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hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My favorite Hazelwood book that I have read so far is Love on the Brain and I am incredibly excited to continue to delve into her catalog of work. I will tell you that if I was rating this book on vibes alone it would be a 5. I absolutely loved escaping into Scarlett and Lukas' world.
However, I had a few problems with the characters and the way that they interacted with one another.
I particularly had some issues with Penelope throughout the book. First, it's a bit weird that Penelope recently broke up with Lukas, and only after that event her and Scarlett become best friends. Second, why does it need to be continually referenced that Penelope and Scarlett look so much alike? It was truly creepy when Scarlett kept being mistaken for Penelope at parties which was so unsettling. Third, Penelope constantly goes off about how specific Scarlett's sexual preferences are, but then we learn later in the book that Penelope has had three ways. I am not knocking anyone's sexual preferences at all, but I did find it weird that Penelope is fixated on what Scarlett enjoys in bed and acts a bit like it's so specialized but Penelope is also exploring various aspects of her sexuality. It just felt like something that did not connect. Finally, what was with the plot line with the rival diver not liking Penelope? I would like to point out that to a certain extent, that character was correct given what happens later in the book, but why is it a fundamental part of Scarlett's personality that she must defend her friend with no evidence? This just felt a bit like infighting among very talented women for no reason.
I also wasn't particularly comfortable with the fact that Lukas and Scarlett were keeping their relationship a secret because Penelope wanted them to. I mean Penelope wanted to end her relationship with Lukas. Why did she not want people to know? We of course learn later that Penelope and or one of the other girls on the team thinks that they are destined to be together... so it makes things even worse. Please date my ex Scarlett you are well matched sexually, but don't catch feelings because really he's still mine was a little cringe.
This book is messy. So, if you love complicated group dynamics and relationship drama you will likely enjoy this book because it's got a lot of that going for it. The romance component is sweet in quite a few ways that give you what you want from a romance. Overall the vibes are fun.
However, I had a few problems with the characters and the way that they interacted with one another.
I also wasn't particularly comfortable with the fact that Lukas and Scarlett were keeping their relationship a secret because Penelope wanted them to. I mean Penelope wanted to end her relationship with Lukas. Why did she not want people to know? We of course learn later that Penelope and or one of the other girls on the team thinks that they are destined to be together... so it makes things even worse. Please date my ex Scarlett you are well matched sexually, but don't catch feelings because really he's still mine was a little cringe.
This book is messy. So, if you love complicated group dynamics and relationship drama you will likely enjoy this book because it's got a lot of that going for it. The romance component is sweet in quite a few ways that give you what you want from a romance. Overall the vibes are fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
4,5⭐ 3🌶️
well written dialogy, chracters and plot! and Ali's writing style is phenomeal.
while i read this book i am also listening this book with audio and that gives too much that story perspective.. i liked voice actors a lot!
I loved the growth and development of the characters and how they got to know themselves better.I also really liked other characters like Penelope with all her flaws. Barbara, Scarlett's stepmother. Scarlett's therapist and other important people.I loved how the main characters' emotions developed along the way.Lukas Blomqvist is really wonderful and encouraging and other wonderful adjectives.. XDD The way that man loves Scarlett makes me so happy, joyful and complete. So does he makes Scarlett. I love them a lot.
well written dialogy, chracters and plot! and Ali's writing style is phenomeal.
while i read this book i am also listening this book with audio and that gives too much that story perspective.. i liked voice actors a lot!
I loved the growth and development of the characters and how they got to know themselves better.I also really liked other characters like Penelope with all her flaws. Barbara, Scarlett's stepmother. Scarlett's therapist and other important people.I loved how the main characters' emotions developed along the way.Lukas Blomqvist is really wonderful and encouraging and other wonderful adjectives.. XDD The way that man loves Scarlett makes me so happy, joyful and complete. So does he makes Scarlett. I love them a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Death of parent
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Death of parent
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was not for me. I went into it thinking it was a fun sports romance. The entire book was just the two main characters torturing themselves for about 90% of the book just to please the ex-girlfriend who dumped him in the first place and then wanted him back when he fell in love with someone else. Pen was the worst character in this book for me. I feel like they (MMC/FMC) should’ve just been honest from the first place. There was just so much miscommunication in this book. The book could’ve gone so many more routes with the progression between Lukas and Scarlett without having to constantly focus on Pen. I was also hoping for more of an emphasis on the STEM aspect but it seemed to take a back burner in this one. I will still continue to explore Ali’s work but, again, this one just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is my second ali hazelwood and i loved it!! listened on audio, and one thing i loved about this audiobook was the male narrator for lukas and any other male characters voice despite the entire book being from scarlett’s point of view! it really helps me not be taken out of it by a woman’s impression of a man’s voice, but that’s just personal preference!
i loved both of the characters of scarlett and lukas, and i also really liked the ensemble cast! took off a quarter star for Pen’s antics towards the end and while I did loveScarlett’s rise to the top and that she only got a bronze medal at the olympics per the epilogue, I don’t love that it felt like her relationship with Lukas was what got her over her mental block instead of hard work in therapy . Overall this was so fun, I loved the exploration of kink while still being tender and romantic, well done Ali!
i loved both of the characters of scarlett and lukas, and i also really liked the ensemble cast! took off a quarter star for Pen’s antics towards the end and while I did love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent