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I struggled with what to rate this book. I think it is more of a 3 star because it is very predictable. We all know how it will end from the beginning. So I found myself yelling at the character to just accept it already, to stop over thinking it. That’s what caught me. Ummm I may possibly sometimes once in a while over thinking things myself. I too might get in my own way at times. Once I started seeing the main character for the realities that come with living the book went up the scale.
Marcela and Theo. Marcela have been in love with her best friend Brn for years, and Ben's brother Theo has been in love with Alice. Now Ben and Alice are getting married. Marcela and Theo are turning to each other, "faking" a relationship.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This book introduced me to a trope I didn't know existed, and didn't know I hated. There's really no name for it, but we'll go with "fall-back options" I guess?
I didn't mind that Marcela and Theo came together via their unrequited love for other people. But to say this was a fake dating story would be incorrect. There was none of the traditional staged appearances, forced proximity, forced PDA, any of it. There was a misunderstanding, they didn't correct it, then they decided tohave a no-strings-attached fling so it wasn't even FAKE dating. They were dating, lying about it, and pretending to fake date.
It bothered me that for the majority of this book, Theo and Marcela felt like they were only together because they couldn't be with the ones they really wanted. If I'm reading a romance novel, I want FIRST CHOICES. I want yearning. Excitement. Dedication. I just didn't feel that in this book.
What I did enjoy was how Marcela was a plus-sized woman with realistic hangups about her body. Yes, body positivity and confidence is amazing, but she mentions how it sort of depends on the day. I liked that realistic representation rather than this unattainable idea that we ALWAYS have to be happy with our bodies.
I would read more from this author in the future. I just think this particular story was not one I connected with.
I didn't mind that Marcela and Theo came together via their unrequited love for other people. But to say this was a fake dating story would be incorrect. There was none of the traditional staged appearances, forced proximity, forced PDA, any of it. There was a misunderstanding, they didn't correct it, then they decided to
It bothered me that for the majority of this book, Theo and Marcela felt like they were only together because they couldn't be with the ones they really wanted. If I'm reading a romance novel, I want FIRST CHOICES. I want yearning. Excitement. Dedication. I just didn't feel that in this book.
What I did enjoy was how Marcela was a plus-sized woman with realistic hangups about her body. Yes, body positivity and confidence is amazing, but she mentions how it sort of depends on the day. I liked that realistic representation rather than this unattainable idea that we ALWAYS have to be happy with our bodies.
I would read more from this author in the future. I just think this particular story was not one I connected with.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
A cute and complicated love story that I really enjoyed. Love when librarians find love!
emotional
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
lighthearted