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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Title says it all. Hazelwood continues to write great steamy romances that are also problematic on so many levels. I don't know why I keep coming back when I know I'm going to be angry about some aspect of the relationship!
Ok I am an Ali Hazelwood apologist, but I did not love this one, and not just because of the weird conversations around their age gap. Somehow as a full-length novel this still FELT like a novella and I wish it hadn’t. Regarding the age gap though, I do think this relationship is giving “she’ll grow out of it” and the HEA doesn’t feel so EA after all…
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 3.75 stars
After reading about Rue and Eli in Not in Love (Not in Love, #1), Problematic Summer Romance shifts focus to Eli’s younger sister Maya and his best friend Conor. The biggest complication? Their age gap. When Eli’s destination wedding throws them together again, they're forced to face the tension that’s been simmering beneath the surface for years. Their chemistry is undeniable, but whether it’s something they can act on is a whole other problem.
First up, how enjoyable is this if you haven’t read Not in Love? Speaking from experience: definitely possible. This was my third Ali Hazelwood book, and Not in Love isn’t one of them. Despite that, I had no trouble diving into this story or connecting with the characters.
Maya is bold, funny, and easy to root for. I really enjoyed being in her head. She has a clear voice and a good balance of confidence and vulnerability. As for Conor, while I liked him and appreciated the bits we did get about his family issues and emotional baggage, I didn’t find him as compelling or well-developed as Hazelwood’s other male leads. There’s a lot of charm there, but I was left wanting more depth.
I’m not usually a fan of the age gap trope, but I think Hazelwood handled it well. It felt intentional and thoughtfully explored, not just used for drama. I don't know how it compares to other stories that handle this trope as it's not my cup of tea.
The structure includes two timelines: the past and the present. And while I tried to engage with the flashback chapters, I’ll admit that I gradually lost interest in them. I was more invested in what was happening in the present, and sometimes the back-and-forth felt like it slowed the momentum. That said, it’s a personal preference and others might find it adds meaningful context.
This book still had a lot of those Hazelwood hallmarks: witty dialogue, strong internal monologue, and some genuinely lovely moments between the leads. The story surprised me a few times too, and I appreciated that it didn’t always follow the expected path.
All in all, Problematic Summer Romance is a light, enjoyable read. It’s fun, a little angsty, and makes for a great beach or holiday pick. Not my favorite from Hazelwood, but still very much worth the read.
--------------
PRE READ
I wasn’t going to read this but that cover got me good
After reading about Rue and Eli in Not in Love (Not in Love, #1), Problematic Summer Romance shifts focus to Eli’s younger sister Maya and his best friend Conor. The biggest complication? Their age gap. When Eli’s destination wedding throws them together again, they're forced to face the tension that’s been simmering beneath the surface for years. Their chemistry is undeniable, but whether it’s something they can act on is a whole other problem.
First up, how enjoyable is this if you haven’t read Not in Love? Speaking from experience: definitely possible. This was my third Ali Hazelwood book, and Not in Love isn’t one of them. Despite that, I had no trouble diving into this story or connecting with the characters.
Maya is bold, funny, and easy to root for. I really enjoyed being in her head. She has a clear voice and a good balance of confidence and vulnerability. As for Conor, while I liked him and appreciated the bits we did get about his family issues and emotional baggage, I didn’t find him as compelling or well-developed as Hazelwood’s other male leads. There’s a lot of charm there, but I was left wanting more depth.
I’m not usually a fan of the age gap trope, but I think Hazelwood handled it well. It felt intentional and thoughtfully explored, not just used for drama. I don't know how it compares to other stories that handle this trope as it's not my cup of tea.
The structure includes two timelines: the past and the present. And while I tried to engage with the flashback chapters, I’ll admit that I gradually lost interest in them. I was more invested in what was happening in the present, and sometimes the back-and-forth felt like it slowed the momentum. That said, it’s a personal preference and others might find it adds meaningful context.
This book still had a lot of those Hazelwood hallmarks: witty dialogue, strong internal monologue, and some genuinely lovely moments between the leads. The story surprised me a few times too, and I appreciated that it didn’t always follow the expected path.
All in all, Problematic Summer Romance is a light, enjoyable read. It’s fun, a little angsty, and makes for a great beach or holiday pick. Not my favorite from Hazelwood, but still very much worth the read.
--------------
PRE READ
I wasn’t going to read this but that cover got me good
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved but wish I could have seen more of their epilogue
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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Just wasn’t invested in the story and didn’t care to continue listening