A review by imlaurenshelton
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

DNF. It just got increasingly sexual and vulgar towards the end which completely ruins a lighthearted read. I also think the graphic nature of some of these scenes should have warranted a warning, I tried skipping through the scenes, for my own personal reasons, but ended up just ending the book where I was at. Why? Because I’m sure it’s the same enemies to lovers cliche that there’s a misunderstanding and they break up but eventually get back together and I don’t need to trudge through chapters of ick to get there. Also, I did not like how possessive and demanding the love interest was - I’m sure that’s because it’s a sexual fantasy of some kind but I just, BLEH. I didn’t find either main character likable. I think my favorite character was the mom, maybe TJ. This reading experience soured me, I feel like it was built up to be such a good book and then heavily relied on cursing and sex to sell. If you want to read a book similar to this without the graphic nature (smut), I recommend The Unhoneymooners (fade to black) and I’m still looking for sex-free options.

Edit: Someone said Aaron is the reason they raised their standards for men and I am sobbing. 😭 What planet do we live on now? I don’t want to be here anymore. Good men exist, and they are not love-bombing, possessive, borderline stalkers like Aaron. “But he really loves her!” No- he’s obsessed with her! Find better, don’t settle for the first guy who says he’ll do anything for you, or the second, or the third. 🙄 Know your worth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Grief, and Racism

After chapter 20, it is just entirely too graphic in sexual nature for there not to have been a warning or label. I’m sure there’s books with much more depiction but for a lighthearted read, I was disappointed because this is why I DNF this book. There’s also a ridiculous amount of cussing, like an amount that makes me question if the author is getting paid for each word because I’ve never heard anyone use that much vulgar language consistently in real life. There are mentions of inappropriate sexual relationships, loss of parents, and a hint of racism and/or sexism that the main character experiences.