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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Aww, this made me feel so good, it was so cute - near the end at least haha.
Because this starts out as Alfie and Leo hating each other. It all made sense how neither of it was exactly their fault - like who said the first thing/did the first thing to start the hatred - and while it was clearly Leo, we find out what he was going through and why it was understandable.
And ya know, once Leo was an asshole, Alfie was one right back, and then it was a constant loop of them being assholes to each other.
It's interesting how their friendship online and what happens once they try to meet is what brings them together. And I don't want to give anything away so under the spoiler tag:
Now, there's no doubt that the situation was a tad cliche - I knew what Leo was going to do, and I was like screaming at him in my head while reading. He was ruining it before they even started. But it was done well and it made sense why he did it - as wrong as as it was. It didn't just come from nowhere.
And this ended so sweetly, so wonderfully. An amazing HEA.
(My only complaint is that Alfie being a high school drop out...doesn't mean it's difficult for him to read? We learned to read well before high school, so I don't understand that point? Unless Alfie wasn't serious and he listened audio books for another reason that I don't know. And if Alfie did have trouble reading, then it would make sense if it was dyslexia or something like that, not because he didn't finish high school. I don't know if Alfie meant it, though, so I don't know *shrug* Ultimately I'm letting it go because it wasn't clear.)
Still very much recommend this book - it was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it a lot. Two thumbs up from me!
Because this starts out as Alfie and Leo hating each other. It all made sense how neither of it was exactly their fault - like who said the first thing/did the first thing to start the hatred - and while it was clearly Leo, we find out what he was going through and why it was understandable.
And ya know, once Leo was an asshole, Alfie was one right back, and then it was a constant loop of them being assholes to each other.
It's interesting how their friendship online and what happens once they try to meet is what brings them together. And I don't want to give anything away so under the spoiler tag:
Spoiler
Leo sees Alfie first and chickens out of telling him he's LLB, so Alfie doesn't know and Leo does but doesn't say anything...but Dee, the local coffee shop owner is trying to get them together, and she urges Alfie to give Leo a chance, and after seeing Leo so down in the coffee shop (he doesn't know why) he decided make amends with Leo and asks them to start over.Now, there's no doubt that the situation was a tad cliche - I knew what Leo was going to do, and I was like screaming at him in my head while reading. He was ruining it before they even started. But it was done well and it made sense why he did it - as wrong as as it was. It didn't just come from nowhere.
And this ended so sweetly, so wonderfully. An amazing HEA.
(My only complaint is that Alfie being a high school drop out...doesn't mean it's difficult for him to read? We learned to read well before high school, so I don't understand that point? Unless Alfie wasn't serious and he listened audio books for another reason that I don't know. And if Alfie did have trouble reading, then it would make sense if it was dyslexia or something like that, not because he didn't finish high school. I don't know if Alfie meant it, though, so I don't know *shrug* Ultimately I'm letting it go because it wasn't clear.)
Still very much recommend this book - it was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it a lot. Two thumbs up from me!
3 stars and a plus point for the best winter cover ever, which instantly grabbed me.
It's a sweet and a bit angsty story, and I loved Leo's plan at the end, so romantic.
It might be just my imagination, but this book gave off a Jane Austen-esque vibe, and it felt a bit like Pride and Prejudice, and it's no coincidence in my opinion. Expect some judgemental pricks. haha... :)
The synopsis said it's an enemies to lovers story, and it is, but other than a few snide remarks towards each other, I didn't get that true 'enemies' feeling. I expected more banter, or at least some bickering.
Overall it's an enjoyable read. Honestly I would give 3.5 stars if I could.
It's a sweet and a bit angsty story, and I loved Leo's plan at the end, so romantic.
It might be just my imagination, but this book gave off a Jane Austen-esque vibe, and it felt a bit like Pride and Prejudice, and it's no coincidence in my opinion. Expect some judgemental pricks. haha... :)
The synopsis said it's an enemies to lovers story, and it is, but other than a few snide remarks towards each other, I didn't get that true 'enemies' feeling. I expected more banter, or at least some bickering.
Overall it's an enjoyable read. Honestly I would give 3.5 stars if I could.
I don’t get it: these guys bonded over their shared love of classical literature and have bared their souls to one another online for a year, are actually calling themselves soulmates, and have been texting all day every day – and it never once came up that one of them owns a bookshop? And that the other one heroically does not conform to the stereotype by being a hunky car mechanic while at the same time being a Jane Austen fan?
Or where they live?
Or their real names??
My belief is not stretchy enough for this.
Or where they live?
Or their real names??
My belief is not stretchy enough for this.
This was sweet! The thing is, it was a bit like reading an AU of You've Got Mail, and if it were fic I would probably be dying. I think watching You've Got Mail for the first time as I read this (completely serendipitous) probably made me enjoy it a little less than I might have otherwise. Still - cute, easy read fluff, and it was nice to dip in and out of in the late evenings.
What a cute little story! I have a strong hatred for winter, but this was just what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
I dithered between 3 and 4 stars because there is a touch too much withholding of communication, but I am a sucker for a 'Shop Around the Corner'/pen pals who know each other irl trope, so I was willing to forgive some of that. It also made me really want to read Perfect Day, which is a Persuasion redux (there aren't enough of those, and too many P & P retellings, imo).
Even though I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks, I appreciated the discussion and focus on how it's a perfectly valid way to 'read' and absorb stories. (And when Leo asks for a short list of Alfie's favorite audiobooks and he can't help himself and gives him a list of 25? That was adorable and totally something I would do.)
Even though I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks, I appreciated the discussion and focus on how it's a perfectly valid way to 'read' and absorb stories. (And when Leo asks for a short list of Alfie's favorite audiobooks and he can't help himself and gives him a list of 25? That was adorable and totally something I would do.)
I was really hoping to love this, as it uses one of my favourite tropes: two people are online friends and have a crush on each other, but they don't know they also know each other in real life.
However, I couldn't root for this romance. I didn't want these guys to end up together. Leo was such an irredeemable asshole to me, he was so fucking prejudiced (specifically ableist and classist) towards Alfie, and he said some really shitty things. Alfie basically served as someone who needed to teach Leo to look beyond his prejudice, and I really didn't like it. There was also just so much ableism when it comes to intelligence and being educated or not and listening to audiobooks. Very disappointing.
However, I couldn't root for this romance. I didn't want these guys to end up together. Leo was such an irredeemable asshole to me, he was so fucking prejudiced (specifically ableist and classist) towards Alfie, and he said some really shitty things. Alfie basically served as someone who needed to teach Leo to look beyond his prejudice, and I really didn't like it. There was also just so much ableism when it comes to intelligence and being educated or not and listening to audiobooks. Very disappointing.
Sweet
A really sweet fluffy Christmas romance, will def be checking out the other books in this series and this author's other books.
A really sweet fluffy Christmas romance, will def be checking out the other books in this series and this author's other books.