad, who was amazeballs, but most of the others played very small roles.

So all in all I still really enjoyed myself, just not *quite* as much as with Bray and Fynn. But I seriously can’t wait for the next one.

nic_w's review

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4.0

Love between enemies by Molly. E. Lee is book 2 in the Grad series.
Even though this is book 2 in the series, it can be read as a standalone and has a HEA.
The series story arc is an interesting idea, each book revolves around an epic Graduation party but follows a new and different couple closely and the events that occur during the night each time.
Book 2 follows Gordon and Zoey, the brainiacs of the class who have had a longstanding rivalry all through their academic career.
I enjoyed the dynamics of these characters but I mostly sympathised with Gordon throughout the book. There were some great moments during the story. It's plenty funny and a bit emotional but overall, very enjoyable to read. Molly nails the teenage/new adult genre. I look forward to reading more of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

theestherhadassah's review

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5.0

Sweet as milk chocolate. And I'm not just saying that because its in the book. It's totally true! I own and have read Love in the Friend Zone, and loved it. Gordon and Zoey were both best in their class, with a prank that goes too far? I knew this was a book for me. I really have a fancy for pranks. Though I am not the prank-er, nor the one being pranked. It's a super cute, fun, quick read. Definitely something I would like to pick up again for something in the summer.

dani_reviews's review

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DNF'd at 25%

I couldn't read any more. I hated what Zoey was doing, so much so that I could not get onboard the ship.

There are LEVELS to being mean, ok?

Mean: giving a passive aggressive speech about someone at graduation
Downright NASTY: plotting to ruin someone's financial and academic future

I get that Zoey wants to do things on her own, but at the end of the day, if she doesn't get an internship or scholarship, guess what? Her parents can still pay for her to go to college. But just because she has that backup, doesn't mean other people do, and yet she seemed to assume that other people can afford college easily (despite there being a massive problem in the US with tuition fees and student loans). I understand she was mortified and hurt, but playing with Gordon's future took things way too far. It was too risky and immature. (Yes, yes, yes, Gordon can get student loans and work but he still doesn't have a nice comfy cushion like Zoey.)

Before anyone comes at me about her being a teenager and not perfect and I'm expecting too much from an adolescent girl. No. Go away. If she's so smart and has worked so hard, she should know better. I can understand wanting to get revenge, but then embarrass him back, not deliberately choose to take opportunities for him that she wants but he needs. And yes, I would feel the same if this was a guy doing the same thing to a girl.

Other reviews have said that this happens over the span of 24 hours. They've also said that Gordon apologises for hurting Zoey at graduation, and yet she still continues with her revenge plot. As such, I could not stomach reading any more about her behaviour and choices, and I could not believe at all that they'd end up ~in love~ the next day.

angry no

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Entangled for this opportunity and sorry this book and I didn't get on.