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zids's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Soooo a week or two ago I blacked out and read the other two books in this series in two days. I had a good enough time, and got 80% of the way through this one. At the time, I thought I'd rate this one the highest, because I liked the couple the most, their drama the most, the banter. I thought the plot made sense. The prose was annoying, but it literally always is. That's something you just have to face with this genre.
But then I took a break from it, and I came back and I didn't fuck with it as hard.
So, quick rundown. Zach is a very hot, nerdy slut. He has recently realised he's demisexual and is now choosing not to have sex until he really feels something, because his time as town trollop made him feel very empty. This is a fine idea, and his demisexuality made both his character and his romance with the female protagonist really interesting. However, in the first couple chapters, we got maybe 800 definitions of demisexuality from Zach. I was. So. Over it. I knew what demisexuality was before I picked the fucking book up and even if I didn't, one definition at the beginning is ENOUGH.
He's also got a DC sleeve tattoo and is working up the courage to start posting in nerdy demisexuality forums. That's already annoying but we'll get to how it's even more stupid later.
B. A. McRae, or "Rae", is our female protagonist. She's a 40 year old, divorced author with facial scars and a massive dog. I liked Rae. I liked that she was 12 years older than Zach, I liked her scars, I thought she was funny. She was a bit of a pushover when it came to her domineering mother, something she works through (phew), but part of me thinks she maybe replaced being her mother's doormat for being Zach's. D:
So they're fake dating at an awards ceremony she's been invited to, real feelings ensue. It was mostly very cute. There's multiple moments of conflict, whatever, I mostly thought it worked.
Red flag was when Zach got mad at Rae for not letting him fight her ex and for being upset that he made a scene. This lead into a part of the story that pissed me off.
So, the third act conflict is essentially Zach misunderstanding a situation, not giving Rae the chance to explain, then leaving abruptly back to their bumfuck nowhere town to stew about the situation. While there, he yells at his brother and best friend about how ANGRY he is, gives them the book's 801st definition of demisexuality, and shoves them out his house. He also impulsively makes his first post on his stupid fucking reddit forum (It was something like "A woman broke my heart, I'm so mad. What do?").
It was just. Not only was it dumb, it was so immature that I was like "Oh shit. Maybe Rae should date someone her age. This guy's a fucking child." Also, setting up Reddit as character development for someone is laughable. Like that may count as character destruction, not development.
Rae apologises, they fuck. Happily ever after.
This book was okay, I guess I just fell out of the mood for plot light romance novels. Also, the things that made Zach annoying got Too Glaring Too Fast. Oh well.
Also, the protagonists all live in the most judgemental small town ever. Why Don't They Leave?? These people are the WORST gtfOUT of there...
But then I took a break from it, and I came back and I didn't fuck with it as hard.
So, quick rundown. Zach is a very hot, nerdy slut. He has recently realised he's demisexual and is now choosing not to have sex until he really feels something, because his time as town trollop made him feel very empty. This is a fine idea, and his demisexuality made both his character and his romance with the female protagonist really interesting. However, in the first couple chapters, we got maybe 800 definitions of demisexuality from Zach. I was. So. Over it. I knew what demisexuality was before I picked the fucking book up and even if I didn't, one definition at the beginning is ENOUGH.
He's also got a DC sleeve tattoo and is working up the courage to start posting in nerdy demisexuality forums. That's already annoying but we'll get to how it's even more stupid later.
B. A. McRae, or "Rae", is our female protagonist. She's a 40 year old, divorced author with facial scars and a massive dog. I liked Rae. I liked that she was 12 years older than Zach, I liked her scars, I thought she was funny. She was a bit of a pushover when it came to her domineering mother, something she works through (phew), but part of me thinks she maybe replaced being her mother's doormat for being Zach's. D:
So they're fake dating at an awards ceremony she's been invited to, real feelings ensue. It was mostly very cute. There's multiple moments of conflict, whatever, I mostly thought it worked.
Red flag was when Zach got mad at Rae for not letting him fight her ex and for being upset that he made a scene. This lead into a part of the story that pissed me off.
So, the third act conflict is essentially Zach misunderstanding a situation, not giving Rae the chance to explain, then leaving abruptly back to their bumfuck nowhere town to stew about the situation. While there, he yells at his brother and best friend about how ANGRY he is, gives them the book's 801st definition of demisexuality, and shoves them out his house. He also impulsively makes his first post on his stupid fucking reddit forum (It was something like "A woman broke my heart, I'm so mad. What do?").
It was just. Not only was it dumb, it was so immature that I was like "Oh shit. Maybe Rae should date someone her age. This guy's a fucking child." Also, setting up Reddit as character development for someone is laughable. Like that may count as character destruction, not development.
Rae apologises, they fuck. Happily ever after.
This book was okay, I guess I just fell out of the mood for plot light romance novels. Also, the things that made Zach annoying got Too Glaring Too Fast. Oh well.
Also, the protagonists all live in the most judgemental small town ever. Why Don't They Leave?? These people are the WORST gtfOUT of there...
sarahesterman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
sleepysyd's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
deevarr's review against another edition
4.0
Another sweet story
I think that I enjoyed this book little more than the previous two in the series. It is not as witty as the Brown sisters’ series, but still enjoyable. I always love the heroes in Talia Hubert’s books. Zach is just adorable
I think that I enjoyed this book little more than the previous two in the series. It is not as witty as the Brown sisters’ series, but still enjoyable. I always love the heroes in Talia Hubert’s books. Zach is just adorable
mathenam's review
emotional
funny
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
4.25
bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
zainab224's review against another edition
5.0
I think Talia Hibbert is my favorite romance author. The chemistry between her characters is electric and I can see exactly why these two people chose each other.
ladydi412's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0