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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
It was undoubtedly the most disheartening 12 hours I’ve ever spent listening to an audiobook. I’ll never be able to reclaim that time. This book was utterly disappointing. I decided to give it a chance because of the movie adaptation, and to my surprise, the movie was a hundred times better, which is not usually the case. The ending was terrible! What on earth do you mean it abruptly ends the way it did? There was all this build-up, and then nothing—not even an epilogue! The movie at least provided a brief scene that allowed viewers to form their own conclusions about the characters’ fates. Usually, I’m okay with sad or unhappy endings, but this one felt unnecessarily abrupt and left no room for imagination about where each character ends up. It was a complete waste of time. The female protagonist was also disappointing. She lacked depth and growth. There was no chemistry between the lovers or any depth as to why they needed each other. It was chapter after chapter of just unnecessary smut. Her whole development could have been explored in the first half of the book. She came across as a teenager pretending to be a grown-up, and her actions were reckless without any empathy for those she cared about until it was too late. I did not feel any sympathy for her as a character. I wouldn’t recommend reading this book to anyone. Stick to the film. I’d give it a two-star rating, and that’s being generous.
God this book was good. It was just fun to read. Spicy but still sophisticated somehow. Well written. The dialogue was actually good. Am I rating it 5 stars because of just how me-coded it is? Maybe! But I loved the whole experience and had to buy my own copy after borrowing the library’s. My heart hurts but I’m still happy. No regrets. That’s the whole point, I think. Damn.
This book is about a 39 (almost 40) year old divorced mom named Solene who brings her daughter to meet a posh British boy band (think One Direction), and she ends up having a sexual, but eventually emotional relationship with one of the 20 year old members (I think she’s leaning towards Harry Styles with her descriptions, but I much preferred imagining Liam- however there is a Liam in this fake band named August Moon).
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Anyway, this story basically circles around the fact that she’s “old enough to be his mother” (this is mentioned often) and that her daughter is obsessed with the boy band member she starts her relationship with (Hayes) and that it would destroy her if she found out her mom was involved with Hayes. Also mega judgment from everyone except for Hayes and his clique, so just about everyone in Solene’s life is like wtf all the time.
.
Que the romantic escapades, Solene being whisked away to different countries to bang Hayes, and some minimal drama from another band member. Honestly, this was mostly just a spicy Middle Aged mom’s day dream. (Nothing wrong with that- I just couldn’t relate to anything).
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The age gap was a bit weird for me (I do acknowledge older men date 20 year old girls all the time), but also the way Hayes spoke in their dialogue constantly reminded me of their age gap too. The way it ended was so unbelievably disappointing and it just showcased how inappropriate their relationship was all along…
.
It gave me some fifty shades of grey vibes and even though at some parts I was rooting for Solene and Hayes to make it work, every time I read their dialogue or saw Solene’s questionable actions towards this very loving boy I’m reminded that this was just not my cup of tea.
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3 ⭐️ read at best. I did enjoy it, but at the end of the day it left a bad taste in my mouth. This is also going to be turned into a movie with Anne Hathaway as Solene btw, however I totally pictured Emily Blunt.
.
Anyway, this story basically circles around the fact that she’s “old enough to be his mother” (this is mentioned often) and that her daughter is obsessed with the boy band member she starts her relationship with (Hayes) and that it would destroy her if she found out her mom was involved with Hayes. Also mega judgment from everyone except for Hayes and his clique, so just about everyone in Solene’s life is like wtf all the time.
.
Que the romantic escapades, Solene being whisked away to different countries to bang Hayes, and some minimal drama from another band member. Honestly, this was mostly just a spicy Middle Aged mom’s day dream. (Nothing wrong with that- I just couldn’t relate to anything).
.
The age gap was a bit weird for me (I do acknowledge older men date 20 year old girls all the time), but also the way Hayes spoke in their dialogue constantly reminded me of their age gap too. The way it ended was so unbelievably disappointing and it just showcased how inappropriate their relationship was all along…
.
It gave me some fifty shades of grey vibes and even though at some parts I was rooting for Solene and Hayes to make it work, every time I read their dialogue or saw Solene’s questionable actions towards this very loving boy I’m reminded that this was just not my cup of tea.
.
3 ⭐️ read at best. I did enjoy it, but at the end of the day it left a bad taste in my mouth. This is also going to be turned into a movie with Anne Hathaway as Solene btw, however I totally pictured Emily Blunt.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The ending was massively disappointing. Hayes and Solene went through so much only to end like that. I read this book before I watched the movie that just came out, and I do not ever say this, but the movie was better than the book. That is the reason for 3 stars. I loved the movie, but the book just didn't hit right. I read romances for happy endings, and this one did not have one. I would enjoy reading books about the other band members though. While this is very thinly veiled One Direction fanfiction, it was enjoyable. I do enjoy fanfiction sometimes.
Dark fan fiction. For lighter fare, watch the movie.
I read this because I wanted to see the movie - I will definitely see the movie but I didn't love the book. The main character is too posh to be relatable to me, but not in the celebrity-fun way? Just in a posh way. I also didn't love the way the spice was written. Give me dirty or give me closed door, don't give me this kind of half-hearted description. And the ending was... underwhelming.
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes