Reviews

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

dpcastles's review

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

5.0

morgancarp's review

funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.25

kmsander4's review

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.75

A well established trope of a love story (strangers to enemies to acquaintances to lovers...you know that old thing), but done with a fun little literary twist.

I found myself easily falling for all of the characters and rooting for everyone to figure their lives out. I'm glad Hankin didn't rush the love story of Rob and Natalie. The payoff was so much better after all of the will they-won't they, push and pull drama.

Will not hesitate to pick up another Laura Hankin book and neither should you! Very fun and full of heartwarming side stories!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Dementia

literatehedgehog's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A slow beginning and an unlikable protagonist made this a bit hard to dig into, but with encouragement from other readers I persevered and was rewarded for it. The benefit of a book taking place over years is believable character growth (and Natalie surely needed to grow). I didn't even feel second hand embarrassment at her final comeuppance by her best friend, just sheer, cathartic relief. Finally!!  
I didn't totally buy the romance, but I did like the character development and friendship growth.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer

memazz's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.75

readingwithjen_'s review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. Despite having the word in the title, I would not consider One-Star Romance to be a romance novel. This is more of a fiction book with a romantic subplot in my opinion but I still enjoyed it. The story reminded me of You Again or Romantic Comedy since we see the story span over 10 years and it's primarily focused on Rob and Natalie's careers and their relationships with other people.

home_for_wayward_books's review

emotional 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

3.5

callieseabolt's review

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

bookhoarder76's review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I really wanted to love this one but it was just ok. I didn't really connect with the characters so I found that I didn't really care much about the story. I didn't hate it though. 

encyclopediabritanika's review against another edition

3.5

I wouldn't totally bill this as a romance, it felt more general fiction, but I still enjoyed it, despite the misnomer. 

This is a genre of book I really enjoy - where two people keep circling each other over the course of years but each time they meet they're in the wrong places for something to move forward. Natalie and Rob each had a lot of growth to do and Natalie needed to really figure out her life (I have read way too many books in a row where a friend spirals because their best friend is getting married, I need a break!). This doesn't rank higher because truly Natalie was unlikable to me start to finish. She definitely grew but she hurt people along the way and felt pretty selfish.