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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
NO SPOILERS IN REVIEW!
Karissa Kinword is an INSTA-BUY author for me. I received an ARC with the promise of a review, but I've already pre-ordered a hard copy because I need a trophy. This book deliver everything I expected and more.
Story - Plot wise, this is a high-quality contemporary romance that will have you simultaneously swooning and laughing and getting teary-eyed. It's set during the Christmas season, of course, but it doesn't feel overly holiday-y, so if you're not into the holiday romance genre this feels like a pretty good in-between.
Characters - Ophelia and Frankie are FUNNY. Like, spit-take funny. Their banter from literally the first chapter is off the charts while still feeling genuine - I want to be best friends with both of them! I love that Ophelia doesn't apologize for being who she is, and Frankie somehow walks the line between cocky and sincere in a way I rarely ever see in the contemporary genre.
Spice - FIVE CHILIS. 10 PEPPERS. 43536 ATOMIC FIREBALLS. I loved the spice in this book MAYBE more than Forget Me Not (Kinword's first novel), which I did not think was possible. I was BLUSHING trying to read this at work. If you're like me and have a hard time hiding reactions, I recommend reading at home with a big glass of wine, because WOWZA.
Lastly, my favorite part of reading this book-
Writing - Kinword has this unique talent where she drops these SOUL-DEVOURING lines that send me into existential orbit, in the best way possible. I'll be the first to admit that I never expect that kind of thing from a contemporary romance, but the depth of the characters and the way they struggle with their demons feels so heart-wrenching and REAL. I've highlighted more lines in this book than any other contemporary romance, and they're all because of how beautiful Kinword's writing is.
Overall this book is everything I want a contemporary romance to be. It's hot, it's funny, it's sweet, and the quality of the writing is out of this world. 10/10, Karissa Kinword never misses <3
Karissa Kinword is an INSTA-BUY author for me. I received an ARC with the promise of a review, but I've already pre-ordered a hard copy because I need a trophy. This book deliver everything I expected and more.
Story - Plot wise, this is a high-quality contemporary romance that will have you simultaneously swooning and laughing and getting teary-eyed. It's set during the Christmas season, of course, but it doesn't feel overly holiday-y, so if you're not into the holiday romance genre this feels like a pretty good in-between.
Characters - Ophelia and Frankie are FUNNY. Like, spit-take funny. Their banter from literally the first chapter is off the charts while still feeling genuine - I want to be best friends with both of them! I love that Ophelia doesn't apologize for being who she is, and Frankie somehow walks the line between cocky and sincere in a way I rarely ever see in the contemporary genre.
Spice - FIVE CHILIS. 10 PEPPERS. 43536 ATOMIC FIREBALLS. I loved the spice in this book MAYBE more than Forget Me Not (Kinword's first novel), which I did not think was possible. I was BLUSHING trying to read this at work. If you're like me and have a hard time hiding reactions, I recommend reading at home with a big glass of wine, because WOWZA.
Lastly, my favorite part of reading this book-
Writing - Kinword has this unique talent where she drops these SOUL-DEVOURING lines that send me into existential orbit, in the best way possible. I'll be the first to admit that I never expect that kind of thing from a contemporary romance, but the depth of the characters and the way they struggle with their demons feels so heart-wrenching and REAL. I've highlighted more lines in this book than any other contemporary romance, and they're all because of how beautiful Kinword's writing is.
Overall this book is everything I want a contemporary romance to be. It's hot, it's funny, it's sweet, and the quality of the writing is out of this world. 10/10, Karissa Kinword never misses <3
The first quarter of the book was so cute with fun banter and storyline and then it turned into a full struggle to read at all
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
This put the com in rom com! So many funny moments. An absolute whirlwind Christmas romance set in South FL yes pleaseeee! They strike up a mutually beneficial romantic entanglement where she teaches him how to date again and he teaches her the trick of the trade, bedroom style, however there was only one true date the couple went on so there was a huge imbalance. Her friend Nat kind of sucked imo and there was one scene that had me outwardly cringing. These details kept it from being a perfect read, but embrace the flaws for a super enjoyable romp of a story!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So deliciously spicy and perfect, I need a Frankie in my life asap. Thank u for your magic, Karissa (once again) ðŸ˜
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly didn’t like the writing… the FMC seemed weirdly immature and the story development was just not doing it for me. I think the plot has a lot of potential, I just don’t like the product.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing was good, a little too reflective for my taste. But the dialogue was great, especially at the start! I just didn’t like how it was referred to as being solely fwb through even tho it was known by both characters throughout. Idk. Felt a little misleading or misinterpreted I guess?