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jennp28's review against another edition
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
While I didn’t LOVE this one like I loved the Bergman Brothers series, it was still a very enjoyable read. And I really liked how the characters were presented “flaws” and all but in the end those weird things were what made the two of them work.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
ofpagesandparagraphs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
hjcooley'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Having read and loved this author’s Bergman Brothers series (minus the recently released book I haven’t gotten to yet), I knew I would enjoy this first book of a new series. Chloe Liese does a wonderful job writing neurodivergent characters. In this case, Bea is autistic with problems in the realm of food aversions and sensory overload. Jamie (aka West aka James) has anxiety, specifically social anxiety, and compulsions. Jamie and Bea have a lot of similarities, but also a whole lot of differences.
Bea is a bit of a free spirit. She doesn’t do well with being confined to any certain structure or schedule. She’s an artist and can easily get distracted or tune everything around her out, especially when it comes to her art. Jamie is a pediatrician who thrives on structure and schedules. This is chaos meeting order. Even when these two first meet, being pushed together by their friends, they have a connection…through their dislike of one another. With the way they are forced upon each other over and over, it’s no wonder they are annoyed by each other. They both have very good reasons for being single and not being open to starting a new relationship. Frankly, the meddling Bea’s sister does never sat well with me, especially once it is learned how upset Bea is about the trickery. There are no boundaries and it’s upsetting that her twin cannot see how wrong she is to treat Bea like a child.
That being said, once Jamie and Bea start spending time together, their chemistry emerges in full force. Jamie is almost too good to be true. He’s so patient and considerate of Bea and her needs. It’s plain to see this man chose the right profession. He never rushes Bea when she is struggling; the same can be said about Bea. Once she knows about his anxiety and how it manifests, she gives him the time and space he needs when he locks up. They are wonderful for each other.
I wish this story hadn’t had the end conflict. It didn’t need it and, quite frankly, ruined the overall feel of this book for me. I still will highly recommend the story and enjoyed the book immensely. But now I have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth about Bea and how she handled things. I understand heat-of-the-moment reactions, but I don’t understand waiting so long to make things right. As I said, this conflict wasn’t needed so it felt forced to me.
To end this on a note of all the things I loved about this book: positive representation of neurodivergent personalities, discussions about intimacy along the lines of what is needed and what works for the characters in a non-judgemental way, the friend group discussing and championing Romance and what it means to have a HEA, the swoony way Jamie talks even before the romance starts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
rickireadss's review against another edition
5.0
chloe literally NEVER. MISSES. EVER. this is my current obsession because jamie&bea are sooooo hot - like i want them both holy fvck. not only did we get amazing disability rep, a PANSEXUAL QUEEN, a dirty talking mmc who i would quite literally die for, but also one of the best fake dating plots ever because they were both in it for revenge!!!! that is the energy i need forever now. i'm so mad i put this off as long as i did. i was afraid somehow it just wouldn't live up to the bergmans which is my favorite contemporary romance series of ALL TIME, but this is a vvvery close second. i cannot wait for the next installments, as i just know i'm going to be in love with the characters, the plot, and the amazing writing.
⚠️: toxic relationship (past), emotional abuse, gaslighting, panic attacks/disorders, biphobia (on page), violence, medical content, ableism
⚠️: toxic relationship (past), emotional abuse, gaslighting, panic attacks/disorders, biphobia (on page), violence, medical content, ableism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Biphobia
Minor: Ableism, Violence, and Medical content
macchiatojen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
chemistrychick68's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
triple_m's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed reading this and I loved the autism and anxiety rep. I also think Jamie and Bea were a really well matched and adorable couple.
That said, it was very trope heavy and overall needed better focus. Some plot points were introduced but ultimately led to nothing. I also think the third act break up was incredibly forced and also happened too late in the story just so the author could check the box.
That said, it was very trope heavy and overall needed better focus. Some plot points were introduced but ultimately led to nothing. I also think the third act break up was incredibly forced and also happened too late in the story just so the author could check the box.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
kirareadssometimes's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
Utterly enjoyable! Great anxiety rep that wasn’t triggering for me which made me so happy. MCs had great banter and chemistry throughout the whole book. Jamie is so sweet 🥹 and so sexy. Really loved this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Ableism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
mybestfriendsarefictional's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse