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joensign'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
3.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity and Grief
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
grets_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
peachani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
fairyabby's review against another edition
- 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
There were a few occasions where the dialogue seemed more reading-of-the-slide than an authentic conversation. Elle reads Darcy’s birth chart, but it felt like an excerpt from Co-Star than a conversation between two people (Darcy being a Capricorn stellium is so on the nose, I don’t know if I love or hate it). The third act was such a letdown — the conflict seemed very feigned, the resolution was abrupt and it really could have done with an NYE epilogue.
A cute and romantic story set in the holiday season with fake dating, opposites attract, and grumpy vs sunshine. The romance was sweet, despite some minor issues, and it was nice to see how Darcy and Elle helped each other grow as individuals. For the most part, the writing was good and I loved the text messages and zodiac posts scattered around the book. Ultimately, a fun read but nothing memorable.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Grief, and Infidelity
sophie42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, and Toxic relationship
wilybooklover's review against another edition
3.5
The way that Darcy's brother pressured her into dating again and outs the (fake) relationship to Elle's family (without knowing whether or not she was out to them or even if it was safe to do so) was really not cool either. I wish the characters had called him out a bit more on his behaviour.
Overall though a very cute read with some pop astrology, an escape room, and fake dating.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
kfmcf's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
I am very interested in the sequels. I do think the writing of this book is what kept me going. And since I like Brendon and Margot more than Elle (sorry not sorry), I have a feeling I will like the next books more. I'm hoping this series progresses like the Talia Hibbert trilogy where they improve with time.
ALL that aside, I do think that bi representation is extremely important and Bellefleur does a great job with it. A lot of bi rep in books makes it feel like it's the character's only or leading by a mile personality trait, but it really just felt like it was just an inherent part of Elle.
I also did like the astrology lists. They were very cute, I am not going to lie
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
marareading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Darcy has been hurt before and left the east coast for the PNW to restart her life. She is guarded and very calculated because she doesn't want to get hurt again. He brother is very pushy about her "getting out there again and sets her up on dates all the time. He sets her up with Elle. A quirky, lice life by her guy instinct, boxed wine drinking, astrology lover, who is her exact opposite. To appease her brother they fake date... And it startles them both when there might be something there.
<Spoiler> At the end Elle was very pushy that Darcy didn't feel and express emotions on her timeline and then it was Darcy's fault and she was apologizing? This was the real kicker for me. The whole book everyone was pushing Darcy to feel and do things she expressly didn't want to and wasn't ready for without listening. <Spoiler>
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Toxic relationship
storykath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love reading about queer relationships, but I'm still not a big enough fan of the romance genre in general to rate this very highly. All my complaints about this book are just aspects of the romance genre, which are not bad in and of themselves, just not my own preference. As with most romance that I've read, this is a fun read that looks at some deeper themes while keeping everything neatly packaged and mildly unrealistic.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Infidelity
Minor: Biphobia, Abandonment, Cursing, and Grief