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taelorslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
gracelikespasta's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
4.0
agiali's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely conflicted with this one and I would give it a 3.5/5 stars if I did half-star ratings (L Goodreads).
Firstly, I fell asleep watching the When Harry Met Sally movie and ultimately didn't really care for it, but last fall a lot of people were hyping this up and it sounded SO GOOD, so I purchased it last October and finally got around to it. My hype for it hasn't died down so I was very happy that I was finally getting around to this book this month. Unfortunately, most of this book was very lukewarm for me and I can't give it anything higher than a three.
Ari and Josh meet once they realize they're both hooking up with the same woman. Over the course of a few years, Ari and Josh have these chance encounters that eventually lead to a friendship. Ari, a comedian doesn't do friendships without the *benefits* and Josh is a chef struggling to find his footing. What turns into each of them realizing how well they fit turns into a push and pull that leaves them both with holes in their heart. Messy, relatable, and sexy this is one of the freshest traditionally published romance books I've read in a bit.
On one hand, this was a very dry book, on the other hand, that's exactly what Kate Goldbeck was trying to achieve. This is not your typical adult contemporary romance. These characters are heavily flawed and Ari made me want to rip out my hair on multiple occasions because we are so far apart in terms of personality. However, even though she grinded my gears I grew to both love and understand her. Josh was a highlight for me. By the 60% mark, he was a witty, funny, and sexy character. I genuinely could see his character being the perfect 2000s romcom male lead! I mean obviously, this is a retelling of the infamous movie after all. I wanted more of him and I LOVED his banter. While he was an asshat for a lot of the book, I also grew to love him.
I contemplated DNF-ing (did not finish-ing?) the book around the 30% mark but pushed through since this was such an anticipated release. I am very happy I did because I came out of this with more positives than negatives, but the first half does take a lot out of you. It's quite dull, mid if you will, and I was stuck wondering why I was supposed to be rooting for two miserable and sticky people. But, like I said, by the 50-60% mark I suddenly got so invested I didn't want to do anything else but finish the book.
If you've already DNF-ed this title though, I don't think you should give it a second shot. As stated above, the dry tone carries throughout along with the pretentious chef and self-destructive comedian.
I do look forward to more of Kate Goldbeck's books! This felt oddly unique and even though I had my rough patches with this book, I have no bad blood towards it!
Firstly, I fell asleep watching the When Harry Met Sally movie and ultimately didn't really care for it, but last fall a lot of people were hyping this up and it sounded SO GOOD, so I purchased it last October and finally got around to it. My hype for it hasn't died down so I was very happy that I was finally getting around to this book this month. Unfortunately, most of this book was very lukewarm for me and I can't give it anything higher than a three.
Ari and Josh meet once they realize they're both hooking up with the same woman. Over the course of a few years, Ari and Josh have these chance encounters that eventually lead to a friendship. Ari, a comedian doesn't do friendships without the *benefits* and Josh is a chef struggling to find his footing. What turns into each of them realizing how well they fit turns into a push and pull that leaves them both with holes in their heart. Messy, relatable, and sexy this is one of the freshest traditionally published romance books I've read in a bit.
On one hand, this was a very dry book, on the other hand, that's exactly what Kate Goldbeck was trying to achieve. This is not your typical adult contemporary romance. These characters are heavily flawed and Ari made me want to rip out my hair on multiple occasions because we are so far apart in terms of personality. However, even though she grinded my gears I grew to both love and understand her. Josh was a highlight for me. By the 60% mark, he was a witty, funny, and sexy character. I genuinely could see his character being the perfect 2000s romcom male lead! I mean obviously, this is a retelling of the infamous movie after all. I wanted more of him and I LOVED his banter. While he was an asshat for a lot of the book, I also grew to love him.
I contemplated DNF-ing (did not finish-ing?) the book around the 30% mark but pushed through since this was such an anticipated release. I am very happy I did because I came out of this with more positives than negatives, but the first half does take a lot out of you. It's quite dull, mid if you will, and I was stuck wondering why I was supposed to be rooting for two miserable and sticky people. But, like I said, by the 50-60% mark I suddenly got so invested I didn't want to do anything else but finish the book.
If you've already DNF-ed this title though, I don't think you should give it a second shot. As stated above, the dry tone carries throughout along with the pretentious chef and self-destructive comedian.
I do look forward to more of Kate Goldbeck's books! This felt oddly unique and even though I had my rough patches with this book, I have no bad blood towards it!
anneof221b's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
...oh my God? Did I just read another thinly veiled Reylo fanfic and not connect the dots until someone else pointed it out? I'm not mad about it. I do want to beat Ari with a stick for her behavior, though.
kenz_r's review against another edition
1.25
Girl proposed to him with a COCK RING in a SEX SHOP he once went to with his LITTLE SISTER
emmareidy's review against another edition
slow, didn’t have any interest in continuing
kristyreneek's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
_bookstamandy_'s review against another edition
Third person POV just wasn't for me. Also, it was a fall themed read that I picked up just before summer began and it didn't feel quite right.
eclarkie's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
I loved this book. I wanted to live in its walls. The characters were quirky and funny. The jumping back and forth in perspective threw me at first but I fell into it and found the rhythm.