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renpuspita's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
4.25
My 100th book read in 2023!!!
Quite accomplishment compared to later years when I'm in reading slump, so this is a good news to me, lel. I'm glad I choose this title since I already intrigued when reading the blurb and people reviews despite never reading or watching Much Ado About Nothing. Beatrice (aka Bea) and James (aka Jamie) might be start in rocky steps because Bea's twin (Jules) and her colleagues try to matchmaking Bea and Jamie to be together. Then, they start to fake dating for revenge to those meddlers but when they start to getting know each other better than their first impression aka their meet-disaster, they realize the fake dating suddenly become real. Honestly, a pretty much standard trope, enemies (or frenemies?) to lovers plus fake dating, but Liese execute it very well.
The romance is swoony and full of moments or dialogue that make me go "awwww". I mean despite being uptight, stern and deal with anxiety, Jamie is the greenest flag heroes ever walk, a beta male to the core. He understand Bea's autism spectrum and even his first impression of Bea is not that good, when Bea tell him that she is a neurodivergent, Jamie always prioritize Bea first. I mean, make a veggie puree since Jamie know Bea have difficulty to eat veggie because its texture and constantly ask her condition in the new and strange place? If that's not a green flag, then I don't know what it is. Not only Jamie to Bea, but Bea herself also understanding Jamie's anxiety, slowly heal him from his uncertainty. I did like their dynamics, even though their act seems childish as first with all that fake dating as a revenge plot, but since both are unique individuals, I don't mind at all. Since the book is written in 1st PoV, I liked that Liese successfully write both characters PoV, make them feel and sound different. I also like that Liese incorporated her views about romance genres as well without feel too-in-your-face. Yep, romance need a happy ending, and if there's no happy ending, it's a love story, not romance per se :P.
The sex scenes are steamy, although its happen near the end, lel. This book really take a very long slooooow burn to the next level. The sexual tensions is ofc plenty and since we get to read both Bea and Jamie's first PoV, reader got insight into their inner thought and sexual frustration plus longing as well. So, with the way of their slow burn written, all of them are paid off not only one but two VERY WELL written sex scenes (lube using, edging, Jamie act and talk all French-y to give Bea plenty of petite mort, wew!) and left me a happy reader in the end, lel. From the sexuality aspect, the characters are pretty diverse since Bea is a pan, Jules is a bi and their friend also varied in sexuality as well.
However, I did have complaint. Not only the sex happen near the end (still good, tbh), the main conflict also feel rushed and got solved quickly. In the positive side, I'm glad that the drama that ensues didn't prolong that much, but I also hate that it happen in just 1-2 chapters. The conflict that isthird act breakup, a staple in this genre, is weirdly executed. I feel like we didn't need that breakup and the reason is because of Jules and her toxic fiance, Jean-Claude in which Jean-Claude also Jamie's close acquaintance. So Bea decide to break (for a moment) because she afraid that if Jules see Jamie, Jules will be triggered. While I appreciate Bea's consideration for Jules's feeling since Bea herself knew how it feels to be in toxic relationship with her ex, I feel like Bea try to jump in conclusion too fast and in the end kinda hurt Jamie feeling since Jamie himself also just healed from toxic relationship in which he always feel he didn't enough for his ex. Yep, it's pretty much complicated and a jumbling mess, lol. And its resolved in only one chapter and they finally got their happy ending (with a one last hot sex scene). The end . The way the meddlers try to shove Bea and Jamie at first in maybe can be too annoying to read, since we read them from Bea's PoV. I did mention that Bea and Jamie's first impression is kind of meet-disaster, and maybe can be seen as childish despite they already in their 30-ish but eh, I'm 35+++ myself and still act childish, lol.
Complaint asides, I pretty much enjoy reading Two Wrongs Make A Right and this is also my first time reading about neurodivergent characters. I feel that I can connect to them and understand why Bea act like that and how Liese also handle Jamie's anxiety as well. The angst itself is still bearable although I wish Liese write the conflicts differently. All in all, a pretty good read to close my 2023! I recommend this book even you already read/watch Much Ado About Nothing or not yet, and also love frenemies to lover trope and fake dating as well.
PS: Another littleeee complaint for the cover. Bea constantly describe Jamie as being tall and Jamie himself confirm that he's 6 ft 4" tall. I got the impression that Bea is maybe shorter by 20-30 cm. But the cover didn't show that XD. Still a pretty good cover, though!
