Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Full honesty - I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Rivals to lovers is usually not my first choice because I spend the whole book hoping for the lovers and getting annoyed when they’re still rivals.
All that said, I really enjoyed this book. The rivals portion was adorable, and it was well worth the slow burn to lovers. Sadie was such a flawed character with complex emotions driving her actions, and Julius seemed super sweet, even at times when it seemed like he lived just to annoy Sadie.
The relationship development between Sadie and Julius felt so natural and believable, and the side character plot lines really helped to flesh out the backstory’s and motivations of the main characters. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who can tolerate or enjoys petty squabbling hiding deeper feelings and a flawed main character who you can’t help rooting for.
All that said, I really enjoyed this book. The rivals portion was adorable, and it was well worth the slow burn to lovers. Sadie was such a flawed character with complex emotions driving her actions, and Julius seemed super sweet, even at times when it seemed like he lived just to annoy Sadie.
The relationship development between Sadie and Julius felt so natural and believable, and the side character plot lines really helped to flesh out the backstory’s and motivations of the main characters. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who can tolerate or enjoys petty squabbling hiding deeper feelings and a flawed main character who you can’t help rooting for.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
Well.. One word. PERFECTION.
if I had read this book aged 13 it would have been my roman empire. very well-executed academic rivals like this would have made my little heart explode
unfortunately I am no longer 13 and think the main character needs serious therapy and the MMC is,,,,a tad too intense
(couple longevity rating: I give them 6 months before they move away to uni and realise that their relationship was far more obsession than affection)
unfortunately I am no longer 13 and think the main character needs serious therapy and the MMC is,,,,a tad too intense
(couple longevity rating: I give them 6 months before they move away to uni and realise that their relationship was far more obsession than affection)
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was made in a lab for me. Two nerds with the fmc definitely neurodivergent with the worlds biggest fear of failure and need to win or absolutely fail and the only guy who can understand and compare is the mmc. perfect.
emotional
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
I honestly loved this book. I don’t know why it took me so long to finally pick it up, because it fits so perfectly with my reading preferences. It’s such a cute and nostalgic story—something my teenage self would have devoured, and even now as an adult, I was hooked from start to finish.
Sadie’s character really stood out to me. The way she was written made me feel her struggles, her flaws, and her growth. I related to her so much, especially in the way she navigated her rivalry (and later, unexpected connection) with Julius. At the start, I disliked him just as much as she did—but then slowly, he began to shine through. Julius feels a little mysterious, since the story is entirely from Sadie’s POV, but that actually worked; we only know him as much as she allows herself to. And honestly? He was kind of perfect in his own subtle, understated way.
Overall, I adored this book. It reminded me of when I used to be absolutely obsessed with To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and I know my friends who are still deep in their YA romance era would fall in love with it too. Sweet, funny, and just the right amount of heartfelt.
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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