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reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition
4.0
This is a friends to lovers book. This story is a great book
kfriend's review against another edition
4.0
OH MY STARS!!!!!!!!!! Friends to lovers PERFECTION! I am so in love with Tanner and Sydney- these two just stole my whole entire heart and filled me with such joy and happiness. I was swooning and sighing and thoroughly charmed. How does RJ just keep getting better and better~ now my new fav in the series- a feel good story that kept me smiling and laughing. This is a story with such optimism and heart, and I could not love this book or these two any more!
Tanner is perhaps the swooniest RJ hero ever. He’s charming, sweet, and even though we met him prior books, HERE he truly shines. He doesn't take stuff too seriously but also so thoughtful and genuine. He's just perfect- fun and loving all at once. And I LOVED how RJ flips the trope on its head- of the two, he’s the vulnerable, he’s the emotionally open one. And I LOVE his big heart. And Sydney is just such a likable heroine- she’s stoic, patient, a bit sassy and sweet. Together they are just SO fun- and heart squeezing adorable.
This is definitely some of RJ’s strongest writing- chemistry and character voice really shine here. Both characters have such a distinct, consistent, and welcoming voice- we really get inside their hearts and minds, which amplifies this friends-to-lovers tension- we FEEL their turmoil. And the chemistry between these two?! Oh my. The banter, the sweet flirting, their eventual honesty. It is perfectly matched for a friends to lovers story- because it feels organic, natural, connected, the "known each other forever" authenticity- because they DO know each other. RJ also brilliantly changes the settings to isolate our characters- really forcing them to confront their shared history and emotional confusion. We really see them open up and explore this dynamic in a new and fresh way for the series, while RJ also keeps the college fun and sports elements central- even though we’re removed from campus and from actual sport.
Rebecca really beautifully captures the friends-to-lovers confusion- the longing paired with fear. There is something special about this dynamic/trope, because we have to believe that they are best friends, that they'd be perfectly happy staying only friends because the relationship is that important and special to them, while also adding in enough romantic tension so that we both FEEL it but also keeping it subtle enough so we can believe them not acting on it yet/not even seeing it fully for what it is. Rebecca knocks this element out of the part -we have so much platonic connection, so we see the magic of their relationship, while she also weaves in subtle clues there is more. Then she finds those magical catalyzing moments, the JOLTS that help them start to see those subtle moments for what they are- clues to their own hearts. It is SO natural here- the fluid shift from platonic moments into a romantic tension is so subtle that it makes their confusion, their tension, their dilemma feel more authentic. And even after they get together, RJ keeps the friendship dynamics central - while weaving in their new romantic dynamic-somehow everything changes between them but nothing does. THAT is what I love about friends to lovers- and that is why I think this is one of the finest.
We have just the right dash of angst, but nothing over the top. For the most part, this story just makes you FEEL good. It is light, swoony, and so sexy. I smiled, laughed, and awwwed- all the butterflies. This is a story that makes you fall in love with love. A story whose themes remind us to not hold back not waiting passively for the "right time" but embracing what is right in front of us. It reminds us how love can be sweet and simple, if you just open up your eyes to it. I could not love this story more- I have all the hopeful, happy tingles.
All the stars!
*Beta read
Tanner is perhaps the swooniest RJ hero ever. He’s charming, sweet, and even though we met him prior books, HERE he truly shines. He doesn't take stuff too seriously but also so thoughtful and genuine. He's just perfect- fun and loving all at once. And I LOVED how RJ flips the trope on its head- of the two, he’s the vulnerable, he’s the emotionally open one. And I LOVE his big heart. And Sydney is just such a likable heroine- she’s stoic, patient, a bit sassy and sweet. Together they are just SO fun- and heart squeezing adorable.
This is definitely some of RJ’s strongest writing- chemistry and character voice really shine here. Both characters have such a distinct, consistent, and welcoming voice- we really get inside their hearts and minds, which amplifies this friends-to-lovers tension- we FEEL their turmoil. And the chemistry between these two?! Oh my. The banter, the sweet flirting, their eventual honesty. It is perfectly matched for a friends to lovers story- because it feels organic, natural, connected, the "known each other forever" authenticity- because they DO know each other. RJ also brilliantly changes the settings to isolate our characters- really forcing them to confront their shared history and emotional confusion. We really see them open up and explore this dynamic in a new and fresh way for the series, while RJ also keeps the college fun and sports elements central- even though we’re removed from campus and from actual sport.
Rebecca really beautifully captures the friends-to-lovers confusion- the longing paired with fear. There is something special about this dynamic/trope, because we have to believe that they are best friends, that they'd be perfectly happy staying only friends because the relationship is that important and special to them, while also adding in enough romantic tension so that we both FEEL it but also keeping it subtle enough so we can believe them not acting on it yet/not even seeing it fully for what it is. Rebecca knocks this element out of the part -we have so much platonic connection, so we see the magic of their relationship, while she also weaves in subtle clues there is more. Then she finds those magical catalyzing moments, the JOLTS that help them start to see those subtle moments for what they are- clues to their own hearts. It is SO natural here- the fluid shift from platonic moments into a romantic tension is so subtle that it makes their confusion, their tension, their dilemma feel more authentic. And even after they get together, RJ keeps the friendship dynamics central - while weaving in their new romantic dynamic-somehow everything changes between them but nothing does. THAT is what I love about friends to lovers- and that is why I think this is one of the finest.
We have just the right dash of angst, but nothing over the top. For the most part, this story just makes you FEEL good. It is light, swoony, and so sexy. I smiled, laughed, and awwwed- all the butterflies. This is a story that makes you fall in love with love. A story whose themes remind us to not hold back not waiting passively for the "right time" but embracing what is right in front of us. It reminds us how love can be sweet and simple, if you just open up your eyes to it. I could not love this story more- I have all the hopeful, happy tingles.
All the stars!
*Beta read
pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Best friends to lovers, Shaw & Sydney have been best friends for years, but a summer lake vacation brings them together and uncovers their feelings.
I love their friendship and chemistry.
I love their friendship and chemistry.
judeduartesgf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This book was so cute Shaw and Sydney were adorable!!!
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kem0514's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I thought The Fake was my favorite of the series but this one may have just taken the top spot! Sydney and Tanner were amazing. The story starts out with them meeting years ago with them both interested in each other. But a whole bunch of miscommunication and misunderstandings leads them to a friendship instead. When Tanner ends yet another relationship, he asks Sydney to come with him for the summer. I loved seeing their romance finally blossom. But the complications they face in the form of Tanner’s sister ( who is absolutely HORRIBLE) made their connection so much stronger. I loved the character building in this book and the narrators really brought them to life.
randilyn1107's review against another edition
funny
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
4.25