Quite accomplishment compared to later years when I'm in reading slump, so this is a good news to me, lel. I'm glad I choose this title since I already intrigued when reading the blurb and people reviews despite never reading or watching Much Ado About Nothing. Beatrice (aka Bea) and James (aka Jamie) might be start in rocky steps because Bea's twin (Jules) and her colleagues try to matchmaking Bea and Jamie to be together. Then, they start to fake dating for revenge to those meddlers but when they start to getting know each other better than their first impression aka their meet-disaster, they realize the fake dating suddenly become real. Honestly, a pretty much standard trope, enemies (or frenemies?) to lovers plus fake dating, but Liese execute it very well.
The romance is swoony and full of moments or dialogue that make me go "awwww". I mean despite being uptight, stern and deal with anxiety, Jamie is the greenest flag heroes ever walk, a beta male to the core. He understand Bea's autism spectrum and even his first impression of Bea is not that good, when Bea tell him that she is a neurodivergent, Jamie always prioritize Bea first. I mean, make a veggie puree since Jamie know Bea have difficulty to eat veggie because its texture and constantly ask her condition in the new and strange place? If that's not a green flag, then I don't know what it is. Not only Jamie to Bea, but Bea herself also understanding Jamie's anxiety, slowly heal him from his uncertainty. I did like their dynamics, even though their act seems childish as first with all that fake dating as a revenge plot, but since both are unique individuals, I don't mind at all. Since the book is written in 1st PoV, I liked that Liese successfully write both characters PoV, make them feel and sound different. I also like that Liese incorporated her views about romance genres as well without feel too-in-your-face. Yep, romance need a happy ending, and if there's no happy ending, it's a love story, not romance per se :P.
The sex scenes are steamy, although its happen near the end, lel. This book really take a very long slooooow burn to the next level. The sexual tensions is ofc plenty and since we get to read both Bea and Jamie's first PoV, reader got insight into their inner thought and sexual frustration plus longing as well. So, with the way of their slow burn written, all of them are paid off not only one but two VERY WELL written sex scenes (lube using, edging, Jamie act and talk all French-y to give Bea plenty of petite mort, wew!) and left me a happy reader in the end, lel. From the sexuality aspect, the characters are pretty diverse since Bea is a pan, Jules is a bi and their friend also varied in sexuality as well.
However, I did have complaint. Not only the sex happen near the end (still good, tbh), the main conflict also feel rushed and got solved quickly. In the positive side, I'm glad that the drama that ensues didn't prolong that much, but I also hate that it happen in just 1-2 chapters. The conflict that is
Complaint asides, I pretty much enjoy reading Two Wrongs Make A Right and this is also my first time reading about neurodivergent characters. I feel that I can connect to them and understand why Bea act like that and how Liese also handle Jamie's anxiety as well. The angst itself is still bearable although I wish Liese write the conflicts differently. All in all, a pretty good read to close my 2023! I recommend this book even you already read/watch Much Ado About Nothing or not yet, and also love frenemies to lover trope and fake dating as well.
PS: Another littleeee complaint for the cover. Bea constantly describe Jamie as being tall and Jamie himself confirm that he's 6 ft 4" tall. I got the impression that Bea is maybe shorter by 20-30 cm. But the cover didn't show that XD. Still a pretty good cover, though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Biphobia
camillarossi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
My first Chloe Liese and definitely not my last. In a strange turn of events, the middle was my favorite part, with the pacing being a little off and the ending a tad cloying. However, the banter was peak and the neurodivergent rep was v relatable to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Biphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Violence
daniellesharp's review against another edition
5.0
🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Biphobia
kathrynok's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Biphobia
livreads4fun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
onthesamepage's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Tropes: hate to love, fake dating, third act breakup
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶
I inhaled this book in two days. There were so many parts where the plot could've taken a turn I didn't like, but I kept being pleasantly surprised by the way Bea and Jamie communicated. I loved how both of them really paid attention to what the other needed from them. I thought Jamie was really cute, and there were a couple of "awww" moments when he did something super sweet for Bea. I liked Bea as well, but she does cry/tear up an awful lot in this book. I also feel like Jamie spends most of the story trying to do nice things for her, and that she really doesn't reciprocate all that much. The balance isn't entirely there.
This could've been a 4 star read, but it falls apart on 3 points:
1) While I feel like Bea's autism had a lot of focus within the story, I don't think Jamie got the same consideration. That's not to say that his anxiety is never mentioned, but compared to how often we see him accommodating Bea, or learn about her coping mechanisms, his anxiety felt like it got pushed to the background for the most part. Would've been nice if they had been more equal in that regard.
