mya_jt 's review for:

Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody

2.5

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book is not something I would typically go for, and I thought I would quit pretty soon into it, but I actually did not! I read the whole thing. I enjoyed the pace and tone, it was almost always fun and fluffy. I mean, it really is what you'd expect from a book like this I think, as for some of what I didn't like, like its corny dialogue and unrealistic dynamics (eg. the whole population of two towns is getting into this high school hockey rivalry. bfr) and cringey references to 2024. And I feel like Reed, as a character, was so 2d and boring? Like, did we ever learn anything about him? I'm not sure.
Some notes from reading, just for fun:

• "There was a smear of grease on his cheek." Aw it takes me back to the baker trope! Why are working class romance protagonists always smearing stuff on their cheeks? Adorable.
• growl count  卌 I
•  How do you lose your footing nudging someone's shoulder?
• The dialogue "Watch it Hoffman." "Or what, Darling?" plus this winking at him "tauntingly" as he's pulled into the penalty box... like in complete seriousness tell me there is not real romantic tension between Reed and Jeremy. 
• Adding "I struggled to withhold a growl" to growl count btw

Basically, if you think you'd be into it, I'm guessing you probably will. It's still not my thing, but it was cute.