Take a photo of a barcode or cover
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
My new favorite Ali Hazelwood book!!
There is obviously spice, but the people saying there's a lot I'm sorry but they don't even kiss until maybe 100 pages into the book...
I actually felt this was such a realistic portrayal of BDSM or kink exploration, both characters are young and inexperienced when it comes to this type of relationship. I thought it was well written, and they both explored in a way that made full sense. Don't expect a gun's blazing exploration of BDSM, it's very tame in comparison to other such books.
As for the characters, I'm normally not a fan of two aloof characters but this one worked because they were open to each other!! Also if you LOVE communication, this one's it-- even when the FMC struggled to express herself there was no doubt about whether the MMC understood or not.
As for them as individuals I really liked them, the FMC and her struggles were totally relatable.
I did not LOVE the whole Pen situation, but honestly they all communicated well especially Lukas so I was fine with it.
There is obviously spice, but the people saying there's a lot I'm sorry but they don't even kiss until maybe 100 pages into the book...
I actually felt this was such a realistic portrayal of BDSM or kink exploration, both characters are young and inexperienced when it comes to this type of relationship. I thought it was well written, and they both explored in a way that made full sense. Don't expect a gun's blazing exploration of BDSM, it's very tame in comparison to other such books.
As for the characters, I'm normally not a fan of two aloof characters but this one worked because they were open to each other!! Also if you LOVE communication, this one's it-- even when the FMC struggled to express herself there was no doubt about whether the MMC understood or not.
As for them as individuals I really liked them, the FMC and her struggles were totally relatable.
I did not LOVE the whole Pen situation, but honestly they all communicated well especially Lukas so I was fine with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I normally like Ali Hazelwood's books, but this just wasn't very good. For something trying so hard to be scandalous and provocative, it was just boring.
The male lead has no personality and is literally just a body who occasionally told her what to do in the bedroom. We are forced to live inside the female leads head, where her anxious internal monologuing gets pretty grating almost immediately.
They have a sexual relationship that is outlined in a contract, but they have no chemistry, no yearning. There was no romance.
The B and C plots were either resolved in the laziest way possible (ie "I did a thing I couldn't do before, because I did, I guess") or weren't resolved very well (ie, "my friend treated me poorly and disrespected my relationship but she's my very nice best friend!"). Ali Hazelwood's STEM B plots are usually pretty solid, so idk what was going on here.
Big miss for me. Disappointed because I normally really enjoy her books.
The male lead has no personality and is literally just a body who occasionally told her what to do in the bedroom. We are forced to live inside the female leads head, where her anxious internal monologuing gets pretty grating almost immediately.
They have a sexual relationship that is outlined in a contract, but they have no chemistry, no yearning. There was no romance.
The B and C plots were either resolved in the laziest way possible (ie "I did a thing I couldn't do before, because I did, I guess") or weren't resolved very well (ie, "my friend treated me poorly and disrespected my relationship but she's my very nice best friend!"). Ali Hazelwood's STEM B plots are usually pretty solid, so idk what was going on here.
Big miss for me. Disappointed because I normally really enjoy her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
fast-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
I really enjoyed this but need a break from Ali hazlewood for a moment. if I read one more “bug man small girl” book I’m gonna lose it. also where’s the pool sex? where’s the more in-depth look at her trauma? why are her and Penelope still friends? I kinda wish that Penelope had actually been a knifing bitch like those girls said
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
enjoyed the second half more than the first, it was funnier and had a slightly better flow but the unnecessary drama neat the end made it lose its charm again. I didn't really feel any connection with the characters, I get that they were in a private relationship but it felt so private that even I, the reader, couldn't really see it. the romance didn't hit the same way as in ali's other books. that said, I lived for the adamolive cameo thanks ali for at least getting that part right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol
emotional
funny
medium-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
Another Ali Hazelwood romance that I immediately devoured. Cute as always, the brain break I needed, and just so many starkly honest conversations. I really felt for what Scarlett was going through mentally and the growth she experiences throughout this story was beautiful to read. I could see myself coming back to this story just to spend time with Lukas and Scarlett; their banter had me cackling 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse