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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
lighthearted
This is very cute, and I'm surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.
It's also apparently a sequel, but I found I didn't need to read the first book, [b:Here for the Right Reasons|58581852|Here for the Right Reasons|Jodi McAlister|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1655648899l/58581852._SX50_.jpg|92091334], at all. I actually didn't realise it was a sequel until I was reading the acknowledgements.
McAlister's writing is very cute. Finding out this is a sequel does explain some of the characterisation flaws (eg Cece looks like she'll be a main character but then disappears quickly, while Dylan JM is a touch flat), as well as the possible direction of others (namely Lily and Murray).
Also, someone PLEASE tell me that Heather and Naya is actually a shoutout to the Glee actresses? Please.
I genuinely loved this book. It's very sweet and soft and a super quick read. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed a plain romance novel.
It's also apparently a sequel, but I found I didn't need to read the first book, [b:Here for the Right Reasons|58581852|Here for the Right Reasons|Jodi McAlister|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1655648899l/58581852._SX50_.jpg|92091334], at all. I actually didn't realise it was a sequel until I was reading the acknowledgements.
McAlister's writing is very cute. Finding out this is a sequel does explain some of the characterisation flaws (eg Cece looks like she'll be a main character but then disappears quickly, while Dylan JM is a touch flat), as well as the possible direction of others (namely Lily and Murray).
Also, someone PLEASE tell me that Heather and Naya is actually a shoutout to the Glee actresses? Please.
I genuinely loved this book. It's very sweet and soft and a super quick read. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed a plain romance novel.
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book and was visibly excited when the two love interests finally kissed. I didn't know this was a sequel and must now go back and read the first!
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
There are (currently) only two palatable-to-me portrayals of COVID-19 in fiction: Glass Onion: a Knives Out mystery, and Jodi McAlister's Can I Steal You For A Second? and Here for the Right Reasons. The pandemic's touch on the world here is notable and it is real and it brought back memories of the endless Melbourne lockdowns. I felt the pandemic's presence throughout the book.
And I still devoured it in 80 minutes flat, because the amazing relationship dynamics, colourful characters, drama and squabbling, the sense of the reality show still having so much weight in the characters' lives in addition to what was going on in the outside world, the dialogue and pacing and just everything is such a treat. I don't watch a lot of reality TV, but I knew the general gist of the kind of show the book was representing, and so I can say even if you don't watch dating shows you can enjoy this romantic comedy.
I also read Here for the Right Reasons in one sitting prior to this, which was such a good feeling because since the pandemic began I've struggled to read for pleasure, where it used to be something I did daily. I had that familiarity with the characters going in, and it was genuinely so much fun to see the story again through another character's eyes, and then when I read 'I hope you're ready for some more shenanigans' at the end of the Acknowledgements I squealed, almost dropped the book in the bath, and tweeted 'LILY BOOK LILY BOOK LILY BOOK' at the author.
And I still devoured it in 80 minutes flat, because the amazing relationship dynamics, colourful characters, drama and squabbling, the sense of the reality show still having so much weight in the characters' lives in addition to what was going on in the outside world, the dialogue and pacing and just everything is such a treat. I don't watch a lot of reality TV, but I knew the general gist of the kind of show the book was representing, and so I can say even if you don't watch dating shows you can enjoy this romantic comedy.
I also read Here for the Right Reasons in one sitting prior to this, which was such a good feeling because since the pandemic began I've struggled to read for pleasure, where it used to be something I did daily. I had that familiarity with the characters going in, and it was genuinely so much fun to see the story again through another character's eyes, and then when I read 'I hope you're ready for some more shenanigans' at the end of the Acknowledgements I squealed, almost dropped the book in the bath, and tweeted 'LILY BOOK LILY BOOK LILY BOOK' at the author.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
Mandie Mitchell signed up to the polarising reality dating show, Marry Me Juliet, mainly to get over her toxic ex and get her self-assurance back. She immediately formed close friendship with Dylan Gilchrist, another contestant, whom she met at the audition. Dylan was strong, confident, and a front-runner to win Bachelor Dylan’s heart. Maddie was jealous, but not for the reasons you’d think.
So I definitely didn’t expect to like this one more than the first book, but I did! Perhaps the fact that the characters and setting had been introduced in book one helped, as this time I could just focus on Mandie and Dylan and their chemistry.
Events-wise, there was nothing new in this book as we followed the exact same timeline as the first one. However, we got glimpses of the same events from a different character’s PoV, so it was quite fun.
Last but not least, I knew I wanted more of Lily Fireball, so I was overjoyed to see that the third book would be about her. I hope we’d get to follow her beyond the filming period though, as I’d love to see the characters again after the curtains closed in the first two books.
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)