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hilmi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a good read...
Except it has too many gratuitous sex scenes such that parts where the main couple aren't together are more interesting.
Marcus, the male lead, has no character either: he loves April and he has a complex. The end. Alex, his best friend with little screen time here (lead for the second book - no wonder it rates better) has so much more character.
I like the messages of not needing to forgive or expose yourself to toxicity from anyone, even family, and that you can build a positive community.
There are much better romances out there but if you are wanting a solid book and wouldn't mind reading or skipping a good chunk of sex scenes, then why not pick up this one?
Except it has too many gratuitous sex scenes such that parts where the main couple aren't together are more interesting.
Marcus, the male lead, has no character either: he loves April and he has a complex. The end. Alex, his best friend with little screen time here (lead for the second book - no wonder it rates better) has so much more character.
I like the messages of not needing to forgive or expose yourself to toxicity from anyone, even family, and that you can build a positive community.
There are much better romances out there but if you are wanting a solid book and wouldn't mind reading or skipping a good chunk of sex scenes, then why not pick up this one?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
whackettreading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Ableism
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Ableism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Misogyny, Eating disorder, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Alcohol, and War
rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
popatschi's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Ableism
bootsmom3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Cursing, and Body shaming
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Eating disorder
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For a rom com, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I did love the plus sized rep and dyslexia rep. I liked that Olivia was a geologist. But there were some parts that I felt didn’t quite meet my expectations. We barely get a scrap of what being a geologist is like and for Olivia to be considered a working women in STEM, it just felt pointless. The author constantly describes April as round and Marcus having a flat belly. Yes we understood the first time but it doesn’t have to constantly be told to us. I also lowkey thought Marcus was forgiven a little too fast for not revealing what he should have sooner. In my opinion, they moved way too fast to be considered realistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
caityg22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
em_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
booktalkwithrae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
I was really excited for this book and it didn’t quite live up to my expectations, though I did enjoy it.
First off, the representation was great which is a huge reason why I picked up this book in the first place. This book reminded me a lot of the YA book Geekarella. And the problem I had with that book is the same problem I had with this book.
The main characters are really into a book/TV series called Gods of the Gates and obviously knowing the show is important to the characters connection, and the author tries to input different scenes, fanfiction, book clips, to try and get the audience to understand the fan base. However, I just felt like there were a lot of pieces missing, and I just didn’t understand it, which affected my ability to connect to the characters and their enjoyment of this TV series.As a person who is a huge weeb and fan girl about a lot of different media I’d just felt lost, and it affected my enjoyment of the book.
I do want to try some of the other books in the series. I’m not quite sure how much this made up TV show Gods of the Gates plays a part in the other books, but we will see.
First off, the representation was great which is a huge reason why I picked up this book in the first place. This book reminded me a lot of the YA book Geekarella. And the problem I had with that book is the same problem I had with this book.
The main characters are really into a book/TV series called Gods of the Gates and obviously knowing the show is important to the characters connection, and the author tries to input different scenes, fanfiction, book clips, to try and get the audience to understand the fan base. However, I just felt like there were a lot of pieces missing, and I just didn’t understand it, which affected my ability to connect to the characters and their enjoyment of this TV series.As a person who is a huge weeb and fan girl about a lot of different media I’d just felt lost, and it affected my enjoyment of the book.
I do want to try some of the other books in the series. I’m not quite sure how much this made up TV show Gods of the Gates plays a part in the other books, but we will see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content