Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Cand Extremele se Atrag

This was a very fast-paced read, but I will say that it took me a little while longer to get into it than it usually does when I pick up a book by this author. My feelings towards this story are nearly the same as they were towards The Deal - while it was a fun sports romance, and steamy at times, I ultimately didn't feel drawn toward Summer and Fitz as a couple - I just didn't really see the chemistry. I loved Summer as a heroine (and appreciated that she held a lot of feminist beliefs!) but I found Fitz to be pretty forgettable, albeit his character was meant to assume the role of a wallflower who hates being the center of attention (unlike the majority of his teammates). Their "conflict" within the first half of the novel was TIRESOME

I mean come on, him saying that he found her "surface-level" should not have caused her to be pissed off for 150 pages I'm SORRY. It was ridiculous, and was reaching in my opinion.

I did appreciate how Elle Kennedy highlighted how big of a problem sexual harassment is, and especially between individuals in asymmetrical power dynamics. That being said, I didn't particularly enjoy how Summer's ADHD and learning disability was portrayed - it came off as ableist in my opinion, and that having any type of cognitive disability is something to be ashamed of which of course is not true. Summer became more gentle with herself at the end of the novel and acknowledged that her learning disability is nothing to be ashamed of, but I do have to highlight this particular quote from page 154 (and Summer's internal dialogue):

In high school, my special-ed teacher - oh gosh, it makes me want to throw up saying that. It's frigging mortifying.

It definitely wasn't great, but it was good to see Summer's growth by the end. All that being said, I'm looking forward to seeing how the series progresses!

Content Warnings

ifoundcallie's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

meggybee's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

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moonyleo's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

2023 reread:

to start of i just wanna say, that even tho my rating of this book slightly lowered since my first read (mainly because im just more critical of my reads now), i still had a great time reading it and it remains one of my favourite books of all time (and an absolute comfort read, not gonna lie)

its not perfect and some parts of it make me wanna rip my hair out (im talking about elles use of the word female specifically) but i still absolutely adore this story

now, does my high rating of this book have to do mainly (aka in like 99%) with the fact that i just deeply relate to the characters? yeah, probably, and thats okay!!!

summer's struggles with concentration and fitz's artsy side make me feel like im reading a story about myself and its just such a nice and cozy feeling, i wish everyone could experience it

with that being said, my copy is now filled with pink pencil annotations and an embarrassing amount of hearts
oh well
i just love summer and fitz so much 🥲💌

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original 2022 review:

i knew id like this book the moment i saw its cover and the blurb but DAMN- i didnt expect to love it as much as i did

the romance was amazing, the drama was captivating and most importantly: colin and summer were absolute stellar characters

while reading about them, i saw me in so many aspects
summers intruisive thoughts and her crying because she cant focus on studying made me sob too - it hit me a little too close
fitzy's art struggles were so similar to mine, some quotes i felt on a whole another level

i dont think ive ever felt as represented and seen as i did reading this book
an -otherworldly- read
6/5⭐

Content Warnings

beccaand's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

ecravens's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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