Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Birthday Girl

I have to say I was excited and wanted to see where the story and characters would end up and I could kind of put myself in their situation and see why they would act the way they did.

The age difference was one thing but when he always called her a little girl and presented her as if she was small and fragile and everything ugh that made me feel physically ill. Also I get the whole “you’re mine only and I possess you” trope but it got annoying like chill out for a sec.

The slutshaming of her sister also wasn’t for me and the chapters were so long.

All in all I did find the characters interesting, not lovable tho, and the story rounded up okay. But like I said I felt like it was wrong to listen to him constantly talk about how he wants to smash her and her “little” body. I just wish that Penelope Douglas chose for Jordan to be a little older, then everything would‘ve seemed different.

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questionablereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted tense 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

5.0

Birthday Girl is angsty, spicy, age-gap, boyfriend's dad perfection. I loved every moment of this story and couldn't read it fast enough. It was reminiscent of Punk 57, which I also absolutely loved. Pike and Jordan's relationships was written so perfectly that my face hurt from blushing, laughing, and holding second hand embarrassment. I couldn't love this book more if I tried.

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dizneytree's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

It’s a forbidden love. But it’s one you can’t stop reading about. It hooked me. I felt the sadness and happiness in this book. Definitely worth a read.

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sarahthenerd's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

[a few SPOILERS]

Sometimes I have to take a few moments to take a deep breath of what I just read. This book is not how a boyfriend's dad and son's girlfriend would act and talk. IDEK why I decided to read this omg.

Reading Pike’s POVs does not feel like I’m reading POVs from a 38 y/o man. His POVs also give me an insight of above 30 y/o would think when dating girls in 18-20 (I’m looking at you DiCaprio).

I swear Pike’s description is like what guys that are teens and early and mid 20s would act and talk. For example, when he's fixing Jordan’s VW and he's shirtless (Jordan even describes him looking like a bad boy with the tattoo and sweats 😭🖐🏻). There's nothing wrong with working shirtless but like I said before he's description doesn't suit as someone who is almost in his 40. It's like fatherhood doesn't affect him at all beside from being more responsible. I guess it's true when ppl said that no matter what age guys are, their mentality will always be the same. For instance, Pike’s best friend, Dutch when he hears Jordan’s sister is a stripper even though he's married.

Also Jordan should have at least be in her mid or late 20. I still can't with how Pike talks. He's like in his 20s and Jordan acts like she's in her 20s as well. I don't like their relationship but the story is good I guess.

If I was Cole (Jordan’s ex and Pike’s), I would not handle the relationship so well. Just imagine the conversation will be like. Thanksgivings, Christmas’s and family gatherings. And imagine that your step mom is your ex and the same age as you.

Anyway, stream Dear John (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift. Even though it's a happy ending, their age is giving 19 y/o Taylor and 32 y/o John. As well as All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) by Taylor Swift.

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bookishchaos's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

The first half of this was so slow I almost thought about not finishing it but I tried again at another time and it did start to get good at 50%, but some things bothered me and gave me the ick. To clarify I'm NOT trying to yuck anyone's yum and I'm usually ok with the age gap trope but the fact Jordan is only 19 felt super unnecessary. And Pike trying to act like her dad all the time? I don't know about this one.

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