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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
Really enjoyed this one. Perfectly read by DeWanda Wise and so beautifully written by Myah Ariel. I loved reading the journey of Danny and Kaliyah as individuals and as a couple. There’s enough plot to put a story to the romance, but this book is really all about the 2 of them. At times I wanted to curse the choices of Kaliyah, but by the end I could appreciate the journey and the woman she became. Love that she was able to reflect and grow. It’s a Hollywood happily ever after and I’m all in.
I did not love when they finally made love and the author excused away not using a condom by Kaliyah trusting him. Seems a missed opportunity to show more responsibility rather than the same old trope. I loved the story but that part in particular just didn’t sit right with me.
I did not love when they finally made love and the author excused away not using a condom by Kaliyah trusting him. Seems a missed opportunity to show more responsibility rather than the same old trope. I loved the story but that part in particular just didn’t sit right with me.
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
went into it pretty blind and it was a good surprise that it was about hollywood. i had never read a second chance romance and i liked it but i feel it could’ve been better with better writing. i just wanted to see them together for longer and the last half having so much “problems” that weren’t really there took me out. but liked the setting of the book and the characters are really lovely. danny prescott oscar winner lets go!!
Cute story, but I’ll be honest, I was bored. I just couldn’t connect to the characters and I didn’t think it was believable that the MCs were sooooo in love in college that they fell back into each other 7 years later. Maybe if we spent more time with them in college, I would feel different about it. As is, their connection as adults felt forced.
I wanted to like a story about a career-oriented woman frustrated by unjust obstacles and an ex in a position to give her an opportunity to advance. When he let that opportunity be yanked out from under her before she even started, I should have listened to my gut, which said, "He does not, in fact, 'got her.'"
Like many second-chance romances, this one spends a lot of time in extended flashbacks trying to convince the reader they used to have a great relationship. Problem is, we already know that "great relationship" failed, which sets a bad precedent for recreating it in the present. I need a reason for the first split, proof whatever drove them apart before won't be an issue again, and some indication older, wiser characters are developing new, more mature feelings rather than relapsing out of habit. This has to be a different relationship to have any chance of success, and it's clearly just old business when there's so much focus on the past.
Kaliya knows she can prove herself professionally if someone will simply not slam the door in her face. Danny offers her a foot in the door as his production assistant—a job that is snatched from her because Danny's current girlfriend/business partner has veto power over who he chooses for his team, for some reason. (How, other than nepotism, did he get to be a hotshot director when he just passively acquiesces in every situation?) Kaliya accepts a lesser role in order to get one toe through the door, the career opportunity more important than her pride.
Danny has a girlfriend, and he's Kaliya's boss, and she works in an industry that already discriminates against her and would be delighted to hold up a problematic reputation as an excuse to continue doing so. Given those circumstances, one might think "Don't f— your boss/employee and incur the wrath of the vindictive half of a Hollywood power couple" would be at the top of every day's to-do list for both of them. Nope! Neither is particularly concerned what happens to Kaliya professionally as a boss-sleeper-wither because... memories and pants feelings conquer all, I guess.
When they do have sex, neither sexually active person has a condom, but it's okay, she "trusts" him not to have a communicable disease. (She went on a date with another man with whom there was a possibility of sex, so what was the plan if he also didn't have a condom? "Trust" and full speed ahead?) I am begging writers to understand that responsible characters are a bajillion times more likable. Also, "he slipped on a condom" or "she slipped the condom on him" is way less obtrusive than the eyeroll-inducing "here's why the consequences of rawdogging it magically don't apply to us" discussion.
Like many second-chance romances, this one spends a lot of time in extended flashbacks trying to convince the reader they used to have a great relationship. Problem is, we already know that "great relationship" failed, which sets a bad precedent for recreating it in the present. I need a reason for the first split, proof whatever drove them apart before won't be an issue again, and some indication older, wiser characters are developing new, more mature feelings rather than relapsing out of habit. This has to be a different relationship to have any chance of success, and it's clearly just old business when there's so much focus on the past.
Kaliya knows she can prove herself professionally if someone will simply not slam the door in her face. Danny offers her a foot in the door as his production assistant—a job that is snatched from her because Danny's current girlfriend/business partner has veto power over who he chooses for his team, for some reason. (How, other than nepotism, did he get to be a hotshot director when he just passively acquiesces in every situation?) Kaliya accepts a lesser role in order to get one toe through the door, the career opportunity more important than her pride.
Danny has a girlfriend, and he's Kaliya's boss, and she works in an industry that already discriminates against her and would be delighted to hold up a problematic reputation as an excuse to continue doing so. Given those circumstances, one might think "Don't f— your boss/employee and incur the wrath of the vindictive half of a Hollywood power couple" would be at the top of every day's to-do list for both of them. Nope! Neither is particularly concerned what happens to Kaliya professionally as a boss-sleeper-wither because... memories and pants feelings conquer all, I guess.
When they do have sex, neither sexually active person has a condom, but it's okay, she "trusts" him not to have a communicable disease. (She went on a date with another man with whom there was a possibility of sex, so what was the plan if he also didn't have a condom? "Trust" and full speed ahead?) I am begging writers to understand that responsible characters are a bajillion times more likable. Also, "he slipped on a condom" or "she slipped the condom on him" is way less obtrusive than the eyeroll-inducing "here's why the consequences of rawdogging it magically don't apply to us" discussion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes