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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It started out so great... the cute FMC, the usual grumpy trope MMC, a compelling background for both of them...
Then we get to the meet of their struggles from their background.... and it kind of fizzles.
Romances are considered such lightweight works... but when you bring characters with their unique challenges and experiences, what sells the story is how authentic their struggles come through the pages. Which means a lot of studying about various traumas, the inner experience, and how they're processed afterwards.
It feels like that work wasn't done. And it ends up feeling like pages of lip service. The heart is lost
Then we get to the meet of their struggles from their background.... and it kind of fizzles.
Romances are considered such lightweight works... but when you bring characters with their unique challenges and experiences, what sells the story is how authentic their struggles come through the pages. Which means a lot of studying about various traumas, the inner experience, and how they're processed afterwards.
It feels like that work wasn't done. And it ends up feeling like pages of lip service. The heart is lost
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fin is a cutie patootie
This book's cover is like a glittering beacon, that lured me in like a moth to a flame, and the story inside was pure magic! I was completely smitten with this tale and its (minus one) perfect ensemble. Millie and Finn were an absolute joy, lighting up every page with their charm. I laughed, I cried, and it gave me a cozy, warm hug of emotions. I’m on pins and needles for the next adventure, so please, Ms. Meadows, don't leave us hanging too long!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is pitched as enemies to lovers, but that doesn't feel true. You keep being told they're enemies but the receipts aren't there. This felt more like a friends to lovers, found family vibes.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
4.5 Stars
Did this get me out of a reading slump? I think it did, and I’m so here for it!
I looked at the cover and knew I was about to be obsessed, and look at me now!
(+)
- Loved the writing! (If you’ve read and liked Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing style, you’ll love this!)
- The family group chats/messages, so fun! I can’t wait to read the next book. The crumbs… I need more. NOW.
- The characters, both main and side ones, were great. I love a good book with kids, and this one felt refreshing. They were part of the story, but not the center of it. I also appreciated how real the characters felt. Even when insecurities came up, they made sense and felt honest.
- The emails!!! (I love it. What can I say?)
- The little acts of love from the MMC? I was on. the. floor.
- It wasn’t too serious, and I loved that.
(-)
- I wish we’d seen the very beginning of their connection. I get that it might’ve been a bit slow, but for some reason, I wanted more buildup.
- The spice. It was a bit much for me. (Like five scenes?) I just wanted more character interaction instead.
- I wish the pacing had been a little more spaced out.
A remarkable book, for sure!
Did this get me out of a reading slump? I think it did, and I’m so here for it!
I looked at the cover and knew I was about to be obsessed, and look at me now!
(+)
- Loved the writing! (If you’ve read and liked Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing style, you’ll love this!)
- The family group chats/messages, so fun! I can’t wait to read the next book. The crumbs… I need more. NOW.
- The characters, both main and side ones, were great. I love a good book with kids, and this one felt refreshing. They were part of the story, but not the center of it. I also appreciated how real the characters felt. Even when insecurities came up, they made sense and felt honest.
- The emails!!! (I love it. What can I say?)
- The little acts of love from the MMC? I was on. the. floor.
- It wasn’t too serious, and I loved that.
(-)
- I wish we’d seen the very beginning of their connection. I get that it might’ve been a bit slow, but for some reason, I wanted more buildup.
- The spice. It was a bit much for me. (Like five scenes?) I just wanted more character interaction instead.
- I wish the pacing had been a little more spaced out.
A remarkable book, for sure!
funny
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought this was going to just be a fluffy smutty romance, and was I wrong. Not that there is anything wrong with a fluffy smutty book. Finn and Mille feel so real and the depiction of a panic attack really resonated with me. My favorite parts were where you saw Millie interacting with Avery and Eloise through Finn eyes. Finn is such a green flag guy which I really loved. He respected every single boundary Millie made and that is very important to me. Millie is strong and knows how much her career means to her and I adored that as well. I loved that there was no third act break up just understanding of the others trauma and clear communication. I am genuinely surprised with how much I liked this one. I also feel like it was the perfect amount of smut and I really loved the consent positive take throughout the book not just during the sex stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Death