Scan barcode
theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Stalking, Sexual content, and Racism
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, Body shaming, and Alcohol
prettylightsandcitynights's review against another edition
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Violence, Racial slurs, and Fatphobia
I think the author addressed things well, but the book has realistic moments where there is sexual harassment and fat phobia and bullying and racial slurs. If that makes you uncomfortable, perhaps only read this on a day when you have a lot of spoons.lormurenzi's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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: Body shaming, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
earlgaytea711's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I wanted to love this one so bad! I did enjoy reading it but I have a lot of issues with it as well that keep me from being able to rate it any higher. It was a fun romp through Denver with Marlee and Gavin, I just wish the writing had been able to support it.
Marlee is my kind of woman. Independent, smart, speaks her mind. But I think it’s inconsistent. Most of the time she’s those things, but here and there it’s like suddenly reading a different character with the way she responds to situations. It was rather off putting.
I enjoyed the use of hashtags to explain her life. It feels like something a person who loves Twitter or social media might do to be funny. It brought a ton of character to Marlee and made her more relatable for me.
I felt the same way about Gavin as I do about Marlee. He was so respectful, thoughtful, and fun but we lost that sometimes. There’s a point in the novel where he feels egregiously out of character and it’s explained away later but it still doesn’t sit quite right with me.
The side characters were okay. They were all very one dimensional. The bitchy antagonist, the supportive friend, the tough love boss, the cheating asshole ex. All these characters were reduced to these singular descriptors. They never felt or acted like real people. When they weren’t reduced to these descriptors, the characters were doing something that completely opposes their one character descriptor. It was so jarring.
I also wish there were better descriptions of the characters. Martin avoided info dump descriptions but, especially for characters, I felt like there was little to no description. I had such a hard time visualizing each of them.
The plot itself was so fun! I just wish it wasn’t filled with missing time. Lots of time passes in the book but it never really feels that way and I think it’s because a lot of the plot happens off screen so to speak. This book might have been aided by being able to see Gavin’s side of things so the reader isn’t just told what happens.
While I enjoyed my time reading this, I can’t in good conscience give it any higher of a score. It was diverting and has a bunch of tropes I love. I might even read the sequel once I’ve gotten a little further with other TBR books. I want to see Martin improve because all the basics are there; it just needs some finesse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Physical abuse
eicart_reads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming and Emotional abuse
More...