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arwombat's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
After despising the first book in this series, I read the second. Very smart of me. This one was much better than the first, and solved a good amount of the problems I had with the first, but not all of them. The love story was honestly kind of cute and Liam was much more endearing than Sam.
That being said, there was still an *interesting* amount of sexism in the story. Aside from a few comments, the main source of this was Liam's motorcycle mentor (whose name I can't remember). He was needlessly sexist and misogynistic and not only did Liam not defend Daisy, he didn't recognize it, saying that "his sense of humor wasn't for everyone". And while I'm not a huge fan of sexism in books, if it serves a purpose, to help a character grow, I can accept it. But this wasn't that. It was pointless and harmful. Saying that women should go in the back of motorcycles and men should be in charge and go in front. The worst part is that Liam then goes to HIM for relationship advice. Yeah. The guy who has no respect for women at all.
There's also possessiveness and other remarks throughout the book, but motorcycle guy was the main offender. Maybe it's just me, but can't we get past this and stop putting sexism in books for no reason, especially when the main characters don't stand up to it or address it as wrong and harmful?
That being said, there was still an *interesting* amount of sexism in the story. Aside from a few comments, the main source of this was Liam's motorcycle mentor (whose name I can't remember). He was needlessly sexist and misogynistic and not only did Liam not defend Daisy, he didn't recognize it, saying that "his sense of humor wasn't for everyone". And while I'm not a huge fan of sexism in books, if it serves a purpose, to help a character grow, I can accept it. But this wasn't that. It was pointless and harmful. Saying that women should go in the back of motorcycles and men should be in charge and go in front. The worst part is that Liam then goes to HIM for relationship advice. Yeah. The guy who has no respect for women at all.
There's also possessiveness and other remarks throughout the book, but motorcycle guy was the main offender. Maybe it's just me, but can't we get past this and stop putting sexism in books for no reason, especially when the main characters don't stand up to it or address it as wrong and harmful?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
lenina's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.5
I'M OBSSESSED with this quote: You took the chaos and made it calm
The book was WAY too cheesy at some places but overall it's a good read with character development
would definitely recommend
The book was WAY too cheesy at some places but overall it's a good read with character development
would definitely recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Car accident
Moderate: Sexism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
allyhoo811's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I am not usually much of a contemporary romance reader; however, I choose this book earlier this year a my Book of the Month pick. Prior to reading I learned that it was the second book in a series, so I proceeded to read the book "The Marriage Game" before picking up this one. "The Marriage Game" (the author's debut) was quite a disappointment to me (2.5 stars), but I saw potential in the author's humor and writing style -- so I decided to give this one a chance.
I was NOT disappointed. This book was such a treat. The humor and writing style that I loved from the author's debut were on full display, and most of the problems I had were much improved. This was leaps and bounds better!
What I liked:
1) No insta-love: This was a contemporary romance where the characters actually had a history together. It wasn't just boom meet cute and married a few weeks later.
2) The friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers combo tropes: You will understand if you read.
3) No ridiculous miscommunications: Sure there was some miscommunication (mainly from their past as teenagers); however, it wasn't overdone. For the most part the two main characters would talk out their problems and not let things fester.
4) The male lead wasn't crazy possessive: Sure Liam felt jealousy when other men flirted with the girl he liked, but he didn't immediately jump to wanting to pummel them into oblivion.
5) The family interactions: These are some of my favorite parts of Desai's novels.
What kept it from being a five star read?
1) Both books in the series seem to be trying to get away from the typical romance heroine "type", while appreciating diversity in women. This is great and one of the things that drew me to the series in the first place. However, I'm noticing a trend where in order to accomplish this goal women who would be considered conventionally attractive (blonde, blue-eyed, thin, etc.) are being portrayed in a very negative light (vapid, sexually inappropriate, petty, cruel). The overall vibe given is that women who look like this are bad people, who can't be trusted. We shouldn't have to build people up, by pushing others down.
2) Interestingly, the male protagonists in the novels are very much the traditional perfect male leads (tall, handsome, intelligent, wealthy, chiseled abs, etc.), and the female characters put down other less perfect men for their looks as not good enough.
Neither of these things are a good look when you are celebrating diversity in your characters.
Hope this changes in future books.
*********************************
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I hope this author keeps improving. Will read more.
I was NOT disappointed. This book was such a treat. The humor and writing style that I loved from the author's debut were on full display, and most of the problems I had were much improved. This was leaps and bounds better!
What I liked:
1) No insta-love: This was a contemporary romance where the characters actually had a history together. It wasn't just boom meet cute and married a few weeks later.
2) The friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers combo tropes: You will understand if you read.
3) No ridiculous miscommunications: Sure there was some miscommunication (mainly from their past as teenagers); however, it wasn't overdone. For the most part the two main characters would talk out their problems and not let things fester.
4) The male lead wasn't crazy possessive: Sure Liam felt jealousy when other men flirted with the girl he liked, but he didn't immediately jump to wanting to pummel them into oblivion.
5) The family interactions: These are some of my favorite parts of Desai's novels.
What kept it from being a five star read?
1) Both books in the series seem to be trying to get away from the typical romance heroine "type", while appreciating diversity in women. This is great and one of the things that drew me to the series in the first place. However, I'm noticing a trend where in order to accomplish this goal women who would be considered conventionally attractive (blonde, blue-eyed, thin, etc.) are being portrayed in a very negative light (vapid, sexually inappropriate, petty, cruel). The overall vibe given is that women who look like this are bad people, who can't be trusted. We shouldn't have to build people up, by pushing others down.
2) Interestingly, the male protagonists in the novels are very much the traditional perfect male leads (tall, handsome, intelligent, wealthy, chiseled abs, etc.), and the female characters put down other less perfect men for their looks as not good enough.
Neither of these things are a good look when you are celebrating diversity in your characters.
Hope this changes in future books.
*********************************
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I hope this author keeps improving. Will read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Infidelity
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