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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
definitely not something to read if you don't like cheating/are triggered by cheating and you think that characters in books should completely share your moral philosophies. i actually really loved this, both as a foray into second chance romance, but for being a cisstraight romance with a main character who is not a perfect person. i've read so much straight romance between characters who have no chemistry, who have no personality, and it's surprising to me that this book has such a low rating because people's perspective is... that this is a narrative that says cheating is good? did we read the same book? lee is a character who was hurt and used that to hurt others, and felt entitled to hurting others because of how her dad's betrayal festered inside of her. she acknowledges that she was wrong??? and that she deeply hurt ben potentially beyond repair??? and she ACCEPTED THAT??? a cheater gets punched in the face in this??? anyway... i actually really liked this and it reminded me a lot of, like, the west wing. it's hard in a romance to balance the plot of the Romance with an external plot that is enjoyable - most of the time, the B story in cisstraight romances is absolute garbage. here, though, it was interesting, fun, and made my smooth liberal brain feel good imagining a world in which republicans aren't actively promoting fascism and committing a genocide against the queer community. anyway.... that being said....... i really loved this one... thank you ashley winstead for giving me this...
Rating 2.5
The humor in this one really missed it's mark with me. I really wanted to like this heroine.... but I just couldn't quite get there.
The humor in this one really missed it's mark with me. I really wanted to like this heroine.... but I just couldn't quite get there.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
tense
Fool Me Once was a ton of fun, it’s a second chance love story following Lee “Stoner” Stone and her ex boyfriend, Ben. Lee lives in Texas and is a comms director for an electric car company. Her big initiative is to pass a green energy bill to transform Texas into a more environmentally friendlier state with the use of electric vehicles and charging stations. While working with the governor of Texas to pass the bill, Lee’s college boyfriend Ben has come on board as a new advisor to the current administration. After a horrible breakup five years before, Lee and Ben haven’t spoken since but old feelings and old memories start to surface as the two campaign for the bill.
My favorite thing about this book was the banter between Lee and Ben, their antics during the campaign were hilarious. While Lee is the definition of a flawed character, this made her relatable and easy to root for. Although Lee was a mess emotionally speaking, she was a total badass at her job and a great sister and friend. I’m not a huge fan of politics in books but felt the author did a great job weaving the storyline into what’s happening in present day.
Overall, this was a cute, fun romance and I can’t wait to read Ashley Winstead’s upcoming thriller!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 4/5/22
My favorite thing about this book was the banter between Lee and Ben, their antics during the campaign were hilarious. While Lee is the definition of a flawed character, this made her relatable and easy to root for. Although Lee was a mess emotionally speaking, she was a total badass at her job and a great sister and friend. I’m not a huge fan of politics in books but felt the author did a great job weaving the storyline into what’s happening in present day.
Overall, this was a cute, fun romance and I can’t wait to read Ashley Winstead’s upcoming thriller!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 4/5/22
Refreshing twist
I truly appreciate this tale because it’s refreshing to see a not-necessarily-likable FMC. Lee is not your typical leading lady because her foibles are usually the kind attributed to men. They’re the kind that, while not necessarily celebrated in men, are accepted. Lee’s growth was believable, and it felt like she was making positive changes for her own sake and not because of the love of a good man.
This book makes me want to see more like it featuring the theme of women acknowledging their mistakes while not falling on their swords for them.
I truly appreciate this tale because it’s refreshing to see a not-necessarily-likable FMC. Lee is not your typical leading lady because her foibles are usually the kind attributed to men. They’re the kind that, while not necessarily celebrated in men, are accepted. Lee’s growth was believable, and it felt like she was making positive changes for her own sake and not because of the love of a good man.
This book makes me want to see more like it featuring the theme of women acknowledging their mistakes while not falling on their swords for them.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I much preferred the sequel, found the FMC a bit annoying in this one.
I love Ashley Winstead, but this wasn’t my favorite of hers - I much preferred The Boyfriend Candidate, though realizing the protagonists are sisters was a fun surprise!
The writing was good and even laugh-out-loud funny at some parts, but as others have noted, I wasn’t that drawn in by the plot. I also didn’t like Lee all that much, which made it hard to root for her.
The writing was good and even laugh-out-loud funny at some parts, but as others have noted, I wasn’t that drawn in by the plot. I also didn’t like Lee all that much, which made it hard to root for her.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes