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stellarkai's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
madscientistcat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny
Minor: Racial slurs, Infidelity, and Cancer
katiemack's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
4.25
Some of the writing is too flowery/cliche for my taste, but overall I adored this. Bolu Babalola really captures what it’s like to be a university student—the dialogue in particular is delightful and authentic—all while addressing pertinent issues such as racism, colorism, classism, etc. The romance is a delicious slow burn (not always my thing, but this one is so charming and vulnerable it’s tough not to fall in love with Kiki and Malakai’s relationship), but Babalola takes care to cultivate some sweet and grounded platonic relationships throughout the book as well.
This reads very New Adult, obviously, but it’s more than worth a read even if you’re not twenty years old.
This reads very New Adult, obviously, but it’s more than worth a read even if you’re not twenty years old.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
viwilliams's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
kristinallard's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Cultural appropriation, Police brutality, Racism, and Sexual assault
trips's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Wow, this book was great.
Finally! I've found a romance I whole-heartedly was into and not icked out for the entire story! (Guess I'm picky when it comes to romance)
Kiki and Malakai's relationship was a treat to read about, all music references were super fun, and the rest of the cast felt well-rounded and fully fleshed out, too. Honestly, I'm going to continue to explore the genre throughout 2023 but I don't know if any romance novel can top this.
I was pleased to see that although Kiki comes off as being confident to the point of arrogance at the begnning of the book, I was happy to see her true layers to her personality and self reveal themselves over the course of the story. Malakai is a true gentleman through and through with his own traumas that I don't feel like were handled in their entirety but well enough that I was satisfied with the ending!
(also, a love interest fully into the MC's nerdy interests???? heck yessssss)
Finally! I've found a romance I whole-heartedly was into and not icked out for the entire story! (Guess I'm picky when it comes to romance)
Kiki and Malakai's relationship was a treat to read about, all music references were super fun, and the rest of the cast felt well-rounded and fully fleshed out, too. Honestly, I'm going to continue to explore the genre throughout 2023 but I don't know if any romance novel can top this.
I was pleased to see that although Kiki comes off as being confident to the point of arrogance at the begnning of the book, I was happy to see her true layers to her personality and self reveal themselves over the course of the story. Malakai is a true gentleman through and through with his own traumas that I don't feel like were handled in their entirety but well enough that I was satisfied with the ending!
(also, a love interest fully into the MC's nerdy interests???? heck yessssss)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Racism, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Cursing, and Sexual assault
jpitts's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Everything about this book pops. The author's narrative voice is electric. The college setting is lively and well developed with fun side characters and lots of campus gossip to fill it out. Most importantly, Kiki and Malakai are incredible both as individual characters and as a couple.
I read a lot of romance and I feel like I often run into fictional couples whose chemistry is talked up through their internal monologues more than it's actually demonstrated through their interactions. But every scene between Kiki and Malakai was absolute fire, and I was wholly invested in their relationship as well as their individual happiness. Not to mention Kiki herself (the sole POV character) is just awesome. I felt like I understood her completely and admired the hell out of her.
Also major props to the audiobook. Weruche Opia brings so much life to the role, and I particularly loved her readings of the radio show segments.
I'm begging y'all to pick this up. It's just so damn good.
I read a lot of romance and I feel like I often run into fictional couples whose chemistry is talked up through their internal monologues more than it's actually demonstrated through their interactions. But every scene between Kiki and Malakai was absolute fire, and I was wholly invested in their relationship as well as their individual happiness. Not to mention Kiki herself (the sole POV character) is just awesome. I felt like I understood her completely and admired the hell out of her.
Also major props to the audiobook. Weruche Opia brings so much life to the role, and I particularly loved her readings of the radio show segments.
I'm begging y'all to pick this up. It's just so damn good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
boysbandz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
astralinkwell's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault