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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When you start off with 5 instances where you had to ceasefire between each other you know that the relationship between the FMC and MMC will be a rollercoaster of emotions. Jonah and Sadie are the work enemies to lovers that you need in your life. The academia rivalry that was also created between the families also provided some background. Sadie was raised by her sister Chess when her parents abandoned them. Jonah has his family but their relationship is strained. An Academic Affair gives us the story of Jonah and Sadie that enter into a marriage of convenience that in the end brings so much more to their lives. From the friendship that they develop to the family dynamic that is created I loved how they both communicated and made sure that regardless of anything they had each other's back. Eucatastrophe was the perfect word for so many reasons. I am all for a cardigan and tweed wearing professor and his gardening professor wife.
(Sadie listening to Hamilton Not Throwing Away My Shot had me dead love that reference)
For two people that supposedly knew each other for 15 years, I felt like I knew nothing about them expect for surface level things. With that and the sporadic pacing, I just could not connect to these two characters and by the time you get to the crescendo, where they confess their love to each other... the spice just fell really flat and really cringey. Unfortunately, this just didn't work for me.
Thank you to Atria Publishing and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this early.
Thank you to Atria Publishing and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this early.
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
this is ali hazelwood for english majors and i ate it up. very much he falls first she falls harder, and academic rivals eats down. the downfalls? i wanted to bash chess up like girl get your act together. and then after all of the pages of yearning the get together was a little anti-climatic dare i say. like duh of course you guys love each other it's been so freaking obvious. but at the same time it's realistic enough to overcome all of that and i appreciate that there is not a weird power dynamic involved.
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is absolutely going to be one of my favorite books of the year. Absolutely everything about the realities of academia was spot on, and made the book so believable. The pacing was masterful, and I literally just cannot wait until the future books that hopefully feature all of the side characters. Also, the footnotes!! 10/10 highly recommend this one. I’m actually so mad I’m never going to be able to read this for the first time again.
If you like Ali Hazelwood, you’ll love this book.
If you like Ali Hazelwood, you’ll love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Abandonment
This was like a Hallmark movie but in book form. I enjoyed it. Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy to read, and review.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Never heard of third act get together but here we are. Inhaled it, the stakes were high and the two characters are flawed but they grow
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my first Jodi McAlister book, and for the most part, it was an enjoyable read! I especially enjoyed the academic setting and how realistic it was, the footnotes from Jonah's perspective (really added to the vibe and setting of academia!), and Sadie's perspective and storyline. There was some fun banter, and I found this to be just a cute and light summer read. Fake dating and slow burn romances are some of my favorite tropes, so this book definitely sucked me in at first.
Things that didn't work for me in this book: the ending felt a bit too quick and anticlimactic and the side characters weren't as fleshed out as I wish they had been. (i.e. I found myself confused and therefore frustrated with Chessy's character). By the end of the book, I kept hoping there would be more - more character development, more information, etc. It seemed like a surface level glimpse into the story. It was enjoyable enough though that I would recommend this to friends/family who enjoy romance novels, and I would definitely try another book by this author in the future!
You might love this if you're a fan of:
- slow burn romance
- rivals/enemies to lovers
- academic settings
- fake dating/marriage of convenience
- dual POV
Thanks to Atria Books & Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Things that didn't work for me in this book: the ending felt a bit too quick and anticlimactic and the side characters weren't as fleshed out as I wish they had been. (i.e. I found myself confused and therefore frustrated with Chessy's character). By the end of the book, I kept hoping there would be more - more character development, more information, etc. It seemed like a surface level glimpse into the story. It was enjoyable enough though that I would recommend this to friends/family who enjoy romance novels, and I would definitely try another book by this author in the future!
You might love this if you're a fan of:
- slow burn romance
- rivals/enemies to lovers
- academic settings
- fake dating/marriage of convenience
- dual POV
Thanks to Atria Books & Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
I received an ARC from Netgalley and my fiancé won a free copy on a giveaway so felt like I was meant to read it. This book is so cute. I really enjoyed every part of it. The banter is wonderful. It’s an enemies to lovers story but it isn’t done in a cheesy way. I also really love the side stories about relationships with siblings. Would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for your next enjoyable rom com.