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nelumie'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
kristenreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
eallain96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent
nplunkie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There’s about a chapter and a half of spice which I think is pretty good. Overall an enjoyable read just a few bits not totally to my personal taste
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, and Death of parent
mari_library'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? It's complicated
4.0
The object permanence was definitely not there since every time I put this book down, I forgot I was reading it. BUT when I was reading the book, it was enjoyable and engaging. The story is your typical fake-dating romance, the characters and plot were predictable, and in all cases, it was a solid romance. There is very little to say against it other than the main character's best friend is shitty. I don't think Anh played the part well as a best friend, and I don't think she showed the same level of investment in her friendship as Olive did. However, Adam Carlsen???? My man! He was *chef's kiss* the definition of a man written by a woman. I love him.
Overall, an enjoyable and solid read.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
reallife_kazbrekker'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I don't dnf books a lot, but I just couldn't take another page of this book.
I just couldn't keep reading about how tall and muscular the main love interest was... Seriously like every two sentences she mentions his height. Like I get it, he's tall. You don't need to keep mentioning it.
Anyway I can understand why other people like this book, but it's just not for me I guess...
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical content, and Death of parent
chelseasofia'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? It's complicated
4.0
On the other hand, I am tired of a few things that are still very popular in romance: the tall guy/short girl thing, likewise the repeated wonderment about how BIG he is (ok, I get it, a couple mentions would have been enough though), and the fact that two very intelligent people can’t make the logical conclusion to not pile on lie after lie, or that sacrificing yourself for the imagined happiness of someone else by continuing those lies is somehow “real love”, please. Also the miscommunications that don’t really make sense. Also the *ridiculous* ways that they’re forced to get closer in public (via Olive’s friend pressuring her) was just kinda dumb/not fully developed. I love tropes but let’s try and inject a little reality?
I did have to keep reminding myself that these people are in their 20s and not experienced at relationships, being honest with others about their feelings, or even with themselves. I know I didn’t tell someone I loved them when I was that age, so I guess I’m just over some of this stuff because I’ve read it a lot, and I’m old (sarcasm).
I did like Olive but I wished she didn’t have to be so unsure and tentative for so much of the book. And (spoilers?) when a big awful thing happens I wanted to scream at the way she was just going to push it down and try to continue as if nothing had happened. I guess that just means that I cared for the characters. But also, the big awful thing was really over the top, done by a capital-V Villain and it came completely out of nowhere. People who are abusers and manipulative don’t really go this hard this fast, do they? I wanted it to be a little more nuanced. But then again, maybe people are really this brazen and awful in academia. It did make for a great conclusion of the story later on.
The thing I liked most was them slowly becoming friends and coming to really care for each other in such a lovely way. And it all led to the one sex scene which was both tender and hot, with lots of good communication, plus the demisexual rep. Worth it. 🔥🔥🔥
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
michaelavanr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
One of my favourite micro tropes is where the characters in a romance book discuss reading smut or their favourite tropes but this was a little bit too on the nose. They used the term “fake dating” way too often when it could have been more implied.
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
green_mm'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
3.25
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent
dwdillydally's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol