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withlivjones's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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 really wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn’t get into it at all.
In terms of positives: I liked the celebration of South Asian culture, and I actually quite enjoyed Zara’s larger-than-life character - she was pretty funny with her tendency to overshare but also she really does care about people.
However, Zara’s personality doesn’t quite make up for Jay’s lack thereof. I get that what the author was going for was “brooding and grumpy ex-soldier with a heart of gold” but I’m honestly quite over the trope of characters who think they’re unlovable because of their trauma. Jay does get a few bonus points for getting therapy in the end, though.
Also, for a book that I initially thought was going to be about weddings, there wasn’t enough wedding content for me. The book appeared to turn into a legal drama for a moment towards the end which was entertaining if a little unexpected, and combined with many other moments in the plot that felt far too fantastical and cliche, as well as smut that was incredibly cringey (but thankfully not excessive), there were many times I wanted to put my copy down and go for a walk or something.
This might be your cup of tea if you enjoy very cheesy grumpy x sunshine romances, but it just wasn’t for me.
In terms of positives: I liked the celebration of South Asian culture, and I actually quite enjoyed Zara’s larger-than-life character - she was pretty funny with her tendency to overshare but also she really does care about people.
However, Zara’s personality doesn’t quite make up for Jay’s lack thereof. I get that what the author was going for was “brooding and grumpy ex-soldier with a heart of gold” but I’m honestly quite over the trope of characters who think they’re unlovable because of their trauma. Jay does get a few bonus points for getting therapy in the end, though.
Also, for a book that I initially thought was going to be about weddings, there wasn’t enough wedding content for me. The book appeared to turn into a legal drama for a moment towards the end which was entertaining if a little unexpected, and combined with many other moments in the plot that felt far too fantastical and cliche, as well as smut that was incredibly cringey (but thankfully not excessive), there were many times I wanted to put my copy down and go for a walk or something.
This might be your cup of tea if you enjoy very cheesy grumpy x sunshine romances, but it just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Car accident, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal death
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Why did I put off reading this for so long?? This was so much fun. It had the humor and heart that I enjoyed in the first two books. Something about these characters really resonated with me. Jay was one that grew on me the more I read. I loved how chaotic and confident Zara was. They had such a beautiful relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Cancer and Car accident
nicolesreadingbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, War, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
mybookishlife2's review against another edition
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
5.0
If it wasn’t for the fact that I read this after work and it’s been hectic there, I would have finished this so much faster.
I love love loved the characters in the book!
We have Zara who is always surrounded by her family and they’re always up in her business and pushing her to get married. After all, what else are auntie’s going to do during wedding season, right? She is a whirlwind. She has an energy off 1000 suns, she loves her life too The fullest, she also just got a job where it feels like home and most importantly doesn’t want love because love will eventually die.
Jay, Jay is too busy expanding his business for love. He also has to take care of his mom and make sure she is okay. After all, it’s what he’s always done. He was in charge of watching out for his men, he took care of his mom when she was sick, he takes care that his business has no issues and can grow. If he were to find love, he needed someone who was calm, successful, and not clingy.
These two were on their separate paths. That is until Zara’s cousin, Jay’s best friend is getting married and they go to paintball for their bachelorette/bachelor party. That’s when Zara shoots him in the ass and he can’t get her off his mind. For Zara, anytime she even thinks about another woman being around Jay drive her crazy.
And then their wonderful story begins to come together.
The way Sara put this together and showed how both of them had their own struggles that they had to come to term with, her with her traumatic past being a divorcee kid and him with his PTSD, It came so beautifully together. I also love love love Parvati. She’s such an amazing best friend.
The way that she chased him instead of him chasing her in the end? Incredible!!!!!
I will say though, it was a very fast ending.
I love love loved the characters in the book!
We have Zara who is always surrounded by her family and they’re always up in her business and pushing her to get married. After all, what else are auntie’s going to do during wedding season, right? She is a whirlwind. She has an energy off 1000 suns, she loves her life too The fullest, she also just got a job where it feels like home and most importantly doesn’t want love because love will eventually die.
Jay, Jay is too busy expanding his business for love. He also has to take care of his mom and make sure she is okay. After all, it’s what he’s always done. He was in charge of watching out for his men, he took care of his mom when she was sick, he takes care that his business has no issues and can grow. If he were to find love, he needed someone who was calm, successful, and not clingy.
These two were on their separate paths. That is until Zara’s cousin, Jay’s best friend is getting married and they go to paintball for their bachelorette/bachelor party. That’s when Zara shoots him in the ass and he can’t get her off his mind. For Zara, anytime she even thinks about another woman being around Jay drive her crazy.
And then their wonderful story begins to come together.
The way Sara put this together and showed how both of them had their own struggles that they had to come to term with, her with her traumatic past being a divorcee kid and him with his PTSD, It came so beautifully together. I also love love love Parvati. She’s such an amazing best friend.
The way that she chased him instead of him chasing her in the end? Incredible!!!!!
I will say though, it was a very fast ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Car accident
johannslauren15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
This book was so intriguing to read about Zara and Jay, it's a grumpy/sunshine trope a romance commentary. I think it's really interesting to read about Indian culture and how both their past and family affects their relationship. Also this is so witty and funny/awkward moments. Although I didn't give it 5 stars, because it was a little slow at the beginning and a little too cheesy for me. But definitely good if you want a lighthearted and shockingly silly romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
blackveilbeccy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This wasn’t as strong as the first two. Ex-military alpha male falls in love with manic pixie dream girl in an opposites attract romance. At the beginning, neither main character really appealed to me but by the end I really loved the male love interest. The female lead straddled the line between quirky and annoying. As usual, the diverse ensemble cast was great. The depiction of mental illness was sensitive and well-handled. The “spicy” scenes were cringe - aside from the fact I generally don’t like them, there’s only so many times you can talk about “lush” curves or the “crescents” of the female lead’s cleavage and I just couldn’t even after 3 books of that kind of phrasing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Death, Car accident, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, and Vomit
PTSD, toxic family situations, militaryalyssancoon's review
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
3.5
Again, very good, but not quite as good as the other 2.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
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