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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
naluminum's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Cancer, and Body shaming
tracey1981's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of the best and smartest romance books I’ve read.
What I liked:
-the characters felt real
-there was one main sex scene in the book that just! kept! going! instead of lots of moments peppered throughout. I loved this scene- maybe my favourite sex scene ever.
-the main characters’ lives and histories and sexualities were complex and interesting. More specifically, the main character I think could be described as demisexual, though that wasn’t named/labeled, which I kinda liked too. I found her experience very interesting and relatable and not something I’ve seen described in fiction before
-they had lives outside of each other - mostly work/academia but also close friendships that mattered to them and that the book took the time to delve into which doesn’t happen that often in such depth in romance books
-some serious shit happens that is handled quite well
What I didn’t like:
-an abundance of body commentary - he is large, she is small, her “weighing nothing” is mentioned more than once, among many other comments that I just got tired of.
-there was a character who did a very bad thing and while I believed that could happen for sure, just how quickly he turned from likeable to complete dick for one earth-shaking scene felt a little unrealistic to me. I thought it would have been more believable if he was more subtle/better at his assholery.
I look forward to more by this author
What I liked:
-the characters felt real
-there was one main sex scene in the book that just! kept! going! instead of lots of moments peppered throughout. I loved this scene- maybe my favourite sex scene ever.
-the main characters’ lives and histories and sexualities were complex and interesting. More specifically, the main character I think could be described as demisexual, though that wasn’t named/labeled, which I kinda liked too. I found her experience very interesting and relatable and not something I’ve seen described in fiction before
-they had lives outside of each other - mostly work/academia but also close friendships that mattered to them and that the book took the time to delve into which doesn’t happen that often in such depth in romance books
-some serious shit happens that is handled quite well
What I didn’t like:
-an abundance of body commentary - he is large, she is small, her “weighing nothing” is mentioned more than once, among many other comments that I just got tired of.
-there was a character who did a very bad thing and while I believed that could happen for sure, just how quickly he turned from likeable to complete dick for one earth-shaking scene felt a little unrealistic to me. I thought it would have been more believable if he was more subtle/better at his assholery.
I look forward to more by this author
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Sexual harassment
ellie_girl2929's review
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably the best book I’ve ever read most def recommend. One of my top three books I’ve read so far. Very detailed book and when I finished reading I immediately wanted to reread the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Gaslighting, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Grief, and Medical content
cecilie26's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
It’s a really nerdy(in the good kind of way) and totally loveable. If you want a sweet but kind enemies to Lovers Vibe but not quite enemies either, but something in between? This is the book. It has the sunny and broody romance.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body shaming, and Misogyny
daringreader13's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Hypothesis- because this is Star Wars fanfic I will hate it. 😅 Too bad the test results proved that hypothesis to be absolutely false.
And now I read everything she’s written before her book event in a couple weeks.
Also I did in fact read this in one sitting. Which wow. I need to read it again already.
And now I read everything she’s written before her book event in a couple weeks.
Also I did in fact read this in one sitting. Which wow. I need to read it again already.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Body shaming and Death of parent
gimmiiie's review
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, and Alcohol
sofiasticated's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Sexual assault
_alyannaaa's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
shahdhazem's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
It's the first time I'm giving a contemporary book 5 stars and believe me I'm not exaggerating it's literally the first. Some people might say that it's not that good but for me it's perfect maybe because I needed it at the time but this book gave me everything I wanted and I'm in love. I loved the main character so much she felt so real to me and relatable. Also as a science lover I enjoyed the academic conversations so much. Let's talk about the romance which was one of the best fake dating tropes I've ever seen the way the author put so much emotion into it also making Adam the love interest this mysterious aloof figure but also this deeply warm hearted man I can't talk enough about the feelings this story gave me however simple it was. Definitely recommend to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent