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emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Homophobia, Sexual content, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Terminal illness
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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
I should have read content warnings going in. The plotline heavily relying on shitty parents is something I would have avoided but by the time I realized it, I had already become invested in the characters and their relationship.
I had to look up about 4 words a page so that was fun.
It took me a minute to enjoy reading Luc's style of speech/narration. He mostly was coming across as chaotic and a bit of a run on. While some of this was his unique personality, you can literally "feel" Oliver's impact on Luc just by noticing how much more coherent and self aware his self-talk and narration is. It was a really fun technique to experience.
I wish the intimate scenes weren't closed door/fade to black, but you still get a decent sense of how that physical connection changes their relationship.
I had to look up about 4 words a page so that was fun.
It took me a minute to enjoy reading Luc's style of speech/narration. He mostly was coming across as chaotic and a bit of a run on. While some of this was his unique personality, you can literally "feel" Oliver's impact on Luc just by noticing how much more coherent and self aware his self-talk and narration is. It was a really fun technique to experience.
I wish the intimate scenes weren't closed door/fade to black, but you still get a decent sense of how that physical connection changes their relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Self harm, Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, Dysphoria
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have mixed feelings about this book. To start, I liked Oliver, but found Luc annoying. I thought Oliver sounded more like Luc's therapist than his boyfriend. Despite that, they had decent chemistry, and I felt their personalities meshed well together. Still, this book could have been a lot shorter. By the halfway point, I got bored and started skim reading. Plus, that third-act break-up was completely unnecessary! Also, this book was very British, and I had no idea what the characters were talking about half the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Eating disorder, Sexual content
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Liked at the start, but slowly fell off the wagon as things carried on. Luc just kinda sucks. Luc says something mean, then apologizes because he’s messed up from his past relationship, but then does not make up for being mean. In fact for most of the developing relationship, Luc doesn’t do anything nice for Oliver other than like inviting him to a vegan restaurant. Yet Oliver is over the moon for him? Luc even admits he doesn’t know anything about Oliver because he’s spent the whole book focused on himself (which , in turn, is also a detriment to developing Oliver’s character since most of his insight is towards the end)! I know Oliver reveals he’s enamored with Luc because of how free he is, but beyond that it’s not until the final chapters where Luc does something for Oliver by standing up to his parents.
The writing—albeit cringey at many times—is charming. The scenes Luc finally opens himself up to Oliver were really sweet, I enjoyed the Beetle Drive a lot. But I wish there was more balance between Luc and Oliver. Oh well it was enjoyable I guess. I heard the sequel, however, is not lol
Also… where was the fake dating lmao?
Also… where was the fake dating lmao?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Eating disorder, Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not sure what to make of this book. It was honestly kind of bad, and yet I couldn't put it down.
I almost DNFed this book just a couple of chapters in. I quite honestly found the set up for the fake dating scenario quite ridiculous, and not in a fun romcom sort of way. I'm very aware that this genre isn't supposed to be taken as seriously as others, but I still prefer my plot hooks to be somewhat engaging and believable without leaving me thinking "seriously??"
Despite this, I persevered because I had heard good things about this book and I am nothing if not a hopeless queer man looking to read fluffy romance stories about other hopeless queer men.
Once we got past the set-up and into the meat of the fake-boyfriends-doomed-to-develop-feelings I did start to enjoy it a lot more. I was rooting for Luc the whole time, both his and Oliver's character growth was heartwarming to see, and the fluffy romance scenes where exactly what I wanted. I've seen some reviews complaining the drama was too over the top, but I disagree. Was there a lot of it? Kind of. Is it exactly what I'd expect in any sort of romance media? Also yes. For the type of book it is, I think it was just right and the resolution was always handled well.
While I was wholly onboard with Luc and Oliver once they actually got fake-together, I did really struggle with a lot of the background characters and parts that were clearly supposed to be funny and, to me, were just awkward and jarring. I could see what Hall was trying to do with Alex's character and yet I still found every scene with him (and Miffy) genuinely uncomfortable to read. The James Royce-Royce joke (was it even really a joke?) wasn't really confusing so much as trying too hard to be quirky, and Dr Fairclough felt like a not-so-subtle, decently offensive caricature of neurodivergence.
