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thesmutsister_emma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
The Song: hate u, love u by Olivia O'Brien
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Car accident
alexcooper88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content
strawberrycasualreader's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Car accident
cattheteawitchfairy's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
2.75
Cute concept but overall not the best execution. It’s the kind of book where you can let your brain turn off a bit and just enjoy all the silliness that is happening. Would recommend for a fun time but that’s all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Car accident, and Alcohol
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The heroine was kind of dense. The hero was a butthead. They both needed therapy.
Also,WOOING SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN ONE DAY! ✋️😭
But it was cute, I guess?? It kept me entertained 🤷♀️
Also,
But it was cute, I guess?? It kept me entertained 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, and Abandonment
pau_line's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Das Buch war ganz cutsie mit süßem Setting und guten Charakteren.
Die Idee des Mittelalterfestivals hat mich am Anfang nicht ganz so überzeugt, aber nach der ersten Einstiegshprde hat es mir tatsächlich total gut gefallen.
Genauso war es mit den Charakteren, mit denen ich mich erstmal anfreunden musste, sie dann aber wirklich mochte. Diese Haters to Lovers Geschichte war ganz amüsant und allgemein hat mir die Entwicklung der Protagonisten überwiegend gut gefallen. Die Nebencharaktere nicht vergessen, auch wenn die für mich nicht immer alle so ganz greifbar waren...
Die Entwicklung der Geschichte war dynamisch, es ist nicht langweilig geworden udn der Schreibstil war überwiegend flüssig und leicht zu lesen.
Ich mochte das Ende nicht so gerne. Der Konflikt war nicht ganz so gut ausgearbeitet und die darauffolgenden Szenerien und Handlungen irgendwie so ein bisschen unnötig dramatisch und soo.
Den Epilog fand ich dann auuch irgendwie ein bisschen platt.
Die Idee des Mittelalterfestivals hat mich am Anfang nicht ganz so überzeugt, aber nach der ersten Einstiegshprde hat es mir tatsächlich total gut gefallen.
Genauso war es mit den Charakteren, mit denen ich mich erstmal anfreunden musste, sie dann aber wirklich mochte. Diese Haters to Lovers Geschichte war ganz amüsant und allgemein hat mir die Entwicklung der Protagonisten überwiegend gut gefallen. Die Nebencharaktere nicht vergessen, auch wenn die für mich nicht immer alle so ganz greifbar waren...
Die Entwicklung der Geschichte war dynamisch, es ist nicht langweilig geworden udn der Schreibstil war überwiegend flüssig und leicht zu lesen.
Ich mochte das Ende nicht so gerne. Der Konflikt war nicht ganz so gut ausgearbeitet und die darauffolgenden Szenerien und Handlungen irgendwie so ein bisschen unnötig dramatisch und soo.
Den Epilog fand ich dann auuch irgendwie ein bisschen platt.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Sexual content
carlyjoann's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Cancer
emilywemily6's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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
4.0
This book was so fun! I loved the setting and I adored the characters. Emily’s and Simon’s flaws drove me a little crazy, but in a relateable way. Especially how Emily kept self-sabotaging and over-thinking things. The third act conflict was very believable which I appreciated. It felt like a little bit of a stretch how their relationship evolved throughout the book, but I just wish I saw more of a slow burn/strangers to lovers thing instead of a switch flipping. Though I think it fit Simon’s character and his hot and cold nature that was hard to understand. Part of me feels like the relationship might implode down the line, I wasn’t completely convinced. The banter was fun and I could picture myself at the Faire, and it was just what I was looking for in a late summer romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
jadehusdanhicks'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
4.25
An amazing read, this book encompasses a ren faire love story, growing closer to family , and rewriting experiences with trust after shitty experiences.
I really loved this book. Especially with how books and Shakespeare were a running theme due to the two romantic mcs being Shakespeare nerds.
One of my fave lines is repeated a few times in the book and is one I will always hold near and dear to my heart.
A wonderful read, especially as I’m reading it now as much of it is set in summer through to august so I felt fully involved in it as I Read on
I really loved this book. Especially with how books and Shakespeare were a running theme due to the two romantic mcs being Shakespeare nerds.
One of my fave lines is repeated a few times in the book and is one I will always hold near and dear to my heart.
A wonderful read, especially as I’m reading it now as much of it is set in summer through to august so I felt fully involved in it as I Read on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
caseymac's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
A fun, lighthearted, summer read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Car accident, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment