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erinreve's review against another edition
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Gaslighting
lilyemmaaa's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
This was really quick and easy read, that was also so, so cute. I love the tropes in this book and fake dating has always been a comfort trope for me, so it made it an even more enjoyable read.
Clay was a sweetheart. He cared so much for his mom, even though she had her moments. He also fell so quickly in love with Giana that it made my heart swell. I liked how he went on Gianas time and respected whatever it was she needed. I also LOVE that he would read her books and then try the things she liked from them. I can’t speak for everyone, but that truly is something I hope to experience one day because come on? The guy you’re in love with going out of his way to read your books and pleasing you with the things you like from the books? A literal dream for me. Book boyfriends are just amazing when written correctly.
I loved Giana. She truly was such a like able character. She easily read Clay and his emotions, and that to me is something I relate to so much. I also just liked her inner thoughts as well. She had some awkward moments, but they fit her character so perfectly. Also, the fact that she is a reader? Just makes me like her more.
The chemistry these two had, was so entertaining. Seeing them both try and push their very obvious feelings down was annoying, but at the same time exciting. Everything they did was under to guise of it being “fake” when in reality all the things they did were just things they naturally wanted to do because of their feelings for each other.
It felt like every fake dating book I read and that’s why I like this trope. You know what to expect and will (almost) always get a little twist in the normal story. And that is what makes the trope fun to read (when it’s done right, at least).
<SPOILERS?!>
The third act conflict has me torn a little. I understand why he broke up with Giana and the reasoning for it, but I just feel like had he talked it through with her it could have been avoided. He cared so much for his mom, and how he put his own happiness aside so his mom could get the help she needed was difficult to read because of the situation he was forced into. But the way Riley, Holden and Zeke got him to realize how much he screwed up was a good way for Clay to understand. And his grand gesture was so adorably awkward. I would have cringed inside of my self if I had been Giana, but the idea was sweet.
Clay was a sweetheart. He cared so much for his mom, even though she had her moments. He also fell so quickly in love with Giana that it made my heart swell. I liked how he went on Gianas time and respected whatever it was she needed. I also LOVE that he would read her books and then try the things she liked from them. I can’t speak for everyone, but that truly is something I hope to experience one day because come on? The guy you’re in love with going out of his way to read your books and pleasing you with the things you like from the books? A literal dream for me. Book boyfriends are just amazing when written correctly.
I loved Giana. She truly was such a like able character. She easily read Clay and his emotions, and that to me is something I relate to so much. I also just liked her inner thoughts as well. She had some awkward moments, but they fit her character so perfectly. Also, the fact that she is a reader? Just makes me like her more.
The chemistry these two had, was so entertaining. Seeing them both try and push their very obvious feelings down was annoying, but at the same time exciting. Everything they did was under to guise of it being “fake” when in reality all the things they did were just things they naturally wanted to do because of their feelings for each other.
It felt like every fake dating book I read and that’s why I like this trope. You know what to expect and will (almost) always get a little twist in the normal story. And that is what makes the trope fun to read (when it’s done right, at least).
<SPOILERS?!>
The third act conflict has me torn a little. I understand why he broke up with Giana and the reasoning for it, but I just feel like had he talked it through with her it could have been avoided. He cared so much for his mom, and how he put his own happiness aside so his mom could get the help she needed was difficult to read because of the situation he was forced into. But the way Riley, Holden and Zeke got him to realize how much he screwed up was a good way for Clay to understand. And his grand gesture was so adorably awkward. I would have cringed inside of my self if I had been Giana, but the idea was sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction
sarahsbookss's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Sexual content
amelieboucher's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
ecravens's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Abandonment, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Sexual content
dianaschmidty's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
amanda_reads13's review
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction
sdupont's review
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Blind Side is a strong sequel to Fair Catch, I actually liked this one more. I felt the romance was more compelling between Giana and Clay. Also this book was very hot! I hated the 3rd act breakup I mean being blackmailed by your ex-girlfriend’s dad?? Too much drama even for me! Despite that I really enjoyed this story and would absolutely recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Addiction
kfmcf's review
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Okay I was not expecting to like this book so much. Which is kind of silly considering how much I like sports romances.
Is it perfect? No, but that's a good thing. The characters are hugely flawed and have issues they're working on and through.
I really loved the ML and his side of things. The FL was also really strong but sometimes she got a little Mary Jane-y but that happens in this particular dynamic a lot. I think the fake dating pacing was a little off considering that he's supposed to be devastated by his ex (it's all over the course of like a month when it should have been longer imo).
I think inherently I struggle with college age romances because they either act too mature or too immature and the balance is hard to lock. Of the ones I've read in this setting, this is hands down the best.
Really wish there was an actual epilogue as always. This one was just used to introduce the next book.
Is it perfect? No, but that's a good thing. The characters are hugely flawed and have issues they're working on and through.
I really loved the ML and his side of things. The FL was also really strong but sometimes she got a little Mary Jane-y but that happens in this particular dynamic a lot. I think the fake dating pacing was a little off considering that he's supposed to be devastated by his ex (it's all over the course of like a month when it should have been longer imo).
I think inherently I struggle with college age romances because they either act too mature or too immature and the balance is hard to lock. Of the ones I've read in this setting, this is hands down the best.
Really wish there was an actual epilogue as always. This one was just used to introduce the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity and Addiction
sarafinley's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment