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sydneys_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
loved the beginning and middle of this book. the ending doesn’t feel right for me, personally. i wish we would’ve seen more of them in Cooper. also the one sex scene in this was fade to black ish so be wary of that. a good take on second chance romance!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
wormgirl's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Sexual content
katebrownreads's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
binreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Straight from my notes, 14% into this book I wrote: "So far it’s giving tumblr fan fiction..."
Upon finishing this, it solidified that thought. The writing was very much 'she said, he said, I laughed, he smiled'. No depth. No emotion. I could not feel anything for these characters.
The thing that irks me the most, is that the main character keeps alluding to a weekend with this 'hunk' of a movie star Gabe Parker, the weekend that everything changed...I mean it's legitimately what the whole book is about and yet when we finally find out what happens between them, it's boring and quite honestly, not juicy or suspenseful at all. Nothing like what I expected. Nothing that would actually be memorable.
Spoilers ahead for those who want specific examples that made me cringe:
Okay buckle up.
This is when I knew this book wasn't going to be my fave.
Chapter 3, Page 47:
When they're on the first interview and their food arrives. Chani puts her fries on her burger....and Gabe is somehow ASTONISHED by this? You mean to tell me, this country Montana man...never put fries on his burger? It's not even that concept, it's the way he responds. "I've never seen someone do that...God this is so good wow!" He even asks her "Like this?!" when he copies her putting his fries on his burger, almost like a child?
The author gives Gabe no credit or emotional depth, he's just a piece of meat to be gawked over. Even Chani does it herself throughout the entire book, mentioning his looks and yet nothing of his personality. Mentions his muscles, beard, gut vs. abs, and that's about it.
Mind you, these people do not know each other at all. They did one interview that sorta left them with some tension...but nothing makes me believe that TEN WHOLE YEARS later they would be interested in each other anymore, let alone in love. They have nothing in common besides slightly being in the same industry. Let's also remember that in most of their encounters, Chani and/or Gabe is drunk or drinking.
Also, what would make Gabe and Ollie trust this reporter right away? ESPECIALLY with something like a famous movie star's sexuality. It doesn't matter that Gabe feels like he 'knows' Chani just because he has read her blog/books. That means nothing. She owes these men nothing, and for Ollie to share such an intimate part of his life with a Hollywood reporter, he knew for maybe 5 hours before he came out to her is ridiculous.
So much of the novel is wasted. I wish we could've seen an actual relationship form before our eyes. It's all a surface level crush between two people that's disguised as a 'love story'. The summary is more interesting unfortunately.
"...this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word." is written in the summary and yet Chani and Gabe hook up basically twice in the span of 10 years and both times are lackluster.
Upon finishing this, it solidified that thought. The writing was very much 'she said, he said, I laughed, he smiled'. No depth. No emotion. I could not feel anything for these characters.
The thing that irks me the most, is that the main character keeps alluding to a weekend with this 'hunk' of a movie star Gabe Parker, the weekend that everything changed...I mean it's legitimately what the whole book is about and yet when we finally find out what happens between them, it's boring and quite honestly, not juicy or suspenseful at all. Nothing like what I expected. Nothing that would actually be memorable.
Spoilers ahead for those who want specific examples that made me cringe:
This is when I knew this book wasn't going to be my fave.
Chapter 3, Page 47:
When they're on the first interview and their food arrives. Chani puts her fries on her burger....and Gabe is somehow ASTONISHED by this? You mean to tell me, this country Montana man...never put fries on his burger? It's not even that concept, it's the way he responds. "I've never seen someone do that...God this is so good wow!" He even asks her "Like this?!" when he copies her putting his fries on his burger, almost like a child?
The author gives Gabe no credit or emotional depth, he's just a piece of meat to be gawked over. Even Chani does it herself throughout the entire book, mentioning his looks and yet nothing of his personality. Mentions his muscles, beard, gut vs. abs, and that's about it.
Mind you, these people do not know each other at all. They did one interview that sorta left them with some tension...but nothing makes me believe that TEN WHOLE YEARS later they would be interested in each other anymore, let alone in love. They have nothing in common besides slightly being in the same industry. Let's also remember that in most of their encounters, Chani and/or Gabe is drunk or drinking.
Also, what would make Gabe and Ollie trust this reporter right away? ESPECIALLY with something like a famous movie star's sexuality. It doesn't matter that Gabe feels like he 'knows' Chani just because he has read her blog/books. That means nothing. She owes these men nothing, and for Ollie to share such an intimate part of his life with a Hollywood reporter, he knew for maybe 5 hours before he came out to her is ridiculous.
So much of the novel is wasted. I wish we could've seen an actual relationship form before our eyes. It's all a surface level crush between two people that's disguised as a 'love story'. The summary is more interesting unfortunately.
"...this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word." is written in the summary and yet Chani and Gabe hook up basically twice in the span of 10 years and both times are lackluster.
Some moments made me smile don't get me wrong, I got through the book quick...and this may sound really harsh but this book basically a poorly written fan fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Addiction
Moderate: Car accident and Drug use
reed_harmon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent
macykey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
I could not put this down. Time jumps in books, especially ones that go back and forth, can get confusing, but this book pulled it off spectacularly. I never felt like I was missing anything and the article excerpts every other chapter only enhanced the story. Affirmed what that main characters were saying from a third party lens. This book is sexy, smart, and a must read!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Antisemitism, Car accident, and Death of parent
aprilspeirs's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
I must first say that this is a book you can judge based on its cover, at least I did anyway—fun, cute, light and flirty.
