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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I yet again picked up a book just for fun at the bookstore, only to open Libby, download the book and read it on the plane ride to Canada.
What can I say? I am a pushover for childhood friends to lovers. The pace of this book is quick too which makes for an easy read. The miscommunication is a bit rough to handle at times, but I found myself less aggravated and more playfully upset than anything. Spoiler Note:There’s also a weird subplot of them being targeted by a jealous ex of one of Kyler’s hookups?? Not sure if it was necessary to the plot, but an interesting plot point I wasn’t expecting.
What can I say? I am a pushover for childhood friends to lovers. The pace of this book is quick too which makes for an easy read. The miscommunication is a bit rough to handle at times, but I found myself less aggravated and more playfully upset than anything. Spoiler Note:
I love Jennifer Armentrout's writing. She writes enjoyable characters who are easy to relate to, along with engaging stories that seem to fly off the page as I read. This story is no different. Many will enjoy it. If you like steamy new adult romances you should like this one. Unfortunately I am finding that I am not a huge fan of the more adult oriented books that Jen writes under the name "J. Lynn." This is a personal thing for me, I think, so it won't affect everyone's enjoyment, but it seems like once Jen decides to writes explicit sexual situations for adult audiences, those scenes form the backbone of the entire novel. In her YA books the characters and the story take center stage, in her NA books the sexuality becomes the story ... and for me this just isn't enough.
Frigid is the story of a college senior, Sydney, who has been in love with her bff Kyler forever. They have a great relationship as friends, but while she pines for him, he takes every opportunity he can to sleep around with other girls. He doesn't hide this from Sydney. He doesn't hide this from anyone. This is just who he is. But, it turns out, Kyler might have stronger feelings for Sydney than he is letting on. However, neither person is willing to risk their great friendship to say anything. Everything changes when the two of them get stranded at a ski resort for a few days. One thing leads to another, and before the book is half-way through they have turned into rabbits any time the air pressure changes. So now what? How will their friendship change? Is Sydney just another one night stand for Kyler? A good portion of post-teenage angst ensues.
Here's the deal. I liked Sydney and Kyler. I did. They were likable characters. It helped immensely that I was able to hear Kyler's inner voice as he narrates a good portion of the book. If not I think I could have hated the guy. This idea that guys just have to sleep with anyone who moves in order to deal with their unexposed feelings for the girl they really want to be with is insulting to me. Absolutely insulting. If you like a girl, have the courage to either confess that love or at least avoid showing her that you have absolutely no moral compass when it comes to women. Kyler's every action before this story begins shows him to be selfish and uncaring when it comes to Sydney's feelings. I don't buy that anyone who loves a girl would do the things that Kyler does. Apparently it is super okay because he never faces the girls face to face and always makes sure to avoid sleeping in the same bed with them if they stay over. I don't find any of this behavior sexy or appealing in any way, and frankly, it disturbs me that any girl out there would read a book like this and think that this is desirable.
And then there is Sydney. I liked her, but there were times when I seriously wanted to jump into the story and shake her for some of her choices. She has a serious lack of self-esteem. I recognize that she had a jerk of a boyfriend who told everyone that she was 'frigid' after he dumped her, leaving a hurtful mark on her psyche. He was a jerk. But Kyler is her best friend. She loves the guy. Even if she believes that he doesn't love her, she should have enough trust in their relationship as friends that she wouldn't feel as if she had to come on to him in order to prevent him from seeing her as frigid. Why does she feel as if she has to behave like the girls who Kyler has been with in the past? They should be secure enough to be themselves both in and out of the bedroom.
There is a scene in this book that REALLY irritated me. I hated it with a passion. It occurs right when Sydney decides to go all in and let Kyler know that she wants him to see her as more than a friend ... as a sexual partner. This should have been a beautiful scene. This should have been an expression of their wonderful friendship and love for one another. But, oh man, this started out to be something dirty and meaningless and hurtful. Luckily something happens to stop this from happening. If it hadn't, I think I would have stopped reading right then because I would have hated these two, especially Kyler. Luckily, they got a do over, and it was much better.
Another annoyance ... I realize I may be old fashioned about this, but it seems to be that if you are not looking for a one-night stand, if you are looking for a meaningful sexual experience with someone, you should be at a point in your relationship where you trust the person enough that you can go more than a day without immediately thinking that they are off having a quickie with another person. Sydney does not trust Kyler at all, and she has good reason for this. He's not been a shining example of fidelity ever before in his life. So fine. That may be true. Then perhaps two people who are such good friends should take some time to actually date and show some exclusivity before throwing everything into the relationship. Instead of seeming like a wonderful beginning to a new phase in this wonderful relationship, this book made the experience seem like a giant train wreck.
There was so much that could have been explored in this book. Kyler has some life decisions that could be difficult for him. They are mentioned, but the resolution to his problem takes place off the page and is discussed in half a sentence. More time could have been spent showing just how wonderful Kyler and Sydney are as friends. Apparently they are the best of friends, but little time is spent showing this. Kyler had made a ton of bone-headed decisions in his past. It seems like there should have been more time spent in conversation to show that he was not the man he played in real life, but that there was a deeper, kinder person inside who has always loved Sydney. This is shown a bit in the book, but not enough time was spent with scenes to illustrate it. I wanted more. Instead the way that Jen chooses to show their great relationship is through their amazing sexual chemistry. Again and again and again. I hope that people recognize that it takes a lot more than this to make a lasting relationship.
And then there is an event that puts Sydney in danger. I won't say much except to say that I felt as if this threw the book into soap opera territory. It seemed like a plot device. It was unnecessary. I would have liked to see Sydney and Kyler work things out without this ridiculous distraction.
So this one gets three stars from me. It is a quick read. There are some sweet moments, and I liked the HEA ending. This one could not be ranked higher due to lack of any depth of development in the characters.
Frigid is the story of a college senior, Sydney, who has been in love with her bff Kyler forever. They have a great relationship as friends, but while she pines for him, he takes every opportunity he can to sleep around with other girls. He doesn't hide this from Sydney. He doesn't hide this from anyone. This is just who he is. But, it turns out, Kyler might have stronger feelings for Sydney than he is letting on. However, neither person is willing to risk their great friendship to say anything. Everything changes when the two of them get stranded at a ski resort for a few days. One thing leads to another, and before the book is half-way through they have turned into rabbits any time the air pressure changes. So now what? How will their friendship change? Is Sydney just another one night stand for Kyler? A good portion of post-teenage angst ensues.
Here's the deal. I liked Sydney and Kyler. I did. They were likable characters. It helped immensely that I was able to hear Kyler's inner voice as he narrates a good portion of the book. If not I think I could have hated the guy. This idea that guys just have to sleep with anyone who moves in order to deal with their unexposed feelings for the girl they really want to be with is insulting to me. Absolutely insulting. If you like a girl, have the courage to either confess that love or at least avoid showing her that you have absolutely no moral compass when it comes to women. Kyler's every action before this story begins shows him to be selfish and uncaring when it comes to Sydney's feelings. I don't buy that anyone who loves a girl would do the things that Kyler does. Apparently it is super okay because he never faces the girls face to face and always makes sure to avoid sleeping in the same bed with them if they stay over. I don't find any of this behavior sexy or appealing in any way, and frankly, it disturbs me that any girl out there would read a book like this and think that this is desirable.
And then there is Sydney. I liked her, but there were times when I seriously wanted to jump into the story and shake her for some of her choices. She has a serious lack of self-esteem. I recognize that she had a jerk of a boyfriend who told everyone that she was 'frigid' after he dumped her, leaving a hurtful mark on her psyche. He was a jerk. But Kyler is her best friend. She loves the guy. Even if she believes that he doesn't love her, she should have enough trust in their relationship as friends that she wouldn't feel as if she had to come on to him in order to prevent him from seeing her as frigid. Why does she feel as if she has to behave like the girls who Kyler has been with in the past? They should be secure enough to be themselves both in and out of the bedroom.
There is a scene in this book that REALLY irritated me. I hated it with a passion. It occurs right when Sydney decides to go all in and let Kyler know that she wants him to see her as more than a friend ... as a sexual partner. This should have been a beautiful scene. This should have been an expression of their wonderful friendship and love for one another. But, oh man, this started out to be something dirty and meaningless and hurtful. Luckily something happens to stop this from happening. If it hadn't, I think I would have stopped reading right then because I would have hated these two, especially Kyler. Luckily, they got a do over, and it was much better.
Another annoyance ... I realize I may be old fashioned about this, but it seems to be that if you are not looking for a one-night stand, if you are looking for a meaningful sexual experience with someone, you should be at a point in your relationship where you trust the person enough that you can go more than a day without immediately thinking that they are off having a quickie with another person. Sydney does not trust Kyler at all, and she has good reason for this. He's not been a shining example of fidelity ever before in his life. So fine. That may be true. Then perhaps two people who are such good friends should take some time to actually date and show some exclusivity before throwing everything into the relationship. Instead of seeming like a wonderful beginning to a new phase in this wonderful relationship, this book made the experience seem like a giant train wreck.
There was so much that could have been explored in this book. Kyler has some life decisions that could be difficult for him. They are mentioned, but the resolution to his problem takes place off the page and is discussed in half a sentence. More time could have been spent showing just how wonderful Kyler and Sydney are as friends. Apparently they are the best of friends, but little time is spent showing this. Kyler had made a ton of bone-headed decisions in his past. It seems like there should have been more time spent in conversation to show that he was not the man he played in real life, but that there was a deeper, kinder person inside who has always loved Sydney. This is shown a bit in the book, but not enough time was spent with scenes to illustrate it. I wanted more. Instead the way that Jen chooses to show their great relationship is through their amazing sexual chemistry. Again and again and again. I hope that people recognize that it takes a lot more than this to make a lasting relationship.
And then there is an event that puts Sydney in danger. I won't say much except to say that I felt as if this threw the book into soap opera territory. It seemed like a plot device. It was unnecessary. I would have liked to see Sydney and Kyler work things out without this ridiculous distraction.
So this one gets three stars from me. It is a quick read. There are some sweet moments, and I liked the HEA ending. This one could not be ranked higher due to lack of any depth of development in the characters.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sydney and Kyler are long time best friends who have been in love forever but both are too scared to admit it. They make their annual trip to a ski resort and get snowed in together while their other friends can't make it there because of the weather. While there they are being harassed stalked by an unknown person.
This book was okay. It felt super booktok trope-y. Sydney is your basic "I'm so small and cute" girl and Kyler is your basic "touch her and die" type of guy. The "thriller" aspect of the story felt pretty insignificant, I feel like it would have been better to just to go pure romance or more on the thriller side but the mix wasn't there. It was a cozy and cute book but it fell a bit flat in the long run.
This book was okay. It felt super booktok trope-y. Sydney is your basic "I'm so small and cute" girl and Kyler is your basic "touch her and die" type of guy. The "thriller" aspect of the story felt pretty insignificant, I feel like it would have been better to just to go pure romance or more on the thriller side but the mix wasn't there. It was a cozy and cute book but it fell a bit flat in the long run.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve gotta hand it to the author, she knows how to keep me interested in stories riddled with flaws (a personal opinion). I was originally intrigued by the premise of the story because I LOVE friends to lovers. I usually don’t even mind a little bit of miscommunication within that trope because it usually leads to a juicy “oh? OH.” moment that is simply irresistible to me. This story did have that moment, and that part was my favorite thing in this story and the only reason why I didn’t DNF it. (I was also intrigued by the thriller aspect and wanted to see how they weaved together romance and thriller. Turns out the thriller aspect was basically nothing because the characters were too busy having sex to care about nearly getting murdered).
