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aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition
3.0
I think this would be better without the spicy bits - they were off-putting and didn't fit, and then other sex scenes were fade to black. I didn't get any chemistry between the couple. Granny was the best part, and the old ladies.
celerycrunc's review against another edition
2.0
it was okay, decent read and story
i didn’t really have a strong connection to any of the characters. understood rashida’s apprehension to her growing attraction to elliot
i didn’t really have a strong connection to any of the characters. understood rashida’s apprehension to her growing attraction to elliot
jadebethj's review against another edition
5.0
This story was so good. It did a great job of showing chemistry, emotion, mental health, culture - and the fears that come from interracial relationships, family, and heart. I loved the romance between the two main characters.
elliotalderson's review
2.0
Received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After meeting at a bar, Rashida and Elliott have a one-night stand. Neither of them know they are on opposite sides of a gentrification issue.
I went into this expecting an enemies to lovers romance which I didn't really get. That's most likely my own fault and I probably just misunderstood the premise. They are on opposite sides of an issue but I never really felt much of a conflict between them. Their attraction to each other kind of overruled things, in my opinion. Rashida always gave into seeing him, even when he did things that went against what she was supposed to be fighting for.
Speaking of their attraction, I definitely believe in lust at first sight but love at first sight? It depends. After their one-night stand, where they barely got to know each other in the first place, Elliott and Rashida both seemed to fall in love really fast. They never really, in my opinion, got to know each other in the weeks following their hook up. Everything was centered around them being on opposite sides of a big issue.
There was a lot of potential with this book and unfortunately, for me, it fell flat. I didn't feel a connection to the characters. The steam was there but it didn't work for me.
After meeting at a bar, Rashida and Elliott have a one-night stand. Neither of them know they are on opposite sides of a gentrification issue.
I went into this expecting an enemies to lovers romance which I didn't really get. That's most likely my own fault and I probably just misunderstood the premise. They are on opposite sides of an issue but I never really felt much of a conflict between them. Their attraction to each other kind of overruled things, in my opinion. Rashida always gave into seeing him, even when he did things that went against what she was supposed to be fighting for.
Speaking of their attraction, I definitely believe in lust at first sight but love at first sight? It depends. After their one-night stand, where they barely got to know each other in the first place, Elliott and Rashida both seemed to fall in love really fast. They never really, in my opinion, got to know each other in the weeks following their hook up. Everything was centered around them being on opposite sides of a big issue.
There was a lot of potential with this book and unfortunately, for me, it fell flat. I didn't feel a connection to the characters. The steam was there but it didn't work for me.
brandece1's review against another edition
5.0
I had never heard of this author before but I am a sucker for a cute illustrated cover and when I saw this I had to pick it up. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but I will say if you are looking for something that starts with a (literal) bang and continues throughout the whole book The Hookup Dilemma is for you! I really enjoyed so many things about this book; both MC's, the storyline, and especially Rashida's sassy grandma. I will say that this was not only insalusty (obviously. Like I said it starts with a bang), but it is also instalovey which usually isn't my thing but somehow it just worked for me here. I really enjoyed the relationship between Rashida and Elliott. They were on opposite sides of a pretty big issue but they could help but find themselves in each other's orbit. This book is a story of gentrification, and familiar obligations. It tackles some pretty heavy topics well but is also full of swoon and steamy moments. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what is next from this author.
iamahoneybee's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I really liked the story line and the characters.
I have a sweet spot for stories were Architects are featured, and actually understand the profession. It makes the story telling believable and I care more about the book as it seems like they did their research to write about it.
Well thought out interactions with various characters spanning different generations and socioeconomic status. Love how they shared their different POVs so well.
Loved the spice
I really liked the story line and the characters.
I have a sweet spot for stories were Architects are featured, and actually understand the profession. It makes the story telling believable and I care more about the book as it seems like they did their research to write about it.
Well thought out interactions with various characters spanning different generations and socioeconomic status. Love how they shared their different POVs so well.
Loved the spice
yourkindredreader's review
3.0
A lovely story of two lives thrown into an unexpected rivalry!
