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kal517's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
4/5 stars
1/5 spice
Such a fun and swoon worthy read. I loved how Oliver and Luc worked together.
This is my second read by Alexis Hall, and I loved it! I had a lot of girly giggly moments that had me swooning, just like Luc. I loved how both characters are flawed and relatable. Luc is publicly a mess and is constantly putting his foot in his mouth, but he comes across as likable because he's not an arrogant asshole. He just wants to be stable... so, of course, relatable. Oliver, on the other hand, had the appearance of someone who is put together with all their ducks in a row. However, as the story progresses, you get a glimpse of all the ways he's very much NOT ok and how much he needs help.
I didn't expect this to be single POV so I found myself craving Oliver's POV a few times. I always love seeing how the MCs see different interactions.
Overall, highly recommend for fans of opposites attract and fake dating with swoony moments.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Moments of homophobia, bigotry, body shaming, gaslighting, and emotional abuse. Mentions cancer and mental health issues.
1/5 spice
Such a fun and swoon worthy read. I loved how Oliver and Luc worked together.
This is my second read by Alexis Hall, and I loved it! I had a lot of girly giggly moments that had me swooning, just like Luc. I loved how both characters are flawed and relatable. Luc is publicly a mess and is constantly putting his foot in his mouth, but he comes across as likable because he's not an arrogant asshole. He just wants to be stable... so, of course, relatable. Oliver, on the other hand, had the appearance of someone who is put together with all their ducks in a row. However, as the story progresses, you get a glimpse of all the ways he's very much NOT ok and how much he needs help.
I didn't expect this to be single POV so I found myself craving Oliver's POV a few times. I always love seeing how the MCs see different interactions.
Overall, highly recommend for fans of opposites attract and fake dating with swoony moments.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Moments of homophobia, bigotry, body shaming, gaslighting, and emotional abuse. Mentions cancer and mental health issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content
gooseboy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
3.25
so. on one hand, i laughed out loud multiple times reading this book. on the other hand, i got so bored during the middle that i ended up skimming through maybe seven chapters? i just wanted something to happen, and there wasn't enough tension/yearning to keep me engaged.
general+ending spoilers
i wish we could've seen more of the supporting friend group, because honestly they were the funniest part of the book for me. everyone watching from the car during luc's awful undump-me speech was fantastic lol. also the ending was really abrupt. almost feels like there was a third missing act.
general+ending spoilers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Addiction and Racism
athenathestorier's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
What happens when two broken-down men enter into a fake relationship of mutual benefit? This humorous novel tells us. It tells us that love might not cure all, and definitely not overnight, but having someone to support you, defend you, cheer for you, and be there through the rough parts definitely helps - whether that be a complementary-opposite romantic partner, a gaggle of teasing and sarcastic friends, or family members that show unconditional love. It shows that healing dominoes into a variety of parts of your life. It shows that not all single-parent families are a mess, nor that all happily-married-parent homes are healthy.
I'm all for these valuable messages, especially in the way that they wove together throughout the book. I also loved the reoccurring scenes where Luc tries to tell his literal-minded coworker(s) jokes, before having to give up with promises to do better next time. It was a quirk that I surprisingly enjoyed, and reminded me of the energy found in old sitcoms. It was all relatable and humorous, and sometimes I even laughed out loud. Also, did I spot a QPR in there?
But the same sarcasm and wit that Luc used to keep people from getting too close, also kept us readers from getting too emotionally attached. It made the moments of conflict, climaxes, and even romantic moments felt rather muted. In fact, I feel like I was more consistently onboard with the friendships and mother-son moments than the romance. But that might also be because of the pacing: the first climax happened around 50% into the book, and was resolved quickly. The final climax happened at 90% of the book and, on behalf of being so close to the end, felt rather easily resolved as well.
In another old sitcom-like gesture, we also get some supporting characters who had about 1/4 of a functioning braincell - so much so that they struggled to follow simple lines of conversations. This is a particular character archetype that I've personally never been fond of and rather forgot that it existed.
Memorable Quotes:
"I've never seen the point of fancy dress parties. You have two choices: either you make a massive effort and wind up looking like a disk, or you make no effort and wind up looking like a dick. And my problem, as always, was not knowing what kind of dick I wanted to be."
"Someone else's actions may affect you. But what other people choose to do is about them."
"Will it ever stop hurting?"
"Non." Mum shook her head. "But it will stop mattering."
"Are we really bad at this?" I asked. "We've been fake broken up once."
"Yes, but we fake resolved our difficulties and fake got back together, and I'm hoping it's made us fake stronger."
"Awkward as this is, I like to feel that 'slightly more friends than you can fit around your table' is exactly the right number of friends to have."
I'm all for these valuable messages, especially in the way that they wove together throughout the book. I also loved the reoccurring scenes where Luc tries to tell his literal-minded coworker(s) jokes, before having to give up with promises to do better next time. It was a quirk that I surprisingly enjoyed, and reminded me of the energy found in old sitcoms. It was all relatable and humorous, and sometimes I even laughed out loud. Also, did I spot a QPR in there?
But the same sarcasm and wit that Luc used to keep people from getting too close, also kept us readers from getting too emotionally attached. It made the moments of conflict, climaxes, and even romantic moments felt rather muted. In fact, I feel like I was more consistently onboard with the friendships and mother-son moments than the romance. But that might also be because of the pacing: the first climax happened around 50% into the book, and was resolved quickly. The final climax happened at 90% of the book and, on behalf of being so close to the end, felt rather easily resolved as well.
In another old sitcom-like gesture, we also get some supporting characters who had about 1/4 of a functioning braincell - so much so that they struggled to follow simple lines of conversations. This is a particular character archetype that I've personally never been fond of and rather forgot that it existed.
Memorable Quotes:
"I've never seen the point of fancy dress parties. You have two choices: either you make a massive effort and wind up looking like a disk, or you make no effort and wind up looking like a dick. And my problem, as always, was not knowing what kind of dick I wanted to be."
"Someone else's actions may affect you. But what other people choose to do is about them."
"Will it ever stop hurting?"
"Non." Mum shook her head. "But it will stop mattering."
"Are we really bad at this?" I asked. "We've been fake broken up once."
"Yes, but we fake resolved our difficulties and fake got back together, and I'm hoping it's made us fake stronger."
"Awkward as this is, I like to feel that 'slightly more friends than you can fit around your table' is exactly the right number of friends to have."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Sexual content
frenchpants's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Homophobia
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cancer, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
itsapaxycab's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet and entertaining story about two trash fire men (affectionate) realizing they actually have emotions and that’s allowed. Sometimes i wanted to shake them for this. Overall a great and funny read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder
evelynyle_88'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
mousmoulo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
between some of the cringiest sentences i've ever read, oliver speaking like he was ai generated, luc being sincerely insufferable in the first half and the worst 3rd-act breakup of all time—this was surprisingly enjoyable lol
also it was pretty fucking funny i won't lie (though i will say, it's a very british-sitcom-y type of humour that probably isn't everyone's cup of tea). still deeply unsure why, but the sentence "with his guitar cradled on his knee like it was a dying lamb" made me laugh so hard i cried and i still can't think about it without cracking up
also it was pretty fucking funny i won't lie (though i will say, it's a very british-sitcom-y type of humour that probably isn't everyone's cup of tea). still deeply unsure why, but the sentence "with his guitar cradled on his knee like it was a dying lamb" made me laugh so hard i cried and i still can't think about it without cracking up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
startjpw23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This novel is set in England. Lucien is the son of rock star parents. His father is a long-time rock star who is having a career resurgence as a mentor on a music reality show. His mother had a short period of fame years ago before she got out of the business. Lucien's father left them when Lucien was 3. Lucien is 28 and struggling. He works for a charity where he is involved in fundraising. He thinks he won't be able to get another job if he loses this job. His last relationship didn't end well. He settles for short hookups. He is a minor celebrity because of his father. The tabloid paparazzi sometimes photograph him and have writeups about him in their papers. One night they photograph him in what was actually an innocent situation. The writeup takes liberties. Many of the donors are older English people. A few drop their sponsorship of the charity because the recent photo and writeup lead them to conclude that Lucien is a "bad gay". Between a co-worker and Lucien's friends, they decide he needs a fake boyfriend who will return him to a positive light in the press. And convince the donors who dropped him, or who might be thinking of dropping him, that he is a "good gay". The fake boyfriend they chose is Oliver. Oliver had a couple of brief interactions with Lucien in the past that didn't end well. The book is touching in parts. And funny in parts. Both Lucien and Oliver shoot themselves in the foot at points. But I rooted for them. There were some English references that I didn't get. That didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I will read more books from author Alexis Hall.
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Homophobia, and Sexual content