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caramelmachete's review against another edition
4.0
Hello, I will skip the summary as there are many already and they are quite better than I could give you.
I warn you ahead of time that I will spoil the book as talk and I will talk about the ending so if you wish to escape that fate, flee now. If you decide to stay and read my rambling, I thank you.
I know well as I checked other reviews that many readers didn’t like this book and it make them angry; It made me angry too at first but I stayed on to read the series (as there are more in case you haven’t noticed) because I have liked other works by Demelza Carlton and by the point I finished this volume for the first time I had enough trust on her writing to keep reading and see where all this was going to go.
Also time after, when I was reading other romance novels (because I like to read many at the same time) the point kinda hit me… This first book… it’s a deconstruction of the genre of romance novels… or at least I think it is, I will apologize beforehand that I didn’t study a career related to literature so I could and probably will fail at my analysis, and also I won’t use the best language to make my point across but I really thought about it even on my reread: here we have a romance of a playboy multi millionaire and a female lead that works for him (directly or indirectly), but at the end of the book the male lead didn’t change his playboy ways, didn’t stop being insufferable and annoying(even if he opened up and shown a side of his that people other than the heroine gets to see), he learned too little of this whole experience, and most important the main couple didn’t end together by the end of the book, hell the heroine basically moved to the literal end of the world and unlike the typical not only the guy didn’t try to stop her or went see her last time before she took her transport… he didn’t know, and he didn’t know because he didn’t pay enough attention to her to hear about that and didn’t really care until he realized she was gone and had moved on. This book took many the typical tropes of romance novels and works but instead showed us the male lead was not going to become a different, more mature version of himself just because he spent time with one good woman in a few days, no matter how well they clicked, bonded and liked each other in bed, specially as it’s obvious he is not ready to change himself.
As obvious as it sounds I was completely convinced all is intentional, the novel is too aware of tropes not to be, Jay and Audra are even talking about romance novel themes conventions, or think a lot about them (Because one of the things they bond about is reading romance romance novels) at one moment they started calling out half of the premises of one the reading apps I go. This book is just too meta to be clueless. Does this means the author hates romance novels and wishes to kill them with a deconstruction? No, not at all, a deconstruction is not always a destruction though it can get harsh at examining tropes. Considering most of the other works of Carlton, she loves love, she loves romance stories but this one the one volume she was going to go with a story where love wasn’t going to work out and show us exactly why.
Still if you are hoping for a relaxing read and a satisfying ending in one book, this one is not it. You will probably cringe at Jay… a lot. And if you are wondering if this is just the rocky introduction and this main couple to eventually will change get together, also not this is not it. Trust me I checked the next ones.
I described Jay as insufferable and cringy, and that he won’t change enough by the first book end. He does have the some nice virtues in occasion, he can be very generous and even empathetic at times, and like the very good romance leading men he is certainly fighting the good war against female sexual insatisfaction and winning as he certainly knows and isn’t afraid of the clitorys. (Now that I that I think about it so those 3 characteristics are what are expected the most on male leads in the genre, everyone wants a guy that (multi millionaire or not) will not think twice on sharing his good fortune unasked, that he will show care and attention at the appropriate times and will do sex well and put effort on it XD ) but his good points will be crippled by the bad at this point and it’s obvious this man it’s not ready for a long term relationship and less of all a monogamous one/
His antics can be entertaining as he is the kind of character who will suddenly commit to an idea any sane person will think is nonsense and even invest some complex thought on it, but as the base idea is not smart the execution will be cringy as hell. Him writing Shakespeare on the walls? Maybe it’s his idea of a big romantic statement like in fiction but of course is just going to make the one who has to clean that mess very, very annoyed.
If you start with the first book and are in doubt of finishing it because you are not liking Jay and just what I just said about the work , keep going it if you like Audra. While her experience with Jay will be important I think her own journey is interesting enough to see it to the end, sure she might not get the guy (though for me it’s better that way) and leaves the book with her heart a little broken but she was able to achieve her dream of working in her career, got her adventure and I honestly doubt she will settle for mediocre sex in the future. She has her own spin-off but I am not starting it yet. I have high hopes. I liked her though many times I find myself being partial for the female leads.
Though if you are not entertained enough by Jay nonsense and or want enough to know who is Audra, what she wants and what she will get, and have zero interest on a romance deconstruction then I guess the book won’t be for you.
I would give the book 4 stars and half (can’t as bookreads only lets me full numbers) as now that I know what the book was doing, it did it very well, the style I liked a lot and my only actual objection is that the final result felt dropped too suddenly, for a book that many things happen I found the last twist a little bit jarring to the point of whiplash. But everything else I liked.
I warn you ahead of time that I will spoil the book as talk and I will talk about the ending so if you wish to escape that fate, flee now. If you decide to stay and read my rambling, I thank you.
I know well as I checked other reviews that many readers didn’t like this book and it make them angry; It made me angry too at first but I stayed on to read the series (as there are more in case you haven’t noticed) because I have liked other works by Demelza Carlton and by the point I finished this volume for the first time I had enough trust on her writing to keep reading and see where all this was going to go.
Also time after, when I was reading other romance novels (because I like to read many at the same time) the point kinda hit me… This first book… it’s a deconstruction of the genre of romance novels… or at least I think it is, I will apologize beforehand that I didn’t study a career related to literature so I could and probably will fail at my analysis, and also I won’t use the best language to make my point across but I really thought about it even on my reread: here we have a romance of a playboy multi millionaire and a female lead that works for him (directly or indirectly), but at the end of the book the male lead didn’t change his playboy ways, didn’t stop being insufferable and annoying(even if he opened up and shown a side of his that people other than the heroine gets to see), he learned too little of this whole experience, and most important the main couple didn’t end together by the end of the book, hell the heroine basically moved to the literal end of the world and unlike the typical not only the guy didn’t try to stop her or went see her last time before she took her transport… he didn’t know, and he didn’t know because he didn’t pay enough attention to her to hear about that and didn’t really care until he realized she was gone and had moved on. This book took many the typical tropes of romance novels and works but instead showed us the male lead was not going to become a different, more mature version of himself just because he spent time with one good woman in a few days, no matter how well they clicked, bonded and liked each other in bed, specially as it’s obvious he is not ready to change himself.
As obvious as it sounds I was completely convinced all is intentional, the novel is too aware of tropes not to be, Jay and Audra are even talking about romance novel themes conventions, or think a lot about them (Because one of the things they bond about is reading romance romance novels) at one moment they started calling out half of the premises of one the reading apps I go. This book is just too meta to be clueless. Does this means the author hates romance novels and wishes to kill them with a deconstruction? No, not at all, a deconstruction is not always a destruction though it can get harsh at examining tropes. Considering most of the other works of Carlton, she loves love, she loves romance stories but this one the one volume she was going to go with a story where love wasn’t going to work out and show us exactly why.
Still if you are hoping for a relaxing read and a satisfying ending in one book, this one is not it. You will probably cringe at Jay… a lot. And if you are wondering if this is just the rocky introduction and this main couple to eventually will change get together, also not this is not it. Trust me I checked the next ones.
I described Jay as insufferable and cringy, and that he won’t change enough by the first book end. He does have the some nice virtues in occasion, he can be very generous and even empathetic at times, and like the very good romance leading men he is certainly fighting the good war against female sexual insatisfaction and winning as he certainly knows and isn’t afraid of the clitorys. (Now that I that I think about it so those 3 characteristics are what are expected the most on male leads in the genre, everyone wants a guy that (multi millionaire or not) will not think twice on sharing his good fortune unasked, that he will show care and attention at the appropriate times and will do sex well and put effort on it XD ) but his good points will be crippled by the bad at this point and it’s obvious this man it’s not ready for a long term relationship and less of all a monogamous one/
His antics can be entertaining as he is the kind of character who will suddenly commit to an idea any sane person will think is nonsense and even invest some complex thought on it, but as the base idea is not smart the execution will be cringy as hell. Him writing Shakespeare on the walls? Maybe it’s his idea of a big romantic statement like in fiction but of course is just going to make the one who has to clean that mess very, very annoyed.
If you start with the first book and are in doubt of finishing it because you are not liking Jay and just what I just said about the work , keep going it if you like Audra. While her experience with Jay will be important I think her own journey is interesting enough to see it to the end, sure she might not get the guy (though for me it’s better that way) and leaves the book with her heart a little broken but she was able to achieve her dream of working in her career, got her adventure and I honestly doubt she will settle for mediocre sex in the future. She has her own spin-off but I am not starting it yet. I have high hopes. I liked her though many times I find myself being partial for the female leads.
