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ricareviews's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
2.0
This book exists for no reason at all. It's clear from the start that the two main characters are in love with each other, but there's no yearning or angst. The enemies-to-lovers trope presented here isn't believable at all. And the stale writing doesn't help. The dialogues don't work, and most interactions these characters had were uncomfortable and confusing. I found the writing to be very repetitive and bland. Bottom line, I just couldn't get into the story. I felt like there was no reason to root for these characters. I usually love romance books, therefore I'm a little disappointed that I didn't enjoy reading this, especially after seeing how well-loved it is by the book community. I was expecting a light and fun read but, instead, I got an unconvincing romance and a boring plot. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
I'm not giving this a one-star rating because I've read much worse, but I was tempted. This book wasn't good by any means.
I'm not giving this a one-star rating because I've read much worse, but I was tempted. This book wasn't good by any means.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
mirandareadsca's review against another edition
This is an Enemies to Lovers trope romance, but at 25% in there still wasn't any explanation for why they hated each other to begin with, besides perhaps the "he's mean to her because he likes her" explanation, which is extremely toxic. The story also began with a lot of telling instead of showing. The main character goes on a ramble about the male character, including comparing having to work with him to being in prison (which scream privilege to me). Perhaps if there were interactions and dialogue to show their dynamic instead, it would have been more palatable.
Overall I just could not anticipate this book being higher than 2 stars for me, so decided to DNF it instead.
Overall I just could not anticipate this book being higher than 2 stars for me, so decided to DNF it instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
sunnyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It is hard for me to rate this higher than 3 stars because of the ableist, transphobic, and fatphobic language used throughout the text. It is really hard to read this book because "crazy" and "insane" is thrown around without any thought; the co-CEO, who is predatory and looks down Lucy's shirt, is called "Fat Little Dick."
But I did like the banter between Lucy and Josh. Hating someone, and then realizing they love you, and you might love them too? YES GIVE ME MORE OF THIS. I did see the "twist" coming, called it hundred pages before, but I liked it. Just because I knew where the story was headed, it didn't detract my enjoyment from it.
THIRD ACT SPOILERS:I don't however think Josh's dad would have had a change of heart when Lucy told him off. I also don't believe that Josh's mom would tell Josh's dad off because if she was a "rabid lioness" as Lucy said, wouldn't she have been that person the entire time Josh was alive? Would Josh and his father even have this relationship? I don't think so. This is why I also find it hard to believe Anthony would just have a change of heart and listen to what Lucy was saying -- either no one has told him that before, or ... They have and he's an asshole. I just. I didn't find that part believable at all. In my experience, Anthony would have just doubled down on his assholeness toward Josh.
But I did like the banter between Lucy and Josh. Hating someone, and then realizing they love you, and you might love them too? YES GIVE ME MORE OF THIS. I did see the "twist" coming, called it hundred pages before, but I liked it. Just because I knew where the story was headed, it didn't detract my enjoyment from it.
THIRD ACT SPOILERS:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Ableism, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
melizto's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
ciarastud's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Toxic relationship
minor - child neglectstxrmblessed's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
I really wanted to rate this book higher, I really did. I usually love enemies-to-lovers stories and romances but this book filled me with so much rage, I'm surprised I finished it at all.
The first few chapters are alright, their bickering can be fun sometimes but it just begins to go down hill quickly. Words and phrases just are repeated way too often (especially Lucy's smallness and Josh's scent) and some sentences just made me very uncomfortable.
I never wanted to strangle the main character of any book as much as I wanted to strangle Lucy. She's naive, annoying and blind to the toxicity of Josh.
Which brings me to Joshua Templeman. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first but then he began to be more and more creepy, controlling and toxic. His jealousy is unprompted and the way he treats Lucy still makes my stomach turn. The explanation for his behaviour (the conflict with his father and him being shy) is weak at best.
I suppose I understand why some people like it as much as they do. It's a cishet workplace fantasy many seem to have but it's just not for me, not with such a bland and annoying main character and a toxic love interest.
The first few chapters are alright, their bickering can be fun sometimes but it just begins to go down hill quickly. Words and phrases just are repeated way too often (especially Lucy's smallness and Josh's scent) and some sentences just made me very uncomfortable.
I never wanted to strangle the main character of any book as much as I wanted to strangle Lucy. She's naive, annoying and blind to the toxicity of Josh.
Which brings me to Joshua Templeman. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first but then he began to be more and more creepy, controlling and toxic. His jealousy is unprompted and the way he treats Lucy still makes my stomach turn. The explanation for his behaviour (the conflict with his father and him being shy) is weak at best.
I suppose I understand why some people like it as much as they do. It's a cishet workplace fantasy many seem to have but it's just not for me, not with such a bland and annoying main character and a toxic love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia
freyreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
brokenlightdances's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, but I just kept getting drawn out of it. Normally I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers trope but it didn't sit right with this one. I could have done without the fatphobic comments and stereotypes, the weird obsession with calling each other's eyes "serial killer eyes" and focusing on violence/obsession as love, and the obsession with gendered stereotypes. I get why people like it, but it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Fatphobia
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