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samcanuel's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! The story was fantastic and the cast of characters was lovely. I could absolutely see this as a modern rom com. My main reason for only giving it 3.75 stars was the fact that the enemies part of the enemies-to-lovers story line was not as developed as I personally would have preferred. There were also points when Reese annoyed me, but mostly because she reminded me too much of me. I would absolutely recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
iamkiaraayleen's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this up on a total whim when my local bookstore didn't have the book that I originally went there for, and after reading it I'm so glad that's the way it played out.
This was the adorable, easy to read, sugary sweet romance I expected, while also discussing important topics such as (internalized) misogyny and double standards at the workplace as well as on social media.
Something to be aware of is that it does feature the miscommunication trope, that has ruined more romance books for me personally than I care to admit. But in this instance the resulting conflict didn't take up much of the book and was handled and resolved in a way that seemed fitting for the plot and the characters, so it didn't take me out of the story the way that it has in other books in the past.
Overall, I liked this a whole lot. Reese and Benny as well as Nat, Clara and the Friends of Flavor were a pleasure to read about and Reese's and Benny's nicknames for each other had me chuckling more than a few times. All while other moments had me thinking about the hardships Reese - as well as many real women - had to face.
The issues that were discussed certainly weren't news to me and won't be to many other readers either, but I still very much appreciate the book's perspective on them as well as the representation in general. And I especially appreciate the underlying message, as put by Nat and Clara, that women "can have it all" - finding romance, being a feminist and being successful in your career can and should co-exist and are by no means mutually exclusive.
This was the adorable, easy to read, sugary sweet romance I expected, while also discussing important topics such as (internalized) misogyny and double standards at the workplace as well as on social media.
Something to be aware of is that it does feature the miscommunication trope, that has ruined more romance books for me personally than I care to admit. But in this instance the resulting conflict didn't take up much of the book and was handled and resolved in a way that seemed fitting for the plot and the characters, so it didn't take me out of the story the way that it has in other books in the past.
Overall, I liked this a whole lot. Reese and Benny as well as Nat, Clara and the Friends of Flavor were a pleasure to read about and Reese's and Benny's nicknames for each other had me chuckling more than a few times. All while other moments had me thinking about the hardships Reese - as well as many real women - had to face.
The issues that were discussed certainly weren't news to me and won't be to many other readers either, but I still very much appreciate the book's perspective on them as well as the representation in general. And I especially appreciate the underlying message, as put by Nat and Clara, that women "can have it all" - finding romance, being a feminist and being successful in your career can and should co-exist and are by no means mutually exclusive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
brittanyisbooked's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reese and Benny are both summer interns at Friends of Flavor when they are presented with the opportunity to team up on their own series.
🎂
If you’ve ever read a romance ever you know how that goes. What you don’t know is that Reese is a vocal feminist and Benny is so supportive of her. It was refreshing to see a woman portrayed this way, and even more importantly a woman portrayed this way in a YA romance.
🎂
Reese’s best friends also have their own backstories shared through the novel. The author does a great job of making it clear how these stories feed into Reese’s sense of self, but what I particularly liked was the pushing boundaries of a perfect, Christian, Southern Belle.
🎂
While romance, there are also many times that Reese faces her own challenges. Benny does too, but I would say that Reese is definitely the star of the show.
🎂
My only mistake with this book was that I wasn’t fully in the mindset that it was YA. I knew the characters’ ages and situation, but for some reason I just couldn’t get my mind fully there. I feel like I lost out on some of the impact from the novel because of this. Nonetheless, good book, go check it out!
🎂
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
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