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stealthnerd's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Cursing
sebradley29's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Hate crime, and Sexual assault
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Classism, Cursing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Mental illness
rikkia's review
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
izzymannellasbookshelf's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
This may end badly? Spoiler, it will end beautifully.
I always forget about how much I love the fake dating trope until I read another book with it. And the way the trope is done in this book? Amazing. Gold stars. Take my money.
The main character Doe is so blessedly different from your average protagonist. She's not obsessed with romance and boys while pretending not to be. She just takes romance as it is & when it comes but her focus is elsewhere. She loves the school that gave her a home when she needed one, and she will do anything to protect it from the boys' school across from it. She has a one-track mind and goes all in when she cares about something.
Doe's senior year is centered around a centuries' long "war" with the rival all-boys school Winfield, but heightens when they all find out that the schools might merge next year. Doe and her friends will do anything to keep the Weston school for girls and only girls, a refuge for those who need it as much as they have.
But Doe's focus on stopping the merger becomes more of a one-on-one game against her nemesis at the boy's school, one who goes by the nickname Three. Doe and Three are constantly at each other's throats, so it shouldn't be a surprise when she makes an interesting bargain and pretends to date the cousin he hates: Gabriel Wellborn. Aka Wells. Akaka, the pretty one.
And it shouldn't be a surprise when she catches not-so-pretend feelings...
Read if you like:
x the fake dating trope
x witty banter (a lot of it. in the best way)
x strong friend groups
x boy-girl rivalries
x betrayals?? hmmm
x and BOOK BOYFRIENDS that you can add to your list (I know you have one)
Thank you so much to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book early.
I always forget about how much I love the fake dating trope until I read another book with it. And the way the trope is done in this book? Amazing. Gold stars. Take my money.
The main character Doe is so blessedly different from your average protagonist. She's not obsessed with romance and boys while pretending not to be. She just takes romance as it is & when it comes but her focus is elsewhere. She loves the school that gave her a home when she needed one, and she will do anything to protect it from the boys' school across from it. She has a one-track mind and goes all in when she cares about something.
Doe's senior year is centered around a centuries' long "war" with the rival all-boys school Winfield, but heightens when they all find out that the schools might merge next year. Doe and her friends will do anything to keep the Weston school for girls and only girls, a refuge for those who need it as much as they have.
But Doe's focus on stopping the merger becomes more of a one-on-one game against her nemesis at the boy's school, one who goes by the nickname Three. Doe and Three are constantly at each other's throats, so it shouldn't be a surprise when she makes an interesting bargain and pretends to date the cousin he hates: Gabriel Wellborn. Aka Wells. Akaka, the pretty one.
And it shouldn't be a surprise when she catches not-so-pretend feelings...
Read if you like:
x the fake dating trope
x witty banter (a lot of it. in the best way)
x strong friend groups
x boy-girl rivalries
x betrayals?? hmmm
x and BOOK BOYFRIENDS that you can add to your list (I know you have one)
Thank you so much to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book early.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Sexual assault
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