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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For a book that I finished in a day, I couldn’t really ask for more. It was super predictable but light and fun. I love Sally Thorne’s writing style and characters, and both of her books gave me that giddy sunshine feeling. I’m excited for her next release!
Audiobook. I don’t know why but it was weird.. valesca and the twins.
This story had so many holes in it. The protagonists work place (where the book starts) is never visited again and parents never call (but exist) and the general setting of the scene was very loose and faulty. I also did not like the betrayal of an obviously toxic relationship with both her brother and her love interest. The latter was objectified, just a body and a personality made to protect her. The relationship with her brother was just weird. I don't like when the female protagonists are so dependent on another person, that they literally cannot live without them. Honestly, I don't know why I am giving 3 stars, maybe because it was an easy read.
Audiobook was a mistake.
The author was very close at so many points on writing a great book & missed. It felt rushed & unpolished.
I really wish the author would stop constantly describing the main make character as "hot."
"We're so young & hot & that's why everyone stares at us. Everyone wants us."
No depth, not interesting.
The author was very close at so many points on writing a great book & missed. It felt rushed & unpolished.
I really wish the author would stop constantly describing the main make character as "hot."
"We're so young & hot & that's why everyone stares at us. Everyone wants us."
No depth, not interesting.
I'm unsure about this one. While reading and immediately after, I rated it a 2 but yesterday as I was thinking more about it, I almost wanted to give it a 4. So I'm going to compromise and give it a neutral 3 stars.
I think one problem I had with it is that my expectations were too high. I've re-read The Hating Game 5 times and made it my staff pick at the bookstore where I work. However, I didn't love THG as much as I do now on it's first read though, so maybe Sally Thorne's books just need time to settle into my brain? There are some similarities with THG, but at times Darcy was just downright un-likeable. I stopped reading this book when. Once I had time to calm down and picked the book back up again, I was pleasantly surprised that the conflict was not from what I was dreading (
Speaking of the lack of an ILU, I wish we could've gotten declaration than the one in the line to the cruise. The reader knows how much she loves Tom, but I think he could maybe do to hear it from her in a way that wasn't over-sexualized.(Just a personal note: I don't like big muscley guys so all the descriptions of how hot and ripped Tom was just threw me off, I much prefer a lean hero and not one with biceps the size of the heroine's head.)
Last point: I was upset with the quick 'pair the spares' of Truly and Jaime at the end! I can't believe she was his spy and I also wanted Darcy to have something that was completely hers after he took so many things from her (like her photography exhibition). I was angry at him for intruding in the one relationship she had separate from him. We're supposed to be okay with it because he's 'charming' but we never got to see that charm in action. To me, he's an overbearing control freak and I understand he was concerned about his sister bit I don't know if that excuses it.
I think one problem I had with it is that my expectations were too high. I've re-read The Hating Game 5 times and made it my staff pick at the bookstore where I work. However, I didn't love THG as much as I do now on it's first read though, so maybe Sally Thorne's books just need time to settle into my brain? There are some similarities with THG, but at times Darcy was just downright un-likeable. I stopped reading this book when
Spoiler
she told Jaime about her night with Tom and he said "I asked for 3 months and you lasted 30 minutes". It was unreasonable for him to ask her to keep their new shift in the relationship a secret for that long but Darcy brought it up to 'win' and to 'beat' Jaime. Not because she was over-joyously happy and couldn't keep it in anymore. She wanted Jaime to 'get used to Tom being mine'. (paraphrasing)Spoiler
I was sure it would be a miscommunication because Darcy never actually said the words 'I love you' the morning after, but it was actually from Tom being stretched to his limit as mediator of the twins and needing personal space for once in his life. As a middle child, I related to this and didn't find his actions selfish. The Barrett twins are too much, kudos for lasting this long. I'm glad the twins spent their months alone trying to improve themselves but I wish we'd seen it a bit. Maybe through unanswered voicemail messages to Tom where Darcy realizes how it feels to be the one staying put for a change.).Speaking of the lack of an ILU, I wish we could've gotten declaration than the one in the line to the cruise. The reader knows how much she loves Tom, but I think he could maybe do to hear it from her in a way that wasn't over-sexualized.(Just a personal note: I don't like big muscley guys so all the descriptions of how hot and ripped Tom was just threw me off, I much prefer a lean hero and not one with biceps the size of the heroine's head.)
Last point: I was upset with the quick 'pair the spares' of Truly and Jaime at the end! I can't believe she was his spy and I also wanted Darcy to have something that was completely hers after he took so many things from her (like her photography exhibition). I was angry at him for intruding in the one relationship she had separate from him. We're supposed to be okay with it because he's 'charming' but we never got to see that charm in action. To me, he's an overbearing control freak and I understand he was concerned about his sister bit I don't know if that excuses it.
Let me get this out of my system. This was nothing like The Hating Game. It wasn't even the same universe. I would like to sum this book up by describing the main characters.
Darcy: 12 yo edgelord. Bad bitch that deserves being slapped. I didn't mind self neglecting as a part of character ark. I did however mind her creepy as hell remarks. "I envy the shower because Tom is in it." If I tried to be creepy, I couldn't be more efficient.
Tom: PrOFeSiOnAl. 1/5 stars on Yelp. I wouln't let him build my dog house. And we like him because he's alpha? Excuse me, but why exactly is Tom better than Vince? Because he's "the too good to be true" guy? If someone went around me and, I would never talk to him again, no matter how HOT he is. He lied or left stuff out multiple times. If I didn't have trust issues already, guy like this would give them to me.
Jaime: The asshole. Treated both Darcy and Tom like trash and they just forgave him because reasons? He was deffinitely in the wrong here and I'm really dissapointed it was just forgotten. I suppose the writed didn't try for redeption ark for Jaime because there is nothing he could do or say to make him less of an asshole.
Truly: Worst friend on planet. Count me out, I'll rather be forever alone with my cat.
Darcy: 12 yo edgelord. Bad bitch that deserves being slapped. I didn't mind self neglecting as a part of character ark. I did however mind her creepy as hell remarks. "I envy the shower because Tom is in it." If I tried to be creepy, I couldn't be more efficient.
Tom: PrOFeSiOnAl. 1/5 stars on Yelp. I wouln't let him build my dog house. And we like him because he's alpha? Excuse me, but why exactly is Tom better than Vince? Because he's "the too good to be true" guy? If someone went around me and
Spoiler
destroyed one of my childhood memories, because it's easier to ask for forgivnes than for permissionJaime: The asshole. Treated both Darcy and Tom like trash and they just forgave him because reasons? He was deffinitely in the wrong here and I'm really dissapointed it was just forgotten. I suppose the writed didn't try for redeption ark for Jaime because there is nothing he could do or say to make him less of an asshole.
Truly: Worst friend on planet. Count me out, I'll rather be forever alone with my cat.
• Romcom
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Brother's best friend
• First person, present tense, heroine's Pov
• Forced proximity
Setup:
Darcy and Tom have been friends since childhood. Tom announced he was in love with Darcy when she was 18, she freaked out and ran away to go travelling. When she came back ready to see where things could lead, he was in a long-term relationship.
Following her grandmother's death, Darcy's twin Jamie engages Tom to renovate her cottage to sell. Darcy decides to stick around to make sure the renovation is done sensitively. Living under the same roof leads to increased tension between the couple, especially when Darcy discovers that Tom is now single...
My thoughts - caution spoilers:
Okay, so this is Sally Thorne's second book and follows The Hating Game, a story that is simply phenomenal. The chances of it living up to the hype were very slim. In the acknowledgements the author states that the Hating Game pretty much wrote itself whilst this one was a daily struggle. So I don't think it is appropriate to compare the two.
I enjoyed it and have rated it accordingly. The characters are sweet and human. Darcy has a heart condition and was wrapped in cotton wool as a child. Consequently she always felt a burden to her family. She rebelled by travelling the world on her own, trying to feel independent. She loves Tom, but believes she blew it as he has been with someone else now for years.
Tom was pretty much adopted by the family as a child and became Jamie's best friend. He got into a long-term relationship and was engaged but then recently realised he wasn’t in love and broke up with her. He knows he loves Darcy but he thinks that if he gets involved, she will leave again and break his heart. He is trying to launch his own building company with this project and that pressure combined with Darcy is overwhelming.
Added into the mix is Jamie, Darcy's twin brother who doesn't want Tom and Darcy to get together as he thinks he will lose them both. This is an interesting take on the idea that love is not finite, it expands to fit the number of people that you love.
The banter is funny and I liked the interactions between Tom and Darcy. The story zips along and I didn't feel like I wanted to put the book down at any point.
My main issue with it is that it is confusing. I love the way the prose meanders into the quirky and whimsical but sometimes it is difficult to follow the narrative and the dialogue. I think this may be down to the use of present tense.
Present tense means that you are right in the moment with the characters but it does make it hard to take a step back and evaluate what is going on. This worked really well in the Hating Game because a lot of the interactions were the two main characters, face to face in an office. Not so much in this novel. (Okay, so I know I said I wasn't going to compare but there you go).
Two other minor points. I would have liked a bit more explanation on why Darcy's grandmother sent her away after Tom's declaration. And Jamie could have done with a touch more character development.
I loved the possessiveness of both main characters (love the fantasy, would hate the reality) and I was pleased to see pining on both sides. I love, love, love pining!
All in all a great read...
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Brother's best friend
• First person, present tense, heroine's Pov
• Forced proximity
Setup:
Darcy and Tom have been friends since childhood. Tom announced he was in love with Darcy when she was 18, she freaked out and ran away to go travelling. When she came back ready to see where things could lead, he was in a long-term relationship.
Following her grandmother's death, Darcy's twin Jamie engages Tom to renovate her cottage to sell. Darcy decides to stick around to make sure the renovation is done sensitively. Living under the same roof leads to increased tension between the couple, especially when Darcy discovers that Tom is now single...
My thoughts - caution spoilers:
Okay, so this is Sally Thorne's second book and follows The Hating Game, a story that is simply phenomenal. The chances of it living up to the hype were very slim. In the acknowledgements the author states that the Hating Game pretty much wrote itself whilst this one was a daily struggle. So I don't think it is appropriate to compare the two.
I enjoyed it and have rated it accordingly. The characters are sweet and human. Darcy has a heart condition and was wrapped in cotton wool as a child. Consequently she always felt a burden to her family. She rebelled by travelling the world on her own, trying to feel independent. She loves Tom, but believes she blew it as he has been with someone else now for years.
Tom was pretty much adopted by the family as a child and became Jamie's best friend. He got into a long-term relationship and was engaged but then recently realised he wasn’t in love and broke up with her. He knows he loves Darcy but he thinks that if he gets involved, she will leave again and break his heart. He is trying to launch his own building company with this project and that pressure combined with Darcy is overwhelming.
Added into the mix is Jamie, Darcy's twin brother who doesn't want Tom and Darcy to get together as he thinks he will lose them both. This is an interesting take on the idea that love is not finite, it expands to fit the number of people that you love.
The banter is funny and I liked the interactions between Tom and Darcy. The story zips along and I didn't feel like I wanted to put the book down at any point.
My main issue with it is that it is confusing. I love the way the prose meanders into the quirky and whimsical but sometimes it is difficult to follow the narrative and the dialogue. I think this may be down to the use of present tense.
Present tense means that you are right in the moment with the characters but it does make it hard to take a step back and evaluate what is going on. This worked really well in the Hating Game because a lot of the interactions were the two main characters, face to face in an office. Not so much in this novel. (Okay, so I know I said I wasn't going to compare but there you go).
Two other minor points. I would have liked a bit more explanation on why Darcy's grandmother sent her away after Tom's declaration. And Jamie could have done with a touch more character development.
I loved the possessiveness of both main characters (love the fantasy, would hate the reality) and I was pleased to see pining on both sides. I love, love, love pining!
All in all a great read...
While I liked this book, I just wish I would have read it before the Hating Game because that book was a solid 5 ⭐️ for me. I will most certainly read anything else Sally Thorne still!!
I think this book should have been called "99 Problems and Tom Valeska is One of Them"
Okay - I really really wanted to love this book. It was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2019 and I am just so disappointed right now. There are going to be a ton of people who love this book and then there are going to be people like me who just thought this felt all wrong.
You guys, I love [a:Sally Thorne|18002228|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526286936p2/18002228.jpg] and I will read whatever she writes, but this book had none of the charm, wit or banter that I loved from [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345]. I can still vividly remember scenes from THG (the paintballing part was my favorite) that were adorable, sexy and just fun - I stayed up all night reading it. There is none of that in [b: 99 Percent Mine|36300625|99 Percent Mine|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532485978s/36300625.jpg|52353841]. I know it's not fair to compare each book from an author to another of their books, but I do have to say I had a certain expectation after reading THG. And sadly this book just doesn't compare.
My biggest issue with this book is probably Darcy. She's supposed to embody a "tough chick" who does not care what anyone thinks of her. She's super snarky, she knows how to put men in their place, she works in a biker bar, she can handle herself around abusive men, she can have sex without caring, she has a nipple piercing, she CHOPPED ALL HER HAIR OFF OMG! Blah blah blah. I am ALL FOR badass women. But I'm sorry, Darcy is not a badass. She's a little girl with some SERIOUS self image issues. Which is why her whole "bad gal" schtick feels forced and phony. I could not root for her because she was constantly lying to herself, and there was never any real character development. As for the other characters, Tom feels like a doormat - falling all over himself for the Barrett twins and DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON JAMIE. He is the worst. Also nothing actually happens in this book. So there's that.
Guys, overall this just wasn't for me. There were too many things that just really bothered me about this book. They may not bug anyone else, but I just can't move past it. If you loved [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345], you might like this too - I know a lot of people who did. But if you loved [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345], you might not like this. It's a 50/50 coin toss as far as I'm concerned. I'll say one thing though, I'm going to be very interested to see what Sally Thorne writes next.
Okay - I really really wanted to love this book. It was one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2019 and I am just so disappointed right now. There are going to be a ton of people who love this book and then there are going to be people like me who just thought this felt all wrong.
You guys, I love [a:Sally Thorne|18002228|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526286936p2/18002228.jpg] and I will read whatever she writes, but this book had none of the charm, wit or banter that I loved from [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345]. I can still vividly remember scenes from THG (the paintballing part was my favorite) that were adorable, sexy and just fun - I stayed up all night reading it. There is none of that in [b: 99 Percent Mine|36300625|99 Percent Mine|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532485978s/36300625.jpg|52353841]. I know it's not fair to compare each book from an author to another of their books, but I do have to say I had a certain expectation after reading THG. And sadly this book just doesn't compare.
My biggest issue with this book is probably Darcy. She's supposed to embody a "tough chick" who does not care what anyone thinks of her. She's super snarky, she knows how to put men in their place, she works in a biker bar, she can handle herself around abusive men, she can have sex without caring, she has a nipple piercing, she CHOPPED ALL HER HAIR OFF OMG! Blah blah blah. I am ALL FOR badass women. But I'm sorry, Darcy is not a badass. She's a little girl with some SERIOUS self image issues. Which is why her whole "bad gal" schtick feels forced and phony. I could not root for her because she was constantly lying to herself, and there was never any real character development. As for the other characters, Tom feels like a doormat - falling all over himself for the Barrett twins and DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON JAMIE. He is the worst. Also nothing actually happens in this book. So there's that.
Guys, overall this just wasn't for me. There were too many things that just really bothered me about this book. They may not bug anyone else, but I just can't move past it. If you loved [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345], you might like this too - I know a lot of people who did. But if you loved [b: The Hating Game|25883848|The Hating Game|Sally Thorne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467138679s/25883848.jpg|45762345], you might not like this. It's a 50/50 coin toss as far as I'm concerned. I'll say one thing though, I'm going to be very interested to see what Sally Thorne writes next.