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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
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
This story is told in first person dual points of view from Zora and Cyrus. I enjoyed the concept of this book. I genuinely liked both characters and their supporting friends and family, especially Jordan and Miriam. I also loved the contrast between their family dynamics and the effects that it had on their lives, decisions, and career choices. I actually would have enjoyed the exploration of that in a little more depth along with more focus on the resolution of the issues with Zora’s parents.
I found a few scenes from Zora gushing in a ridiculous over the top manner for Cyrus to be a little too much for me, but I can gloss over that given a good story. Unfortunately, for me, there was a huge plot hole that I really struggled with throughout the majority of this book and while I understand it’s the item that leads to the conflict, it was just too convoluted for me to believe that no one in the book, including Cyrus, ever asked what profession Zora was in nor was there a planned response to the question during all of their preparations for Zora to play the new girlfriend on the retreat, emphasis on “new” which also seemed at odds with their preparation. So much of their plan and the way they were communicating about it just didn’t make sense to me. I guess if you can overlook all that, you might enjoy this more than me. I just had more questions than I thought were necessary given the situation.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the free copy provided for an honest review.
I found a few scenes from Zora gushing in a ridiculous over the top manner for Cyrus to be a little too much for me, but I can gloss over that given a good story. Unfortunately, for me, there was a huge plot hole that I really struggled with throughout the majority of this book and while I understand it’s the item that leads to the conflict, it was just too convoluted for me to believe that no one in the book, including Cyrus, ever asked what profession Zora was in nor was there a planned response to the question during all of their preparations for Zora to play the new girlfriend on the retreat, emphasis on “new” which also seemed at odds with their preparation. So much of their plan and the way they were communicating about it just didn’t make sense to me. I guess if you can overlook all that, you might enjoy this more than me. I just had more questions than I thought were necessary given the situation.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the free copy provided for an honest review.
3.5/5
Loved the concept for Burned!
Character driven story - the secondary characters started to steal the show, and now I really want their story!
I wanted more fake dating! Don't get me wrong, I loved how Cyrus & Zora got to know each other during their time together, but I really, really wanted more fake dating tension.
Zora keeping who she was a secret (regarding BURNED) just seemed silly by the 75% mark. For being billed a take-charge type of woman, I really expected her to come clean with the truth.
Loved the concept for Burned!
Character driven story - the secondary characters started to steal the show, and now I really want their story!
I wanted more fake dating! Don't get me wrong, I loved how Cyrus & Zora got to know each other during their time together, but I really, really wanted more fake dating tension.
Zora keeping who she was a secret (regarding BURNED) just seemed silly by the 75% mark. For being billed a take-charge type of woman, I really expected her to come clean with the truth.
I wanted to read this book because the premise is awesome, but it did not live up to the blurb. I really struggled with the pacing of the book. The start was strong and then it just fell flat. It's like the author couldn't decide what type of book she wanted it to be. Zora dating a client's ex who she just dumped on behalf of the client is plot enough. The fake dating section was not needed and should have been introduced way sooner for this plot to fully work. On top of this the book relied on miscommunication for the main source of conflict. Which is fine, sometimes, but in this case Zora's reason for keeping her job a secret did not even make sense, like it was beyond what "romance reasons" can justify. On top of that Cyrus shut her down every time she tried to communicate and then got mad at her for not communicating, like what am I supposed to do with that? Granted, he did realize he had done this, but it did not make him likable or a hero in my eyes. I was also frustrated by the lack of an epilogue as there was not enough resolution at the end of the book to make their happily ever after feel believable to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an arc for a honest review.
3.5 Stars. I didn't really know what to expect, but I totally enjoyed it. This is my first read by Naima Simone, and I definitely have to check her backlist.
Zora and her siblings runs a business where they get paid to break up someone's partner when that person can't do it to their partner. Hopefully, that makes sense. lol Zora was paid to go read the breakup letter to Cyrus, and she was not expecting him to be the most handsome man that she has ever seen. Little did she know, Cyrus was totally attracted to her too. What happens when Cyrus knows the truth about Zora's business?
It was a cute, short read.
3.5 Stars. I didn't really know what to expect, but I totally enjoyed it. This is my first read by Naima Simone, and I definitely have to check her backlist.
Zora and her siblings runs a business where they get paid to break up someone's partner when that person can't do it to their partner. Hopefully, that makes sense. lol Zora was paid to go read the breakup letter to Cyrus, and she was not expecting him to be the most handsome man that she has ever seen. Little did she know, Cyrus was totally attracted to her too. What happens when Cyrus knows the truth about Zora's business?
It was a cute, short read.
the writing was superb! i loved the metaphors, simile’s, and how detailed the descriptions were. i could imagine everything vividly in my mind, the images, the scenes, the feelings, the emotions. the mouth this man, cyrus, had on him - jesus h. christ!!! and the way he made zora feel beautiful and defended her to anyone who had a negative word to say!!!!! even when he found out the truth of her lie he still defended her
Oh my new series…love this premise, love Cyrus and Zora and how they met and then met again…and cannot wait for more. Seriously the side characters in this book are perfection and I need their stories now!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
The audio book version is brilliant.
Great story, build up, suspense and spice.
Great story, build up, suspense and spice.
There were some bumps in this but overall I thought both characters had good developments. I started to find the side characters annoying but at least they served a purpose.