The Hookup Dilemma by Constance Gillam is a charming book with relatable main leads. Both Rashida and Elliot found themselves on opposite sides of an ongoing conflict that are family-related. I think the complication of their familial loyalty is beautifully written and very touching. Other problems on the secondary characters are added too, which really hones how much Rashida devotes her life to others. There’s a lot of funny moments in there too, between Rashida and Elliot. I love their moments together, especially when thrown in Rashida’s community.
I enjoyed reading this so much! Thank you, NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and the author for the eARC.
The Hookup Dilemma by Constance Gillam is a charming book with relatable main leads. Both Rashida and Elliot found themselves on opposite sides of an ongoing conflict that are family-related. I think the complication of their familial loyalty is beautifully written and very touching. Other problems on the secondary characters are added too, which really hones how much Rashida devotes her life to others. There’s a lot of funny moments in there too, between Rashida and Elliot. I love their moments together, especially when thrown in Rashida’s community.
I enjoyed reading this so much! Thank you, NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and the author for the eARC.
hannahb1533's review
3.0
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I will start by saying that if I could give 3.5 stars on Goodreads that’s what this book would be.
Rashida is a good critic who is also on a mission to save her grandma’s neighborhood outside of Atlanta from gentrification from a development company. One night she meets a Elliot at a bar and they share a night of passion that they both hope leads to something more… until she finds out that Elliot is temporarily running his dad’s company and that said company is the development company interested in her grandma’s neighborhood.
I really enjoyed the way that this book took a look at gentrification and the implications and threats it poses to marginalized and vulnerable populations. It was clear that the author did their research in these topics and the situation felt realistic and was eye opening.
The characters are developed but I also wanted a little bit more. I feel like Rashida we understand more than we do Elliot. We learn more about Rashida’s life and get more of her personality. With Elliot his character development is largely focused on the push and pull between his desire to have Rashida and his desire to make his dad proud. I wanted to know more about him than his job, I found it hard to understand what made Rashida so drawn to him (besides his abilities in bed).
The place that made this book a slower read for me than other was the pacing. I enjoyed reading the book but the pacing varied and that slowed me down as a reader. At times it felt like shorts spans of time took up multiple chapter but then the last 2 or so chapters were paced very quickly. I was thrown off at the end when they say the process they need to undergo to help save the community will be a long one; yet a few pages later it is done and solved. The final scene between Rashida and Elliot along with the epilogue that followed also felt very rushed.
Where this book rates high for me is the spice quality. The spice scenes in this book are in fact very spicy, yet also written in a tasteful way. Pleasure is seen through the reactions of both characters.
Overall, the book was a good read, it just probably isn’t one I would feel a need to pick up again.
I will start by saying that if I could give 3.5 stars on Goodreads that’s what this book would be.
Rashida is a good critic who is also on a mission to save her grandma’s neighborhood outside of Atlanta from gentrification from a development company. One night she meets a Elliot at a bar and they share a night of passion that they both hope leads to something more… until she finds out that Elliot is temporarily running his dad’s company and that said company is the development company interested in her grandma’s neighborhood.
I really enjoyed the way that this book took a look at gentrification and the implications and threats it poses to marginalized and vulnerable populations. It was clear that the author did their research in these topics and the situation felt realistic and was eye opening.
The characters are developed but I also wanted a little bit more. I feel like Rashida we understand more than we do Elliot. We learn more about Rashida’s life and get more of her personality. With Elliot his character development is largely focused on the push and pull between his desire to have Rashida and his desire to make his dad proud. I wanted to know more about him than his job, I found it hard to understand what made Rashida so drawn to him (besides his abilities in bed).
The place that made this book a slower read for me than other was the pacing. I enjoyed reading the book but the pacing varied and that slowed me down as a reader. At times it felt like shorts spans of time took up multiple chapter but then the last 2 or so chapters were paced very quickly. I was thrown off at the end when they say the process they need to undergo to help save the community will be a long one; yet a few pages later it is done and solved. The final scene between Rashida and Elliot along with the epilogue that followed also felt very rushed.
Where this book rates high for me is the spice quality. The spice scenes in this book are in fact very spicy, yet also written in a tasteful way. Pleasure is seen through the reactions of both characters.
Overall, the book was a good read, it just probably isn’t one I would feel a need to pick up again.
emcgriff123's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.5
heyyyyitskatelyn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0