A review by kayetaz
It's Complicated by Eden Finley

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? Yes

2.0

2 ⭐️

Spice: 🌶️/5

Format: audiobook

Narration: 🎤🎤/5

Deke was my very first book of the Sadenverse so I’ve always had a soft spot for Ollie and Lennon, and the tension between Max and Ash in their book has kept me curious for almost a year.

I was so excited to finally see what was up with them but… this was… no.

First of all, I hate when a book is marketed best friends to lovers (even more so childhood best friends) and THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO FUCKING TALK TO EACH ORHER?! Like, what do you mean they have been best friends their whole lives and Max doesn’t even know Ash is bi? 

And then even when they finally admit their feelings for each other, my sweet boy Ollie is made out to be some kind of petty villain who would keep them from being happy together. I hate character assassinations of characters I already love.

The whole thing gave me the ick. They had no chemistry at all. Half the time they weren’t even talking. And for being a novella, this seemed to draaaaag. The two stars I gave this story go to Ollie, Lennon (and I actually did love the fact that they all still call him Clark) and Mama Strömberg. None for Ash and Max at all.

Naw. Next question.