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gabs_parr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I would have liked this book a lot more if we hadn’t been constantly reminded every few minutes that Olive is smol girl and Adam is large man 🙄🥴 It felt like very lazy writing in an otherwise solid and fun romcom, but it was so off-putting that it really did impact my enjoyment of the book. The first time I heard it, it made me roll my eyes but it was fine. There was no need to repeat it even once after that let alone repeat it literally at least 9 times. Like please ☠️ Find another way to say he’s attractive to her or to describe their appearances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Meh. There wasn't anything I really disliked about this book, but I just didn't feel anything for the main couple. The banter felt forced. I did like that the female main character was demisexual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Animal cruelty, and Cancer
zoenelson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
corrieroe's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Cancer, Death of parent, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol and Eating disorder
notamouse's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
1.5
🌶️
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Cancer, Sexism, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
imds's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Cancer, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Grief
mgyrvirag's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
xvicesx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my second Ali Hazelwood book and I'm just as pleased with this read as I was with the first one. It was a beautifully put together story, and though I'm really not keen on the misunderstanding trope, this was nicely done altogether.
I loved to see Olive fall in love with Adam, and how entirely patient Adam was for her, and how entirely sweet her friendship with Malcolm and Ahn was, and well, everything.
It was a great story, in a great setting, and as far as romances go, supremely sweet. Highly recommended.
I loved to see Olive fall in love with Adam, and how entirely patient Adam was for her, and how entirely sweet her friendship with Malcolm and Ahn was, and well, everything.
It was a great story, in a great setting, and as far as romances go, supremely sweet. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
chelseasofia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Ok, on the one hand this book was fun, had great STEM and science rep (which I know zero about but was delighted by the specificity of it all - it’s refreshing to see characters so knowledgeable in their field of work), and I really liked the characters and their growing relationship. They really *cared* for each other and were thoughtful about each other’s feelings and boundaries. It was fairly well written (not a ton of weird overly explanatory anxiety ridden character thoughts, only a few sprinkled hither and thither) and it did not feel like a chore to read (high bar I know).
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Cancer