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jadatrack's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Grief
Minor: Medical content
merlesstorys's review
- 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? Yes
4.25
I really liked Iris as a person, Declan not so much. He’s still an a-hole in my point of view. However, their story was as filled with tropes and clichés as other fake-marriage stories.
I also liked their word game, even when it left me curious to why some were chosen. The translations for them were amazing to have however. (But, just to clarify, Backpfeifengesicht means “a face badly in need of a slap” not fist. Word breakdown: Backpfeife = slap, Gesicht = Face.) That really made me laugh (both the word itself and the fact that it was not translated correctly.)
The plot weakened through that a bit. There were mostly motives that came through again and again (him wanting to work all day, Dreamland Tokyo,…) but not one storyline that was used throughout the whole book that created tension and the wish to continue reading. (The characters were used for that quite nicely though.)
The side characters were a pleasure, especially Cal who really came into the spotlight. Rowan and Zara were nice additions, and Seth Kane was an a-hole similar to Declan, but what a surprise lol.
All of this was influenced by the nice and fluent writing style of Lauren Asher. Her way to write left me hanging on, even when I was tired of this story and it’s faults.
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
hannibanani29's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
eddine's review
- 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
4.75
AAAAAH I LOVE THIS BOOK AND THIS SERIES
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Pregnancy
abby_shupe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think I loved Iris and Declan a smidge more than Zahra and Rowan (it’s close!!). Iris was so relatable and lovable, Declan was hilarious and thoughtful.
And this quote pretty much sums up their incredible dynamic:
“If I ever get caught, it’s a good thing I have you to bail me out of jail.”
“Who says I wouldn’t be in there with you?”
I love them 😭 and Lauren Asher has a talent for epilogues and extended epilogues, wow!
And this book had Cal & Iris’s friendship, something I didn’t I needed in every book until now!
Funny, witty, emotional, romantic, everything you could want in a romance book and more! I also loved the fake dating trope and fake marriage trope, pulled off so well with the amazing banter!! Can’t wait for Cal’s book now!
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
thefatpaperback's review
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, and Drug use