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liz_ross's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.0
Is it a much better example of how well Cass can write than The Betrothed? Yes, it is. It definitely is.
Is it still not enough? Absolutely.
Yes, the romance is better. First of all, it is not instalove. THANK GOD! Secondly, the love interest does have a personality this time! That's a really high standard to have after the first book; I don't think I would ever be this happy for having to think about a character's eye color because I can't remember it right away!
And let's be honest, it's extremly refreshing seeing an enemies to lovers done right. If all enemies to lovers relationships were done like this one, I would be much more willing to buy any enemies to lovers book reccommeded to me. Just two characters who hate each other and grow to love each other, without being toxic or havic a toxic past. A freaking healthy relationship!
<b>BUT</b> damn it! Hollis makes everyone around her happy for no reason but being the main character. And I could have dealt with it if Cass would just let that be, but she had to keep reminding me of that every freaking two pages. "Oh, Hollis was the only one that could make Jameson smile.", "Oh, Hollis is the first to make Evan smile is such a long time.", "Oh, Hollis, please don't change, you are a ray of sunshine and make everyone around you so happy they all can die at any second.". I got tired of that after the first five chapters.
Oh and the plot twists were so obvious that my brain was hurting that no one had figured them out yet. EVAN IS SUPOSED TO BE SMART, DAMN IT. AND HIS FATHER AND SCARLETT'S MOTHER ARE SUPPOSED TO BE STRATEGIST FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Also this book suffers from a Syndrome that unfortunatelly is way too common. The "somehow-everything-will-work-out-because-I-want-the-book-to-end-this-way Syndrome". It usually happens when the author of a book decides the book should end in a certain way (which, by the way, was obvious since the beginning of the first book), so it will end that way, no matter how far-fetched the plot has to become. Don't get me wrong, I loved the concept of that ending, but what the hell! With so many ways to put Hollis in the position she ended up, couldn't Cass have found something a little bit more realistic. How could anyone in their right mind accept that?!
Oh, but I did lovd the last scene of Jameson. It was PERFECT, chef-kiss kind of perfect actually.
Full review coming soon!
Is it still not enough? Absolutely.
Yes, the romance is better. First of all, it is not instalove. THANK GOD! Secondly, the love interest does have a personality this time! That's a really high standard to have after the first book; I don't think I would ever be this happy for having to think about a character's eye color because I can't remember it right away!
And let's be honest, it's extremly refreshing seeing an enemies to lovers done right. If all enemies to lovers relationships were done like this one, I would be much more willing to buy any enemies to lovers book reccommeded to me. Just two characters who hate each other and grow to love each other, without being toxic or havic a toxic past. A freaking healthy relationship!
<b>BUT</b> damn it! Hollis makes everyone around her happy for no reason but being the main character. And I could have dealt with it if Cass would just let that be, but she had to keep reminding me of that every freaking two pages. "Oh, Hollis was the only one that could make Jameson smile.", "Oh, Hollis is the first to make Evan smile is such a long time.", "Oh, Hollis, please don't change, you are a ray of sunshine and make everyone around you so happy they all can die at any second.". I got tired of that after the first five chapters.
Oh and the plot twists were so obvious that my brain was hurting that no one had figured them out yet. EVAN IS SUPOSED TO BE SMART, DAMN IT. AND HIS FATHER AND SCARLETT'S MOTHER ARE SUPPOSED TO BE STRATEGIST FOR GOD'S SAKE!
Also this book suffers from a Syndrome that unfortunatelly is way too common. The "somehow-everything-will-work-out-because-I-want-the-book-to-end-this-way Syndrome". It usually happens when the author of a book decides the book should end in a certain way (which, by the way, was obvious since the beginning of the first book), so it will end that way, no matter how far-fetched the plot has to become. Don't get me wrong, I loved the concept of that ending, but what the hell! With so many ways to put Hollis in the position she ended up, couldn't Cass have found something a little bit more realistic. How could anyone in their right mind accept that?!
Oh, but I did lovd the last scene of Jameson. It was PERFECT, chef-kiss kind of perfect actually.
Full review coming soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage