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haleymfischer's review against another edition
2.0
I can only forgive so much and the third act was just not it. Also, someone get this man a dentist! How his teeth haven't rotted from all those green apple sticks, I do not understand!!!
elcanaldevenecia's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe this book gets into my favorite’s list of the year, ‘cause just as another book from LJ, it took me by surprise even though I thought I was prepared. Her books continue to be my favorite’s to devour since no matter how big or small they’re, I fly through them.
In Playing with Fire we have the story between Grace and West, both of them living in Texas. Both of their relationships with their family are really complex and have dealt with issues respecting a dangerous element; fire. That’s why people always say to be careful and respect it because it can change your life.
West is a rude boy that loves his bike, fights illegally, and has a shield around himself. Meanwhile, Grace is a girl that has a big dream, high hopes, and a big heart but she lacks self-esteem. They also have in common that their lives were already planned, they knew their future, they were popular and had everyone’s attention. Now, every time they have a little bit of attention, it is not good at all.
Sounds like a normal story but it’s far from being one. It’s a powerful, heart touching and valuable story. You just need some courage to read it.
In Playing with Fire we have the story between Grace and West, both of them living in Texas. Both of their relationships with their family are really complex and have dealt with issues respecting a dangerous element; fire. That’s why people always say to be careful and respect it because it can change your life.
West is a rude boy that loves his bike, fights illegally, and has a shield around himself. Meanwhile, Grace is a girl that has a big dream, high hopes, and a big heart but she lacks self-esteem. They also have in common that their lives were already planned, they knew their future, they were popular and had everyone’s attention. Now, every time they have a little bit of attention, it is not good at all.
Sounds like a normal story but it’s far from being one. It’s a powerful, heart touching and valuable story. You just need some courage to read it.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
Why is this book so long??
Next this isn't friends to lovers, let me tell you what friends to lovers, is two characters who start out as friends but fall in love throughout the story.
Here is enemies to lovers with forced proximity, LJ keeps saying it different trope but execution is always the same.
Same goes for ship and characters they can be set in sos universe except now they are " poor" and it's "small town romance " I didn't get either out this book.
Anyway this was boring.
Next this isn't friends to lovers, let me tell you what friends to lovers, is two characters who start out as friends but fall in love throughout the story.
Here is enemies to lovers with forced proximity, LJ keeps saying it different trope but execution is always the same.
Same goes for ship and characters they can be set in sos universe except now they are " poor" and it's "small town romance " I didn't get either out this book.
Anyway this was boring.
meggkey08's review against another edition
2.0
I did think some of the banter was good and the sarcasm was funny but I just didn't connect with the characters.
farhana101's review against another edition
5.0
*4.5 stars
An enemies to lovers college trope with a damaged heroine and hero?! Why didn’t I read this book earlier??! Totally swoon worthy and the epilogue was so cute, the perfect ending.
An enemies to lovers college trope with a damaged heroine and hero?! Why didn’t I read this book earlier??! Totally swoon worthy and the epilogue was so cute, the perfect ending.
courtney_saba's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, it was an okay story. However, the author implemented some stupidly aggravating and predictable plot points that are the bane of my existence:
1. Miscommunication. God, I hate this.
2. Public humiliation and denouncing of a relationship because the hero must protect the heroine, and the only way to do that is to be honest with her---hahahaha. No. Lie, lie, lie, lie. Then grovel at the end and explain why you ended the relationship, feeling justified. This. Is. So. AGGRAVATING.
3. Let's make him jealous by dating his best friend. Instead of, I don't know, BEING FREAKING HONEST?!?!
I took off stars because of these. Highly disappointed in the direction of this story.
I also felt like the author was beating the reader over the head with, "playing with fire will get you burned," "I'll walk through fire with/for you," and just fire in general. Made it unrealistic, annoying, and preachy to me.
It started off well. No instalust or instalove. The relationship had maturity and appreciation, at least in the beginning. But the story was also missing something. And I felt that acutely, which just made me feel indifferent to the whole story in general.
And the hero went from "I can't imagine being with her, she's too much work," to "you're mine and no one else's" a little too quickly. Like within a page, quickly. I didn't understand why the hero changed his mind that suddenly.
Overall, a disappointment.
Would I re-read? No.
Would I recommend? Only if you're new to this genre or a die-hard fan of L.J Shen.
Was I entertained? Sure. But the annoying cliches ruined this for me and I had to force myself to finish it.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
1. Miscommunication. God, I hate this.
2. Public humiliation and denouncing of a relationship because the hero must protect the heroine, and the only way to do that is to be honest with her---hahahaha. No. Lie, lie, lie, lie. Then grovel at the end and explain why you ended the relationship, feeling justified. This. Is. So. AGGRAVATING.
3. Let's make him jealous by dating his best friend. Instead of, I don't know, BEING FREAKING HONEST?!?!
I took off stars because of these. Highly disappointed in the direction of this story.
I also felt like the author was beating the reader over the head with, "playing with fire will get you burned," "I'll walk through fire with/for you," and just fire in general. Made it unrealistic, annoying, and preachy to me.
It started off well. No instalust or instalove. The relationship had maturity and appreciation, at least in the beginning. But the story was also missing something. And I felt that acutely, which just made me feel indifferent to the whole story in general.
And the hero went from "I can't imagine being with her, she's too much work," to "you're mine and no one else's" a little too quickly. Like within a page, quickly. I didn't understand why the hero changed his mind that suddenly.
Overall, a disappointment.
Would I re-read? No.
Would I recommend? Only if you're new to this genre or a die-hard fan of L.J Shen.
Was I entertained? Sure. But the annoying cliches ruined this for me and I had to force myself to finish it.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
cladis's review against another edition
4.0
Something between 3 and 4 stars… I liked their romance, but didn’t like their journey. I feel a little bit stressed when we have two depressed people trying to overcome their problems/thoughts and using one another to do it. I mean, it’s not said that she’s depressed, but come on she’s not okay either. And west… I won’t even start.
blvelances's review against another edition
3.0
i’m all for :
- the acknowledgment at the end the author stating that she wanted to write a less than perfect heroine in a genre that doesn’t really have that (it’s time to make it normal and not it the full person’s story. also do it for men, different faces, bodies, make it normal idc about the whining of the bodyshaming readers)
- the chemistry between the characters
- good rhythm in the book
- tess’s redemption (not her becoming a stay at home mom tho, i wanted a career path for her, and once again i don’t care about anyone whining that a woman can choose to become a stay at home mom - OF COURSE she can, but way too many women do that in this genre)
BUT
no sense to me how people (men
- the acknowledgment at the end the author stating that she wanted to write a less than perfect heroine in a genre that doesn’t really have that (it’s time to make it normal and not it the full person’s story. also do it for men, different faces, bodies, make it normal idc about the whining of the bodyshaming readers)
- the chemistry between the characters
- good rhythm in the book
- tess’s redemption (not her becoming a stay at home mom tho, i wanted a career path for her, and once again i don’t care about anyone whining that a woman can choose to become a stay at home mom - OF COURSE she can, but way too many women do that in this genre)
BUT
no sense to me how people (men
llucie_b's review against another edition
5.0
Heartfelt, amazing and beautiful. This book did not make me cry, but somehow I felt empty after finishing it. L.J. Shen has done it again.
katywhaleymount's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story of 2 broken people that complete one another! I loved this book!