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katiemichelle'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ambeesbookishpages's review
2.0
I was really looking forward too this one, so I was even more disappointed when I didn't enjoy it. My biggest issue was Haley. She was demanding, bratty, and had a one tract mind. She kept claiming her brothers were the reason she didn't have a boyfriend, I honestly think she needs to reevaluate that. Haley isn't someone I would want to be friends with. I would put her in her place. The whole blackmail thing was stupid, the whole situation was the caused by the other Haley's inability to deal with her stupid actions. There were so many things that I disliked with this book, I am surprised that it didn't DNF it.
thedevilreadsfanfiction's review
1.0
0.5 stars
Props for promoting volunteering at your local animal shelter & rescuing companion animals with missing limbs.
Props for promoting volunteering at your local animal shelter & rescuing companion animals with missing limbs.
ikraa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
3.5/5 Stars
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book just looked all sorts of adorable – I was in the mood for a light read, and that’s exactly what I got, so it was perfect!
Haley wants a boyfriend, but her brothers are too overprotective and intimidating – no one wants to cross them, so they leave Haley alone. So, when Bryce mistakenly tells everyone that he and Haley hooked up (it was a different Haley – one who has a hulking boyfriend of her own), she sees it as an opportunity. She tells Bryce that if he pretends to actually be dating her so that the rumor mill will slow down that she won’t tell anyone about the mistaken identity and Bryce won’t have to face the other Haley’s boyfriend. She tells everyone that the rumor just got blown out of proportion and she didn’t hook up with Bryce, she’s dating him. She hopes that the combination of the attention and the fact that Bryce is able to handle her brothers just fine will give Haley the chance at a real relationship in the future. Of course, things don’t go as planned and the two fall for each other – but there’s lots of hurdles to overcome.
What I loved:
The premise.
Just read the blurb and you’ll see why I enjoyed this book – it was just fun! Sure, it’s a story we’ve heard before in one form or another, but the blackmail element and the family relationships added something new and fresh to the concept.
Family ties.
Both Haley’s and Bryce’s families were involved in the book quite a bit and family drama made its way into the story a lot more than I was expecting. Bryce came from a well-to-do family, and his father had high expectations of him. Bryce had a great relationship with his mom, though, which was refreshing. On Haley’s side, even though her brothers were a bit overprotective, she had a great relationship with her family. But when she started dating Bryce, her mother started acting very strangely, and Haley wasn’t sure how to deal with this shift in her personality. Throughout the book there are revelations about both families that play into the story.
Dual POV.
I liked getting both Haley and Bryce’s POVs so we could understand what they were both thinking going into their blackmail relationship and how it changed and developed over the course of the book. I also appreciated getting to know both characters and seeing how they affected each other. Haley learned there was a lot more to the rich and ever-popular Bryce than she first imagined and Bryce learned to let go of appearances a little. Both great messages, especially for younger YA readers.
The negatives:
Lack of romantic connection at first.
My only issue with the book is that I wished I would have felt more of a build of the romance, especially on Haley’s side of things. I got that she’d had a crush on him a bit before the book ever really started, but I just didn’t feel as much of a real connection between the couple as I would have liked at first. So when Haley would get angry about the fact that Bryce didn’t really seem to want to ask her out or kiss her, I just kept thinking, Yeah, he’s not actually your boyfriend. What did you expect? I don’t know – I guess I just didn’t see her really longing for him at the beginning in order to justify her feelings. On Bryce’s side, I did feel like we got to witness more of the shift from a relationship just built on blackmail to an actual romance, so I appreciated that. And I was definitely on board with the romance by the second half of the book or so, so it didn’t fail to catch me up completely!
Sudden ending.
I felt like the ending to the book was just a little bit rushed, and everything was wrapped up neatly and a little suddenly.
I thought that the messages in this book were great and that this one would appeal especially to YA readers who are a little on the younger side or any reader who’s looking for a lighter read. It’s fun and cute, but it does delve into some deeper issues (but not in a way that’s too dark). I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book just looked all sorts of adorable – I was in the mood for a light read, and that’s exactly what I got, so it was perfect!
Haley wants a boyfriend, but her brothers are too overprotective and intimidating – no one wants to cross them, so they leave Haley alone. So, when Bryce mistakenly tells everyone that he and Haley hooked up (it was a different Haley – one who has a hulking boyfriend of her own), she sees it as an opportunity. She tells Bryce that if he pretends to actually be dating her so that the rumor mill will slow down that she won’t tell anyone about the mistaken identity and Bryce won’t have to face the other Haley’s boyfriend. She tells everyone that the rumor just got blown out of proportion and she didn’t hook up with Bryce, she’s dating him. She hopes that the combination of the attention and the fact that Bryce is able to handle her brothers just fine will give Haley the chance at a real relationship in the future. Of course, things don’t go as planned and the two fall for each other – but there’s lots of hurdles to overcome.
What I loved:
The premise.
Just read the blurb and you’ll see why I enjoyed this book – it was just fun! Sure, it’s a story we’ve heard before in one form or another, but the blackmail element and the family relationships added something new and fresh to the concept.
Family ties.
Both Haley’s and Bryce’s families were involved in the book quite a bit and family drama made its way into the story a lot more than I was expecting. Bryce came from a well-to-do family, and his father had high expectations of him. Bryce had a great relationship with his mom, though, which was refreshing. On Haley’s side, even though her brothers were a bit overprotective, she had a great relationship with her family. But when she started dating Bryce, her mother started acting very strangely, and Haley wasn’t sure how to deal with this shift in her personality. Throughout the book there are revelations about both families that play into the story.
Dual POV.
I liked getting both Haley and Bryce’s POVs so we could understand what they were both thinking going into their blackmail relationship and how it changed and developed over the course of the book. I also appreciated getting to know both characters and seeing how they affected each other. Haley learned there was a lot more to the rich and ever-popular Bryce than she first imagined and Bryce learned to let go of appearances a little. Both great messages, especially for younger YA readers.
The negatives:
Lack of romantic connection at first.
My only issue with the book is that I wished I would have felt more of a build of the romance, especially on Haley’s side of things. I got that she’d had a crush on him a bit before the book ever really started, but I just didn’t feel as much of a real connection between the couple as I would have liked at first. So when Haley would get angry about the fact that Bryce didn’t really seem to want to ask her out or kiss her, I just kept thinking, Yeah, he’s not actually your boyfriend. What did you expect? I don’t know – I guess I just didn’t see her really longing for him at the beginning in order to justify her feelings. On Bryce’s side, I did feel like we got to witness more of the shift from a relationship just built on blackmail to an actual romance, so I appreciated that. And I was definitely on board with the romance by the second half of the book or so, so it didn’t fail to catch me up completely!
Sudden ending.
I felt like the ending to the book was just a little bit rushed, and everything was wrapped up neatly and a little suddenly.
I thought that the messages in this book were great and that this one would appeal especially to YA readers who are a little on the younger side or any reader who’s looking for a lighter read. It’s fun and cute, but it does delve into some deeper issues (but not in a way that’s too dark). I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
talya_'s review
2.0
This book was annoying. Bryce was a jerk who was nice one second, cold the next. And he was rude for no reason at all, yet Haley crumbled back in his arms each time he flashed a smile or came up with a lame apology that he didn't even really feel.
athanatos_books's review against another edition
3.0
Eh it was alright
It was not as captivating it had a sense of awe but it lacked a sense of happiness I had a hard time finishing it
It was not as captivating it had a sense of awe but it lacked a sense of happiness I had a hard time finishing it
thepaperreels's review against another edition
2.0
The only Entangled Crush title that didn't work for me... and I'm devastated. Seriously, I am.
Blackmail Boyfriend just don't come out as genuine to me. Especially the love interest. I find his thoughts and actions annoying and not believable. He was not a fan of our main character at first and then suddenly he's love stricken? I don't buy it. The progression towards their HEA was not something that seems real to me so in result of that, it didn't make me swoon.
The heroine was infuriating and that's all I can say about her. If there was a ‘character development', I didn't see it.
A big SIGH and NOPE.
Blackmail Boyfriend just don't come out as genuine to me. Especially the love interest. I find his thoughts and actions annoying and not believable. He was not a fan of our main character at first and then suddenly he's love stricken? I don't buy it. The progression towards their HEA was not something that seems real to me so in result of that, it didn't make me swoon.
The heroine was infuriating and that's all I can say about her. If there was a ‘character development', I didn't see it.
A big SIGH and NOPE.