2) The third act breakup was beyond ridiculous. The reason made no sense at all, and neither did the way it got "resolved", which was super simplistic to boot. Also, considering Jamie wasn't in the wrong, it sucks that he ended up apologizing. Really disliked this, and it probably had the most impact on my rating.
3) I feel like there were a couple of half developed ideas in here that never got resolved. For example, Jamie's ex goes out of her way to check in on Bea, but then that never goes anywhere after that. Jamie clearly has issues with his family, and I was hoping for a scene where Bea stood up for him, but we didn't get to see that, either.
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶
I inhaled this book in two days. There were so many parts where the plot could've taken a turn I didn't like, but I kept being pleasantly surprised by the way Bea and Jamie communicated. I loved how both of them really paid attention to what the other needed from them. I thought Jamie was really cute, and there were a couple of "awww" moments when he did something super sweet for Bea. I liked Bea as well, but she does cry/tear up an awful lot in this book. I also feel like Jamie spends most of the story trying to do nice things for her, and that she really doesn't reciprocate all that much. The balance isn't entirely there.
This could've been a 4 star read, but it falls apart on 3 points:
1) While I feel like Bea's autism had a lot of focus within the story, I don't think Jamie got the same consideration. That's not to say that his anxiety is never mentioned, but compared to how often we see him accommodating Bea, or learn about her coping mechanisms, his anxiety felt like it got pushed to the background for the most part. Would've been nice if they had been more equal in that regard.
2) The third act breakup was beyond ridiculous. The reason made no sense at all, and neither did the way it got "resolved", which was super simplistic to boot. Also, considering Jamie wasn't in the wrong, it sucks that he ended up apologizing. Really disliked this, and it probably had the most impact on my rating.
3) I feel like there were a couple of half developed ideas in here that never got resolved. For example, Jamie's ex goes out of her way to check in on Bea, but then that never goes anywhere after that. Jamie clearly has issues with his family, and I was hoping for a scene where Bea stood up for him, but we didn't get to see that, either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Biphobia
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I have such a soft spot in my heart for Bea and Jamie. I read this book back in May, and I still haven't forgotten about them. Seriously, they are probably my Roman Empire. I even created Sims characters based on them, if that tells you anything (which it should). Yes, their Sims are already married (they eloped, since how could I possibly wait for them to make friends for a real marriage, lol) and Bea is pregnant. Congrats to the happy couple.
This is meant to be a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Since I have not read the play, I can't comment on accuracy, but according to other reviews, it's nothing like the play, so make with that what you will. This fact didn't affect my rating, but it might affect yours. At her twin sister's New Year's Eve party, Bea meets Jamie, and let's just say they don't get off on the right foot, due to some misunderstandings. Bea's sister, Jules, is in a... happy relationship (appearances can be deceiving) with Jean-Claude, who is Jamie's childhood friend and roommate, and she just wants Bea to be happy, too. She and Jean-Claude scheme to set Bea and Jamie up another way, and when Bea and Jamie find out, they decide to mess with the matchmakers by fake dating. But somewhere along the line, those fake feelings turn into very real feelings (as they always do).
I LOVED the cast of characters (excluding Jean-Claude), like Bea's family and co-workers/friends. Jamie's entire family felt like caricatures, though. They were one-dimensional and black and white evil. They didn't feel like real people. I think the not-fully-formed side characters is a downfall of the play retelling subgenre. I think it's easier for plays to get away with this lack of nuance, but in books and in real life, people are more complex.
I want to address others' reviews criticizing how Bea's autism is portrayed. Because this is an #OwnVoices story, I am not here to police how Bea experiences autism. It is not my place and counterproductive. Bea's experience might be how Chloe experiences HER autism, and it's not fair to pass judgment on that. SO, with that being said, I loved the representation, with Bea being autistic and Jamie having anxiety.
Holy third act breakup. Had it not been for the stupidest reasoning fueling this, I might have rated the book higher. I'm so torn up about this review because I loved EVERYTHING up until this point, but the third act breakup soured my feelings. Until this point, I probably would have rated this book five stars, but I had to subtract a star for this. Without spoiling anything, the breakup is senseless. Like, two broken hearts (or, I guess three, if you include Jamie) for the price of one. I still totally recommend that you read it, but just be warned in advance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Biphobia and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse
annamay1021's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Biphobia, and Ableism
coffeecass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship