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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
At beginning was cute but third act conflict was meh and trim 50 pages at least. I would like to read Holden book.
meggie82461's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
So, this was a solid fake-dating romance. It isn't especially innovative, but if you like the trope, you will like this. And let me be clear - I do like the trope. I know it is ridiculous, I just simply don't care. And I feel like this book was the same way: it leaned into the fun, and I appreciated that about it. It didn't take itself too seriously. Plus, football. For me, nothing can go wrong when football is involved.
This is the story of Giana and Clay. One defining factor of this story is that they are both actually really likable. Giana is a bit of a wallflower, but she is not afraid to go after what she wants- except for the local guitar-playing heartthrob, Shawn Stetson. Clay is a mama's boy that has spent his entire adolescence with the same person, a girl who unceremoniously breaks up with him as soon as she transfers to his school. Giana and Clay decide to use each other to make their respective crush and ex jealous... and it works, maybe a little too well.
Is the whole plot outlandish? Yes. But it was charming, too. Clay is really sweet with Giana. The best part is when he finds out she's a virgin. In my experience with smut (which is extensive), guys tend to creepily love that fact a little too much, or it freaks them out (also a little too much). Clay found the happy medium where it wasn't a huge deal, but he did enjoy teaching her things. And then maybe my favorite part - when he found her smut and proceeded to read the books to see which parts she had tabbed or highlighted, or even which pages showed the most activity. I know, I know, it's a book, but it made me love him, because he did it even before he knew he had real feelings for her. And I could forgive Giana for not understanding what a unicorn Clay is, because she didn't have any experience TO know. She didn't realize what it meant that she only trusted him with her body. And maybe he didn't either, but at least he understood it was something important. At least it meant something to him. So yeah, Clay was a big winner in this story.
As for what I didn't like? The inevitable conflict was a little much. But still, I could have accepted that, if it was wrapped up in an even slightly realistic way. I wanted actual closure. I wanted to know how the other parties felt when the truth came out. And sure, maybe I didn't want Giana to forgive him so easily. I appreciate who she is as a person, and I do understand that she could understand where his priorities were, but it should have taken some time to build the trust back. AND, I mean, the guy was reading her romance novels... he should know how important the grovel is, am I right?!?!
Regardless, for a book on KU, it's worth reading. I enjoyed myself and I enjoyed Clay and Giana.
So, this was a solid fake-dating romance. It isn't especially innovative, but if you like the trope, you will like this. And let me be clear - I do like the trope. I know it is ridiculous, I just simply don't care. And I feel like this book was the same way: it leaned into the fun, and I appreciated that about it. It didn't take itself too seriously. Plus, football. For me, nothing can go wrong when football is involved.
This is the story of Giana and Clay. One defining factor of this story is that they are both actually really likable. Giana is a bit of a wallflower, but she is not afraid to go after what she wants- except for the local guitar-playing heartthrob, Shawn Stetson. Clay is a mama's boy that has spent his entire adolescence with the same person, a girl who unceremoniously breaks up with him as soon as she transfers to his school. Giana and Clay decide to use each other to make their respective crush and ex jealous... and it works, maybe a little too well.
Is the whole plot outlandish? Yes. But it was charming, too. Clay is really sweet with Giana. The best part is when he finds out she's a virgin. In my experience with smut (which is extensive), guys tend to creepily love that fact a little too much, or it freaks them out (also a little too much). Clay found the happy medium where it wasn't a huge deal, but he did enjoy teaching her things. And then maybe my favorite part - when he found her smut and proceeded to read the books to see which parts she had tabbed or highlighted, or even which pages showed the most activity. I know, I know, it's a book, but it made me love him, because he did it even before he knew he had real feelings for her. And I could forgive Giana for not understanding what a unicorn Clay is, because she didn't have any experience TO know. She didn't realize what it meant that she only trusted him with her body. And maybe he didn't either, but at least he understood it was something important. At least it meant something to him. So yeah, Clay was a big winner in this story.
As for what I didn't like? The inevitable conflict was a little much. But still, I could have accepted that, if it was wrapped up in an even slightly realistic way. I wanted actual closure. I wanted to know how the other parties felt when the truth came out. And sure, maybe I didn't want Giana to forgive him so easily. I appreciate who she is as a person, and I do understand that she could understand where his priorities were, but it should have taken some time to build the trust back. AND, I mean, the guy was reading her romance novels... he should know how important the grovel is, am I right?!?!
Regardless, for a book on KU, it's worth reading. I enjoyed myself and I enjoyed Clay and Giana.
caitd01's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a good cute, sweet book. Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes. Clay was such a sweet loyal kind guy always trying to do the right thing by his friends and family, never thinking of himself. A great book boyfriend.
Loved the MCs relationship.
Loved the MCs relationship.
naenae1717's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
emmad24's review against another edition
4.0
This had so much potential to be a 5 star read, but it needed 200 more pages to add more character development and depth to our couple. It was so cute and an easy read, but I didn’t feel like we got enough insight into their relationship and why they even loved each other. Most of the time they were together they were just doing the dirty, but I need substance to actually care about them as a couple.