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readwithsarah'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
3.75
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
microbemom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
briony_2010's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Abandonment
debbiet2023'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
4.0
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
jkyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
somebodys_fool'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
2.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Cancer
lilhappyhermit'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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Cancer, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
chelsea_shelves'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
3.0
Positives:
- Academic setting and commentary on working in academia
- STEM focus
- Self-referential (poking fun at its own romance tropes)
- ADAM. Swoon. I might be biased because brooding academic Adam reminds me of my mercurial scholarly husband
- Cute flirtations and build up
- Strong friendships and side characters
- Character development
Negatives/annoyances
- Flimsy premise for fake dating scheme
- Too much self doubt and lack of communication
- Sometimes felt like a YA book to me
- But then the love scenes were too explicit for my closed door tase (not crude at all though, I just typically don’t read “spice.”)
- I was bored about 25% in, but then it picked up. Ending was a bit abrupt. Pacing was off for me
- A bit corny
Having said all that it was a cute book and had plenty of laugh-out-loud and giddy moments. I also loved the honest take about how demanding the academia world is for both students and instructors. It gave the novel the right kind of extra depth for a generally light-hearted book.
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent
petite_madeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
You'll love this book if you love:
- STEMinist romance
- Grumpy, broody MMC with "you hurt her, you die" energy
- Fake dating
There is definitely a noticeable formula to Hazelwood's books: A bubbly and witty woman in academia is placed in forced proximity with a colleague who she initially hates then learns to love. Then cue a second man who she trusted but turns out to be a vile despicable person to turn her life upside down. But, of course, things turn out great in the end.
I love it! Sometimes, it's comfortable to read a book and know where it's going without knowing where it's going at the same time. And, as they say, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
I wonder if, perhaps, my affinity for Hazelwood's books come from the fact that I initially started really getting into romance through fanfiction. There's something familiar, cozy, and nostalgic about that fanfic feel that just hits right for me.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer