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hazelgirl21's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
nokvi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Very cute and short read. An excellent cleanser and definitely would not be the last book from Anise Starre that I read.
My only issue with this book is that the problem with the "video" gets so drawn out that the reveal is somewhat underwhelming. Additionally, maybe a dual pov would have helped but really I can't exactly say. Can I also say
Somehow tho, the story is missing something but I can't put my finger on it. Everything about this story can be wrapped up in phrase: short and Cute
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying and Misogyny
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The bones were there! I just would have liked a little more "meat." I think this book felt much more fast-paced than it actually was, because it's so short. Bailey and Cash have known each other since childhood (her brother is his best friend), so I wish we had a better understanding of their history. Some books can slide by with just one person's POV, but I feel like this one needed dual POV. Cash is so hot and cold with Bailey that it would have been nice to have access to his internal monologue. I know book two is dual POV and longer, so I'll definitely be reading it. I think these two fixes would have drastically improved this book. I liked Anise Starre's writing style, though. I think I needed a fast-paced book as a "palate cleanser" ... something easy and fun to read. It served its purpose!
I liked this a lot more than most brother's best friend books! I find the brother's best friend trope to be overly paternalistic, often leading to violence between the FMC's brother and the MMC. It's insulting to the FMC's independence and autonomy to declare her as "off limits." In this book, Dane (Bailey's brother) is the one to push them together,because he knows Cash still has a crush on Bailey. For that reason, I wish we got to see Dane's reaction to their relationship once they returned to London. Besides that one moment in the beginning when he says Cash should join Bailey on the trip to Jamaica, Dane doesn't appear again. This was a wasted opportunity!
I love that moment in fake dating books where someone asks the MMC how they met/how he knew the FMC was "the one" and he tells an elaborate story that the FMC thinks he's making up on the spot but later finds out he was telling the truth and her mind explodes. This one does not disappoint!
Am I the only one who didn't see the big deal of The Video and Bailey's "big" secret? I understand for a little while, but you would think she'd make a video explaining how she was actually being cheated on and had no clue her boyfriend was already in a relationship with someone in France. The drama with Lacey was kinda stupid and unnecessary. But I loved Bailey's friendships with the other girls on the trip!
I find it hard to believe that Bailey didn't knowCash's dad died when he was a kid, since they grew up together.
I liked this a lot more than most brother's best friend books! I find the brother's best friend trope to be overly paternalistic, often leading to violence between the FMC's brother and the MMC. It's insulting to the FMC's independence and autonomy to declare her as "off limits." In this book, Dane (Bailey's brother) is the one to push them together,
I love that moment in fake dating books where someone asks the MMC how they met/how he knew the FMC was "the one" and he tells an elaborate story that the FMC thinks he's making up on the spot but later finds out he was telling the truth and her mind explodes. This one does not disappoint!
Am I the only one who didn't see the big deal of The Video and Bailey's "big" secret? I understand for a little while, but you would think she'd make a video explaining how she was actually being cheated on and had no clue her boyfriend was already in a relationship with someone in France. The drama with Lacey was kinda stupid and unnecessary. But I loved Bailey's friendships with the other girls on the trip!
I find it hard to believe that Bailey didn't know
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying and Toxic relationship
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.5
WOW THIS WAS GREAT! i'm a sucker for the brother's best friend trope in MF romances especially if the brother's best friend has been DOWN BAD for her the entire time!!! then you throw fake dating and forced proximity because they are on a paid vacation to jamaica onto that? i'm gonna eat it up, and i DID. i had a great time. i do wish cash wouldn't have been so hot and cold at times & would just TALK to her, like come on bro, you're a grown man. overall, it was great. i felt all the butterflies. 10/10 recommend!
⚠️: infidelity, toxic relationship, bullying, misogyny
⚠️: infidelity, toxic relationship, bullying, misogyny
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
gabi_w21's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
From start to beginning, Anise's book, A Week In Paradise, is a semi-alright book that I don't find myself wanting to re-read. In between Bailey's childish theatrics—almost every chapter ends with her in damn tears—and her infuriating refusal to really explain what happened with her ex to anyone who's even mildly concerned for her, we get scenes of her jumping to conclusions with Cash, her brother's best friend since they were children.
One thing I did enjoy, other than her and Cash's cute, flirty moments, was the lack of the overbearing, ‘overprotective’ older brother trope that bordered on emotional incest; it was refreshing to see Dane completely at ease, even instigating things.
A lot of things in this book just struck me as odd. Bailey just about threw a fit every time anyone asked about the breakup and, believe me, that song-and-dance routine got really stale, really fast. Instead of being someone in her mid-twenties, she comes across as a fifteen-year-old girl. Her jumping to nonsensical conclusions when it came to Cash felt really juvenile too. And the entire reveal at the end? That's your big, big secret? Girl, I thought it was waaaay worse. The way Lacey did a complete 180 and turned into a Scary Sue was really predictable. Another thing that got me is the fact that Cash has been in her life for almost twenty years…but she doesn't know that his dad is dead. You're telling me you don't know anything about this guy?
All in all, 2.5 stars. It was enjoyable, the manuscript as far as I could see was clean, the writing was alright, but the FMC' actions and conclusions were childish, obnoxious, and nonsensical.
One thing I did enjoy, other than her and Cash's cute, flirty moments, was the lack of the overbearing, ‘overprotective’ older brother trope that bordered on emotional incest; it was refreshing to see Dane completely at ease, even instigating things.
A lot of things in this book just struck me as odd. Bailey just about threw a fit every time anyone asked about the breakup and, believe me, that song-and-dance routine got really stale, really fast. Instead of being someone in her mid-twenties, she comes across as a fifteen-year-old girl. Her jumping to nonsensical conclusions when it came to Cash felt really juvenile too. And the entire reveal at the end? That's your big, big secret? Girl, I thought it was waaaay worse. The way Lacey did a complete 180 and turned into a Scary Sue was really predictable. Another thing that got me is the fact that Cash has been in her life for almost twenty years…but she doesn't know
All in all, 2.5 stars. It was enjoyable, the manuscript as far as I could see was clean, the writing was alright, but the FMC' actions and conclusions were childish, obnoxious, and nonsensical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
dawnsdiary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? No
5.0
Bailey is a disgraced social media influencer who accepts a brand trip to Jamaica for a weeklong vacation. This is a great opportunity for her to get back on her feet as an influencer after a situation that left her losing followers. The problem is, it’s a couple's vacation. In comes Cash, Bailey’s older brother’s best friend. Bailey always thought that Cash hates her, but, to her surprise, Cash agrees to be her fake date for this week in paradise.
THE WAY I LOVE THIS BOOK! I loved every second. I could’ve finished this in one sitting but I needed to sleep lol. Plus, it’s Anise’s debut novel?!?!? This was a lovely read. This was a face-paced and easy-to-read book.
I loved Bailey and Cash. I couldn’t get them off my mind!
Bailey was going through a lot. Though she thought this trip was a good idea, she still was suffering from a lack of confidence. Anise showed how Bailey bounced back from this, which I appreciated. I loved seeing her deal with her insecurities as well as rediscover herself and her passion. I loved Cash as well. He was hot, but also sweet and caring. Together, they made an adorable couple. They may have had some issues with communication, but they always resolved them.
I also loved the friendship group that developed during this trip and how the girls were there to support her and cheer her on.
Overall, really loved this book and can’t wait for the next book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
THE WAY I LOVE THIS BOOK! I loved every second. I could’ve finished this in one sitting but I needed to sleep lol. Plus, it’s Anise’s debut novel?!?!? This was a lovely read. This was a face-paced and easy-to-read book.
I loved Bailey and Cash. I couldn’t get them off my mind!
Bailey was going through a lot. Though she thought this trip was a good idea, she still was suffering from a lack of confidence. Anise showed how Bailey bounced back from this, which I appreciated. I loved seeing her deal with her insecurities as well as rediscover herself and her passion. I loved Cash as well. He was hot, but also sweet and caring. Together, they made an adorable couple. They may have had some issues with communication, but they always resolved them.
I also loved the friendship group that developed during this trip and how the girls were there to support her and cheer her on.
Overall, really loved this book and can’t wait for the next book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Toxic relationship
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.75
Many thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a free eARC of One Week in Paradise in exchange for my honest review!
I'm always up for a good enemies-to-lovers romance, so this automatically made me inclined to like One Week in Paradise. It ended up being a pretty charming read that wrapped me up in the sunshiney vibes of its Jamaican vacation and in the steamy chemistry between Bailey and Cash. I must admit, though, that I think the pacing moves along a bit too fast. I understand that this is a fairly short book, so it has to keep the plot concise, but there's still a specific point early on where I was left going, "Whoa! The romance is reaching this point already?" A part of me wonders if this would have fared better with more pages. But the rest of the way was enjoyable from there on, with Bailey and Cash being adorable together. I also appreciate how this book deploys the infidelity trope. When it first came up, I was anxious that it might head down a cringey path, but I'm glad to say it was handled well.
Overall, I'm happy I was able to check out this cute contemporary romance, which I'm officially rating 3.75 stars and then rounding up to 4 stars.
I'm always up for a good enemies-to-lovers romance, so this automatically made me inclined to like One Week in Paradise. It ended up being a pretty charming read that wrapped me up in the sunshiney vibes of its Jamaican vacation and in the steamy chemistry between Bailey and Cash. I must admit, though, that I think the pacing moves along a bit too fast. I understand that this is a fairly short book, so it has to keep the plot concise, but there's still a specific point early on where I was left going, "Whoa! The romance is reaching this point already?" A part of me wonders if this would have fared better with more pages. But the rest of the way was enjoyable from there on, with Bailey and Cash being adorable together. I also appreciate how this book deploys the infidelity trope. When it first came up, I was anxious that it might head down a cringey path, but I'm glad to say it was handled well.
Overall, I'm happy I was able to check out this cute contemporary romance, which I'm officially rating 3.75 stars and then rounding up to 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
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