My two main issues with the book:
1. Women are referred to as “chick” or “chicks”, which is a huge reading ick for me.
2. Both characters had stupid problems in the process of trying to get together because they both had a serious “I’m not good enough for them!” complex.
The resolution was good and the characters eventually figured their stuff out, but I didn’t love it. I also didn’t hate it. Despite all of my complaints, that book hooked me like a fish. So I guess…read it but don’t expect a masterpiece. This is literally just wattpad level writing.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this, I did but this reminds me why I really don’t read friends to lovers. Absolutely can’t stand when they have their inner monologue and it’s full of ‘how much they love their best friend but knows he doesn’t feel the same way’ so they just settle for anything he’ll give 😑
I need Sydney to stop crying so much and get a little bit of self respect 😒 I get that Kyler was single and he’s allowed to do whatever he wants but that doesn’t mean you should just suffer in silence. Also I feel like she let Kyler in too easily, he would’ve had to work for it had it been me.
Kyler was so irritating with how he couldn’t keep it in his pants. He knew deep down that Sydney had feelings for him because once she confessed her feelings, he literally put it all together 🙄 Make it make sense.
Also I just get the ick when I’m reading a book and he’s a former player and he says to the FMC ‘No matter how many girls I’ve been with, I’ve always been yours’ 🤮 I absolutely hate when they say that because it’s not romantic at all. I don’t need a reference to your body count when you’re declaring your love for me. Please for the love of God stop putting that line in books.
I do think if the book was a little bit longer, Sydney & Kyler story could’ve developed better and I would’ve had less complaints.
Other than those frustrating qualities from this book, I did still manage to enjoy it. Even though they did irritate me, I liked that they managed to work through their issues and I did like the build up to their relationship. I also love the cozy and christmas vibes! Perfect for the holidays!
I need Sydney to stop crying so much and get a little bit of self respect 😒 I get that Kyler was single and he’s allowed to do whatever he wants but that doesn’t mean you should just suffer in silence. Also I feel like she let Kyler in too easily, he would’ve had to work for it had it been me.
Kyler was so irritating with how he couldn’t keep it in his pants. He knew deep down that Sydney had feelings for him because once she confessed her feelings, he literally put it all together 🙄 Make it make sense.
Also I just get the ick when I’m reading a book and he’s a former player and he says to the FMC ‘No matter how many girls I’ve been with, I’ve always been yours’ 🤮 I absolutely hate when they say that because it’s not romantic at all. I don’t need a reference to your body count when you’re declaring your love for me. Please for the love of God stop putting that line in books.
I do think if the book was a little bit longer, Sydney & Kyler story could’ve developed better and I would’ve had less complaints.
Other than those frustrating qualities from this book, I did still manage to enjoy it. Even though they did irritate me, I liked that they managed to work through their issues and I did like the build up to their relationship. I also love the cozy and christmas vibes! Perfect for the holidays!
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nessuno dei personaggi è particolarmente carismatico, affascinante o interessante. Di solito i protagonisti maschili della Armentrout hanno sempre quel qualcosa che ti fa sognare di poterli conoscere e averli tu come fidanzati, ma in questo caso non è stato così! Per la maggior parte del tempo i due protagonisti ti fanno venire il nervoso e soffrire perché si amano da sempre, ma nessuno dei due se ne rende conto e continuano a ferirsi a vicenda nel tentativo di non mostrare i propri veri sentimenti per non rovinare l'amicizia e rischiare di perdere l'altro. Sono rimasta incollata alla pagina solo per il desiderio di leggere finalmente la scena in cui dichiarano i propri sentimenti l'uno all'altro, in modo che anch'io potessi smettere di soffrire con loro, non perché mi fossi appassionata alla storia o affezionata ai personaggi.
