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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
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
brookey8888's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
I’m not sure way this has such a low rating. I really enjoyed it. I really liked Darcy as a mine character. I thought she was funny. I also really related to some of her struggles and I’m glad their was chronic illness representation in this. I did enjoy the romantic dynamic between her and Tom and the slow burn. I did enjoy seeing her relationship with her brother grow because he was honestly getting on my last nerve until like 90%. I usually don’t like friends to lovers but I really enjoyed this one. I think was the protective and jealousy tropes to be honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Grief, and Death
misbohan's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
martamae77's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kfmcf's review
emotional
funny
reflective
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
I'm such a sucker for the "long time friends" trope. I find Darcy to be a tad obnoxious but not hateable in any way. I felt the chemistry between her and Tom and understood that her personality was a defense mechanism.
Jamie was the worst character until he arrived (still the worst but better).
I think this book would have been perfect if it was a bit shorter and tighter. I felt this way about 'Second First Impressions' as well, but I also enjoyed that book.
I do like Thorne's character development and overall writing and will continue to read what she publishes!
Jamie was the worst character until he arrived (still the worst but better).
I think this book would have been perfect if it was a bit shorter and tighter. I felt this way about 'Second First Impressions' as well, but I also enjoyed that book.
I do like Thorne's character development and overall writing and will continue to read what she publishes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol and Death