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xvicesx's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
This is my second Ali Hazelwood book and I'm just as pleased with this read as I was with the first one. It was a beautifully put together story, and though I'm really not keen on the misunderstanding trope, this was nicely done altogether.
I loved to see Olive fall in love with Adam, and how entirely patient Adam was for her, and how entirely sweet her friendship with Malcolm and Ahn was, and well, everything.
It was a great story, in a great setting, and as far as romances go, supremely sweet. Highly recommended.
I loved to see Olive fall in love with Adam, and how entirely patient Adam was for her, and how entirely sweet her friendship with Malcolm and Ahn was, and well, everything.
It was a great story, in a great setting, and as far as romances go, supremely sweet. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
reading_oyster's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Enjoyed the plot a lot! I read it so quickly and will gladly buy the book to add to my home collection of books. A lot of complaints online for this book is that it reads like a fanfiction which is true. However, I do love fanfiction and the cringiness of it. The development of the characters and their relationship is what kept me reading. There was a specific spicy chapter (or 2) that I really enjoyed but can make you icky if you're not into things like that. The only issue I really had with the characters were the age gap. It isn't a bad age gap because they're adults but is unusual if it's not something you're comfortable with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexism
There are 2 chapters that do have sexual content and describes it in great details.destinyridc's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism
mari_library's review
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
This book was a solid 4-star read. I have to praise Ali Hazelwood for making me like the type of main character I normally hate. Was the story predictable? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Also, yes.
The object permanence was definitely not there since every time I put this book down, I forgot I was reading it. BUT when I was reading the book, it was enjoyable and engaging. The story is your typical fake-dating romance, the characters and plot were predictable, and in all cases, it was a solid romance. There is very little to say against it other than the main character's best friend is shitty. I don't think Anh played the part well as a best friend, and I don't think she showed the same level of investment in her friendship as Olive did. However, Adam Carlsen???? My man! He was *chef's kiss* the definition of a man written by a woman. I love him.
Overall, an enjoyable and solid read.
The object permanence was definitely not there since every time I put this book down, I forgot I was reading it. BUT when I was reading the book, it was enjoyable and engaging. The story is your typical fake-dating romance, the characters and plot were predictable, and in all cases, it was a solid romance. There is very little to say against it other than the main character's best friend is shitty. I don't think Anh played the part well as a best friend, and I don't think she showed the same level of investment in her friendship as Olive did. However, Adam Carlsen???? My man! He was *chef's kiss* the definition of a man written by a woman. I love him.
Overall, an enjoyable and solid read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Sexism, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
chelseasofia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
Ok, on the one hand this book was fun, had great STEM and science rep (which I know zero about but was delighted by the specificity of it all - it’s refreshing to see characters so knowledgeable in their field of work), and I really liked the characters and their growing relationship. They really *cared* for each other and were thoughtful about each other’s feelings and boundaries. It was fairly well written (not a ton of weird overly explanatory anxiety ridden character thoughts, only a few sprinkled hither and thither) and it did not feel like a chore to read (high bar I know).
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Cancer
alliekc1010's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
i will always love reylo
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexism
microbemom's review
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Cancer, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
shlymiller's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
2.5
I just couldn’t get past the premise of this book and the few scenes that absolutely were not okay conduct between a professor/student.
This book explores themes of sexual abuse, academic pressure, women in STEM, and the demisexual experience in a good way, but there were just parts of the story that felt gross and I couldn’t get past.
Definitely a romance, definitely fanfic-ish.
This book explores themes of sexual abuse, academic pressure, women in STEM, and the demisexual experience in a good way, but there were just parts of the story that felt gross and I couldn’t get past.
Definitely a romance, definitely fanfic-ish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
petite_madeline's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
All of Ali Hazelwood's books are a must-read for me! I always devour her stories and have a great time, so this book was no exception!
You'll love this book if you love:
You'll love this book if you love:
- STEMinist romance
- Grumpy, broody MMC with "you hurt her, you die" energy
- Fake dating
There is definitely a noticeable formula to Hazelwood's books: A bubbly and witty woman in academia is placed in forced proximity with a colleague who she initially hates then learns to love. Then cue a second man who she trusted but turns out to be a vile despicable person to turn her life upside down. But, of course, things turn out great in the end.
I love it! Sometimes, it's comfortable to read a book and know where it's going without knowing where it's going at the same time. And, as they say, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
I wonder if, perhaps, my affinity for Hazelwood's books come from the fact that I initially started really getting into romance through fanfiction. There's something familiar, cozy, and nostalgic about that fanfic feel that just hits right for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer