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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I would give this a zero if I could, but I can’t so I give it a 1. There were two side characters I liked (one of which got a sequel—I will not be reading), everything else was awful.
I skimmed past 50% to the end; I’m so sorry to everyone involved. I do feel a bit bad rating this book so low (Asian representation was good, and it seems like the author is very earnest and passionate about writing), but I genuinely felt like I was reading the first draft of someone’s manuscript at times. “She smiled, it fucking slayed him.” is a real sentence that a real person put in a book and a real company decided to publish. There’s little to no character development, no chemistry between the leads, and a large amount of repetition. I’m not the hugest fan of the rom-com genre, but I’ve read several others; this one is unfortunately the least entertaining and the first I’ve DNF’d.
Really wanted to like this, but…DONUT read this novel.
I skimmed past 50% to the end; I’m so sorry to everyone involved. I do feel a bit bad rating this book so low (Asian representation was good, and it seems like the author is very earnest and passionate about writing), but I genuinely felt like I was reading the first draft of someone’s manuscript at times. “She smiled, it fucking slayed him.” is a real sentence that a real person put in a book and a real company decided to publish. There’s little to no character development, no chemistry between the leads, and a large amount of repetition. I’m not the hugest fan of the rom-com genre, but I’ve read several others; this one is unfortunately the least entertaining and the first I’ve DNF’d.
Really wanted to like this, but…DONUT read this novel.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5
Overall, this was a cute, fun, fast-moving romance that I enjoyed. Seeing bother characters work through grief while creating space for love was refreshing.
Also, I found myself skippong passed most of the sex scenes because they just became boring and overdone. I like the romance, but am often so bored by repetitive sex scenes in novels. Give the characters more to do with their chemistry.
And lastly, while I tend to like dual perspective romances and dual narration audiobooks, the fact that the narrators would change mid chapter in this one was kind of jarring at times. Like "oh, ok Ryan is back now, right in the middle of Lindsay's narration." I'm typically more a fan of perspectives shifting at the chapter, and/or and announcement of that character's name when the voice changes.
Overall, this was a cute, fun, fast-moving romance that I enjoyed. Seeing bother characters work through grief while creating space for love was refreshing.
Spoiler
I knocked off a star because I just find it boring when two grown adults come apart because one says 'I love you' and one doesn't. That seemed cheap and juvenile and I really felt these characters deserved better than that.Also, I found myself skippong passed most of the sex scenes because they just became boring and overdone. I like the romance, but am often so bored by repetitive sex scenes in novels. Give the characters more to do with their chemistry.
And lastly, while I tend to like dual perspective romances and dual narration audiobooks, the fact that the narrators would change mid chapter in this one was kind of jarring at times. Like "oh, ok Ryan is back now, right in the middle of Lindsay's narration." I'm typically more a fan of perspectives shifting at the chapter, and/or and announcement of that character's name when the voice changes.
The way i couldnt get past the first chapter. So cringy.
2.5 stars? 3 stars? Can't decide. This was a sweet book and I did enjoy certain parts of it, but compared to the other romance books I've read this year, it was a bit bland.
The writing style also wasn't for me/the dialogue was cringey at times so that might've had something to do with it. Overall recommend if you're looking for a romance book.
The writing style also wasn't for me/the dialogue was cringey at times so that might've had something to do with it. Overall recommend if you're looking for a romance book.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was very slow and repetitive and not particularly funny or steamy for a romcom. I actually think it was miscategorized as a romcom. To me, the central issues in the book were more around what was going on with the characters’ families. I think if this had been edited to go in that direction it would be been much stronger. As it is, it was a letdown and barely 3 stars, though I appreciated the Asian representation and the discussion of the issues that come up (like white people not being able to tell Asians apart, how infrequently Asian men get roles as the “hot guy” and so on).
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated