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A review by joy_s
Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I knew going into this I wasn’t going to love it or even like it that much, I will admit. But god this was a toxic book. I was uncomfortable from the outset.
Warren is dangerous and gross and rape-y and entitled and a bastard. Not in a hot way. At all. Every time he speaks badly of himself he’s right, until he takes this sharp left turn every time: I’m not crazy or purely horny, it must be the girl’s fault for being mean and hot. It’s her fault I want to stalk her and make her increasingly uncomfortable until she has no choice but to submit to my force and lust.
He has no patience or understanding for her upbringing/situation/etc. at all. He’s dismissive and shallow and rude. Bridgette is a “bitch” and the author does make her unlikeable. That’s for sure. She reaaallllyyy wants you to be on Warren’s side. Warren is just interested in fucking the hot girl, and Bridgette just wants to make everyone’s life miserable. They’re perfect together.
Sure, it’s a schlocky romance novella. You’re not supposed to think these people are real or honest depictions of a serious romance. I don’t care. This really bothered me, and just brushing this off as a silly romance doesn’t make lazy writing like this acceptable. Yes, I just read this to be annoyed a bit by a shitty little romance book and get a kick out of it, but I didn’t read this to be left uncomfortable and angry.
Is anyone sure Colleen Hoover has ever spoken to another woman? Let alone any person who partakes in safe! sexual power play?
Warren is dangerous and gross and rape-y and entitled and a bastard. Not in a hot way. At all. Every time he speaks badly of himself he’s right, until he takes this sharp left turn every time: I’m not crazy or purely horny, it must be the girl’s fault for being mean and hot. It’s her fault I want to stalk her and make her increasingly uncomfortable until she has no choice but to submit to my force and lust.
He has no patience or understanding for her upbringing/situation/etc. at all. He’s dismissive and shallow and rude. Bridgette is a “bitch” and the author does make her unlikeable. That’s for sure. She reaaallllyyy wants you to be on Warren’s side. Warren is just interested in fucking the hot girl, and Bridgette just wants to make everyone’s life miserable. They’re perfect together.
Sure, it’s a schlocky romance novella. You’re not supposed to think these people are real or honest depictions of a serious romance. I don’t care. This really bothered me, and just brushing this off as a silly romance doesn’t make lazy writing like this acceptable. Yes, I just read this to be annoyed a bit by a shitty little romance book and get a kick out of it, but I didn’t read this to be left uncomfortable and angry.
Is anyone sure Colleen Hoover has ever spoken to another woman? Let alone any person who partakes in safe! sexual power play?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting