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kcbatts's review
- 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
I hated the third act break up and had to suspend reality for their make-up.
I mostly enjoyed reading this, but doubt I'll revisit.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy
livaausma's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
But I feel as if it but could've been executed better.
Many conflicts were due to miscommunication which is undoubtedly the worst reason, and it felt like, the conflict wasn't even that big to begin with. Some characters were too stereotypical and there seemed to be too much introduction to characters that never really showed up again
The flow of the storyline and development was too fast at times - them being
Lastly, I want to mention the mental health struggles. I liked that it was said and shown that it is okay to struggle and that everyone is worth being loved, cared for, and deserves happiness. With that being said, it felt a bit too much/fast/...? :
And lastly, Lucy has terrible self-worth complexes and does not trust anyone to have her best interests at heart. This was really glossed over and also did not seem to get better throughout the novel. And while it was a happy ending, for anyone reading, I feel like it is really important to know how much you are worth and to love yourself and have respect for yourself before starting a relationship. Because if you don't, you could be taken advantage off (mentally, physically, financially and in any other way). While Lucy was had a HEA with someone kindhearted and giving, someone with a similar situation and low self-esteem would not be so lucky. With that being said, take care of you and know your worth <3
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity
vickie0326's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
chewiegirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
mamawantsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
mlglenn's review against another edition
5.0
Going in to Flirty Little Secret as one of my most anticipated new releases of the year, I had high hopes and I was NOT disappointed.
I don’t know if I’ve ever related so strongly to a character the way I did to Lucy. Her struggles with anxiety, depression, and ADHD were some of the most realistic I have ever read, and it felt so beyond wonderful to see myself so represented in a book. That feeling of wanting love but not being sure you deserve it? Knowing that isn’t apparently just a thought in my brain and is something people struggle with, but can still be loved for all their brain’s quirks (and frequent crying) was very emotional. I am so excited to recommend this book to friends going forward as a great depiction of the realities of having mental health conditions and being neurodivergent, and for the precious love story.
POV: dual first person
You can expect: teacher MMC, guidance counselor MMC, pen pals, secret identity, he falls first.
Rep: Mexican/Moroccan/Jewish FMC, anxiety, depression, IBD, ADHD.
Spice: 2/5
CW: off-page grooming of a child (NOT done by a MC, brief and non-descriptive. Nothing physically happens to the child), microaggressions, cheating (not done by MCs, off page)
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse and Xenophobia
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lololovesthings's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I so very much enjoyed "Flirty Little Secret" by Jessica Lepe, which is a fresh, modern take on a "You've Got Mail"-type of story. This one is SO funny! I feel like I laughed constantly throughout the entire book. I loved the connection between Lucy and Fletcher. I was instantly drawn to them and their love story. Their relationship starts out rocky, but the more they lean on each other, get to know one another, and open up to one another, a tender bond between them forms. The mental health representation is the star of the show here. This book has some of the best mental health discussions I have seen as of late. The conversations around mental illness felt totally realistic, wholly purposeful, and remarkably compassionate. It wasn't just thrown in without any rhyme or reason. Lepe really took her time crafting Lucy and Fletcher's mental health struggles and issues so that they felt lived-in and relatable. Lucy's struggles with imposter syndrome, depression, and anxiety felt extremely pertinent to me. There *is* a ton of miscommunication in this story, but it didn't seem to bother me as much as it has in the past in other novels. I think it's because Lucy and Fletcher are so dang likable and lifelike. Also, A+ representation as Lucy is Moroccan Jewish and Mexican. There are a half-dozen things I could pick apart about this book, but at the end of the day, it made me feel seen and made me feel really good about what I just read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Lepe, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs
erinlikesreading's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness