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theespressoedition's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was a dreadfully painful letdown and I'm still a bit sad about it. After all of the hype across bookish social platforms, I hoped it would be a great start to my month. Instead, I spent the majority of my time listening hoping that it would end soon...
It started off pretty strong with a very awkward meet-cute and tangible ~vibes~ between the protagonists. There were some nods to Americanized telenovelas like Jane the Virgin that I really enjoyed. However, that's where the positive feelings ended.
Immediately following the introduction, the chemistry between the characters went from awkwardly adorable to "let me get in your pants" in record time. It made what could have been a sweet and mildly sultry dynamic that grows into love entirely shallow and unappealing. This continued to be the case throughout the remainder of the story as the two had virtually no character development and the third act conflict could have genuinely not been a conflict at all. Yikes.
I will definitely not be reading the sequel. I'm still not sure how there's even enough material for a sequel when this one had so little substance in the first place.
It started off pretty strong with a very awkward meet-cute and tangible ~vibes~ between the protagonists. There were some nods to Americanized telenovelas like Jane the Virgin that I really enjoyed. However, that's where the positive feelings ended.
Immediately following the introduction, the chemistry between the characters went from awkwardly adorable to "let me get in your pants" in record time. It made what could have been a sweet and mildly sultry dynamic that grows into love entirely shallow and unappealing. This continued to be the case throughout the remainder of the story as the two had virtually no character development and the third act conflict could have genuinely not been a conflict at all. Yikes.
I will definitely not be reading the sequel. I'm still not sure how there's even enough material for a sequel when this one had so little substance in the first place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Bullying
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
baearles's review
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent and Stalking
hearts4warner's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i’ve finished this in one sitting, and within the span of possibly five hours. actually, i have pros and cons for this book. here is why:
i rated this a 3.75/5 because i feel like there is something missing. i mean, they did get together and fixed all their personal problems and struggles, but there’s this feeling like if this was a puzzle, there would be a missing piece.
the short chapters are really great, and i love how the episodes of Carmen in Charge are involved—I get to see the progress of their chemistry, which was great, really. But I just wish I could see them after the epilogue.
I mean, I love the characters. Their personality and character traits aren’t too diverse and interesting, but they were easy to love.
Not my most favorite, it was okay. For intimate romance and fame fiction, that’s all.
i rated this a 3.75/5 because i feel like there is something missing. i mean, they did get together and fixed all their personal problems and struggles, but there’s this feeling like if this was a puzzle, there would be a missing piece.
the short chapters are really great, and i love how the episodes of Carmen in Charge are involved—I get to see the progress of their chemistry, which was great, really. But I just wish I could see them after the epilogue.
I mean, I love the characters. Their personality and character traits aren’t too diverse and interesting, but they were easy to love.
Not my most favorite, it was okay. For intimate romance and fame fiction, that’s all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
ashley_mcfadden's review
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
4.0
“You Had Me At Hola” fulfilled all of the boxes I had going into the story. However, let me just add that if you are going in expecting spice (I was not, thankfully) don’t count on much. Jasmine and Ashton had amazing chemistry, but the way the sex scenes were written were just kind of horrible to listen to (and I would have cringed reading it physically as well).
That being said, I did listen to the book over actually reading it, and I’m glad I did. The voice actor, Seraphine Valentine, was so so so amazing to listen to. She was so expressive for all of the characters and it brought the whole thing to life. Given that the book takes place both in the actors real lives, but also their onscreen lives, it was imperative for there to be that expression. When the chapter focused on the tv show, the switch was natural and easy to follow, plus, it felt like I was actually seeing it on screen instead of in my head. Their off screen chapters were also just as imagery-filled. By far the best audiobook experience I’ve ever had.
The writing also paced Jasmine and Ashton’s story so well. Nothing seemed rushed, and for the most part, everything that happened made sense in terms of the plot. I was so enthralled in the story line throughout the whole day (because I simply could not put it down for longer than an hour). 10/10 recommend, save for the awkward and kind of cringy (I mean seriously, how many times can you say rigid in the same chapter) sex scenes.
That being said, I did listen to the book over actually reading it, and I’m glad I did. The voice actor, Seraphine Valentine, was so so so amazing to listen to. She was so expressive for all of the characters and it brought the whole thing to life. Given that the book takes place both in the actors real lives, but also their onscreen lives, it was imperative for there to be that expression. When the chapter focused on the tv show, the switch was natural and easy to follow, plus, it felt like I was actually seeing it on screen instead of in my head. Their off screen chapters were also just as imagery-filled. By far the best audiobook experience I’ve ever had.
The writing also paced Jasmine and Ashton’s story so well. Nothing seemed rushed, and for the most part, everything that happened made sense in terms of the plot. I was so enthralled in the story line throughout the whole day (because I simply could not put it down for longer than an hour). 10/10 recommend, save for the awkward and kind of cringy (I mean seriously, how many times can you say rigid in the same chapter) sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Stalking
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