Scan barcode
mahaofhyrule's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.5 Stars
Kinda fun and kinda boring at the same time, but mostly fun.
What I DID like though was the following:
- The Writing Style: Very easy on the brain. I also liked the inclusion of the media outlets here like Chani's blog, news articles, etc. to support the narrative too. Very creative!
- The talks on female journalist stereotypes and actor typecasting: Probably my favorite parts of the book. Chani's addresses on breaking that stereotype that female journalists sleep their way to good stories, and actors being criticized for taking roles that break their usual mold (and what it means to be a public figure). I really like these parts of the book and lowkey I wish this book was more of a character study on that vs. the romance.
- Oliver Matthias: What a gem. Also ties in with actors as a public figure point.
- This line: “He laughed. It was a great laugh, all low and dark and rich. If chocolate cake had a laugh, it would be that.” Like what does that even mean? I love it.
And now the dislikes:
For one thing, I didn't connect with Chani and Gabe's romance. To me, their whole dynamic felt like insta love, which is a trope I don't really like that much in romance novels. (Though this might be on me, I probably could have inferred that from the title.)
Chani and Gabe as individual characters were kind of a hit or miss for me too. Chani's insecurities made sense when she was younger and made the choices she did , but the way it carried onto her later years was crazy. Girl was still hung up on her no good ex after so many years. (On that note, it got a little annoying that she mentioned Jeremy in pretty much every other sentence.)
I also didn't really like that ending. It felt a little too rushed. More in the spoiler tag.
They slept together and then had this weird fight about Chani's article, and this point there was like 10 pages left in the book. HUH? And the way they immediately made up was so quick. Very romcom Hallmark movie vibes
But anyway this was a quick fun read!
Kinda fun and kinda boring at the same time, but mostly fun.
What I DID like though was the following:
- The Writing Style: Very easy on the brain. I also liked the inclusion of the media outlets here like Chani's blog, news articles, etc. to support the narrative too. Very creative!
- The talks on female journalist stereotypes and actor typecasting: Probably my favorite parts of the book. Chani's addresses on breaking that stereotype that female journalists sleep their way to good stories, and actors being criticized for taking roles that break their usual mold (and what it means to be a public figure). I really like these parts of the book and lowkey I wish this book was more of a character study on that vs. the romance.
- Oliver Matthias: What a gem. Also ties in with actors as a public figure point.
- This line: “He laughed. It was a great laugh, all low and dark and rich. If chocolate cake had a laugh, it would be that.” Like what does that even mean? I love it.
And now the dislikes:
For one thing, I didn't connect with Chani and Gabe's romance. To me, their whole dynamic felt like insta love, which is a trope I don't really like that much in romance novels. (Though this might be on me, I probably could have inferred that from the title.)
Chani and Gabe as individual characters were kind of a hit or miss for me too. Chani's insecurities made sense when she was younger and made the choices she did , but the way it carried onto her later years was crazy. Girl was still hung up on her no good ex after so many years. (On that note, it got a little annoying that she mentioned Jeremy in pretty much every other sentence.)
I also didn't really like that ending. It felt a little too rushed. More in the spoiler tag.
But anyway this was a quick fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Addiction
cdingler07's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual content, Addiction, and Homophobia
Minor: Death and Death of parent
solinel7's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was hoping to love this book. I saw so much discussion about it and how good it was when it came out but I'm a little disappointed.
It's confusing and annoying at times with all the back and forth and more so at very important parts.
There are few spoilers. Read at your discretion.
Every chapter started with a news article which was cool but also it had me confused. The protagonist's main article was extremel important to the story but it was split in 4 so I don't remember anything about it.
They fell in love in one weekend 10 years ago and then we never get to see how their relationship developed as a full grown adult with a good head on their shoulders.
The story is engaging but it wasn't until ch 3 or 4 that I grasped what was really happening.
Author's writing style is good but the story left me wanting more.
It's confusing and annoying at times with all the back and forth and more so at very important parts.
There are few spoilers. Read at your discretion.
Every chapter started with a news article which was cool but also it had me confused. The protagonist's main article was extremel important to the story but it was split in 4 so I don't remember anything about it.
They fell in love in one weekend 10 years ago and then we never get to see how their relationship developed as a full grown adult with a good head on their shoulders.
The story is engaging but it wasn't until ch 3 or 4 that I grasped what was really happening.
Author's writing style is good but the story left me wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
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
3.0
Well written, I can understand why this romance blew up on TikTok. I loved the fierce feminism within Chani’s character as well as the openly Jewish representation.
Gabes tumultuous career brings a necessary dramatic flair.Plus his addiction is written and handled well I feel
I love how it’s society’s doubt that brings them together for the original profile and back together full circle for the second one.
Unfortunately I think I am in somewhat of a romance slump, as I wasn’t as enamoured with this as I anticipated I would be.
Gabes tumultuous career brings a necessary dramatic flair.
I love how it’s society’s doubt that brings them together for the original profile and back together full circle for the second one.
Unfortunately I think I am in somewhat of a romance slump, as I wasn’t as enamoured with this as I anticipated I would be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Alcoholism
jenn_reads's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Alcoholism
abbiebelen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, Car accident, Homophobia, Bullying, and Cancer
addimop's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
fun easy read nothing special
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
merryfaith's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
carlyjoann's review
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Car accident and Death
abbypeekreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
I didn’t know quite what to expect when I picked up this novel, but reading it was truly a special experience. As a writer myself, I loved reading Chani’s thoughts on writing and the discussions of the impact of fame. Gabe and Chani’s story was wild and contemplative and captivating. I know this may not be everyone’s favorite type of story, but I love the quiet types of novels. The ones that are slow and more introspective—and this one was just that, at least in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Alcoholism