Though if you are not entertained enough by Jay nonsense and or want enough to know who is Audra, what she wants and what she will get, and have zero interest on a romance deconstruction then I guess the book won’t be for you.
I would give the book 4 stars and half (can’t as bookreads only lets me full numbers) as now that I know what the book was doing, it did it very well, the style I liked a lot and my only actual objection is that the final result felt dropped too suddenly, for a book that many things happen I found the last twist a little bit jarring to the point of whiplash. But everything else I liked.
mea9an's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
I don’t know what it is about Romance authors, but they really like to think the reader is stupid. Either that, or they just can’t write dialogue. Jason Felix, more commonly known as Jay is a rock star. In case you couldn’t read it from 1.) the title, 2.) the first couple words out of his mouth, or 3.) the other 89 times he said it. I have this horrible ability to point out a word that’s repeated more times than necessary for the entirety of a book and it’s haunting.
I FUCKING KNOW HE’S A ROCK STAR, OKAY?! I don’t need to hear it almost every single page!
The plot in this book is kind of cliche, but it’s a romance, so that’s expected. However, the book is also the kind that is known for taking weird twists and has good moments. I considered stopping to read this book, but I know that character development is to be expected in relatively long books, so I held on. Sadly, I was played. Jay is literally no different from the beginning. He had his moments where you expected him to be changing, but then immediately he goes back to the sex-obsessed ROCK STAR that he is. Audra was a decent character, I liked her. Until the end, when she basically lets Jay take over everything without so much as fighting back.
Now, you may be thinking, “but Meagan, you love hate-to-love relationships. Why not this one?” Well, dear reader, I love GOOD hate-to-love relationships. One where the people actually change and become better over time. Where they start off on separate ends of a rope and slowly gravitate towards each other because they realize they need each other to continue. They balance each other well and create something few people could ever hope to achieve. This is not that, this is one strong-independent woman becoming a sex doll to a cocky ROCK STAR.
Do I hate this book? No, I can’t say that I do. I just wanted it to be a little better.
Although the ending was stupid.
I don’t know what it is about Romance authors, but they really like to think the reader is stupid. Either that, or they just can’t write dialogue. Jason Felix, more commonly known as Jay is a rock star. In case you couldn’t read it from 1.) the title, 2.) the first couple words out of his mouth, or 3.) the other 89 times he said it. I have this horrible ability to point out a word that’s repeated more times than necessary for the entirety of a book and it’s haunting.
I FUCKING KNOW HE’S A ROCK STAR, OKAY?! I don’t need to hear it almost every single page!
The plot in this book is kind of cliche, but it’s a romance, so that’s expected. However, the book is also the kind that is known for taking weird twists and has good moments. I considered stopping to read this book, but I know that character development is to be expected in relatively long books, so I held on. Sadly, I was played. Jay is literally no different from the beginning. He had his moments where you expected him to be changing, but then immediately he goes back to the sex-obsessed ROCK STAR that he is. Audra was a decent character, I liked her. Until the end, when she basically lets Jay take over everything without so much as fighting back.
Now, you may be thinking, “but Meagan, you love hate-to-love relationships. Why not this one?” Well, dear reader, I love GOOD hate-to-love relationships. One where the people actually change and become better over time. Where they start off on separate ends of a rope and slowly gravitate towards each other because they realize they need each other to continue. They balance each other well and create something few people could ever hope to achieve. This is not that, this is one strong-independent woman becoming a sex doll to a cocky ROCK STAR.
Do I hate this book? No, I can’t say that I do. I just wanted it to be a little better.
Although the ending was stupid.
jeslowe115's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was just ok. The story kind of just rambled on and the whole middle half was the same thing over and over.
I wasn't a fan of Jay. I hoped he would get better at the end. I didn't like the drop off at the end of the book either.
This book was just ok. The story kind of just rambled on and the whole middle half was the same thing over and over.
I wasn't a fan of Jay. I hoped he would get better at the end. I didn't like the drop off at the end of the book either.
mlcreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely story of Jay Felix, the rock star, and Audra, the maid, at the exclusive resort where Jay choses to hide. Audra does not want anything to do with the rock star, it is against policy to fraternise with the guests, but Jay won't take no for an answer. There is definitely chemistry between these two.
jgilge's review against another edition
3.0
**ARC copy provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Even though it was cute and enjoyable, it was meh. There weren't very many interesting twists brought in, nothing that made it stand out from all the others.
