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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
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:
Complicated
Kandi is forever making me fall in love with fictional men and it’s just really not fair!
Leo and Mary “met” in school while playing video games online. They talked all the time and she really started having feelings for him. Leo being a teenage boy really screw up when they have to chance to actually meet, except he doesn’t know that she is his gaming friend. All those years later she ends up being his neighbor and she still HATES him. When a flooded apartment has her moving in with him it’s like her worst nightmare until they kinda hit off.
I loved Mary & how relatable she was. I also loved her black cat energy that she gave off. Every black cat needs a golden retriever though and Leo Hernandez filled that role perfectly. He was so devoted to Mary even before he knew about their shared past. I loved the two of them together so much that this will be one I read over and over. I don’t know what was going on to inspire this series for Kandi, but I really need it to keep happening because this was amazing!
fast-paced
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm in love with Leo Hernandez. I love it when the mmc is pathetic in love with her woman. Leo checks all the boxes- sarcastic, emotional, utterly pathetic in love and understanding. He's a complete package who deserves all the love. I'm more in love with Leo than the book itself.
My heart breaks for 15 years old Mary who has to go through bullying which made her high school insufferable.
But the transformation from a self-conscious girl to a confident and independent woman has all my heart.
The misunderstanding trope served so well. She held onto anger and hurt thinking he rejected her and him being hurt broken because the only girl he was vulnerable with ghosted him. It was so good and intense.
Both of them wore the sarcastic shield effortlessly. Enjoyed the top tier chemistry, angst, sexual tension and everything in between.
Braden and Kyle were such a good roommates and I love their bond and banters.
Just felt a little stretched towards the end but overall it was a good read.
Sometimes romance novels just fall into a sort of formula after a certain amount read in a row. Especially in a standalone series. But, god, Leo and Mary did not disappoint. Mary seriously kicks some major ass, like that is what I'm talking about when I say strong FMC! I think the Red Zone Rivals needed some of her in their lives, she is as close to perfect as I feel one can get. I love how even in our third act when she's been wronged (I won't say by who or how) she does NOT take it lying down. She fights. And then she fights. And then she fights some more. AS SHE SHOULD, good for her. This coming together of two people was so healing for me. I'm not used to seeing characters like Leo in a high-intensity-sport-type read. It gave me a whole new slew of favorite microtropes and standards for a man. Seriously, I could not get enough of it. This is exactly the happy ending I wanted for Leo and Mary.
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
3.5 stars
a bit boring but was still a fun read! spice was great.
a bit boring but was still a fun read! spice was great.
emotional
funny
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
I want to BE Mary! And obviously, I want to date Leo. Such a fun second-chance love story about two sweet souls who met when they were young but got together when they were actually ready for each other. Mary is so right for making Leo grovel, and boy is he ready to put in the work for her! She's such a fun relatable character, a badass woman trying to make her way in the world on her own terms, and he's such a cocky but sweet boy ready to give her everything she deserves. Loved these two!