Scan barcode
im_just_vidu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Lucy is so annoying & since the story runs in her pov it's more annoying. She's always about "he's so manly, he's so masculine, he's the male version of me cuz he uses blue instead of pink, his muscles - his body gets me drooling, he's so giant, I'm just 5' small body but don't call me short that's an insult but I would call you "fat" cuz you're fat" type of girl. That annoyed the hell out of me. She has such a "pick me" vibe & I normally like pick-me girls in books but she's not one of them.
Joshua, is this 6'4 giant as Lucy says but I don't see anything good about him except he took care of her when she was sick. Then again we couldn't see anything good about him cuz it's in Lucy's pov & all she talks about is his body & nothing else. And he's the "so hard, can't talk to him, he doesn't smile at anyone, I didn't smile cuz I didn't want to be friends" type of person.
And that elevator scene was so unnecessary, and that was the reason I gave this 1 star instead of 2. Idk this book wasn't good at all & I wonder if we read the same book cuz everyone else seems to LOVE this.
Graphic: Sexual content
taryngoehrig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
p2evavaras's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
A few of the scenes did make me creep me out a little and had me do a double take - yes, there was no verbal consent and some lines really were said. For what it is tho (basically a daydream of a romance and not a realistic take on it per se), it falls in line.
Also The Restaurant Incident (the book itself calls it that) was.. kinda really bad, noone in their right mind would have said "its been real" and a cashier will charge you, even if "you provided some real theater"..
Kinda feels like a wattpad read but in a good way i suppose
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Sexual content and Fatphobia
jessversteeg's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
renpuspita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know that the narrative and dialogues can be to immature especially because we read this book from Lucy's PoV, so the hatred feeling is more from her and not Josh. This is the case when I wish I know what Josh thinking about Lucy but hearing his confessions is already confirm my guess. Beside his action also mirroring his feeling, like why bother to nurture your nemesis to health if you hate her guts? Love it is. The witty banters is sure the highlight of the book, I keep laughing and snort while reading the back and forth between Lucy and Joshua. The sexual tension is OMG, TOP OF THE CHART 🔥🔥🔥, and followed by steamy sex scene too. Actually, the sexual tensions itself is already enough, lol.
The first part is hilarious, the middle seems dragging with the tug and pull war between Lucy and Joshua although the sexual tensions are the live saver. The last part is ASTOUNDING. My favorite scene is when Lucy smack talk Josh's father and since his father is a big jerk compared to Josh, he deserve it. I have a "Way to go, Lucy!" moment when she defend Josh and in that time I know that she falling in love so hard to Josh. The first sentence that Thorne write about love and hate is visceral finally come to full circle. Another favorite part I love is the confession part between Lucy and Josh that reveal many things, like how wrong Lucy was about Josh. Heh, both just like kindergarten children who like their opposite gender but decide to go full attack rather than admit it. I know the bantering look immature and childish and I know with the wrong mood or preferences this book might be not for everyone. But I like the way Thorne write it with some humor and cheeky remarks.
However, this book is not without a weakness. Thorne's writing can be too over the top and dramatic. Also hyperbole to the core. Since I'm in a good mood while reading this book, I'm willing to let it slide. Beside, some of the witty banters and Lucy's descriptions are hilarious to read. Like, Lucy is not shy to admit that Josh's body is sexy and I'm now have an urge to browsing man's pictures with macho body, lel. She describe that Josh is so handsome and if I see the actor that portrayed him in the movie, well duh, I agree. Yeah, it was nice to read a female-gaze paragraph that describe how hot the hero was. Is it cringe? Nah, it's depend on your preference. I really have a blast and grinning from ear to ear after finish reading the last page.
The wedding chapter that lead to Lucy and Josh's love confessions now officially become my favorite and I'm afraid I'll reread it for some times. I also praised Thorne to not write about third-act breakup and the angsts are actually pretty tame. For how childish and immature Lucy and Josh act with their "games", I'm surprised and impressed to read how mature they solve their fight toward the end of the book without the need to make it more dramatic or long. While Josh's boss is a lecherous man, I'm glad Lucy's boss, Helene is an example of a good leader. Yeah, reading about Helene support Lucy with her presentation to get the position of COO is like a dream, but it feel nice to read a not toxic boss. Although, the setting is not that clear. I don't know if this book set in America or maybe Australia since Thorne's basically live in Canberra, since the setting of the office, the wedding venue etc is barred of any mention of city. The insight to publishing world is a nice addition, tho.
I will fondly remember The Hating Game if I want to recommend "(not really) enemy to lover" book and I'm also looking forward to watch the movie version.
Also..with how petite Lucy (5 ft, she's basically me) and how TALL Josh (6,4 ft, WTF? No wonder Lucy feel small compared to Josh's huge and macho body! But his stamina when it's come to bed sport is 🔥), I have a slightest idea maybe it's influence some author that love to write their heroine as petite as possible and the hero is basically a giant 🙃, IYKWIM.
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Abandonment, and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Fatphobia
mousecat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Vomit and Sexual content
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't love that
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual harassment
pink_peony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
First of all, I really liked how unique the two main characters seemed at the beginning, and their pettiness and banter was funny and enjoyable. But then suddenly still pretty early in the book everything changes. Suddenly they found each other attractive? And then suddenly I found myself not liking their relationship. It’s all physical, there wasn’t much connection at all, and I’m starting to feel like that’s a lot of romance books now. Not so much based on a deep connection but only on physical attraction, which is necessary, but cannot be the only thing. There’s a difference between love vs lust, and a lot of romance books seem to mix them up. Their whole relationship was not enjoyable to me and did not even feel like an enemies to lovers. That ended pretty quickly pretty early in the book.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
chelle22's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, and Vomit
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Sexual content