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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun book but it was at least 100 pages longer than it needed to be. I also felt like a lot of the plots took forever to build but then were completely rushed through. Even after the ‘reveal’ I kept waiting for something more dramatic to happen because surely that couldn’t be it? And yet it was
Definitely skimmed a lot for the last 20%.
All that said, I liked West and Nora’s romance and how they helped each other grow. It never felt one-sided
Definitely skimmed a lot for the last 20%.
All that said, I liked West and Nora’s romance and how they helped each other grow. It never felt one-sided
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved the romance at the core of this story. West and Nora were a great main couple and their love for each other was clear from the beginning. The way they couldn't ever fully be themselves because they were missing their other half was a great way to show how great they were when they were together. They brought out the best in each other and were definitely better together than apart. The best friend group was great and the use of group text to hint at what all of their storylines will be was clever. I hope Alex ends up with Amber just to give West a taste of his own medicine; because how else did Alex find out that West and Nora were at the Paradise Lost party??
Now, where the book falls apart is with everything else. The stalker plot was weak at best, it didn't have a lot of tension or build up that would cause the rest of the story to unfold, but it got us where we needed to be so I guess it worked. The mention of both of their deadlines were also super weak because it didn't seem to be a barrier for either one of them.
I did super appreciate that there was no third act breakup and that the miscommunication was resolved before it became an issue, that was awesome.
Overall I loved the romance of this book but the plot was the weakest part of all of it.
Now, where the book falls apart is with everything else. The stalker plot was weak at best, it didn't have a lot of tension or build up that would cause the rest of the story to unfold, but it got us where we needed to be so I guess it worked. The mention of both of their deadlines were also super weak because it didn't seem to be a barrier for either one of them.
I did super appreciate that there was no third act breakup and that the miscommunication was resolved before it became an issue, that was awesome.
Overall I loved the romance of this book but the plot was the weakest part of all of it.
slow-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is unnecessarily long. I was actually considering abandoning it at the 48% mark because I had been reading it for days and not much had happened. I have nothing against long books. I've read books that are 1000 pages long and I barely noticed because things actually happened.
I decided to stick with it to see if it improves and at least after the halfway point, it starts moving. Since I was able to finish it, I went with a two star rating.
I've read Olivia Hayle's books before and generally speaking found them engaging and enjoyable. This one felt incredibly flat for me, unfortunately. It was a trope salad. You've got brother's best friend/enemies to lovers/forced proximity/inexperienced heroine learning from experience hero. I could even throw arranged marriage in there, but that's maybe pushing it. Nora was 24 but read like a teenager. West was 29 going on 50. He's overly paternalistic to her and I found it a bit gross. For two adults, they sure as hell have zero communication skills.
Neither character appealed to me. Most of the dialogue was stilted and repetitive. In the first half of the book, it felt like they were rehashing everything we already knew every other page. Really, it just felt like the author was stretching it out for page numbers.
I do give credit to the author, though, for letting Nora find her own voice and for emphasizing the importance of therapy in her journey. Her character growth was satisfying in that regard.
I decided to stick with it to see if it improves and at least after the halfway point, it starts moving. Since I was able to finish it, I went with a two star rating.
I've read Olivia Hayle's books before and generally speaking found them engaging and enjoyable. This one felt incredibly flat for me, unfortunately. It was a trope salad. You've got brother's best friend/enemies to lovers/forced proximity/inexperienced heroine learning from experience hero. I could even throw arranged marriage in there, but that's maybe pushing it. Nora was 24 but read like a teenager. West was 29 going on 50. He's overly paternalistic to her and I found it a bit gross. For two adults, they sure as hell have zero communication skills.
Neither character appealed to me. Most of the dialogue was stilted and repetitive. In the first half of the book, it felt like they were rehashing everything we already knew every other page. Really, it just felt like the author was stretching it out for page numbers.
I do give credit to the author, though, for letting Nora find her own voice and for emphasizing the importance of therapy in her journey. Her character growth was satisfying in that regard.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Marriage of convenience. Fake dating. Lessons. Brother’s best friend.
Nora and West.
The writing was a little boring at times. I liked the chemistry between the leads but the praise kink was a little repetitive.
It felt like it borrowed scenes from other books I’ve read before.
The emotional scenes didn’t carry enough weight and the story didn’t feel original.
Nora and West.
The writing was a little boring at times. I liked the chemistry between the leads but the praise kink was a little repetitive.
It felt like it borrowed scenes from other books I’ve read before.
The emotional scenes didn’t carry enough weight and the story didn’t feel original.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
very much felt like a trope checklist kinda book, definitely about 100 pages too long, and the plot was barely there.
i still finished it in 3 days though lmao
i still finished it in 3 days though lmao