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happylilkt's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
There were some things I liked about this romance. The premise was interesting and the chemistry between the leads was good. It was a quick read and some of the bantering scenes were fun. This book could easily have been a 3.5/4 star read for me, so I get the high ratings! Here's where things went wrong for me...
Dock 1/2 star — The love/hate relationship wasn't very strongly established. It was a lot of telling, rather than showing. Some of it was there, but it was just kind of weak.
Dock 1/2 star — The heroine was extremely insecure, which made the plot very predictable and also very this-boyfriend-will-complete-me. Which leads me to....
Dock 1/2 star — The heroine drove me crazy. 1) Her language was immature and coarse in spite of being "a Shakespeare nerd." I can tolerate some cursing, but when the most common curse word involves male genitalia... Well, where was your editor? 2) I thought there would be more literary references, more evidence of her lit-loving ways, but that was disappointing, too. She didn't talk or act like someone who loves literature.
Dock 1/2 star—Unfortunately the character growth in the novel seemed to be centered around the man, rather than the woman. I kept waiting for her to not be codependent on a man / relationship... And while she showed some promise, I'm still really annoyed she didn't go back and finish her degree. Gahhhhhh Not that I'm not sympathetic to valid reasons for dropping out of college, but her reasons were NOT those and there were not valid ones for not picking it up again. (I did like that she was good at organizing.)
Dock 1/2 star — explicit sex scenes. I skimmed through them but blah. Really takes the fun out of the sexual tension, if I have to skip due to too much detail
There were some things I liked about this romance. The premise was interesting and the chemistry between the leads was good. It was a quick read and some of the bantering scenes were fun. This book could easily have been a 3.5/4 star read for me, so I get the high ratings! Here's where things went wrong for me...
Dock 1/2 star — The love/hate relationship wasn't very strongly established. It was a lot of telling, rather than showing. Some of it was there, but it was just kind of weak.
Dock 1/2 star — The heroine was extremely insecure, which made the plot very predictable and also very this-boyfriend-will-complete-me. Which leads me to....
Dock 1/2 star — The heroine drove me crazy. 1) Her language was immature and coarse in spite of being "a Shakespeare nerd." I can tolerate some cursing, but when the most common curse word involves male genitalia... Well, where was your editor? 2) I thought there would be more literary references, more evidence of her lit-loving ways, but that was disappointing, too. She didn't talk or act like someone who loves literature.
Dock 1/2 star—Unfortunately the character growth in the novel seemed to be centered around the man, rather than the woman. I kept waiting for her to not be codependent on a man / relationship... And while she showed some promise, I'm still really annoyed she didn't go back and finish her degree. Gahhhhhh Not that I'm not sympathetic to valid reasons for dropping out of college, but her reasons were NOT those and there were not valid ones for not picking it up again. (I did like that she was good at organizing.)
Dock 1/2 star — explicit sex scenes. I skimmed through them but blah. Really takes the fun out of the sexual tension, if I have to skip due to too much detail
myfairphantom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
msabin's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ashction's review against another edition
5.0
honestly this one was so good i CRIED at the end??? and it's not even that time of the month
aecullum's review against another edition
5.0
This book had be kicking my feet and giggling and was actually spicier than I expected in the best way. Emily is very relatable and gahhhh this book was so cute, I want to read the rest immediately. 10/10 recommend listening to tavern music while reading.
cayliem's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
keen23's review against another edition
4.0
This book was freaking adorable.
I mean, there's not a huge amount of conflict. It's almost a comfort read. Set in a Ren Faire. It's awesome.
I mean, there's not a huge amount of conflict. It's almost a comfort read. Set in a Ren Faire. It's awesome.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cute story! I am in such a mood to go to a Ren Faire right now, which just shows how wonderfully written this atmosphere and setting was. This was a cute take on enemies to lovers and I really enjoyed how Emily and Simon's story played out. Not too much steam throughout, other than one particularly steam steam scene. I loved seeing Emily's development and how she fought to get out of her own head and expectations and standup and fight for herself and her future. I loved all the other characters too and I already cannot wait to read the next book and return to Faire!
gracel54's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so cute. I mean who doesn’t love pirates. Simon is charming if not sometimes annoying, and DeLuca really woos you with her writing. So excited to read the next book
kaakison's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Car accident