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hobbit_96's review against another edition
The MMC is so toxic and rude. I liked Emily and the spicy scenes but Jim/James is just rude, controlling and manipulative, plus he keeps secrets (part of the manipulation). I don't know how Emily puts up with him. I think she's dickmatized and calls that love. He's just horrible and reminds me of previous partners I was in an abusive relationship with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
kb33's review
emotional
tense
medium-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
3.0
The first half of the book I didn’t like much. It’s written like their sexual attraction was so strong they couldn’t resist, regardless of how it hurt them. They argued constantly and treated each other horribly.
Then Jameson flips a switch and decides to be with Emily, and suddenly they’re sweet to each other and it’s a nice romance. Until the 3rd act breakup, where Jameson is horrible again. I don’t know how, but they get their HEA and if you can believe it, it was pretty sweet.
Then next book is supposed to be about the nice brother, so I’ll give it a try.
TW/CW details about infidelity
Jameson had an agreement with his ex fiance. While long distance, they could sleep around but couldn’t get serious with anyone else, and they were going to get fully back together after five years of Claudia working her dream job in London. Emily didn’t know anything about that arrangement until they’d been together a few weeks. Jameson broke it off with Claudia and then told Emily. There is also a side character who found evidence his boyfriend was cheating (all off page) and struggled to end the relationship.
Then Jameson flips a switch and decides to be with Emily, and suddenly they’re sweet to each other and it’s a nice romance. Until the 3rd act breakup, where Jameson is horrible again. I don’t know how, but they get their HEA and if you can believe it, it was pretty sweet.
Then next book is supposed to be about the nice brother, so I’ll give it a try.
TW/CW details about infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Sexual assault
coffeekitaab's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
aelin_morgenstern's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked the writing style and most of the characters, especially the side characters. Jameson and Emily had good chemistry. However, I'm no fan of the way Jameson treated Emily throughout the whole book. He was too arrogant and never really focused on her wishes.
The storyline was interesting, even though talking could have easily solved some of the misunderstandings between the main characters.
The storyline was interesting, even though talking could have easily solved some of the misunderstandings between the main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
amanda_reads13's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Emily and Jameson meet in first class and have a steamy night when their plane has to make a stopover in Boston for the night. 12 months later, Emily moves to NYC to start her dream job. Turns out that her new boss, the CEO of the company, is none other than Jameson.
Honestly I didn't like Jameson. He was such an asshole. He was so hot and cold. The way he treated Emily was unforgivable. Yes their chemistry was fire, but he was so horrible to her, I don't know how she could have forgiven him. I found him to be very toxic.
For the most part I liked Emily. She didn't let Jameson walk all over her and stood up for herself. I like that she didn't just accept a lame apology from him, but made him work for her forgiveness.
I wish there had been a bit more focus on the workplace mystery portion, that was pretty interesting, but lacking.
Tropes: boss/employee, one night stand, billionaire
Honestly I didn't like Jameson. He was such an asshole. He was so hot and cold. The way he treated Emily was unforgivable. Yes their chemistry was fire, but he was so horrible to her, I don't know how she could have forgiven him. I found him to be very toxic.
For the most part I liked Emily. She didn't let Jameson walk all over her and stood up for herself. I like that she didn't just accept a lame apology from him, but made him work for her forgiveness.
I wish there had been a bit more focus on the workplace mystery portion, that was pretty interesting, but lacking.
Tropes: boss/employee, one night stand, billionaire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Sexual content
calicat42's review
challenging
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.5
I really struggled with the rating. I LOVED the little mystery side plot that was happening, and honestly wish that was the focus of the book! I was much more invested in that storyline! Unfortunately, the toxicity in the relationship was a bit too romanticized for me. Also, I hate rich guys who think that they are entitled to the world just because of their status and power. Nothing romantic about that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
rosereadsalot's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
three stars for the drama but there’s a difference between grumpy and downright cruel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
goshurcute3's review against another edition
As the book goes on, I like the main couple less and less. It get to be annoying after a while. And the sex scenes almost seem copied and pasted throughout the book. Just bleh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
pritenpink2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
didiana24's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the kind of book you have to be prepared to read and to be in the right mindset to get through it. Both main characters have their own flaws, in fact, the MMC is a walking red flag, and half of the time you don't understand their reasonings or why they do what they do. That's why I think is necessary to have a clear mind and be prepared to hate but also cheer for Em and Jay.
When I read this kind of book I detach myself from the real world, because I know where my morals, values and believings are set, I just decide to ignore them in fiction and enjoy this kind of toxic, morally questionable, divorced-at-first-sight stories. If my friend was in Em's situation I would book her a flight to Australia and put a restriction order for the emocional abuser asshole that is hurting her.
That said, the plot of the leaked info and the rivalry with the other family is good. Maybe I would have liked that extra touch of drama including the paper that the rival family had in all of the mess that happens with the company.
Also Jay is a total asshole, every time he opens his mouth you want to punch him in the face. Not just for his need to control everything she does and everything she is, but for his rudeness with Em, his humor changes and the way he hurts her time and time again.
I think she forgives him too easily, even if she tries to resist and at certain times she is kind of conscious about her situation, in a way, she ends up doing what he orders. He forces her to make a final decision in just a couple of days after all the suffering. I mean, who wouldn't have massive trust issues with his constant changes of personality?
Anyways, the sex scenes are fantastic, the author aces them and walks you perfectly through the emotions the characters feel.
In conclusion, even if my previous words suggest the opposite, I really liked the book and I think is a really enjoyable read to disconnect and let go of some steam (not pun intended).
When I read this kind of book I detach myself from the real world, because I know where my morals, values and believings are set, I just decide to ignore them in fiction and enjoy this kind of toxic, morally questionable, divorced-at-first-sight stories.
That said, the plot of the leaked info and the rivalry with the other family is good. Maybe I would have liked that extra touch of drama including the paper that the rival family had in all of the mess that happens with the company.
Also Jay is a total asshole, every time he opens his mouth you want to punch him in the face. Not just for his need to control everything she does and everything she is, but for his rudeness with Em, his humor changes and the way he hurts her time and time again.
I think she forgives him too easily, even if she tries to resist and at certain times she is kind of conscious about her situation, in a way, she ends up doing what he orders. He forces her to make a final decision in just a couple of days after all the suffering. I mean, who wouldn't have massive trust issues with his constant changes of personality?
Anyways, the sex scenes are fantastic, the author aces them and walks you perfectly through the emotions the characters feel.
In conclusion, even if my previous words suggest the opposite, I really liked the book and I think is a really enjoyable read to disconnect and let go of some steam (not pun intended).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship