hellobookbird 's review for:

Love At First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi

2.0

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When would men realize that women wanted someone who looked like he could throw them on the bed, play a sport, but also say hell yes to a slice of cake?

DNF @ 30%.

This started off well: a small Rosemary is introduced to the world of ghosts through her Nana's passing in which she makes jam with her Nana one last time.

Seeing ghosts for an adult Rosemary is just another source of inspiration for her horror bestsellers...one of which now has a movie deal and she is relocating to London for. She has a witchy and a sassy set of best friends that support her through herbs and video calls.

That's...kinda where the enchantment ended for me. Her reasons for disliking the actor portraying her main character were valid but the execution of her dislike was less than stellar in real time. Their first interaction was a misunderstanding. Their third felt entirely scripted (I don't know about you but I can see if someone is swimming underwater...also, kind of a stretch that he can hold his breath long enough for her to not only get a floaty put in and sit in it but to begin reading in the perfect spot for him to capsize her when he comes up to breathe?) to solidify her dislike.

As for him, he didn't like her before he met her but once he did it's pretty much the insta-lust variety...which wouldn't be a total problem except that there is little else he thinks about aside from her.

There is also a hint of dom/sub culture that felt a little unnaturally introduced to me...as well as other scenarios that felt manufactured to throw peeps together.

I want things to flow naturally. Very disappointed because this sounded 100% up my alley! I was promised "clashes" and "chemistry-filled feuding" and I'm just not getting it.

Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC.