Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a surprising read for me! I went into it with low expectations and just picked it up thanks to an audio ARC provided from Libro.fm.
The narrators did an excellent job and the mail MC has a delicious voice. The characters were not extremely exciting, but they were still enjoyable nonetheless. The best way I could describe this book was deliciously entertaining. My only grip was I found it was a little too long. It really just needed to be shortened but overall it did exactly what I needed to do and it was exactly what I needed. The smut scenes were exciting and fun and I felt the chemistry between the two main characters. The banter was good and the overall story was enjoyable.
The narrators did an excellent job and the mail MC has a delicious voice. The characters were not extremely exciting, but they were still enjoyable nonetheless. The best way I could describe this book was deliciously entertaining. My only grip was I found it was a little too long. It really just needed to be shortened but overall it did exactly what I needed to do and it was exactly what I needed. The smut scenes were exciting and fun and I felt the chemistry between the two main characters. The banter was good and the overall story was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy
emotional
medium-paced
Pretty solid book, with complex characters and relationships all around. Definitely a lot of drama as well, but also some fun and even funny moments.
Cal was not like other girls, but not in a "not like other girls" way. She was different, but not in a trying to be quirky way... It was mostly because of her social anxiety and child of immigrants experience. Things that also got her singled out in negative ways... even if Row saw her as unique and loved her for it. I hated some of the choices Cal made sometimes, but she was a very believable character so I understood them.
Row felt a little less developed, which made his aggressive grumpiness sort of jarring at first, but when you learned more of his backstory it did start to round him out as well.
Overall, I had a pretty good time with their love story. Sometimes I just wanted them to hurry up and get out of their own way, but the pacing was generally pretty good. The side characters were also compelling and added nice depth and levity at times (*very excited for the next book withDylan and Rhy! ).
Definitely CWs to be aware of, descriptions of past events but described fairly explicitly (sexual harassment, physical and psychological/emotional abuse, bullying, violence, bodily injury resulting from assault x2 )... pretty much all of this happens within one chapter (Chapter 35) with the exception of one instance. Also, general discussion and depiction of androphobia... which was something I had to google but may be triggering for people who know it and experience it.
Cal was not like other girls, but not in a "not like other girls" way. She was different, but not in a trying to be quirky way... It was mostly because of her social anxiety and child of immigrants experience. Things that also got her singled out in negative ways... even if Row saw her as unique and loved her for it. I hated some of the choices Cal made sometimes, but she was a very believable character so I understood them.
Row felt a little less developed, which made his aggressive grumpiness sort of jarring at first, but when you learned more of his backstory it did start to round him out as well.
Overall, I had a pretty good time with their love story. Sometimes I just wanted them to hurry up and get out of their own way, but the pacing was generally pretty good. The side characters were also compelling and added nice depth and levity at times (*very excited for the next book with
Definitely CWs to be aware of, descriptions of past events but described fairly explicitly (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Stalking
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Pregnancy
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Grief
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Yes
This is my first read by this author. I will say that I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. I really liked the concept and the story. I really enjoyed the MMC and his broody, a-hole "charm." I liked the quirky nature of the MFC, but I found myself wanting to shake her into reality. HE LOVES YOU, LADY!!!!
Cal and Row were sort of high school sweethearts. Cal was best friends with Row's sister. Cal had a crush. More than a crush, and Row knew she had his heart. After a series of events, Cal wants to lose her V card and of course Row is the one. Caught by their best friend/sister ruins everything.
Now Cal and Row are back in their sleepy little town. Cal is still searching for herself and Row is a big wig, Gordon Ramsey type chef, making millions. Through lots of awkwardness, angry exchanges and crazy banter, the two are reconnected and trying to figure things out.
Jealousy, enemies, anxiety and mishaps continue with the two, adding in best friends, sisters, coworkers and moms. It's a wild tug of war. They both want to give their hearts but also desperately want to protect themselves.
There is an HEA, but it's not easy to get there.
Some of the scenes were over the top, eye rolling and snarfing. There is a book 2 due out in April 2025 but we don't know who it is yet...I have some hopes.
Story: 3.5/5 ✨✨✨.⭐
Spice: 3.5/5 🍆🍆🍆.🌶️
Characters: 4/5 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Banter: 4/5 😏😏😏😏
Cal and Row were sort of high school sweethearts. Cal was best friends with Row's sister. Cal had a crush. More than a crush, and Row knew she had his heart. After a series of events, Cal wants to lose her V card and of course Row is the one. Caught by their best friend/sister ruins everything.
Now Cal and Row are back in their sleepy little town. Cal is still searching for herself and Row is a big wig, Gordon Ramsey type chef, making millions. Through lots of awkwardness, angry exchanges and crazy banter, the two are reconnected and trying to figure things out.
Jealousy, enemies, anxiety and mishaps continue with the two, adding in best friends, sisters, coworkers and moms. It's a wild tug of war. They both want to give their hearts but also desperately want to protect themselves.
There is an HEA, but it's not easy to get there.
Some of the scenes were over the top, eye rolling and snarfing. There is a book 2 due out in April 2025 but we don't know who it is yet...I have some hopes.
Story: 3.5/5 ✨✨✨.⭐
Spice: 3.5/5 🍆🍆🍆.🌶️
Characters: 4/5 🫂🫂🫂🫂
Banter: 4/5 😏😏😏😏
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent