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decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: alcohol addition, alcohol and drug mention, slut shaming, sexual harassment, infidelity, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, death of family member, car accident, sexual content
A mix of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and How To Fake It In Hollywood, this was a delightful novel about a missed connection and a second chance given ten years later.
Chani is a writer who got to profile the first American Bond which leads to the explosive success of both their careers. Ten years later she gets asked to do another profile on him as he attempts to resurrect his career after conflict and rehab.
Right from the get go, you experience the weight of their relationship. Despite Chani being the pov you see through most of the book, Gabe is a looming influence throughout the book, in the flashbacks and in their present timeline. The book really hammered in that their lives were intertwined. This gave you the incredible experience of being a spectator to their lives through the articles interspersed throughout and also get the insider scoop through Chani's timelines. You get to question their lives and speculate about their relationship while also getting a lot of insider information. It creates this really intriguing dramatic irony of knowing what the public doesn't know while also knowing what perhaps Chani and Gabe weren't privy to about outside opinions on them.
I loved how strategically the story was constructed. News excerpts and flashbacks were not tossed in willy nilly for funsies. Every piece of story provided fed into the next level of development in the story. You built sympathy for the characters before you even knew what pain they were going to experience, making the low points in the book personally painful for you as the reader.
I also really enjoyed how many full circle moments the book provided. Earlier throwaway lines that the characters and even the reader would overlook were given a moment of reprise with a significantly altered a deeper meaning than before. This punctuated the emotional moments in the book beautifully, providing depth to emotional moments without saying much.
This book is a masterclass in stating and withholding just the right amount of information to keep you pondering the story past its conclusion without feeling like you were cut short on a clean ending.
Incredible.
A mix of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and How To Fake It In Hollywood, this was a delightful novel about a missed connection and a second chance given ten years later.
Chani is a writer who got to profile the first American Bond which leads to the explosive success of both their careers. Ten years later she gets asked to do another profile on him as he attempts to resurrect his career after conflict and rehab.
Right from the get go, you experience the weight of their relationship. Despite Chani being the pov you see through most of the book, Gabe is a looming influence throughout the book, in the flashbacks and in their present timeline. The book really hammered in that their lives were intertwined. This gave you the incredible experience of being a spectator to their lives through the articles interspersed throughout and also get the insider scoop through Chani's timelines. You get to question their lives and speculate about their relationship while also getting a lot of insider information. It creates this really intriguing dramatic irony of knowing what the public doesn't know while also knowing what perhaps Chani and Gabe weren't privy to about outside opinions on them.
I loved how strategically the story was constructed. News excerpts and flashbacks were not tossed in willy nilly for funsies. Every piece of story provided fed into the next level of development in the story. You built sympathy for the characters before you even knew what pain they were going to experience, making the low points in the book personally painful for you as the reader.
I also really enjoyed how many full circle moments the book provided. Earlier throwaway lines that the characters and even the reader would overlook were given a moment of reprise with a significantly altered a deeper meaning than before. This punctuated the emotional moments in the book beautifully, providing depth to emotional moments without saying much.
This book is a masterclass in stating and withholding just the right amount of information to keep you pondering the story past its conclusion without feeling like you were cut short on a clean ending.
Incredible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Gaslighting, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
lujisa's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Cancer
callmeluh's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.0
I've been seeing a lot of this book on BookTok recently, and being my too-curious-for-their-own-good self, I had to read it. I think I saw someone say that it was THE book you had to read this summer. Still, I tried to keep my expectations low because I've been let down by this clock app too many times to count.
Thank fuck I managed my expectations, because in all honesty I only found this book okay. If you're diving into it expecting a romance, you'll be disappointed. It's more woman's fiction really. It follows two timelines, two interviews, 'then' (ten years before) and 'now', and maybe that's what did it for me. I didn't really care for the characters unfortunately (except Ollie, give me more of him), and the same goes for the romance between Chani and Gabe.
I did like how the topics of addiction and fame/success were brought up, and the character development is chef's kiss. And yes, there's a bit of miscommunication between the characters but for once that didn't really bother me as it went well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I'd still say it was a good book. It's neither bad nor mind-blowing, but it still gets its messages across.
Thank fuck I managed my expectations, because in all honesty I only found this book okay. If you're diving into it expecting a romance, you'll be disappointed. It's more woman's fiction really. It follows two timelines, two interviews, 'then' (ten years before) and 'now', and maybe that's what did it for me. I didn't really care for the characters unfortunately (except Ollie, give me more of him), and the same goes for the romance between Chani and Gabe.
I did like how the topics of addiction and fame/success were brought up, and the character development is chef's kiss. And yes, there's a bit of miscommunication between the characters but for once that didn't really bother me as it went well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I'd still say it was a good book. It's neither bad nor mind-blowing, but it still gets its messages across.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
writtenbydnicole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, Infidelity, Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Misogyny
kathytran821's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident, Death, 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
gabbadabbadoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
This book felt particularly refreshing and I can't exactly figure out why. maybe bc it was the first nonlinear timeline I've read in a minute, or maybe bc it felt pretty straightforward in a good way??? might've read it too fast but there definitely wasn't a lot of unnecessary fluff or dancing around the point and i like that. i also loved the bits of articles and blogs between chapters. i wanted to give this 4 stars but it just feel slike there's something missing like 70% in and the confession at the end sort of fell flat for me.
i also loved that gabe hyphenated his name lmao
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Grief, Homophobia, Sexism, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Car accident
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
lindseybarnett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
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