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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This dual pov but I couldn't tell because Rhodes and Iliana are almost indistinguishable.
Well not completely Iliana ia bully while Rhodes is brat.
Them together are toxic and everything romantic feels rushed.
Overall disappointing.
Well not completely Iliana ia bully while Rhodes is brat.
Them together are toxic and everything romantic feels rushed.
Overall disappointing.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
2.0
Color me surprised, but not in a good way. I am surprised that the fanfiction elements weren't what brought this down for me. This book is a poster child the type of girl on girl hate I don't like to see in books. Additionally, the two voices by the characters were not distinct enough for me. Overall, not as fun as it was pitched to be.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
kiwipen's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I loved and hated this book.
The portrayal of online dating and falling in love with your Internet best friend was done well up until the part they negotiated meeting. The way Alice specifically behaved and emoted almost made me DNF. The scenario of accidentally meeting an Internet friend in real life is one so many have dreamt up. To see her be nonchalant - and call Cheshire clingy for being excited - really upset me.
Additionally, the best friend Sarah induced rage in me during the opening and continuous acts of the book. I despised how the narrative tried to frame her as even remotely sympathetic as she was a terrible friend. The author did a great job portraying terrible childhood friends at least.
I absolutely loved the premise. Iliana is a heroine I loved and related to, Rhodes was a protagonist I struggled to like or even love. She felt cold, emotionless, and detached from her own emotions. That seems to be her character as she doesn't feel her own emotions without others pointing them out, but still. She could have benefited from non explicit forms of emoting like showing how her body felt or what she was doing. I found her cold and callous.
It took me 75% of the way through the book to even get to interesting or exciting sections. The first entire half of the book was boring, the conflict just didn't ramp up fast enough.
The good parts of the book are really good. The chemistry when the characters do feel something - Rhodes seems only passingly capable of sexual and romantic attraction and nothing more - sizzles on the page and is super enticing. The comics are fantastic. The rivalry between the two characters is intense and fascinating.
The bad parts of the book are, unfortunately, really bad. Alice giving Cheshire the silent treatment for a week goes unaddressed. I would expect it to be handwaved in something like a dark or taboo romance, not a teen romance. I get they're emotionally stunted teenagers, though. It just induced some intense anger.
The implications Rhodes had been attracted to Iliana since day one - but was kept as only a minor mention and barely touched on again - was supremely disappointing. It could have given us a glimpse into a more emotional, more complex Rhodes than what we got. Instead, it was mentioned once and hardly lingered or expanded upon.
Additionally, the beginning is slow and a bit hard to get into. I feel like the book stays slow until a good portion of the book is read.
This is one of those books that will ultimately keep me up at night in rage. The premise and good parts make me absolutely love the story. The bad parts made me angry and want to quit. Even now, I am left feeling unsatisfied with the ending. Even with a HEA, I don't feel like everything was resolved nicely.
The portrayal of online dating and falling in love with your Internet best friend was done well up until the part they negotiated meeting. The way Alice specifically behaved and emoted almost made me DNF. The scenario of accidentally meeting an Internet friend in real life is one so many have dreamt up. To see her be nonchalant - and call Cheshire clingy for being excited - really upset me.
Additionally, the best friend Sarah induced rage in me during the opening and continuous acts of the book. I despised how the narrative tried to frame her as even remotely sympathetic as she was a terrible friend. The author did a great job portraying terrible childhood friends at least.
I absolutely loved the premise. Iliana is a heroine I loved and related to, Rhodes was a protagonist I struggled to like or even love. She felt cold, emotionless, and detached from her own emotions. That seems to be her character as she doesn't feel her own emotions without others pointing them out, but still. She could have benefited from non explicit forms of emoting like showing how her body felt or what she was doing. I found her cold and callous.
It took me 75% of the way through the book to even get to interesting or exciting sections. The first entire half of the book was boring, the conflict just didn't ramp up fast enough.
The good parts of the book are really good. The chemistry when the characters do feel something - Rhodes seems only passingly capable of sexual and romantic attraction and nothing more - sizzles on the page and is super enticing. The comics are fantastic. The rivalry between the two characters is intense and fascinating.
The bad parts of the book are, unfortunately, really bad. Alice giving Cheshire the silent treatment for a week goes unaddressed. I would expect it to be handwaved in something like a dark or taboo romance, not a teen romance. I get they're emotionally stunted teenagers, though. It just induced some intense anger.
The implications Rhodes had been attracted to Iliana since day one - but was kept as only a minor mention and barely touched on again - was supremely disappointing. It could have given us a glimpse into a more emotional, more complex Rhodes than what we got. Instead, it was mentioned once and hardly lingered or expanded upon.
Additionally, the beginning is slow and a bit hard to get into. I feel like the book stays slow until a good portion of the book is read.
This is one of those books that will ultimately keep me up at night in rage. The premise and good parts make me absolutely love the story. The bad parts made me angry and want to quit. Even now, I am left feeling unsatisfied with the ending. Even with a HEA, I don't feel like everything was resolved nicely.
leelaamanda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
2.0
Everyone in this book was toxic. The “enemies” part was too real, and the “lovers” part was forced.
kailynpreston's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. The illustrations really added to it as well.
My own issues around fan fiction are the only thing keeping me from rating it 5 stars. I’ve been taught over and over that fan fiction isn’t real writing and shouldn’t be appreciated the same, and even though I whole heartedly disagree with that concept, I still can’t remove that little ear worm from my brain. Something keeps telling me that fan fiction should be looked down upon, and even though I don’t want to, I can’t get it out of my head.
Other than that, I love the imperfectness of the characters. I love the portrayal of depression. I love the way this book ends.
My own issues around fan fiction are the only thing keeping me from rating it 5 stars. I’ve been taught over and over that fan fiction isn’t real writing and shouldn’t be appreciated the same, and even though I whole heartedly disagree with that concept, I still can’t remove that little ear worm from my brain. Something keeps telling me that fan fiction should be looked down upon, and even though I don’t want to, I can’t get it out of my head.
Other than that, I love the imperfectness of the characters. I love the portrayal of depression. I love the way this book ends.
marrz's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
rfish0615's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wartse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bernzrose's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5