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syndi3's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gosh, you guys! This is the best book I read from Miss Hart so far. It is freaking romantic. Two broken characters from opposite end find each other in a reality show. Do not worry the reality show just the background.
I sacrifices my sleep just to finished this book. So sweet. Their attraction is unbelievable romantic. Swoony. Tender. Cute.
I am grinning like a fool typing this blog. So perfect.
I sacrifices my sleep just to finished this book. So sweet. Their attraction is unbelievable romantic. Swoony. Tender. Cute.
I am grinning like a fool typing this blog. So perfect.
hijinx_abound's review
2.0
A book about a reality show being filmed in a tattoo shop. Never read one before. A family business that turns out to be laundering money for the Bratva. I may have read that before. A big hairy tattoo artist who was burned so badly by love that he’s never doing that again. I’ve definitely seen that.
This book sounded so good. It was billed as a rom com but it was not that at all. It is more drama than rom com.
I liked Joel and Annika. I liked the surrounding characters. The entire story was just okay for me. I’d hoped there’d be more humor and more push and pull but although there was a lot of bang, there was not much flash. I wanted banter and snark and I got about 5 pages of it.
This book sounded so good. It was billed as a rom com but it was not that at all. It is more drama than rom com.
I liked Joel and Annika. I liked the surrounding characters. The entire story was just okay for me. I’d hoped there’d be more humor and more push and pull but although there was a lot of bang, there was not much flash. I wanted banter and snark and I got about 5 pages of it.
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book! Sexy Joel with his tattoos and love of reading and Annika with her icy disposition until you get to know her. Loved the chemistry between these two and the super steamy scenes. The only tiny complaint is that I wish the epilogue was a little further in the future.
rlp78's review against another edition
5.0
I immediately drop what I'm reading when this author's books come out. I've loved all her books and this was no exception. It would have been nice to see some of my favorite characters from her other books besides Trick but that's only a minor quibble. I loved the story and the characters. Great book!
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
I’ll admit, I wasn’t too sure about this book when I first started it. It wasn’t popping off the pages at me and the characters didn’t feel unique, but I was wrong. I kept reading and it proved me wrong. Once it opened itself to me, once it wasn’t scared to veer from the norm, it became something amazing. Hart made it feel unique simply by the way she penned it.
Our two characters have every reason to avoid one another; not just for the sake of their hearts, but their jobs. And while that forbidden nature made the sexual tension what it was, it was more than that. I loved these two characters and how Hart wrote them. Annika may be icy and standoffish, which can turn a reader off when done incorrectly, but her icy still felt very aware and conscientious. Joel, on the other hand, he was both fun and charming. They had a really enjoyable dynamic that, once it got going, grabbed at me. I felt the way he affected her and gave her what she was missing of herself.
This is my first Staci Hart novel, and I’ve gotta say that her writing is wonderful and unique–most especially her love scenes. They’re poetic, rhythmic, and sensational. I’ve never read something so beautiful as when she brought these two characters together. Each time. The pure emotion was conveyed by small spins on simple phrases or actions that changed the readers’ viewpoint just enough to bring out the pure beauty of a word or action. It’s not sexy to be sexy, but sexy because it isn’t trying. I was blown away by how new TONIC felt and how much I enjoyed their love story. The writing was easy to follow and refreshing in how the story was conveyed. I fell in love with every aspect and wasn’t quite ready to let them go at the end.
**Received an early copy**
Our two characters have every reason to avoid one another; not just for the sake of their hearts, but their jobs. And while that forbidden nature made the sexual tension what it was, it was more than that. I loved these two characters and how Hart wrote them. Annika may be icy and standoffish, which can turn a reader off when done incorrectly, but her icy still felt very aware and conscientious. Joel, on the other hand, he was both fun and charming. They had a really enjoyable dynamic that, once it got going, grabbed at me. I felt the way he affected her and gave her what she was missing of herself.
This is my first Staci Hart novel, and I’ve gotta say that her writing is wonderful and unique–most especially her love scenes. They’re poetic, rhythmic, and sensational. I’ve never read something so beautiful as when she brought these two characters together. Each time. The pure emotion was conveyed by small spins on simple phrases or actions that changed the readers’ viewpoint just enough to bring out the pure beauty of a word or action. It’s not sexy to be sexy, but sexy because it isn’t trying. I was blown away by how new TONIC felt and how much I enjoyed their love story. The writing was easy to follow and refreshing in how the story was conveyed. I fell in love with every aspect and wasn’t quite ready to let them go at the end.
**Received an early copy**
mags_louise's review
4.0
4.5☆
A really enjoyable story, that really drew me in and kept me hooked until the very end.
The two main characters Joel and Annika were really likable, and they had a lot of chemistry. Which lead to some pretty hot moments between the pair, along with some fun ones too. Plus the story itself was really intriguing especially with the amount of Reality Shows on television. It was interesting to see how they work behind the scenes and this was such a great insight into them. Not to mention the cast of characters involved. Who I would honestly love to read more about.
Overall though it was a really great read, and as a new author to me I will definitely be checking out more books by this author and would definitely recommend this story to others and can certainly see myself rereading this book in the future.
A really enjoyable story, that really drew me in and kept me hooked until the very end.
The two main characters Joel and Annika were really likable, and they had a lot of chemistry. Which lead to some pretty hot moments between the pair, along with some fun ones too. Plus the story itself was really intriguing especially with the amount of Reality Shows on television. It was interesting to see how they work behind the scenes and this was such a great insight into them. Not to mention the cast of characters involved. Who I would honestly love to read more about.
Overall though it was a really great read, and as a new author to me I will definitely be checking out more books by this author and would definitely recommend this story to others and can certainly see myself rereading this book in the future.
taliabasma's review against another edition
I gotta copy another review of someone else because SAME FOR ME -
It’s not badly written and I like Joel but in chapter 2 I was already over it and NGL Annika mentioned Israel (vs Palestine) and I tried not to let that tap me out but it def did seal the deal that I wasn’t gonna enjoy this book.
It’s not badly written and I like Joel but in chapter 2 I was already over it and NGL Annika mentioned Israel (vs Palestine) and I tried not to let that tap me out but it def did seal the deal that I wasn’t gonna enjoy this book.
cooterbooter's review
5.0
One of my favorite reads by Staci. There’s no lack of talent in creating this gem. Joel and Annika’s romance is one of my first reads. It’s pure, unadulterated, chaos and passion. Staci has a way of making you feel every emotion so fully. Great read!
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Tonic Stars
Hmm this is hard to rate, I love some parts, I liked some parts and I didn't like some part.
I was a fan of Joel’s right from the beginning. And his brother worms his way into my heart.
I see why Joel is how he is and trust is HUGE to him because of his past.
Annika wasn't my favorite character like at all. Even though I know it’s just a book I don’t like what she did, how she did it and why she did it.
Is it mean of me that she kind of got what she deserves? Yes it is and I know this but I can’t help but think good take that.
But forgiveness is divine an all that right? So I had to think of them together, and how she makes Joel feel and how her being in his life was for the better. So I have to forgive her for hurting him.
There is a scene with Liz, his ex that is probably my favorite, and that is why I had to forgive Annika for her actions.
And the ending was pretty freaking awesome too.
Jason Clarke can read me the phone book and I would listen.. :D Just saying he did a heck of a job bringing Joel to life for me.
Kristen Leigh also does a great job. Even if I didn't like her character she still did a fabulous job.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Hmm this is hard to rate, I love some parts, I liked some parts and I didn't like some part.
I was a fan of Joel’s right from the beginning. And his brother worms his way into my heart.
I see why Joel is how he is and trust is HUGE to him because of his past.
Annika wasn't my favorite character like at all. Even though I know it’s just a book I don’t like what she did, how she did it and why she did it.
Is it mean of me that she kind of got what she deserves? Yes it is and I know this but I can’t help but think good take that.
But forgiveness is divine an all that right? So I had to think of them together, and how she makes Joel feel and how her being in his life was for the better. So I have to forgive her for hurting him.
There is a scene with Liz, his ex that is probably my favorite, and that is why I had to forgive Annika for her actions.
And the ending was pretty freaking awesome too.
Jason Clarke can read me the phone book and I would listen.. :D Just saying he did a heck of a job bringing Joel to life for me.
Kristen Leigh also does a great job. Even if I didn't like her character she still did a fabulous job.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
bookaddict1975's review against another edition
4.0
🎧 Audio Review 🎧
I enjoyed this book because it had a different story line from what i've read before. I loved how just because Joel looks like a bad boy is was everything but. Annika was a little stuffy for me in the beginning but she grew on me, especially when reading about her relationship with her niece. All around this was a good book and I will be listening to more by Stati Hart.
Narration was good!
I enjoyed this book because it had a different story line from what i've read before. I loved how just because Joel looks like a bad boy is was everything but. Annika was a little stuffy for me in the beginning but she grew on me, especially when reading about her relationship with her niece. All around this was a good book and I will be listening to more by Stati Hart.
Narration was good!