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battyaboutbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
π¦ Book Review π¦
Rating: βββ
β "It's hard to believe in yourself when no one else does." β
β #QOTD If you could get an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go? β
π¦ On a whim, Dylan Coughlan calls a radio station and receives a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip around the world. The catch: the station gets to randomly select a contact on Dylan's phone as her travel companion. She's paired with "Jack the Posho," an uptight almost-one-night-stand she unintentionally ghosted. They immediately butt heads, which doesn't make Dylan's work assignment easier: to write about the trip as a second-chance romance series. If the series succeeds, she'll finally get her own column. Is it worth the backlash when her past comes back to haunt her?
π Elle Everhart's debut romcom isn't just a case of the warm and fuzzy feelings we often associate with the genre; it gives far more than that. What looks like a forced proximity, grumpy versus sunshine match-up is really a well-balanced, polar opposites pairing. Both Dylan and Jack are familiar with the soul-sucking existence derived from living a life that fits their parents' standards. Dylan refused to walk that line and has been forced to pay the consequencesβin her social life and professionally. Jack plays the role his parents wrote for him, only for it to make him miserable. Dylan is unabashedly confident in her decisions and whom she's become because of them (rightfully so), and that bravado eventually inspires Jack to do the same. Though it takes them an excruciatingly long time to reach an understanding, their both better off for it by the end. The character growth between them is as beautiful as some of the landscapes they encounter on their travels.
π¦ The miscommunication trope plays a big part in this story, and if you've read my previous reviews, you know that's a pet peeve. Dylan makes assumptions about Jack based on his reaction to the radio call and a few texts, but never makes an effort to learn more about him in person. Jack seems to mean well but Dylan's abrasiveness sets him off, making the first act a little tiresome to read. Fair warning: there is a bit of smut πΆοΈ, but the moment is ruined by the mention of Edward Cullen and sparkly skin (I definitely put my Kindle down with a groan after that).
π A great read that goes beyond the cute and fuzzies of typical travel romcoms. Recommended to anyone who has that itch to travel deep in their bones. That's one of the best things about being an avid reader; you have a thousand little adventures at your disposal without having to worry about the airfare. Happy reading!
β "The more she wrote, other things started to unravel, too. She'd been scared of her parents' rejection for the vast majority of her life, a symptom of eldest daughter syndrome and being queer as hell, but she deserved more than tolerance or a lack of outright rejection. They should have loved her no matter what, been proud of her no matter what." β
β¨ Tropes β¨
βοΈ Travel Romance
ποΈ Forced Proximity
π Frenemies to Lovers
β±οΈ Opposites Attract
π½ Slow Burn
π¦ Major thanks to the author @elleeverhart and publisher @putnambooks for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. π₯° This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Rating: βββ
β "It's hard to believe in yourself when no one else does." β
β #QOTD If you could get an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go? β
π¦ On a whim, Dylan Coughlan calls a radio station and receives a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip around the world. The catch: the station gets to randomly select a contact on Dylan's phone as her travel companion. She's paired with "Jack the Posho," an uptight almost-one-night-stand she unintentionally ghosted. They immediately butt heads, which doesn't make Dylan's work assignment easier: to write about the trip as a second-chance romance series. If the series succeeds, she'll finally get her own column. Is it worth the backlash when her past comes back to haunt her?
π Elle Everhart's debut romcom isn't just a case of the warm and fuzzy feelings we often associate with the genre; it gives far more than that. What looks like a forced proximity, grumpy versus sunshine match-up is really a well-balanced, polar opposites pairing. Both Dylan and Jack are familiar with the soul-sucking existence derived from living a life that fits their parents' standards. Dylan refused to walk that line and has been forced to pay the consequencesβin her social life and professionally. Jack plays the role his parents wrote for him, only for it to make him miserable. Dylan is unabashedly confident in her decisions and whom she's become because of them (rightfully so), and that bravado eventually inspires Jack to do the same. Though it takes them an excruciatingly long time to reach an understanding, their both better off for it by the end. The character growth between them is as beautiful as some of the landscapes they encounter on their travels.
π¦ The miscommunication trope plays a big part in this story, and if you've read my previous reviews, you know that's a pet peeve. Dylan makes assumptions about Jack based on his reaction to the radio call and a few texts, but never makes an effort to learn more about him in person. Jack seems to mean well but Dylan's abrasiveness sets him off, making the first act a little tiresome to read. Fair warning: there is a bit of smut πΆοΈ, but the moment is ruined by the mention of Edward Cullen and sparkly skin (I definitely put my Kindle down with a groan after that).
π A great read that goes beyond the cute and fuzzies of typical travel romcoms. Recommended to anyone who has that itch to travel deep in their bones. That's one of the best things about being an avid reader; you have a thousand little adventures at your disposal without having to worry about the airfare. Happy reading!
β "The more she wrote, other things started to unravel, too. She'd been scared of her parents' rejection for the vast majority of her life, a symptom of eldest daughter syndrome and being queer as hell, but she deserved more than tolerance or a lack of outright rejection. They should have loved her no matter what, been proud of her no matter what." β
β¨ Tropes β¨
βοΈ Travel Romance
ποΈ Forced Proximity
π Frenemies to Lovers
β±οΈ Opposites Attract
π½ Slow Burn
π¦ Major thanks to the author @elleeverhart and publisher @putnambooks for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. π₯° This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Panic attacks/disorders, and Biphobia
ksbielenberg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Abortion
jjohnston_05's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I feel like I need more time to digest, so I may come back and edit this, but my overall feeling is just...this book is important.
This book is important for bi individuals who get shamed/told "its ok because you can still be in a relationship that LOOKS straight". Because its who Dylan is! She is a wonderful person and she doesn't fit in this box that her parents feel like she should be in. This book is important for people who are speaking their truth and telling stories about abortion that they got because they have that CHOICE. Dylan's life was really screwed up when she told her story. And when she tells Jack, thats the first glimpse that the reader, and Dylan, get that says "he's a good guy". Jack is so different on the inside then his box that HE was forced into.
I just can't love this book enough. And the fact that the cliche third act breakup doesn't happen, because it happens in the middle and then they COMMUNICATE and Dylan gets to apologize? It's amazing to me.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and my reviews are completely my own*
This book is important for bi individuals who get shamed/told "its ok because you can still be in a relationship that LOOKS straight". Because its who Dylan is! She is a wonderful person and she doesn't fit in this box that her parents feel like she should be in. This book is important for people who are speaking their truth and telling stories about abortion that they got because they have that CHOICE. Dylan's life was really screwed up when she told her story. And when she tells Jack, thats the first glimpse that the reader, and Dylan, get that says "he's a good guy". Jack is so different on the inside then his box that HE was forced into.
I just can't love this book enough. And the fact that the cliche third act breakup doesn't happen, because it happens in the middle and then they COMMUNICATE and Dylan gets to apologize? It's amazing to me.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and my reviews are completely my own*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Abortion, Biphobia, and Toxic relationship
jelavision's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
4.75
This was such a lovely book about two people on a journey to find themselves and find love. There's a bit of an enemies to lovers and forced proximity vibe as Dylan and Jack go on a trip around the world. Their relationship starts off terse but softens as they get to know each other. The banter throughout the book is really great. It helps reinforce the chemistry between Dylan and Jack. The romance is a drawn out slowburn, but it's done so well. And it leads to a great spicy scene. I appreciated how there wasn't a convoluted third act breakup. Instead the writer has a "break up" of sorts towards the end of the second act, which is refreshing. You get to see Dylan make amends; and, you get to see the relationship rebuild itself in such an organic way.
With the support of the other, Dylan and Jack alsoconfront traumas and parental neglect. Both suffered through instances of bullying and harassment. This helps both of leave behind instances that no longer work for them and move onto better for themselves.
(This would have been a 5 star rating except one particular part in the book aggravated me, so I had to drop it down .25.)
This will be a great book for those looking for an escape! To go on a journey of healing and love while experiencing new destinations!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
With the support of the other, Dylan and Jack also
(This would have been a 5 star rating except one particular part in the book aggravated me, so I had to drop it down .25.)
This will be a great book for those looking for an escape! To go on a journey of healing and love while experiencing new destinations!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Biphobia, Abandonment, and Abortion
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Biphobia, and Bullying
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