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A review by koistyfishy
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 Tide Pen Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level 0/5 (Closed Door)
So I went into this with really low expectations! My first Sarah Adams book left a bitter taste in my mouth because of the way she wrote the characters and because it felt like the FMC needed a man to find happiness. So trust me when I say that I am glad I have a rule to always try an author again. This felt as if a completely different person wrote it and none of the irritations I felt before were present here.
This is a dual POV following Bree and Nathan. Bree is a financially struggling ballet dancer, who due to an unfortunate knee accident dashed her dreams of going professional. Now she runs a dance studio for underprivileged girls who cannot afford the fees. Nathan is a professional football player and hotter than Adonis. This best friend to lovers basically starts with Bree walking into Nathan's house for their weekly traditional run (side note what crazy ass people run at 6 am in the morning) and after being accosted by Nathan's flame of the week, is chosen in the ensuing ultimatum - AS HIS FRIEND. It’s clear from the start that both of these characters are in love with each other (which they tell you in their respective POVs) but they have spent so long placing each other into the “friend zone” that neither knows how to dig themselves out. One drunken night out and one viral video later featuring a tide pen (for those of you who are not American this apparently is a magic strain removal pen you can carry around with you) and the two end up with a PR opportunity that can save Bree financially and give Nathan some good press… if the two pretend to be in a relationship.
I don’t think I have ever read a book where the FMC was a cinnamon roll but I cannot think of a better description for Bree. Bree is very sweet and innocent and sometimes can be viewed as childish or juvenile but I wasn’t bothered by this as I think that was all just an optimistic mask she has put in place to help her deal with the dark place she has had to move on from after her accident. She is a bubble of positivity, a lovable goofball, the ultimate “nice girl", and an absolute sweetheart who goes the extra mile to ensure everyone has their happiness above her own. She is Nathan’s biggest cheerleader and so supportive of his sport and his dreams. You can’t help but want to hug her while also protecting her from future challenges in life.
Nathan I expected a little more from him, he seemed to act at times like a prude teenager and at times like a 60-year-old grandpa. While his caring for Bree is adorable and it's super sweet how he has always looked after her in everything he did, I wish he fought a little more for her. I also didn't understand the cause of his panic attacks.
The main issue with this is the premise of the "Cheat Sheet" was fantastic and I expected to see more of how Nathan was going to put them into situations to test the limits, but a lot of these were just mentioned in passing like "Oh I tried this and it didn't work" and at some point, it seemed like the cheet sheet actually felt forgotten as the plot moved on. I just wanted it to play a bigger "Character" than it was and so as a result, Nathan felt a little weak - because even though this is dual POV it is majority focused on Bree's POV.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Ballet Dancer X Football Player
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Pining
▶ Fake Dating
Microtropes:
Ties her shoe
Tugs on her hair
Overall I found myself giggling, swooning, smiling and generally happy seeing their love unfold (or at least become visible to each other). If you are looking for something to just enjoy, that is sweet, cute and ditsy then this will be perfect for you! AND MORE PERFECT THAN THE BOOK WITH PERFECT IN ITS NAME!
Spicy Level 0/5 (Closed Door)
So I went into this with really low expectations! My first Sarah Adams book left a bitter taste in my mouth because of the way she wrote the characters and because it felt like the FMC needed a man to find happiness. So trust me when I say that I am glad I have a rule to always try an author again. This felt as if a completely different person wrote it and none of the irritations I felt before were present here.
This is a dual POV following Bree and Nathan. Bree is a financially struggling ballet dancer, who due to an unfortunate knee accident dashed her dreams of going professional. Now she runs a dance studio for underprivileged girls who cannot afford the fees. Nathan is a professional football player and hotter than Adonis. This best friend to lovers basically starts with Bree walking into Nathan's house for their weekly traditional run (side note what crazy ass people run at 6 am in the morning) and after being accosted by Nathan's flame of the week, is chosen in the ensuing ultimatum - AS HIS FRIEND. It’s clear from the start that both of these characters are in love with each other (which they tell you in their respective POVs) but they have spent so long placing each other into the “friend zone” that neither knows how to dig themselves out. One drunken night out and one viral video later featuring a tide pen (for those of you who are not American this apparently is a magic strain removal pen you can carry around with you) and the two end up with a PR opportunity that can save Bree financially and give Nathan some good press… if the two pretend to be in a relationship.
I don’t think I have ever read a book where the FMC was a cinnamon roll but I cannot think of a better description for Bree. Bree is very sweet and innocent and sometimes can be viewed as childish or juvenile but I wasn’t bothered by this as I think that was all just an optimistic mask she has put in place to help her deal with the dark place she has had to move on from after her accident. She is a bubble of positivity, a lovable goofball, the ultimate “nice girl", and an absolute sweetheart who goes the extra mile to ensure everyone has their happiness above her own. She is Nathan’s biggest cheerleader and so supportive of his sport and his dreams. You can’t help but want to hug her while also protecting her from future challenges in life.
Nathan I expected a little more from him, he seemed to act at times like a prude teenager and at times like a 60-year-old grandpa. While his caring for Bree is adorable and it's super sweet how he has always looked after her in everything he did, I wish he fought a little more for her. I also didn't understand the cause of his panic attacks.
The main issue with this is the premise of the "Cheat Sheet" was fantastic and I expected to see more of how Nathan was going to put them into situations to test the limits, but a lot of these were just mentioned in passing like "Oh I tried this and it didn't work" and at some point, it seemed like the cheet sheet actually felt forgotten as the plot moved on. I just wanted it to play a bigger "Character" than it was and so as a result, Nathan felt a little weak - because even though this is dual POV it is majority focused on Bree's POV.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Ballet Dancer X Football Player
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Pining
▶ Fake Dating
Microtropes:
Ties her shoe
Tugs on her hair
Overall I found myself giggling, swooning, smiling and generally happy seeing their love unfold (or at least become visible to each other). If you are looking for something to just enjoy, that is sweet, cute and ditsy then this will be perfect for you! AND MORE PERFECT THAN THE BOOK WITH PERFECT IN ITS NAME!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident