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mmmgoode's review
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? No
4.0
truleejenann's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
starshynebrite's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
loveinpanels's review
3.0
For an enemies-to-lovers plot to be successful for me, I need the characters to be at odds, but not cruel. When one character is more unkind than the other, the relationship feels unbalanced and it's hard to believe in the HEA. In Two Houses, we have a single POV only, Priya. She's incredibly driven and faces a lot of bias in her work as an art seller, but she's also kind of immature. Some of the jokes in the book were funny, but there are a lot and they ended up coming off as juvenile half the time. Priya's best friend/coworker/assistant calls her actions "shenanigans" and that's exactly what they are. Sometimes, however, they're cruel and I couldn't get past the combination of meanness and immaturity. Sneaking your competition a laxative during a business event? That's not okay. Stealing clients from each other is one thing, but doing things like that in order to take business is not okay. I wonder if I would have felt differently if I had the male MC's POV, but we're in Priya's head and she thinks all of this is normal and fun.
This book will likely appeal to people who want shenanigans, art talk and business rivalry.
This book will likely appeal to people who want shenanigans, art talk and business rivalry.
tamtam's review
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
3.5
jessicareadsalot's review
4.0
this was a pretty solid debut! i was very excited going into this because the epigraph was derived from Romeo & Juliet and i am an absolute sucker for a good R&J retelling/inspired book. it did not disappoint! academic rivals (in flashbacks) to professional rivals to lovers? be still, my heart. Priya and Gavin are from rivaling auction houses and are constantly trying to one-up each other and it's glorious. the banter was witty and funny and there were several moments that had me laughing out loud. really it was funny because my mans Gavin was CLEARLY simping over Priya for basically the entire book and every time she'd try to pull away because they're "enemies from feuding houses" i was screaming "GOD PRIYA HE'S CLEARLY WHIPPED FOR YOU" in my head.
i wasn't really sure where it was going at first but after the setting switch it was pretty generic. the romance is cute and despite it's predictability, i couldn't put it down until i finished it at some ungodly hour of night. my favorite character was honestly Priya's mom who was badass. Priya's brother was annoying and he got off way too easily. he should have stood up for her more.
it was a bit heavy on the art talk. i kept having to look up the painting names because i had no idea what they were referencing. also, i didn't like the sex scenes at all. for so much buildup of tension and angst, it was pretty disappointing and a bit clumsily written, especially with all the damn painting references. however, i did really enjoy the characters and i liked the representation so this is 4 stars instead of 3.5.
fave lines:
“ It takes a lot of energy to hate the same person for so long, but my natural pettiness really helps.”
“What did you do?” she asks, eyes pinning me to the seat and daring me to lie. All while having the most benign smile on her face. It’s scary. This is the content I wished she had taught me. Not how to make her really good dal makhana.”
“I’m in very expensive shoes.” He points down to his feet. “I can’t walk in them.”
I give him serious side-eye, not believing that he doesn’t hear how he sounds sometimes. “We’re in the same tax bracket but I would lead the charge to guillotine you.”
“. “So when can I pick you up tomorrow?” he asks at a normal volume.
“Excuse me?”
“We can’t take two cars to the same place. That’s bad for the environment.”
“That would be a pretty good date,” I say, conceding the point. “What would you have done after the private show?” Our voices are both low, forcing us to lean in to be heard.
“I would hope, and pray, and sacrifice the biggest goat I can find to Venus, hoping you’d consider kissing me goodnight.”
i wasn't really sure where it was going at first but after the setting switch it was pretty generic. the romance is cute and despite it's predictability, i couldn't put it down until i finished it at some ungodly hour of night. my favorite character was honestly Priya's mom who was badass. Priya's brother was annoying and he got off way too easily. he should have stood up for her more.
it was a bit heavy on the art talk. i kept having to look up the painting names because i had no idea what they were referencing. also, i didn't like the sex scenes at all. for so much buildup of tension and angst, it was pretty disappointing and a bit clumsily written, especially with all the damn painting references. however, i did really enjoy the characters and i liked the representation so this is 4 stars instead of 3.5.
fave lines:
“ It takes a lot of energy to hate the same person for so long, but my natural pettiness really helps.”
“What did you do?” she asks, eyes pinning me to the seat and daring me to lie. All while having the most benign smile on her face. It’s scary. This is the content I wished she had taught me. Not how to make her really good dal makhana.”
“I’m in very expensive shoes.” He points down to his feet. “I can’t walk in them.”
I give him serious side-eye, not believing that he doesn’t hear how he sounds sometimes. “We’re in the same tax bracket but I would lead the charge to guillotine you.”
“. “So when can I pick you up tomorrow?” he asks at a normal volume.
“Excuse me?”
“We can’t take two cars to the same place. That’s bad for the environment.”
“That would be a pretty good date,” I say, conceding the point. “What would you have done after the private show?” Our voices are both low, forcing us to lean in to be heard.
“I would hope, and pray, and sacrifice the biggest goat I can find to Venus, hoping you’d consider kissing me goodnight.”
ashitak's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ke1cey's review
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? It's complicated
3.25
felt rushed at times and seemed a little underdeveloped, but still enjoyable
readwithanna's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
This was an exiting surprise!
I love that Priya and Gavin are friends as well as a couple. They're both three-dimensional and have distinct personalities. Love their banter.
I like the family dynamic and how that turns out.
The plot is engaging.
The epilogue was unnecessary but most epilogues in romances are. I am judging these people for getting a cruise. And for a honeymoon? *grimaces*
I love that Priya and Gavin are friends as well as a couple. They're both three-dimensional and have distinct personalities. Love their banter.
I like the family dynamic and how that turns out.
The plot is engaging.
The epilogue was unnecessary but most epilogues in romances are.
haiayers's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
2.0