gcldsteins's reviews
103 reviews

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

4.0

Spring Tide by Ki Stephens

4.0

In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

4.0

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

5.0

Marley and Me by John Grogan

5.0

Meant to be Mine by Hannah Orenstein

2.0

Manacled by SenLinYu

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Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

4.0

Water Under The Bridge by Kels Stone, Denise Stone

4.0

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I wanted to love this book so badly. I practically devoured The Cheat Sheet and was hoping for so much more from this. 
Lucy was an irritating main character whose inner monologue was consistently peppered with childish upper case, and in all honesty her toddler son acted with more maturity. 

Shall we address the first 5 pages of the book the explicitly detailed her wallowing and self pity? Or the next 5 that consisted of her constant complaints about her life, despite her being fortunate enough to have Drew to fall back on? Or maybe the hairdressing incident, where when Cooper ever dared to look at another woman, she stomped her foot like a bratty child …

Cooper looks over to her and smiles politely--or is it flirtatiously? 
Does he think she's sexy in her business sports bra? That thought suddenly makes me stomp the ground, making one loud BAM so that Cooper looks back at me.

…then proceeded to spray him in the face with water and turn the hairdryer on to prevent him from speaking when he wanted to talk about his issue maturely and apologise? I tried to like her, I really did, but with every page I read I found myself growing more disgusted at her behaviour. She’s meant to be quirky but it just comes off as forced and annoying, and nearly every other female she interacts with is met with jealousy and rudeness.

Cooper, on the other hand, deserves more credit for not only sticking with this girl but pining for her. He was a cute love interest but he excused her actions too quickly. He has that laid back, thrill seeker aesthetic that was really attractive and the only reason I read on and finished the book was for him, to be honest. 
Lucy’s brother, Drew, is so wholesome and so sweet to Lucy despite all her misgivings.
 Overall I’m really disappointed with this novel, it had so much potential but was ruined by the interpolation of grating inner monologue and childish actions.