The ending of the story was cute enough, but could have been stronger. I read the last page thinking "is that it?" I was so genuinely happy when Oliver came to fix things, but I think the resolution of what is probably the biggest conflict in the story was weaker compared to some of the excellent conversations Luc and Oliver shared at earlier points in their relationship.
Overall, the actual romance in this book does a lot of heavy lifting, which I suppose isn't a bad thing in a romance story, but you have to struggle through a lot of awkward characters and unfunny jokes (ironically, this doesn't include the actual jokes Luc tries to tell in the office) to read the good stuff sandwiched between a bad start and underwhelming ending.
I almost DNFed this book just a couple of chapters in. I quite honestly found the set up for the fake dating scenario quite ridiculous, and not in a fun romcom sort of way. I'm very aware that this genre isn't supposed to be taken as seriously as others, but I still prefer my plot hooks to be somewhat engaging and believable without leaving me thinking "seriously??"
Despite this, I persevered because I had heard good things about this book and I am nothing if not a hopeless queer man looking to read fluffy romance stories about other hopeless queer men.
Once we got past the set-up and into the meat of the fake-boyfriends-doomed-to-develop-feelings I did start to enjoy it a lot more. I was rooting for Luc the whole time, both his and Oliver's character growth was heartwarming to see, and the fluffy romance scenes where exactly what I wanted. I've seen some reviews complaining the drama was too over the top, but I disagree. Was there a lot of it? Kind of. Is it exactly what I'd expect in any sort of romance media? Also yes. For the type of book it is, I think it was just right and the resolution was always handled well.
While I was wholly onboard with Luc and Oliver once they actually got fake-together, I did really struggle with a lot of the background characters and parts that were clearly supposed to be funny and, to me, were just awkward and jarring. I could see what Hall was trying to do with Alex's character and yet I still found every scene with him (and Miffy) genuinely uncomfortable to read. The James Royce-Royce joke (was it even really a joke?) wasn't really confusing so much as trying too hard to be quirky, and Dr Fairclough felt like a not-so-subtle, decently offensive caricature of neurodivergence.
The ending of the story was cute enough, but could have been stronger. I read the last page thinking "is that it?" I was so genuinely happy when Oliver came to fix things, but I think the resolution of what is probably the biggest conflict in the story was weaker compared to some of the excellent conversations Luc and Oliver shared at earlier points in their relationship.
Overall, the actual romance in this book does a lot of heavy lifting, which I suppose isn't a bad thing in a romance story, but you have to struggle through a lot of awkward characters and unfunny jokes (ironically, this doesn't include the actual jokes Luc tries to tell in the office) to read the good stuff sandwiched between a bad start and underwhelming ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Drug use, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder, Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
I am usually a silent reader but I had so many excited outbursts reading this book that my cat was slightly concerned. It is heartwarming and full of all the best tropes. I want to share it with everyone I know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very cute rom-com filled with sarcastic banter, which is my favorite
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Dysphoria
Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
These main characters were absolute insecure messes but I was here for it. Great tv potential let me tell you.
The slow burn was great and made their connection feel believable and they had really cute moments with each other. I wish we got more of the other main guys yearning as it’s set up early on he’s held a flame for the main guy a long time. One final I love you speech including everything the main guy needs to here to understand man loves him? Idk the ending felt really rushed to me- is the one time I will knitpick on.
The book overall had really good humour and the cutest pinning romance with family drama, trauma and expectations. Very much Sandra Bullocks The Proposal energy but with both of them agreeing to the fake dating and no blackmail.
The slow burn was great and made their connection feel believable and they had really cute moments with each other. I wish we got more of the other main guys yearning as it’s set up early on he’s held a flame for the main guy a long time. One final I love you speech including everything the main guy needs to here to understand man loves him? Idk the ending felt really rushed to me- is the one time I will knitpick on.
The book overall had really good humour and the cutest pinning romance with family drama, trauma and expectations. Very much Sandra Bullocks The Proposal energy but with both of them agreeing to the fake dating and no blackmail.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Eating disorder, Homophobia
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Toxic relationship