You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I thought this was okay but it became better once the couple finally got together. However it took a nose dive for me with all the stupid secrecy and grown adults pulling a "bros before ho's" line. I couldn't manage any will to finish it after that.
So frustrating. So many unnecessary lies. So many bullshit character moves. Way too aggravating antagonist in their 'friend' James. 100% unacceptable. I disliked all three because they kept making silly moves and delaying obvious things. And then when hero and heroine were actually together, there wasn't even much chemistry. A lot of sex scenes in detail, but lacking on chemistry or interest or purpose to the plot.
This is the whole book, summarized:
1) Delay delay delay, see other people, avoid avoid, never being honest with themselves or others. For YEARS. For nearly HALF THE BOOK.
2) Sex sex sex sex sex sex sex. Sex sex sex! Sex sex sex sex sex sex sex.
3) I love you so much, you are part of my soul, etc. etc. But let's tell no one ever.
4) James the Jealous Friend whines and makes ultimatums because he's 'in love' with Stephanie and says he'll never speak to him again if he's slept with her too, and so the hero LIES TO HIM and says he's never slept with her. WTF. And then breaks up with her. WTFFFFFFFF. And then James doesn't even care and says he's never talking to Linden again anyway.
5) Obviously Stephanie wants nothing to do with Linden after he threw her away so stupidly, after claiming to love her HOURS BEFORE.
6) He nearly dies and they see The Truth and Just What Was At Stake so they get back together.
7) The end.
I mean, SERIOUSLY. I want to strangle everyone in this book.
This is the whole book, summarized:
1) Delay delay delay, see other people, avoid avoid, never being honest with themselves or others. For YEARS. For nearly HALF THE BOOK.
2) Sex sex sex sex sex sex sex. Sex sex sex! Sex sex sex sex sex sex sex.
3) I love you so much, you are part of my soul, etc. etc. But let's tell no one ever.
4) James the Jealous Friend whines and makes ultimatums because he's 'in love' with Stephanie and says he'll never speak to him again if he's slept with her too, and so the hero LIES TO HIM and says he's never slept with her. WTF. And then breaks up with her. WTFFFFFFFF. And then James doesn't even care and says he's never talking to Linden again anyway.
5) Obviously Stephanie wants nothing to do with Linden after he threw her away so stupidly, after claiming to love her HOURS BEFORE.
6) He nearly dies and they see The Truth and Just What Was At Stake so they get back together.
7) The end.
I mean, SERIOUSLY. I want to strangle everyone in this book.
The audio was fantastic. Linden did get on my nerves sometimes but overall I really enjoyed the story.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Hmmm... This may not have been the typical Karina Halle book, but I enjoyed it anyway. It was a bit lighter and breezier than her norm, but that was just fine with me. The characters were well developed. I didn't much care for James though. He was annoying, but I think that may have been the point?
I am a HUGE fan of friends to lovers romances, so the blurb for this one caught my eye immediately. I one-clicked as soon as it went live and started reading within an hour.
I really, really enjoyed this story and can't stop thinking about how much I want a Linden McGregor of my very own. He's cocky and arrogant, but he's also sweet and vulnerable. Sometimes the things that he said were outlandish and inappropriate but somehow it really worked for him. The idea of him had me swooning from the very first pages.
I also found myself really liking Steph. I could see myself being friends with her for sure. James, on the other hand, managed to piss me off throughout a majority of the book. In the beginning I really thought he was a decent guy but as the story progressed he came across as a jerk with a unfounded chip on his shoulder.
I can see why this story might annoy some readers because of the constant misunderstanding or flat out denials about feelings but those things just made the story more authentic to me. Every day we deal in misunderstandings, it's what we do. I'd imagine that taking a long-term friendship to a different level, especially when other people are involved, is a scary and complicated thing. Would you really expect there not to be misunderstanding and/or hesitations?
This story was well-written and gave me all the feels. I was happy, I was sad, annoyed and extremely turned-on. Everything I look for in a good read. I can definitely see this becoming a top book of 2015 (only because most people have already compiled their lists for 2014, including myself).
I keep reading (listening) to Karina Halle's books and I'm never quite sure why. They seem to draw a 200 page plot out to nearly 400 pages, which is immensely frustrating while I'm reading but... I keep going back for another? There's something about her characters, I think, that keeps me hooked. I'm never sure if I really like them, but they do feel real and their conflicts are sometimes annoying so. The messy friendships in this book, a true friends-to-lovers story, are like something from my own life. This person dated her and then they broke up and started dating this other friend and now they're with this other friend... You know the story. So the frustrations I have with her books are ultimately what pulls me back, sort of like real friendships. If you see her books on sale or if you have the Audible Romance package, check out THE PACT or SMUT.
Another really great book from Karina Halle!!! I love everything that she ever writes, I just really enjoy her "voice" This one was a bit different in style for her, but great none the less!!! Loved "Cowboy" great, hot leading guy!!
Being completely honest, I don’t remember too much about this one.
It’s a fairly generic romance plot where the heroine and hero make a pact to get married if they don’t have relationships by 30.
This felt like it was supposed to be a friends to lovers story but I never bought the fact they were friends. They seemed attracted to each other from the get go.
I also remember being really bored and not caring about any of the characters.
It’s a fairly generic romance plot where the heroine and hero make a pact to get married if they don’t have relationships by 30.
This felt like it was supposed to be a friends to lovers story but I never bought the fact they were friends. They seemed attracted to each other from the get go.
I also remember being really bored and not caring about any of the characters.
It wasn't until about the 40% mark when it started to pick up. After 50%, it took off like wildfire. I will admit I was nervous because I've heard nothing but praise about these books, just the author in general. I read (& loved) Love, in English this summer so I guess I had high expectations going in. Linden is something to swoon after. But first, let me mention the name again. Linden. :) I LOVE that name! Steph was also a great character. I love how determined she was and how strong she is as a person. Towards the 85% mark, I wanted to punch not only Linden, but Steph and their best friend, James for all being so stupid. The last 2 chapters made up for that big time- Linden is such a cutie. I love the nicknames they gave each other. Loved this book, very excited to continue with The Offer and The Play because I've been told they get better and better! I still love Linden though. :)