From page one I could instantly see myself as the MC. Everyone has fantasized about meeting their celebrity crush, right? What about interviewing them? Scoring an invite to a premiere and an after party? Such is the case for this story. We follow journalist Chani “Then” and “Now” as she pens a profile piece on Hollywood heartthrob Gabe Parker twice, ten years apart. Can a whirlwind weekend of fame and and glamour and intimate conversations really change the trajectory of your life?
In some cases, yes. Chani’s article goes viral. Gabe isn’t just a Hollywood Hunk from small town Montana, he’s now an A-list celebrity with Oscar buzz. And a new Bond girl wife.
Because it was just that one weekend they spent together. Ten years later everything has changed except the feelings still there between Gabe and Chani, never consummated. And then Chani is asked to interview Gabe again and maybe recreate the magic of the article that launched her career.
This is a really well-written novel, more character-driven than anything. I liked and sympathized with Chani, found Gabe charming but real, and enjoyed the setting and theming. The beginning and end were really great. The middle lost me a little just in the fact that we’re supposed to believe these two characters have been in love with each other for a decade despite only being around each other for a couple days. I suppose that’s the magic of Hollywood, though, and I don’t hold it against them or the author. After all, wouldn’t I want to write the same thing?
I wished for a little more backstory, but overall it delivered on everything I was expecting. Also, it’s smart and sexy the way a romcom should be.
A very cute book :)
From page one I could instantly see myself as the MC. Everyone has fantasized about meeting their celebrity crush, right? What about interviewing them? Scoring an invite to a premiere and an after party? Such is the case for this story. We follow journalist Chani “Then” and “Now” as she pens a profile piece on Hollywood heartthrob Gabe Parker twice, ten years apart. Can a whirlwind weekend of fame and and glamour and intimate conversations really change the trajectory of your life?
In some cases, yes. Chani’s article goes viral. Gabe isn’t just a Hollywood Hunk from small town Montana, he’s now an A-list celebrity with Oscar buzz. And a new Bond girl wife.
Because it was just that one weekend they spent together. Ten years later everything has changed except the feelings still there between Gabe and Chani, never consummated. And then Chani is asked to interview Gabe again and maybe recreate the magic of the article that launched her career.
This is a really well-written novel, more character-driven than anything. I liked and sympathized with Chani, found Gabe charming but real, and enjoyed the setting and theming. The beginning and end were really great. The middle lost me a little just in the fact that we’re supposed to believe these two characters have been in love with each other for a decade despite only being around each other for a couple days. I suppose that’s the magic of Hollywood, though, and I don’t hold it against them or the author. After all, wouldn’t I want to write the same thing?
I wished for a little more backstory, but overall it delivered on everything I was expecting. Also, it’s smart and sexy the way a romcom should be.
A very cute book :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Antisemitism, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, and Sexism
Minor: Religious bigotry, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Car accident, and Cancer
loveisland's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mediocre book that doesn’t delve into the interesting parts of their power dynamic. The main guy was hot and literate so as to make him interesting and smart. The biggest issue I had was the main character using a few angles oppression (being Jewish and a woman) as an understanding all oppression (of a gay guy). The ending felt rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexual content
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
(3.75⭐️) I was getting very much fan fiction and y/n vibes but I am not at all mad about it. This very heartwarming love story is what so many people dream about, but I feel like the author wrote it in a realistic way. The motivations and character traits and attributes all seemed very genuine and it’s not hard to see how these two people fell for each other. This was a very easy read and I enjoyed it!
However, pretty much the entire plot and some of the “article” was almost directly plagiarized/copies from the actual event with Chris Evans and the interviewer, and the author gives absolutely zero credit, nor does she acknowledge that this was directly and heavily based off of that real event. This rubbed me the wrong way, especially because the book is expanding upon and perhaps changing/assuming the motivations of the actual event, which involved REAL PEOPLE. We will never actually know what happened, and it’s kind of disconcerting to give your assumptions of what happened, which will make people who read this book think is what actually happened. So, I will be docking points for that reason.
Overall, I thought the book itself was a good read, BUT I’m hesitant to support it or recommend it because of how directly is copies and distorts real life events. If you do decide to read this, like all fan fictions, take it with a grain of salt.
Age rating: probably 16+
However, pretty much the entire plot and some of the “article” was almost directly plagiarized/copies from the actual event with Chris Evans and the interviewer, and the author gives absolutely zero credit, nor does she acknowledge that this was directly and heavily based off of that real event. This rubbed me the wrong way, especially because the book is expanding upon and perhaps changing/assuming the motivations of the actual event, which involved REAL PEOPLE. We will never actually know what happened, and it’s kind of disconcerting to give your assumptions of what happened, which will make people who read this book think is what actually happened. So, I will be docking points for that reason.
Overall, I thought the book itself was a good read, BUT I’m hesitant to support it or recommend it because of how directly is copies and distorts real life events. If you do decide to read this, like all fan fictions, take it with a grain of salt.
Age rating: probably 16+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content