Nonostante questo, mi sento di dare 3 stelle perché per quanto i protagonisti mi abbiano fatto arrabbiare, le dinamiche di questa relazione e le paure e pensieri da cui derivano sono fin troppo realistiche! Noi esseri umani sappiamo essere davvero stupidi nelle relazioni, solo che nella vita reale non abbiamo modo di leggere i pensieri degli altri e avere una visione così chiara delle situazioni, per cui non ci rendiamo conto di quanto le nostre paure e insicurezze ci limitino, né di quanta sofferenza inutile crei il vivere nella paura di esprimere se stessi e i propri sentimenti.
Questo libro, nonostante non abbia niente di speciale, riesce a gettare luce su questi aspetti della nostra vita e attraverso i pensieri di Sidney in particolare, ci permette di fermarci un momento a guardare alle nostre insicurezze e alle cose assurde che siamo magari stati disposti ad accettare o fare a causa di esse.
Nonostante questo, mi sento di dare 3 stelle perché per quanto i protagonisti mi abbiano fatto arrabbiare, le dinamiche di questa relazione e le paure e pensieri da cui derivano sono fin troppo realistiche! Noi esseri umani sappiamo essere davvero stupidi nelle relazioni, solo che nella vita reale non abbiamo modo di leggere i pensieri degli altri e avere una visione così chiara delle situazioni, per cui non ci rendiamo conto di quanto le nostre paure e insicurezze ci limitino, né di quanta sofferenza inutile crei il vivere nella paura di esprimere se stessi e i propri sentimenti.
Questo libro, nonostante non abbia niente di speciale, riesce a gettare luce su questi aspetti della nostra vita e attraverso i pensieri di Sidney in particolare, ci permette di fermarci un momento a guardare alle nostre insicurezze e alle cose assurde che siamo magari stati disposti ad accettare o fare a causa di esse.
Overall rating: 4.5/10
Meh.
It could have been better; not a lot better, but still, it could have been better. The plot was okay, it wasn't too far-fetched and I guess it was kind of cute, the whole love story. I did enjoy reading it and there were places in the book that had me glued to the pages but overall, it was a big disappointment.
The characters were a bit one dimensional though, but maybe because there wasn't enough time to actually see the characters in different situations. I didn't fall to Kyler in any way, and this is odd for me, since I am so in love with so many other fictional characters. With Kyler, I couldn't even feel attracted to him, and that's not really a sign of good writing.
Lets move onto the sex. It was very bad. Disappointing. Awful, even. I don't know why I didn't like it much, but I've read better smut on the internet. For free. There really is only so much sex you can have in one day, and I guess I'm more a fan of the "less details more imagination" writing style when it comes to smut. It wasn't badly written or anything, but I never felt any electricity.
Overall, it was not a challenging read, I read it within two hours easily enough. It's a nice book to relax and wind down with, if you're not up to something more stimulating. The romance is sweet, and believable, but on the whole, not one I enjoyed extensively and not one I'd read again.
Meh.
It could have been better; not a lot better, but still, it could have been better. The plot was okay, it wasn't too far-fetched and I guess it was kind of cute, the whole love story. I did enjoy reading it and there were places in the book that had me glued to the pages but overall, it was a big disappointment.
The characters were a bit one dimensional though, but maybe because there wasn't enough time to actually see the characters in different situations. I didn't fall to Kyler in any way, and this is odd for me, since I am so in love with so many other fictional characters. With Kyler, I couldn't even feel attracted to him, and that's not really a sign of good writing.
Lets move onto the sex. It was very bad. Disappointing. Awful, even. I don't know why I didn't like it much, but I've read better smut on the internet. For free. There really is only so much sex you can have in one day, and I guess I'm more a fan of the "less details more imagination" writing style when it comes to smut. It wasn't badly written or anything, but I never felt any electricity.
Overall, it was not a challenging read, I read it within two hours easily enough. It's a nice book to relax and wind down with, if you're not up to something more stimulating. The romance is sweet, and believable, but on the whole, not one I enjoyed extensively and not one I'd read again.