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klb77's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Sexism, Body shaming, Classism, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
amarreth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Sexual harassment, Biphobia, and Domestic abuse
torgotorgo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault
tlholmes's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, and Lesbophobia
cluckieduck's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Classism, Biphobia, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
zoebrook's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Biphobia
displacedcactus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
-A love triangle
-A heroine confident in her sexuality and tired of dealing with casual biphobia
-Two physically attractive love interests
-A colorful cast of fellow contestants and friends and family "back home"
-Lots of descriptions of bakes
-Lots of cheeky inuendo
-Lots of "behind the scenes" reality TV baking competition hijinks
-A precocious plot moppet
-Steamy love scenes
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the structure -- It was broken up by week of filming the show, and then the days within that week. This made it REALLY easy to keep track of where we were in the timeline of the competition and exactly how much time has passed as these relationships developed.
One thing I didn't like was well, the love triangle. Major spoilers ahead:
I always feel a little bad for the love interest who gets chosen by default because the other guy ends up being a jerk/already married/dead by the end of the book. It feels less like Harry gets chosen for who he is, and more like he gets chosen for being Not Alain and being there for Rosaline when Alain goes too far.
A little elaboration on the TW at the start of the book about an attempted assault:
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
littlewishling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Biphobia, and Sexual harassment
beth_s98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Biphobia
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Classism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism and Mental illness