Scan barcode
sdavis17's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
kfmcf's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I'm really not sure what this book wanted. Did it want to deep dive into marriage issues? Did it want to explore different facets of anxiety? Did it want to be a romance? It was so muddled trying to decide what it wanted that everything fell short.
I wish it that it had been more character focused - not just on the leads. The main plot was about this "Bachelorette" style radio dating show and it honestly felt like it didn't matter. Plus, Everly (FL) had no other real character depth besides her anxiety. As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, if that was what I was boiled down to in a book I would be disappointed. Also Chris (ML) seemed to have 0 flaws except his daddy issues.
There was also an overarching theme of parental issues in this book. Parental issues in a story are fine but the parents in this book were so obnoxious that I genuinely didn't know what I was supposed to think. Obviously Chris' dad was supposed to be awful, but Everly's parents with their weird off and on again separation was bizarre. And they were playing her like a weird middleman and then she *finally* spoked to them about 75% into the book. So so so many things could be solved through communication and while this can be a useful device in stories, I feel it was leaned on too heavily here. I also feel that there were just too many problems. There was no steady flow or climax to the story. It was just a bumpy road.
Honestly, I really wish the story had been about Stacey. Her conflict of being afraid of love and relying on dating to feel validated was far more endearing and then her finally having the confidence to take a dive on something more "real" was immensely more interesting.
Overall, I never was able to truly escape into this book. I think another edit and polish and trim could have aided it but really I think it mostly just needed to find a more solid footing.
I wish it that it had been more character focused - not just on the leads. The main plot was about this "Bachelorette" style radio dating show and it honestly felt like it didn't matter. Plus, Everly (FL) had no other real character depth besides her anxiety. As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, if that was what I was boiled down to in a book I would be disappointed. Also Chris (ML) seemed to have 0 flaws except his daddy issues.
There was also an overarching theme of parental issues in this book. Parental issues in a story are fine but the parents in this book were so obnoxious that I genuinely didn't know what I was supposed to think. Obviously Chris' dad was supposed to be awful, but Everly's parents with their weird off and on again separation was bizarre. And they were playing her like a weird middleman and then she *finally* spoked to them about 75% into the book. So so so many things could be solved through communication and while this can be a useful device in stories, I feel it was leaned on too heavily here. I also feel that there were just too many problems. There was no steady flow or climax to the story. It was just a bumpy road.
Honestly, I really wish the story had been about Stacey. Her conflict of being afraid of love and relying on dating to feel validated was far more endearing and then her finally having the confidence to take a dive on something more "real" was immensely more interesting.
Overall, I never was able to truly escape into this book. I think another edit and polish and trim could have aided it but really I think it mostly just needed to find a more solid footing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
decklededgess's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trigger warnings: anxiety and panic attacks, harassment, infidelity, alcohol, emotionally immature parents
No listen this had a really promising premise?? I love a Bachelor franchise spoof and the promise of a main character with anxiety?? Sounds like a dream. But dude this was so fucking bland!!!
Chris was an utter dweeb, what's her face the MC was utterly uninspired. The best friend was more a stick in the mud than helpful or inspiring, and a lot of the times came off as toxic and lowkey a bully.
It felt like the main character was just getting pushed around all over the place by her friends, by her job, by her parents, by Chris, and she just seemed to take it all as a criticism of her anxiety and that her feelings were irrelevant. And there was no resolution on that front. No one was called out for being utterly shitty to her and it was all a "hey don't let your anxiety get the best of you" as if feelings are completely invalid due to diagnosed anxiety and panic disorders. Eugh.
And to top it all off, no smut? bruh. Miss me with that.
No listen this had a really promising premise?? I love a Bachelor franchise spoof and the promise of a main character with anxiety?? Sounds like a dream. But dude this was so fucking bland!!!
Chris was an utter dweeb, what's her face the MC was utterly uninspired. The best friend was more a stick in the mud than helpful or inspiring, and a lot of the times came off as toxic and lowkey a bully.
It felt like the main character was just getting pushed around all over the place by her friends, by her job, by her parents, by Chris, and she just seemed to take it all as a criticism of her anxiety and that her feelings were irrelevant. And there was no resolution on that front. No one was called out for being utterly shitty to her and it was all a "hey don't let your anxiety get the best of you" as if feelings are completely invalid due to diagnosed anxiety and panic disorders. Eugh.
And to top it all off, no smut? bruh. Miss me with that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Alcohol
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had added it to my TBR because I was told it had great anxiety representation and it did!
