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aminaelisa's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars, okay, didn’t really feel anything but it wasn’t badly written
my mental state can probably measured by how many fluffy ya romances i read while kinda despising them but oh well i consume them like tiktoks and insta posts: in large quantities and without all too much being gained….
could have dealt with less explorations of “what love is” tho, although that is probably one of the fundamental parts of ya romance
my mental state can probably measured by how many fluffy ya romances i read while kinda despising them but oh well i consume them like tiktoks and insta posts: in large quantities and without all too much being gained….
could have dealt with less explorations of “what love is” tho, although that is probably one of the fundamental parts of ya romance
maddreader's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
soooo cute the main character is jewish and the love interest is muslim and he cooks and bakes and they’re so cute
arielsbooktrove's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger Warning for OCD
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times. I am OBSESSED with the way Rachel Lynn Solomon writes characters.
I know reading is an escape and some do not want to deal with real issues in romance novels such as mental illness, but the unabashed way she describes these real, romantic relationships is just top tier. I am so happy she does not shy away from the difficulties of life. I adore it. It makes the stories that much more authentic.
This YA romance centers around Quinn who chooses to guard her heart by giving her body as the shield because she does not believe romance is real—which sucks because the family business deals in happily ever afters.
But then sweet, patient Tarek—purveyor of all things romance and grand gestures—comes back into the picture.
I am not normally a friends to lovers girlie, but this was friends to lovers to strangers to lovers and that bridged the gap for my interests.
This was so cute and so real. I need the next RLS book yesterday.
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times. I am OBSESSED with the way Rachel Lynn Solomon writes characters.
I know reading is an escape and some do not want to deal with real issues in romance novels such as mental illness, but the unabashed way she describes these real, romantic relationships is just top tier. I am so happy she does not shy away from the difficulties of life. I adore it. It makes the stories that much more authentic.
This YA romance centers around Quinn who chooses to guard her heart by giving her body as the shield because she does not believe romance is real—which sucks because the family business deals in happily ever afters.
But then sweet, patient Tarek—purveyor of all things romance and grand gestures—comes back into the picture.
I am not normally a friends to lovers girlie, but this was friends to lovers to strangers to lovers and that bridged the gap for my interests.
This was so cute and so real. I need the next RLS book yesterday.
shumeez_parker's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kcasey's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
amyteurhour's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like the parent-child relationship and how it was written, and didn't have the patience to continue/power through that at this time.
Stopped at ch 4.
Stopped at ch 4.
kels_the_original's review against another edition
really liked how the relationship/romance was portrayed :)
tirzahyael's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I think Rachel Lynn Solomon just doesn’t miss (for me)! This is a young/new adult romance where the love interests’ parents’ businesses cross paths in the wedding industry, so they were past childhood friends-turned-ghosted-each-other, forced proximity, but actually were secretly had been crushing on the other for so long. It’s so goofy because it’s a bit of miscommunication (as humans do!) and is ultimately so damn adorable and precious.
The way that Quinn struggled with the motivations and intentions behind public displays of affection was so layered and beautifully written. I appreciate that Quinn wrangled with trust issues and attempted to explain her feelings around this, even if it didn't always come out with a lot of finesse. I liked that she named her emotions, told Tarek explicitly what she did NOT want, and I also appreciated that Tarek wasn't being malicious or dismissive; he simply had a hard time understanding and needed her to elaborate a bit more. I think that's sometimes more authentic than a character explaining something and the other character immediately understanding with zero follow-up questions. It's just not how human processing and dialogue works, unless you are both incredibly ideal communicators, and what is that like? LOL.
I love how RLS always writes characters who are not only sex positive and do not actively shame others. I especially appreciate that our FMC shares some of her insecurities when it comes to her seemingly inexperienced journey with it. She isn’t judgmental of anyone who is sexually active, but she also actively harbors some embarrassment about how inexperienced she must seem compared to her friends. THAT IS SO REAL!
I loved the depictions of neurodivergence and mental health with OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. The conversations the leads had with each other regarding their experiences felt authentic, compassionate, and so relatable. “What do I have to be depressed about?” was the realest thing Tarek said😭❤️🩹 It devastates me that so many young people are guilted into thinking they need to be grateful and to just “suck it up.” I need society as a whole to read more books like this, that represent the constant questioning kids go through when they are convinced they do not deserve to be believed or that their problems are not “real” problems.
Lastly, I loved Quinn's journey of wanting to take up the harp again and grappling with how she can fit into her family without being part of the family business, which she feels is maybe the only tie they have to each other. Gosh, that's so much for someone to carry, and I loved how RLS weaved this into Quinn's arc.
Thank you to RLS for yet another banger of a book that was written with such great care.
cw: underage drinking, sexual content (not explicit though, just discussed!), swearing, depictions of neurodivergence and mental health (OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression)
I think Rachel Lynn Solomon just doesn’t miss (for me)! This is a young/new adult romance where the love interests’ parents’ businesses cross paths in the wedding industry, so they were past childhood friends-turned-ghosted-each-other, forced proximity, but actually were secretly had been crushing on the other for so long. It’s so goofy because it’s a bit of miscommunication (as humans do!) and is ultimately so damn adorable and precious.
The way that Quinn struggled with the motivations and intentions behind public displays of affection was so layered and beautifully written. I appreciate that Quinn wrangled with trust issues and attempted to explain her feelings around this, even if it didn't always come out with a lot of finesse. I liked that she named her emotions, told Tarek explicitly what she did NOT want, and I also appreciated that Tarek wasn't being malicious or dismissive; he simply had a hard time understanding and needed her to elaborate a bit more. I think that's sometimes more authentic than a character explaining something and the other character immediately understanding with zero follow-up questions. It's just not how human processing and dialogue works, unless you are both incredibly ideal communicators, and what is that like? LOL.
I love how RLS always writes characters who are not only sex positive and do not actively shame others. I especially appreciate that our FMC shares some of her insecurities when it comes to her seemingly inexperienced journey with it. She isn’t judgmental of anyone who is sexually active, but she also actively harbors some embarrassment about how inexperienced she must seem compared to her friends. THAT IS SO REAL!
I loved the depictions of neurodivergence and mental health with OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. The conversations the leads had with each other regarding their experiences felt authentic, compassionate, and so relatable. “What do I have to be depressed about?” was the realest thing Tarek said😭❤️🩹 It devastates me that so many young people are guilted into thinking they need to be grateful and to just “suck it up.” I need society as a whole to read more books like this, that represent the constant questioning kids go through when they are convinced they do not deserve to be believed or that their problems are not “real” problems.
Lastly, I loved Quinn's journey of wanting to take up the harp again and grappling with how she can fit into her family without being part of the family business, which she feels is maybe the only tie they have to each other. Gosh, that's so much for someone to carry, and I loved how RLS weaved this into Quinn's arc.
Thank you to RLS for yet another banger of a book that was written with such great care.
cw: underage drinking, sexual content (not explicit though, just discussed!), swearing, depictions of neurodivergence and mental health (OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content