I recommend this one for those of you who are looking for a nice break after a pretty serious book, or if you are just sick of doing school work. It was a pretty short read and was really well-written. There was still some pretty serious scenes, but overall it was lighthearted and a fun read.
Check out the full review at Bookaholic Raves
Even though it was cute and enjoyable, it was meh. There weren't very many interesting twists brought in, nothing that made it stand out from all the others.
I recommend this one for those of you who are looking for a nice break after a pretty serious book, or if you are just sick of doing school work. It was a pretty short read and was really well-written. There was still some pretty serious scenes, but overall it was lighthearted and a fun read.
Check out the full review at Bookaholic Raves
friedatweehuysen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed it
The romance side felt a bit strained. They just didn't quite work for me. I really enjoyed the friend relationship better. Well written and kept me reading later than I planned 2 nights in a row.
The romance side felt a bit strained. They just didn't quite work for me. I really enjoyed the friend relationship better. Well written and kept me reading later than I planned 2 nights in a row.
lakea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
myzanm's review against another edition
2.0
Poor, struggling Audra works as a maid at a luxury resort. She meets arrogant rockstar Jay and there is supposedly heat between them from the get to go. I write supposedly because I just can't find it. The book is easy to read and there are no obvious faults in language or grammar, which is the main reason this book actually got 2 stars instead of 1.
The story, however, is a veritable roller coaster. I loved the beginning when Audra actually had a backbone and resisted. I saw a different scenario unfold in my mind where she would resist him and he would reform and in the end she would love him for him and not for his rock star status and he would be worthy of her. You know the whole cliche. If that is what you expect and want then turn around. Run, run as far and fast as possible. This is not the book for you, and frankly I don't know if it could be the book for any one.
From a promising start the story slid down the slope and became annoying and boring while Jay became even more of an self centered ass who only thought with his d**k and never fractured in other people's feelings and needs. Audra was schizophrenic who swiches between a girl with standards and integrity to a teenaged fan-girl with no thought about real consequences. It was exhausting.
The first half of the book was not all bad even if it was not good either, but it tumbled down the hill after that and there was no saving. A rabid police woman, a slutty co-worker, an oblivious boss and a borderline abusive family just makes matters worse. In the end I felt like the whole story was just a
When the choppy end finally (and I mean Finally) came rolling 'round it was not a satisfying one. At least not for me. It was too abrupt. As it turns out this is the first in a series, which I didn't know before reading and I would not call it a stand alone,
I finished the book, but barely. I will not recommend this to any one, because this was really not a book I could think about with a sense of enjoyment.
The story, however, is a veritable roller coaster. I loved the beginning when Audra actually had a backbone and resisted. I saw a different scenario unfold in my mind where she would resist him and he would reform and in the end she would love him for him and not for his rock star status and he would be worthy of her. You know the whole cliche. If that is what you expect and want then turn around. Run, run as far and fast as possible. This is not the book for you, and frankly I don't know if it could be the book for any one.
From a promising start the story slid down the slope and became annoying and boring while Jay became even more of an self centered ass who only thought with his d**k and never fractured in other people's feelings and needs. Audra was schizophrenic who swiches between a girl with standards and integrity to a teenaged fan-girl with no thought about real consequences. It was exhausting.
The first half of the book was not all bad even if it was not good either, but it tumbled down the hill after that and there was no saving. A rabid police woman, a slutty co-worker, an oblivious boss and a borderline abusive family just makes matters worse. In the end I felt like the whole story was just a
Spoiler
foreplay to the resulting (few) sex scenes. And how those came to be was beyond me since any self respecting woman would never let ANY man touch her after whitnessing him having sex with the hotel whore. And his excuse was laughable at best.When the choppy end finally (and I mean Finally) came rolling 'round it was not a satisfying one. At least not for me. It was too abrupt. As it turns out this is the first in a series, which I didn't know before reading and I would not call it a stand alone,
Spoiler
mainly because there is no real end and Jay is the main character in the following books, all featuring different female leads. If I'd known that I wouldn't have read this book at all.I finished the book, but barely. I will not recommend this to any one, because this was really not a book I could think about with a sense of enjoyment.