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klb77's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This may be one of the funniest books I’ve read in a loooonnngggg time but if you choose to rape your fmc, make the only note of comedy be “haha we need to be more politically correct I’m being an asshole to you but making fun of it so suddenly I can’t be an asshole”, and beat the dead horse of objectification while making your entire emotional arc RELY on objectification and abuse of queer people you’ll never get higher than 3 stars from me. While attempting to identify and subvert objectification and fetishization the author managed to do both. Loudly.
Let’s all stop pretending this is a valid love triangle alright? If the options are between a hardworking, consent-prioritizing, compassionate, funny, protective, dedicated, sturdy, occasionally anxious, reliable hot man anda fatphobic biphobic RAPIST that can’t even train down to see the mc one. fucking. time. and relied on her to do 98% of the labor in the half-assed situationship then it’s not quite an equal triangle now is it?
Is it not embarrassing that the most well rounded and well flushed out character of your novel is an 8 year old? Definitely one of the most realistic and charming kids I’ve encountered in a book but why the hell is that the best character here? Would LOVE to know!
Thank you to the previous commenter who stated that there was on-page SA. There was 0 fucking reason for that and it would’ve jarred me without warning so I’m repeating it here for anyone who may come across this.
Shithead parents don’t apologize and reverse a lifetime of disrespect and being antagonistic after one conversation and one cry at them. That’s not how shithead parents work. It is SO wildly disrespectful to your main character to put them in a position where they never once might’ve expressed disappointment towards how her parents treated her.
The lying/miscommunication aspect was never needed in the first place and it felt like the author wrote that and then immediately threw it out the fucking manor window because of how little it impacted the plot/relationships overall. It exclusively existed to justify the red flags and poor treatment of failing triangle leg #1. And that’s gross.
I found book 2 first, learned it was a book 2, and paused to read this one first. I don’t think that was quite needed but oh well.
Cute premise, cute flirting, some good banter, and felt as saccarine as reality tv does. The final chapter was cute and the supporting characters definitely shined but overall definitely a train wreck in my eyes.
Let’s all stop pretending this is a valid love triangle alright? If the options are between a hardworking, consent-prioritizing, compassionate, funny, protective, dedicated, sturdy, occasionally anxious, reliable hot man and
Is it not embarrassing that the most well rounded and well flushed out character of your novel is an 8 year old? Definitely one of the most realistic and charming kids I’ve encountered in a book but why the hell is that the best character here? Would LOVE to know!
Thank you to the previous commenter who stated that there was on-page SA. There was 0 fucking reason for that and it would’ve jarred me without warning so I’m repeating it here for anyone who may come across this.
Shithead parents don’t apologize and reverse a lifetime of disrespect and being antagonistic after one conversation and one cry at them. That’s not how shithead parents work. It is SO wildly disrespectful to your main character to put them in a position where they never once might’ve expressed disappointment towards how her parents treated her.
The lying/miscommunication aspect was never needed in the first place and it felt like the author wrote that and then immediately threw it out the fucking manor window because of how little it impacted the plot/relationships overall. It exclusively existed to justify the red flags and poor treatment of failing triangle leg #1. And that’s gross.
I found book 2 first, learned it was a book 2, and paused to read this one first. I don’t think that was quite needed but oh well.
Cute premise, cute flirting, some good banter, and felt as saccarine as reality tv does. The final chapter was cute and the supporting characters definitely shined but overall definitely a train wreck in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Sexism, Body shaming, Classism, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
atamano's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Cursing
Moderate: Sexism, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
brokenlightdances's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Biphobia
Minor: Fatphobia
kazoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i enjoyed a lot more than i thought i did, i dnf'd one of the authors other books and now im thinking maybe i was too harsh on it. I do think the books ive tried have suffered from overly quirky characters that can get on your nerves at times that it takes away from how good it could be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Biphobia
roodborstje's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
This was wonderful! I love that even though this is a f/m romance the main character's bisexuality is not just a footnote, it really is a queer story about a queer person having queer relationships. Even the way her attraction to men is described still felt very queer to me, which was really great to see.
The bakeoff-inspired setting was so much fun and really well done. I highly recommend this if you like The Great British Bakeoff, it felt like reading fanfic of the show, but I mean that in the most positive way!
I think the heavier topics in this book were handled with surpricing grace, especially the classism, I didn't expect to see that being discussed with such nuance in a fluffy romance book and I appreciated that a lot.
The bakeoff-inspired setting was so much fun and really well done. I highly recommend this if you like The Great British Bakeoff, it felt like reading fanfic of the show, but I mean that in the most positive way!
I think the heavier topics in this book were handled with surpricing grace, especially the classism, I didn't expect to see that being discussed with such nuance in a fluffy romance book and I appreciated that a lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Biphobia, Classism, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
5.0
I mean it's just a scrummy book! I was outwardly chuckling for like 80% of the book, I got a therapy session, and the leads are insanely hot. Wins all across the board.
Hall does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline. She's honestly a badass (I will never understand how people have the energy to do anything on top of being a parent, it's such involved and hard work) but she's also so genuine. She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea.
Harry, our burly cinnamon roll love interest, is a man of few words who really goes all out with acts of service for those he cares about. There are so many times in this book that I highlighted and my comment is just "😭😭" because he's such a gentle and kind man.
Also, Amelie is the love of my life, and I hope one day she becomes a marine biologist who focuses on deep sea exploration.
Hall does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline. She's honestly a badass (I will never understand how people have the energy to do anything on top of being a parent, it's such involved and hard work) but she's also so genuine. She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea.
Harry, our burly cinnamon roll love interest, is a man of few words who really goes all out with acts of service for those he cares about. There are so many times in this book that I highlighted and my comment is just "😭😭" because he's such a gentle and kind man.
Also, Amelie is the love of my life, and I hope one day she becomes a marine biologist who focuses on deep sea exploration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Cursing, Classism, and Biphobia
Minor: Abortion
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Classism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism and Mental illness
town_scar's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Classism, Biphobia, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
carodonahue's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
jessiewolf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
This was so different than what I was expecting! It’s lovely and charming of course, but it is much less of a traditional contemporary romance than I’d expected. There is a love triangle and that means it has a very different romance pacing than Alexis’s other books, but it’s still very, very enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Biphobia