Scan barcode
bella613's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was cute. I haven’t actually read the hating game, but I watched it. I listened to this because I loved that one. It’s not quite as good but it’s a fun read and there aren’t giant red flags all over the relationship like some romance books.
I liked the characters, and the premise, but I did put it down a couple times because it didn’t hold me captive. The narrator was good and easy to listen to. Will probably look into more from the author.
I liked the characters, and the premise, but I did put it down a couple times because it didn’t hold me captive. The narrator was good and easy to listen to. Will probably look into more from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Death
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A lot of people aren’t fans of this book but I honestly have had a great time each time I’ve read it
Tom is such a button and I loved him and Darcy together. They both had to fight deeply ingrained insecurities to allow themselves their HEA. These types of stories are my favourite to read.
I would even be down to read Jamie and Truly’s story (loved her but liked him a lot less. I would enjoy seeing him taken down a few pegs).
Tom is such a button and I loved him and Darcy together. They both had to fight deeply ingrained insecurities to allow themselves their HEA. These types of stories are my favourite to read.
I would even be down to read Jamie and Truly’s story (loved her but liked him a lot less. I would enjoy seeing him taken down a few pegs).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Medical content and Sexual content
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I don't care if Sally Thorne doesn't want this to be compared to THG, it's her sophomore novel, of course it's going to compared.
Darcy feels like Thorne read all the criticism she got on Lucy and, in one alcohol-fueled night, created Darcy Bennett. Don't get me wrong – Darcy's fun. But she doesn't feel real, not like Lucy did.
This book is mainly one thing and that is weird. Really strange. It feels like so many different genres all at once. We've got romance (trying to be a rom-com? Who knows.), loooads of litfic vibes and a weird furry/urban fantasy sideplot.
There were so many small parts of this I loved. It took me some time to get into it but I think the middle section was truly the strongest. Yes, Darcy and Tom are both dickheads but I was still rooting for them.
Still, I could already tell their relationship wasn't quite...healthy. There are multiple instances of them describing, in graphic detail, how they'd kill the other's love interests. It became very weird very quickly.
Then – there was the fireplace scene. God, the fucking fireplace scene. That's when I decided to stop reading because I just knew I couldn't love Tom again afterwards. He does the one thing Darcy asks him not to do and when she gets upset (as is her right!) he lets out his sob story. Fuck you Tom and fuck your sob story.
I did really love the chronic illness rep – as a fellow very messy patient who realised she'd run out of her meds a few days ago and it's now Sunday, while I was listening to this, I could very much relate.
The THG epilogue had me squealing, though. Seems like the perfect time for a reread...
Darcy feels like Thorne read all the criticism she got on Lucy and, in one alcohol-fueled night, created Darcy Bennett. Don't get me wrong – Darcy's fun. But she doesn't feel real, not like Lucy did.
This book is mainly one thing and that is weird. Really strange. It feels like so many different genres all at once. We've got romance (trying to be a rom-com? Who knows.), loooads of litfic vibes and a weird furry/urban fantasy sideplot.
There were so many small parts of this I loved. It took me some time to get into it but I think the middle section was truly the strongest. Yes, Darcy and Tom are both dickheads but I was still rooting for them.
Still, I could already tell their relationship wasn't quite...healthy. There are multiple instances of them describing, in graphic detail, how they'd kill the other's love interests. It became very weird very quickly.
Then – there was the fireplace scene. God, the fucking fireplace scene. That's when I decided to stop reading because I just knew I couldn't love Tom again afterwards. He does the one thing Darcy asks him not to do and when she gets upset (as is her right!) he lets out his sob story. Fuck you Tom and fuck your sob story.
I did really love the chronic illness rep – as a fellow very messy patient who realised she'd run out of her meds a few days ago and it's now Sunday, while I was listening to this, I could very much relate.
The THG epilogue had me squealing, though. Seems like the perfect time for a reread...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, Sexual content, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Classism, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
sara_med_h's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical content
alisonreadsitall's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly, Darcy annoyed me. I think I would have liked this book so much better if she had any will power. Tom was precious and everything you could have asked for in a MMC.
3.25 stars ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
<Spoiler>
Like I understand that she lived a pretty traumatic life with her heart condition, but that’s no excuse to say whatever is on your mind at any given point and constantly leave people on a whim.
I really enjoyed the ending and appreciate the medical representation in Darcy, but I just could not get over her annoying personality. 🫣 </Spoiler>
Tropes:
Brothers Best friend
Opposites Attract
3.25 stars ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
<Spoiler>
Like I understand that she lived a pretty traumatic life with her heart condition, but that’s no excuse to say whatever is on your mind at any given point and constantly leave people on a whim.
I really enjoyed the ending and appreciate the medical representation in Darcy, but I just could not get over her annoying personality. 🫣 </Spoiler>
Tropes:
Brothers Best friend
Opposites Attract
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
whackettreading's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
kshertz's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thought this was a very good follow up after having read the hating game. While I like the hating game more, this is a close second. I love that they fell in love as kids and never really stop loving each other. I love the side story for her twin brother. I love that she’s a rebel with short hair. I love that they get called out on a selfishness as rich twins. I thought it was a sweet easy read that’s fairly predictable but definitely fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Medical content
lisa_m's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this better than the Hating Game. I think I just related to the characters more. The Hating Game just felt soo fictional and this book sometimes does too but it still felt way more real somehow.
There were still some weird dynamics that you have to overlook in order to enjoy this book though.
Tom Vakeska, the love interest is a childhood friend and is throughout the book referred to as "adopted" or "the third sibling". That made me a bit uncomfortable tbh but other than that there dynamic was quite cute.
What made me like this book was that two of my favourite tropes are in it:
1. absolute adoration / being 100% in love with no other option + lots and lots of pining
2. they know each other so so well including their worst flaws and still they love each other.
Also there is the sibling relationship between Darcy and her brother which was so heartwarming. I mean they fight a lot and I sometimes thought they genuinely hate each other but when they show how much they each care about the other person it's so adorable!
There were still some weird dynamics that you have to overlook in order to enjoy this book though.
Tom Vakeska, the love interest is a childhood friend and is throughout the book referred to as "adopted" or "the third sibling". That made me a bit uncomfortable tbh but other than that there dynamic was quite cute.
What made me like this book was that two of my favourite tropes are in it:
1. absolute adoration / being 100% in love with no other option + lots and lots of pining
2. they know each other so so well including their worst flaws and still they love each other.
Also there is the sibling relationship between Darcy and her brother which was so heartwarming. I mean they fight a lot and I sometimes thought they genuinely hate each other but when they show how much they each care about the other person it's so adorable!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
srah's review
4.0
Being possessive is kind of a turnoff for me, but because they were both so intense, it built a lot of tension, and that was good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
glacial_erratic848's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Was this the worst book I've ever read? At least in recent memory, yes it is.
Any cute romantic tropes are vastly overshadowed by the characters' self-hate and the toxic, controlling relationship the male twin has over the female twin and their best friend. None of this is acknowledged or dealt with.
Apart from the bad writing and shallow characters, I can't believe the author would romanticize emotional abuse and try to sell it as a romance novel. Very poorly done.
Any cute romantic tropes are vastly overshadowed by the characters' self-hate and the toxic, controlling relationship the male twin has over the female twin and their best friend. None of this is acknowledged or dealt with.
Apart from the bad writing and shallow characters, I can't believe the author would romanticize emotional abuse and try to sell it as a romance novel. Very poorly done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content