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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley, Renegade Books and author Holly McCulloch for this eARC
I have to admit, in the beginning Gem kinda gave me the ick and I was thinking "oh no, how am I gonna get through this".
However then we met Shanti and the book was saved.
And, lo and behold just like Gem I realised my ick was not that relevant and I ended up loving this book.
Gem grows so much throughout the book and it was great to see her character develop so much.
Atlas is just the perfect cinnamon-roll, golden retriever boyfriend and I loved him so much.
The book is humorous and I adore all our side characters - Shanti, as already mentioned, Gems Mom, Uncle Mike, Jay and the football kids are all amazing!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Gem is chronically single, with a chronic case of the ick. Every man she meets seems perfect on paper, some of them even in person - until she notices something...The Ick. Gem claims it's her intuition telling her that they're incompatible, but her housemate, Shanti, doesn't agree. After a string of bad dates, Shanti, who is training to become a Clinical Psychologist, putting the theory to the test. Cue Atlas, who, on paper, passes with flying colours but as soon as Gem sees him in person, she gets hit by the ick. Every fibre of her body is telling her to leave the date early, but for the study she goes on a second date, a third, & even a fourth, until she starts losing count. Can Gem do the impossible & actually start falling for Atlas? What happens when he finds out she's being paid to date him?
This book can’t help but put a smile on your face, it’s a heartwarming read with loveable characters, and with lines like “Cheese fixes everything”, how can you not enjoy?
Yes it’s a little predictable but it doesn’t matter as the journey to get there is just so enjoyable. Gem is a quirky character (with enviable toastie filling ideas!) & her relationship with her family members is just totally endearing. The way Atlas’s character is absorbed into this world, despite a completely different upbringing, is also a very nice touch.
Everyone will find a relatable element in this cosy romcom, I feel we all have a little bit of Gem’s ‘Ick’ wisdom in us - I for one completely agree that soup is not a real meal!🤣 The shining star in this title for me though is the strength of the friendship and familial connections, providing a light-hearted read with an underlying message of not giving up on your dreams. A really enjoyable read.
This book can’t help but put a smile on your face, it’s a heartwarming read with loveable characters, and with lines like “Cheese fixes everything”, how can you not enjoy?
Yes it’s a little predictable but it doesn’t matter as the journey to get there is just so enjoyable. Gem is a quirky character (with enviable toastie filling ideas!) & her relationship with her family members is just totally endearing. The way Atlas’s character is absorbed into this world, despite a completely different upbringing, is also a very nice touch.
Everyone will find a relatable element in this cosy romcom, I feel we all have a little bit of Gem’s ‘Ick’ wisdom in us - I for one completely agree that soup is not a real meal!🤣 The shining star in this title for me though is the strength of the friendship and familial connections, providing a light-hearted read with an underlying message of not giving up on your dreams. A really enjoyable read.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I loved this! This book reminds me of the type of book I’d read as a preteen, except infinite times better because it revolves around research and not some stupid misogynistic bet. Holly McCulloch has written a cast of loveable characters, and I truly love Atlas and Gem together - they are so cute!!
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I really enjoyed this. I’ve easily rated this 4.5 stars, because literally my only complaint is that there’s not a dog in the book (mention of dog, but no scene) and I love a good animal scene!!
-
Reading Atlas and Gem’s love story was so sweet - and I do love that he is literally the embodiment of golden retriever energy. Also, Shanti and Gem starting the clothing business?? Atlas and Gem going travelling?? Both amazing. I need her mum to start dancing again and everything will be perfect.
-
I really enjoyed this. I’ve easily rated this 4.5 stars, because literally my only complaint is that there’s not a dog in the book (mention of dog, but no scene) and I love a good animal scene!!
-
Reading Atlas and Gem’s love story was so sweet - and I do love that he is literally the embodiment of golden retriever energy. Also, Shanti and Gem starting the clothing business?? Atlas and Gem going travelling?? Both amazing. I need her mum to start dancing again and everything will be perfect.
Gem and Atlas... What can I say...
At first I wasn't too sure what to make of them both, but now?
I love them!
I also loved Gem and Shanti's friendship.
Uncle Mike... Uncle Mike... He had me giggling!
I'm off to reread this now!
Thank you to Dialogue Books at NetGalley for the ARC.
I now need to read a physical copy!
At first I wasn't too sure what to make of them both, but now?
I love them!
I also loved Gem and Shanti's friendship.
Uncle Mike... Uncle Mike... He had me giggling!
I'm off to reread this now!
Thank you to Dialogue Books at NetGalley for the ARC.
I now need to read a physical copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cute story about intuition, commitment issues, falling in love, and of course, the ick!
This was a fast paced book full of romance and banter.
As someone who all too often suffers from the ick, I found this to be such a funny and relatable read!
I loved the relationship between Gem and her flatmate Shanti, and I loved Gem’s relationship with her family too
I thought the disability representation was brilliant and done very well
Overall, a really lighthearted and enjoyable read. Thank you so much to Dialogue Books, Holly McCulloch, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
medium-paced
Never judge a book by its cover, they say. So, maybe also don't judge your date by your "ick"?
Gem would love to go on a second date with a guy, but whenever she meets up with a potential new man, she soon feels "the ick" which has her running for the hills. Her latest case of "the ick" was soup for lunch. Yes, I rolled my eyes, too. So did Gem's best friend who just happens to need a case study for her studies and manages to talk Gem into going out with Atlas (the soup for lunch eater) again. Maybe, if Gem challenged herself and her "ick" she could actually find love.
It's a cute story about intuition and falling in love, of course. I struggled with the third-person present tense narration though, not my preferred narration style.
Gem would love to go on a second date with a guy, but whenever she meets up with a potential new man, she soon feels "the ick" which has her running for the hills. Her latest case of "the ick" was soup for lunch. Yes, I rolled my eyes, too. So did Gem's best friend who just happens to need a case study for her studies and manages to talk Gem into going out with Atlas (the soup for lunch eater) again. Maybe, if Gem challenged herself and her "ick" she could actually find love.
It's a cute story about intuition and falling in love, of course. I struggled with the third-person present tense narration though, not my preferred narration style.
4,5 stars
I got a teeny tiny ick at the beginning (because who would run away from a date just because the guy had a soup for lunch??), but then it got better
I got a teeny tiny ick at the beginning (because who would run away from a date just because the guy had a soup for lunch??), but then it got better
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Dialogue Books, Netgalley, and Holly McCullogh for gifting me an advanced reader copy of The Ick in exchange for a honest review.
The Ick is a romantic comedy in which Gem is secretly paid to date a guy for her housemate’s study on whether intuition (The Ick) is real or not.
I found that Gem was a hard character to warm up to. Some of her initial thoughts about Atlas were very mean - comparing him to a snail many times amongst many other icky things. Yikes! Only Gem’s love and selflessness in caring for her mother redeemed her for me. In contrast, Atlas was perfection - hot and kind. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted Gem to end up with Atlas or not.
I loved the plot though, and Gem and Atlas’s dates were lots of fun. I loved the dynamics between the housemates and their local corner shop guy. Every Londoner knows about the importance of that relationship - so good to have them on your side!
I also loved the diversity of the characters in the story, and the author’s note at the end was important. I’m glad she included her perspective. I would definitely pick up another McCullogh book - this was a well-written story that won me over in the end.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Review: The Ick by Holly McCulloch
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to Dialogue Books, Holly McCulloch, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
The Ick is a fun, lighthearted rom-com that explores modern dating with a relatable twist: Gem, our protagonist, is plagued by the dreaded “ick†that ruins every potential relationship. The premise is fantastic—quirky, unique, and perfect for anyone who’s ever judged a date for something trivial (we’ve all been there).
While I loved the idea behind the story and its exploration of intuition in relationships, I found the writing style (third-person present tense) a bit off-putting—it’s not my personal preference, though others may enjoy it. Some sections felt repetitive, which slowed the pacing for me. That said, Gem’s journey, her growth, and the dynamics with Atlas were enjoyable, with plenty of humor and heart along the way.
If you’re after a charming, easy read about the ups and downs of dating and the ick-factor, this is worth checking out.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced