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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
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
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
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
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
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
sheshallbenamed's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
nila's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really liked Tom, the love interest. I'm a sucker for a person who's just trying their best. I really hoped I'd like Darcy eventually, but her character never seemed to learn from her mistakes or show any consideration for Tom or other characters, until the last few chapters... And by then, the development just felt rushed. The dialogue between all the characters was just repeating itself throughout the book and that was also tiring.
I also think Thorne has tried to put all the tropes into the book, and naturally didn't have enough time to fully explore all of them satisfyingly, so there are certain things that just seemed a bit out of left field or that is was added as an afterthought...
All in all, its a sweet and fun book, and I think it checks most of the boxes of what you want from a romance read
I also think Thorne has tried to put all the tropes into the book, and naturally didn't have enough time to fully explore all of them satisfyingly, so there are certain things that just seemed a bit out of left field or that is was added as an afterthought...
All in all, its a sweet and fun book, and I think it checks most of the boxes of what you want from a romance read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexual content
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