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chronicacademia's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
lisa07xie's review
emotional
funny
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
It is SO cute I really like the relationship between Jada and Donowan they are so good for eachother I love how they develop and strengthened eachother! Special loves to Mr. Till, August, Nicholas, Grams they made the book even better! Such good dynamics and just a cute wholesome book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
the premise of this was really good, but the execution fell a little flat for me. i don't know if it was the insta-lovey-ness of their relationship but i just needed more. at times, i felt like the story dragged and others it was going wayyy too fast. AND i really thought we would get away with out miscommunication because there were *multiple* opportunities for it but wesley actually had them communicate and then BAM right at the end it happened, and i was disappointed. also i will say, while i have seen this marketed as a sports romance (the MMC is a professional American football player), there is NO sports talk or anything about the actual sport on page - so if that's what you like, then pick this up! if you'd rather have some of the sport happening on-page, this isn't the book for that.
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Ableism, and Fire/Fire injury
carole_cookie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
headinthepages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I did find elements of it a bit rushed or superficial. The narration itself was generally ok but a little stilted sometimes.
It was a cute story and I liked the characters so I will definitely try another book by the same author!
It was a cute story and I liked the characters so I will definitely try another book by the same author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
lindsayerin's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Bullying
mandathebiblio's review
4.5
Listen. This. Flipping. Book. Holy crap. I loved this thing from the very beginning. It was exactly what I needed right now. My only complaint is getting into spoilers so I'll mark them in case you don't want to know about it. The issue I have is related to something that is in, like, every romance so it happening isn't a spoiler, really, but alas.
So, the big breakup at the end and then the subsequent make up really was... lackluster. It just felt so forced, honestly. They were so dang happy and they were supporting each other in a way that made their "reason" for the split really didn't make sense to me. Then the makeup happened and it all just felt very.... unnecessary. I can understand her reasoning but at the same time, I felt that it didn't really require it to be handled as it was.
But overall, even with that, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice fun romance that also included just enough baking. We were left knowing who the next book will follow and I definitely want to pick that one up as well.
I listened to this on audio on 2x speed and I would say that was fine. 1.75 would have been as well, honestly. The narrator did a really good job in my opinion and the only reason I wouldn't give the audio 5 stars is because I wish there had been a separate narrator for each POV. I felt that would have just made this experience a full 5 star for me if that were the case.
But overall, even with that, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice fun romance that also included just enough baking. We were left knowing who the next book will follow and I definitely want to pick that one up as well.
I listened to this on audio on 2x speed and I would say that was fine. 1.75 would have been as well, honestly. The narrator did a really good job in my opinion and the only reason I wouldn't give the audio 5 stars is because I wish there had been a separate narrator for each POV. I felt that would have just made this experience a full 5 star for me if that were the case.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Ableism
ashleycmms's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
nbreezy17's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
readingthroughinfinity's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
This was cute and light-hearted, but there was something missing for me, which I'm sad about because I'd been looking forward to it for months. I think it was a combination of the writing style and dialogue making me cringe at times and the lack of chemistry between the two leads, which meant I couldn't fully invest/believe in their romance. As a result, their fake dates and gradual realisation that they actually loved each other just didn't hit that sweet spot that most fake dating romances usually do for me.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content