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ksamaine95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Trauma, Politics, Romance, Comedy, Forgiveness, Healing. Just all the human things, in a cute novel.
readersmultiverse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my third Ashley Winstead book and I absolutely love her writing. Every aspect was done so well and the political backdrop was incredible. I adored the characters & rooted for them, especially our green heroine Stoner. This one is for all the messy girls with messy lives 🧡.
Winstead is an auto-buy author.
Winstead is an auto-buy author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, and Misogyny
suzyq436's review against another edition
3.0
This started off well and I was into it. I love Ben and his overall yummyness. However, as the story went on, Lee grated on my nerves more and more. Her woe-is-me, I'm a victim mentality was too drawn out. I don't feel like she went through the necessary character growth. I felt like Ben should have let her grovel a lot more. Dude, she rejected you multiple times!
Also, Lee's coping mechanisms (alcohol and substances) was brushed over and made light of which felt a bit off because it came across as a serious issue. Maybe I was reading too much into it.
Also, the politics was a lot. For a non-American, it was quite hard to keep up with all jargon and frameworks sometimes.
Also, Lee's coping mechanisms (alcohol and substances) was brushed over and made light of which felt a bit off because it came across as a serious issue. Maybe I was reading too much into it.
Also, the politics was a lot. For a non-American, it was quite hard to keep up with all jargon and frameworks sometimes.
megsbigg's review against another edition
2.0
This book really didn't work for me, sadly. It's so often in books where cheating is a major theme/plot point that there is cheating in the present day plot, and when it happens apparently everyone's okay with it? After hating everyone and everything for cheating the main character just describes it as an accident 🤔 but mainly I just didn't really understand Ben and Lee as a couple - I would have loved more scenes of them hang out outside of work, and getting to know Ben more than just "he loves politics and his brother".
babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
Look, <----- I knew from the first word I was going to love Stoner. Incredibly friend, sister, party partner but girlfriend...maybe not so much?!
Lee Stone, by day is a professional and she's taking on a clean energy bill, going by Stoner personally she is a complete self destructive, chaotic mess. Ben, the ex she forced to leave her before he could choose to on his own, is back in her life and working on the same bill. Forced proximity, witty banter and so much chemistry I felt it! Stoner's inner monologue had me in stitches the whole time, I could relate to the inner chaos. She doesn't always make the best choices, but who of us always has?
I didn't care for the cheating theme of the book, that said, this was done really well and in a way that wasn't highlighting a plot of underhandedness but mistakes that happen as a result of a completely broken soul. People are often characterized by their mistakes, a culmination of all the wrong decisions we've ever made. The takeaway from Fool Me Once shows that we are more that the mistakes, we are a sum of ALL our decisions, the good ones and the bad ones.
I really enjoyed reading this one and wouldn't mind another book!
Lee Stone, by day is a professional and she's taking on a clean energy bill, going by Stoner personally she is a complete self destructive, chaotic mess. Ben, the ex she forced to leave her before he could choose to on his own, is back in her life and working on the same bill. Forced proximity, witty banter and so much chemistry I felt it! Stoner's inner monologue had me in stitches the whole time, I could relate to the inner chaos. She doesn't always make the best choices, but who of us always has?
I didn't care for the cheating theme of the book, that said, this was done really well and in a way that wasn't highlighting a plot of underhandedness but mistakes that happen as a result of a completely broken soul. People are often characterized by their mistakes, a culmination of all the wrong decisions we've ever made. The takeaway from Fool Me Once shows that we are more that the mistakes, we are a sum of ALL our decisions, the good ones and the bad ones.
I really enjoyed reading this one and wouldn't mind another book!
danniphantomreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars-I really did not connect with this story or the MC. The cheating and the way she treats her ex-BF/BF is gross and triggering, it really threw me out of the story. I did not vibe with much of the romance at all it was just OK; I do like very few romance novels, but something about this trope with these characters didn't sit/work well for me. It was just fine. Good writing style though.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon house for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon house for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
kerrygetsliterary'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual content
heidi_grey's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The silliness of the main character clashed a bit too much with the delicate themes of infidelity, grief and self-worth for me to fully enjoy this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Sexism
summerc_reads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5