Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Cute but boring lesbian YA romance. I get that the enemies-to-lovers trope pretty much relies on this, but I hate it when the entire conflict holding the plot together would fall apart if the characters would just have a totally basic conversation that would take 5 minutes and is very obvious.
i liked the pace this book was at and how you can see Scottie really develop and grow as a person through out.
i am in love with Irene. she is so confident and strong which i really admire.
i think the book could use a little more tension between the two of them but other than that it was pretty good and an easy read.
i am in love with Irene. she is so confident and strong which i really admire.
i think the book could use a little more tension between the two of them but other than that it was pretty good and an easy read.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I want to know she understands how it feels to be falling in new love and bleeding from old love at the same time." Ch. 13, pg 200 Scottie
Reread week of 08-6-25
This is still a good book, and with only 19 chapters, still a fast read.
I liked her seeing her relationship with Irene grow and despite the fast read, it didn't feel rushed. I also really liked all the scenes with her family, they are so supportive and the definition of a nice healthy unit, although, sometimes their dynamic came off as a little too perfect and her little sister was at times unrealistic. I guess she was supposed to be an ‘old soul’ type character, she just didn't read 13 year old at times to me and I hated how she cursed, openly in front of her parents with no real repercussions.
I also liked her friend Danielle and I think the author did a great writing her as a Black girl and her family. I can't say too much on the Desi rep as I am not Desi. But I felt like Quindlen definitely had some input from BIPOC readers as I was not offended on the race front and Irene did mention race a couple of times.
HOWEVER, I feel uncomfortable with how the fake dating scheme was proposed. It felt like Scottie gave Irene an ultimatum. She either had to take Scots deal or lose cheerleading. Scottie said that she “didn't take coming out lightly” but she didn't really give Irene a real choice, just an illusion of choice. It felt very icky and I also stopped my reread but I stuck it out and at least Irene was a bit comfortable with it and Scots did end up apologizing in the end. Also I was a bit annoyed on how long it took for Scottie to get over Tally but that's the point of the book so I can't really complain about that.
Also didn't feel like this was 100% a sports romance. Although their are plenty of basketball court scenes, Scottie never mentions any passion for basketball she may have and the book is over all more about Scotties relationship grief and the drama that her fake dating scheme brings.
Anyway, three stars
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THEY ARE SO FUCKING CUTIES. AAAAAAH THE TIME I SPENT GIGGLING READING THEM
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated