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tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The store moves pretty slow in the beginning because the focus is mostly on the spice (and setting the tone of Cherry and Ruben’s relationship) but then the tension speeds up the plot in the last few chapters.
Cherry and Ruben are swept up in a hasty fake engagement when their passions get the better of them. It’s an easy read and while I could have used more backstory and developing of Cherry (she’s perfect with no flaws or actual arc. Has utterly perfect dimples and charm and only a slight case of insecurity she quickly smooths over), I loved about this book what I love about all of Talia’s books.
*spoilers*
Utterly cute couple working through the strains of loving fiercely while truly trying to learn a person and fit them in your life. Ridiculously sexy and slightly lewd. A perfect folding in of characters with diverse backgrounds that doesn’t feel heavy handed but perfectly natural as if people with differences are also perfectly natural (because duh).
An easy happy ending because her characters are precious and deserve all the happiness in the world.
Ruben’s arc was the most flushed out. The man has major daddy issues and a complicated relationship to his title. He both wants nothing to do with the responsibility of the crown but also won’t renounce his claim as it’s connected deeply to his identity and his family. He carries so much pain about his birth and the role it’s played in fracturing his family’s image. But he also comes to separate his self-worth from anything that’s not actually about him and takes back control over his life.
He’s reckless and has some baggage but his brother is an absolute ass-hole and abuser. I wish something more drastic had happened to him but it was satisfying to watch him lose control after lording his power over the other characters for so long.
This is from 2018 and Talia’s writing has improved in my opinion but I still ate this up and look forward to the other two in the series.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, and Racism
hjb_128's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Racism, and Body shaming
bexi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Classism, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Chronic illness
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
HOWEVER, under no circumstances, would I ever recommend the audiobook. The narration is simply horrible. You’ve been warned.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Cursing
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book, and Hibbert is one of my favorite authors/writers. I liked the plot (as I am a sucker for a good fake dating) and the characters were fun.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Bullying, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Classism and Chronic illness
kayladaila's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Body shaming
headinthepages's review against another edition
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bash5617's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Violence, Biphobia, Colonisation, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
coligmueller's review
3.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Death of parent