Reviews

The Setup: A funny, fresh, feel-good rom-com by Lizzy Dent, Lizzy Dent

blina7341's review against another edition

hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

courtneygalle3's review against another edition

funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

blankeechats's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective slow-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

2.75

I kind of found the main character unbearably annoying, I hate saying that about characters but that's how I feel. Since Emily Henry loved this book I was expecting to like it way more than I did. I laughed and I also cringed so I don't really know how to rate this book. 

slicciardi's review against another edition

1.0

This was not for me. I didn't like the characters or the storyline. It took me two weeks to get through as an audiobook.

calliea's review against another edition

2.0

Cute concept, but execution. I could not stand the female lead. Her desire for “fate” to lead everything was just annoying. 

emilylinman's review against another edition

3.0

A cute, short romance. I wasn’t 100% sold on Mara as a character but I enjoyed the relative slow burn of her relationship with Ash. Her obsession with Joe was probably not super investing for me.

joannas's review against another edition

3.0

So, I picked this book up on a whim after work because I needed something to read while my bf did his online class lol. It was 30% and seemed promising. Did it deliver? Meh somewhat.
I think the ending was a little too fast paced for me; everything kind of just happened. Mara’s character didn’t develop all that much, and there were still so many loose strings that weren’t tied at the end. Plus the mention of the pandem!c made me sick like pls I read to get AWAY from that, but you do what you gotta do to escape yourself ig. Anyways, it was a pretty cute romcom, but like the astrology and star sign stuff was a bit much. Mara was also super super self-deprecating and, at times, not the nicest person, excusing everything because of her personal problems and insecurities. It’s fine to be anxious or depressed, but like don’t be an asshat to your best friend who just had a child and is obviously experiencing her own postpartum depression. Or, don’t leave the man who you obviously want to be with to go see whether or not some random cellist is gonna be at a pub you told him to go to like 2 months earlier. Idk just weird.
“The Setup” is fast-paced and oh-so-English. so if you like those things, definitely pick it up. But for now, 3 stars it is

hrhale's review against another edition

2.0

This just wasn’t a book for me. Mara wasn’t my favorite main character. She bases all her life decisions on her daily horoscope. Literally all of them (no matter how big or small). However, I did love to see her personal growth journey! That was a big positive of this book for me.

f05ball's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

cwilliams0613's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0