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artymis_ 's review for:
Under Construction
by Juliet M. Dixon
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
No notes.
Actually maybe one note. The only thing that didn't work for me was the 180 Dennis' dad does. Suddenly we're supposed to see him as a good dad? I mean, fair, compared to Chris' dad maybe, but everyone's dad is a good dad compared to Chris' dad.
It was disappointing because the enemies-to-lovers part was so good. As in, the author obviously knows how to establish an animosity between two characters and make one super unlikeable AND have a credible reason for their asshole behaviour in the first place. It makes perfect sense and it is SO GOOD.
There was zero of that in the way the dad went from total "I am my son's first bully" to "actually I love my son". And I just really hate "A+ parenting".
That's it, the only reason I docked half a star🥲 the romantic story was amazing and so tender and the buildup to that eventual "will they admit they love each other or nah" moment, and then the whole mystery?! I was so confused but it was intriguing and compelling and I love that in hindsight I could see the small clues that had been peppered in.
Also absolutely love an author who takes prep seriously!
And the dialogue was so witty.
Some of my fave quotes are under the spoiler!
"When their mouths meet, Chris's lips part instantly—no wariness, no calculation, just open and willing."
"Everything they shouldn't want is right here."
"Somehow, the construction site looks different in today’s morning light. Less like Dennis’s dream project and more like evidence of terrible life choices. Specifically, the kind that leaves finger-shaped bruises on your hips and stubble burn on your thighs."
"Chris brightens up. He roots around Dennis’s chest until he finds a nipple to suckle with a contented sigh. It's been a long day for everyone."
"Three days to ignore how his skin still hurts where Chris didn't touch him."
"He'd kiss Chris to shut him up, but that only encourages him."
Actually maybe one note. The only thing that didn't work for me was the 180 Dennis' dad does. Suddenly we're supposed to see him as a good dad? I mean, fair, compared to Chris' dad maybe, but everyone's dad is a good dad compared to Chris' dad.
It was disappointing because the enemies-to-lovers part was so good. As in, the author obviously knows how to establish an animosity between two characters and make one super unlikeable AND have a credible reason for their asshole behaviour in the first place. It makes perfect sense and it is SO GOOD.
There was zero of that in the way the dad went from total "I am my son's first bully" to "actually I love my son". And I just really hate "A+ parenting".
That's it, the only reason I docked half a star🥲 the romantic story was amazing and so tender and the buildup to that eventual "will they admit they love each other or nah" moment, and then the whole mystery?! I was so confused but it was intriguing and compelling and I love that in hindsight I could see the small clues that had been peppered in.
Also absolutely love an author who takes prep seriously!
And the dialogue was so witty.
Some of my fave quotes are under the spoiler!
"Everything they shouldn't want is right here."
"Somehow, the construction site looks different in today’s morning light. Less like Dennis’s dream project and more like evidence of terrible life choices. Specifically, the kind that leaves finger-shaped bruises on your hips and stubble burn on your thighs."
"Chris brightens up. He roots around Dennis’s chest until he finds a nipple to suckle with a contented sigh. It's been a long day for everyone."
"Three days to ignore how his skin still hurts where Chris didn't touch him."
"He'd kiss Chris to shut him up, but that only encourages him."