Reviews

Dealbreakers by Lauren Forsythe

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litwithleigh's review against another edition

3.0

Writing: fine | Plot: classic romcom | Ending: nah bruva

SYNSOPSIS

Coder Marina Spicer is paired up with her work nemesis to test out activities to determine if they're date-worthy or better for a group of friends—oh and her promotion is riding on it, NBD.

MY OPINION

First and foremost: the cover is everything!!!! This is your classic romcom premise and I'm here for it. The writing is basic but not in an awkward way—it's just not going to rock your socks off. I must admit that I was a bit confused about Marina's job situation though; she developed a seemingly popular app (was she making money off it? I'm assuming no) but had to grovel with her bosses for a promo? And was facing off against a content writer for said promo???? Idk many orgs where a coder and a content writer would be up for the same position that presumably doesn't require any new skills training. Trust me, as a former content writer, I can barely manage html formatting so there's certainly no job I'd be facing off against a coder for.

Anywayzzzz, let's talk characters. Is Marina picky? Yes. I can get behind no smoking but no tatts and no swearing?? NO SWEARING??? Yeah count me out

profpetitfours's review against another edition

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4.0

At 30 and newly single, after her 15-year-long relationship ends, Marina knows her dealbreakers. No smokers, no tattoos, no swearing, someone who wants 2.5 kids, and a picket fence lifestyle. She's ready to settle down and is aggressively dating to find the one that meets every item on that list.

Lucas is everything that Marina doesn't want. Charming, slightly rakish, with tattoos, and a foul mouth. He never settles down in one place for long. Even worse, he's her professional nemesis (I, too, have a nemesis and I love that that language is used!).

When the two are sent on a series of fake dates with a major promotion at stake, Marina starts to realize that maybe those dealbreakers aren't dealbreakers at all when the man in front of her gives her butterflies. Lucas realizes that maybe being in the same place wouldn't be so bad if he gets to spend it with a woman who gives as good as she gets.

"Argh." He held his hands to his chest. "She's got a flower in her hair and she's making dad jokes. Help, my poor heart can't take it."

This is a sweet, closed-door romance with plenty of great tropes: enemies to friends to lovers, workplace, forced proximity, and sort of fake dating. Marina has an excellent set of friends who can push her on her hang-ups and who have interesting stories of their own. The banter between the two love interests is also well-done. The primary downside here is that the enmity between Marina and Lucas isn't well-developed, we're launched fully into their story with only brief mentions of that background. As a result, it's not particularly surprising that Lucas is really smitten with Marina and goes all out to charm himself into her life.

All told, if you don't mind closed-door romances, this is a good choice with a fun premise and plenty of enjoyable tropes.

* Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *

lisakerd's review against another edition

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3.0

I loved Lauren Forsythe's novel The Fixer Upper so I was excited to read your subsequent novel. Unfortunately I was disappointed with a subpar storyline and superficial characters. The romantic relationship in Fixer Upper was more believable and had the foundation of relationship history, whereas I didn't feel I got to know Lucas and Marina well enough and see enough chemistry to really feel moved by their development.

Also, I felt the side characters in The Fixer Upper were given more backstory and chemistry, and I didn't feel I got to know the friends that well (thus feel much interest in) with Dealbreakers.

I did enjoy the different "missions" Lucas and Marina were sent on and thought that was where the strength of the story was. Overall I thought Dealbreakers was fine, but it was hard not to compare to The Fixer Upper which I thought was more relatable, more sussed out, and had a more satisfying ending.

storybrooke13's review against another edition

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4.0

ok this is a very cute enemies to lovers little book and a quick read.

nothing special, I would probably give it 3.5 stars but definitely a solid read!!