I especially loved how Chris handled her anxiety.
This book had some absolutely hilarious moments (the birthday party IFKYK!!) but it also had some really important soul searching.
This book is labeled as wholesome and I would only give it 🔥 except some of the conversations with the best friend and the parents aren't as wholesome.
I especially loved how Chris handled her anxiety.
This book had some absolutely hilarious moments (the birthday party IFKYK!!) but it also had some really important soul searching.
This book is labeled as wholesome and I would only give it 🔥 except some of the conversations with the best friend and the parents aren't as wholesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
laurawoods13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
talknerdybookblog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Representation: Heroine with Social Anxiety
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
• Does have the Heroine and Hero pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Infidelity
• Unhealthy parental relationships
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have OM drama
• Does have the Heroine and Hero pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Infidelity
• Unhealthy parental relationships
Ending:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
sarah_collins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
apuckingbibliophile's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Emotional abuse
irisheyz77's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
Ten Rules for Faking It was a cute, quick read that I wanted to love more than I did. It starts of great and I was really invested and loved the friendship between Everly and Stacey. In some ways this book reminded me of a grown up version of 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston when Everly starts to go on random dates as the radio station she works for takes an on-air faux pas and turns it into a PR stunt. What fell flat for me was the main romance of the book - which is a slow burn without much spark. I just didn't feel the tension and chemistry between Everly and Chris that was supposed to be there. Both seemed to pine for the other from the start and when your whole romantic subplot hinges on two people having a basic conversation then it falls a little flat. Everly's parents were also in the book way too much and were a bit over the top but I loved the other side characters - Stacey, Rob, and Chris's brothers - and hope that there are some companion stores coming that involve them.
Ten Rules for Faking It was a cute, quick read that I wanted to love more than I did. It starts of great and I was really invested and loved the friendship between Everly and Stacey. In some ways this book reminded me of a grown up version of 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston when Everly starts to go on random dates as the radio station she works for takes an on-air faux pas and turns it into a PR stunt. What fell flat for me was the main romance of the book - which is a slow burn without much spark. I just didn't feel the tension and chemistry between Everly and Chris that was supposed to be there. Both seemed to pine for the other from the start and when your whole romantic subplot hinges on two people having a basic conversation then it falls a little flat. Everly's parents were also in the book way too much and were a bit over the top but I loved the other side characters - Stacey, Rob, and Chris's brothers - and hope that there are some companion stores coming that involve them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
lklitup's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
1.0
Bottom line up front: I didn’t buy it.
Everly Dean is a newly 30 year old radio producer whose failed love life + list of 10 rules carry her into a new production segment. Chris Jansen is Everly’s boss at a small-but-successful radio station.
Everly also happens to have anxiety of such severity that she frequently self harms (digging her nails or her keys into her palms so tightly that they leave imprints) yet thinks making lists and stepping outside her comfort zone are more tangible coping mechanisms than therapy (which she could absolutely financially afford). Chris also happens to creepily hero-worship and lust after Everly despite barely speaking to her for the 10 or so months prior to Everly’s 30th birthday.
This book is a slow, slow, slo o o o ow burn. The bright spots were when Everly interacted with her BFF/coworker Stacey (whose unwavering friendship should be the stuff of legends); when Everly’s parents provided some comic relief (despite being extremely problematic themselves); and when Noah visited. The last 15% of this book almost made me give up, though, especially given Everly’s overblown, disproportionate reaction to Chris’ past.
I’ll end where I started: I just didn’t buy it.
Everly Dean is a newly 30 year old radio producer whose failed love life + list of 10 rules carry her into a new production segment. Chris Jansen is Everly’s boss at a small-but-successful radio station.
Everly also happens to have anxiety of such severity that she frequently self harms (digging her nails or her keys into her palms so tightly that they leave imprints) yet thinks making lists and stepping outside her comfort zone are more tangible coping mechanisms than therapy (which she could absolutely financially afford). Chris also happens to creepily hero-worship and lust after Everly despite barely speaking to her for the 10 or so months prior to Everly’s 30th birthday.
This book is a slow, slow, slo o o o ow burn. The bright spots were when Everly interacted with her BFF/coworker Stacey (whose unwavering friendship should be the stuff of legends); when Everly’s parents provided some comic relief (despite being extremely problematic themselves); and when Noah visited. The last 15% of this book almost made me give up, though, especially given Everly’s overblown, disproportionate reaction to Chris’ past.
I’ll end where I started: I just didn’t buy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Infidelity and Self harm