4 stars because during most of the reading I enjoyed it, and Alexis Hall has a way of making me not hate my most-hated tropes, but the more I let this4 stars because during most of the reading I enjoyed it, and Alexis Hall has a way of making me not hate my most-hated tropes, but the more I let this book sit with me the more disappointed I am with the outcome. And the more I am left to ponder how much of an idiot Rosaline is....more
**spoiler alert** The beginning of this book was the bro-iest thing I have ever listened to, but I loved that there was an actual conflict with the in**spoiler alert** The beginning of this book was the bro-iest thing I have ever listened to, but I loved that there was an actual conflict with the infertility issues.
I feel vaguely betrayed by the plot with Brandon but whatever....more
The whole time I read this book I went back and forth between thinking this book was very charming and ridiculously stupid/cringy, but whenever I wasnThe whole time I read this book I went back and forth between thinking this book was very charming and ridiculously stupid/cringy, but whenever I wasn't reading it I wanted to be and I couldn't wait to talk about it with someone. I think this would be a great book club pick since the whole premise is kind of dicey.
By the end of the book I found the whole thing pretty believable. This seemed more plausible and less creepy than lots of other romances I've read. And it felt like Lincoln was just a flawed person but not a bad one. I think this book and Happy Place are two romances I've read lately that have a lot of staying power if you're looking for a romance with more to chew on....more
**spoiler alert** I'm not sure how I am supposed to choose between this book and Happy Place at the end of the year when I vote on my favorite romance**spoiler alert** I'm not sure how I am supposed to choose between this book and Happy Place at the end of the year when I vote on my favorite romance, but that's a qualm for another time. Both actually had similar plots/conflicts (communication/trust/honesty-related). I absolutely loved this book. I felt like this book was the perfect transition from the author's previous protagonists doing self-sabotage to Elsie's inner battle with honesty. That whole plot was so satisfying and, I thought, very believable.
I love how there is an evil- but totally realistic- man in all of these books! It feels so validating and satisfying that they are held accountable every time.
Fake dating, enemies to lovers, he loved her the whole time. Ali Hazelwood is a master of "the guy loved her the whole time" - I'm not sure how this translates to non-hetero relationships, and maybe it doesn't have to, but I'm obsessed. I am open to the possibility that I am wrong, but I think she does this so well without slipping into creepy territory!
It might be annoying that the author relies on these ridiculous descriptions of how tall and gigantic the men of her books are, but I LOVED "towering toweringly" - to me, at least, it felt like poking fun at herself.
I'm not sure if this book was as laugh out loud funny as the other two, but it definitely had its moments.
I don't love any of these book covers, but this one is by far the best out of the three....more
DNF at 243/357 pages. This book was actively bad, unfortunately. I thought the premise sounded cute, but it felt like every conflict that came up was DNF at 243/357 pages. This book was actively bad, unfortunately. I thought the premise sounded cute, but it felt like every conflict that came up was solved within 40 pages. Because the initial plot with letter-writing didnt go on very long, I had a hard time understanding why they were in love with eachother. I understand why it couldn't... were they going to fall in love with someone 40 years older than them? Unlikely. There was just so much going on and nothing going on at the same time.
The writing was not good. And the use of words like "golly," etc. UNIRONICALLY pushed me over the edge.
For a better version of this book, if the initial premise is what caught your attention, try Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey.
*I would like to edit to agree with other people's comments about burying the Christian fiction lead about this book and the very... questionable social situations (foster care, police, and mission work)...more
The smut in this romance was kind of over the top for me. Considering the plot, it was virtually impossible to get away from it for the entirety of thThe smut in this romance was kind of over the top for me. Considering the plot, it was virtually impossible to get away from it for the entirety of the book. I didn't mind the characters as much as some others have, but this book only reinforced that I hate most romance books that are written from the man's perspective. The main problem I had with this book was how someone thought it was realistic for these characters to be platonically naked around each other all the time? My disbelief can be suspended only so much.
Another ridiculous part of this whole reading experience is that I didn't even know what I was getting myself into. It was just available as an audiobook and I saw that it had been popular, so I checked it out. Oh dear....more
**spoiler alert** Ugh. I really liked this book at the beginning, but by the time I got to the end I was very annoyed by this couple/book.
I really lik**spoiler alert** Ugh. I really liked this book at the beginning, but by the time I got to the end I was very annoyed by this couple/book.
I really liked Lina's personality, and at first I really loved the "he loved her the whole time" trope until they corrupted it and made Aaron seem kind of creepy. He used the phrase "you're mine" or some version of it so much that I was cringing.
Also, my main problem with enemies to lovers is that the main characters realize the other person is hot all of a sudden. There's never any reason or explanation for why their feelings so dramatically change. I don't think it was quite that bad in this book-- you could tell that she respected him at work and that he liked her personality even if she was oblivious-- but I felt like all of a sudden they went from fake dating to real making out and I was not satisfied by this transition at all.
Plus Aaron has no personality, he just likes dogs and Disney movies and saying things that should only be thought in romance novels....more
**spoiler alert** This book had a couple of the same problems that the first book did, mostly SELF-SABOTAGE. I am not convinced this was done well, bu**spoiler alert** This book had a couple of the same problems that the first book did, mostly SELF-SABOTAGE. I am not convinced this was done well, but I was still obsessed the whole time. Also, there were many beats in the plot that felt too similar to the Love Hypothesis, but again, I was obsessed and enjoying it the whole time. You gotta love a You've Got Mail plotline.
One thing that was similar in a good way was how hilarious it was. I laughed out so hard during the beginning of the chapter when she was setting the scene for dinner with Annie and Tim: "Are you picturing it? Are you experiencing the cringyness of it all?" Another thing I loved- that was also similar- was the "he loved her the whole time" part. This trope is slowly becoming a close second to my favorite trope ever of friends to lovers.
So yeah, I'm not sure how to justify the things that bugged me about this book, and how eerily similar it was to The Love Hypothesis, but I still absolutely loved it. ...more
There were a few scenes or moments that I liked better in the show, but the main difference I noticed is how much more I liked Daphne's character in tThere were a few scenes or moments that I liked better in the show, but the main difference I noticed is how much more I liked Daphne's character in the book. She just seemed to be a more complete and personable person in the book compared to the show....more
**spoiler alert** If I would have rated this book at the beginning I think I would have given it like 2 stars. I thought the writing from Jacob's pers**spoiler alert** If I would have rated this book at the beginning I think I would have given it like 2 stars. I thought the writing from Jacob's perspective was bad, more telling than showing, and sort of too explanatory of his anxiety and journaling, but as the book went on I was in love.
I loved how many fun tropes were included (enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, fake dating, one bed), I loved accidentally remembering that this was a continuation of Part of Your World (one of my favorite romances from last year), and I absolutely loved how this couple made total sense. It was laugh out loud funny, and we got to observe these characters laughing together and laugh with them.
I was sort of frustrated with her self sabotage at the end, but I think it was bearable because it wasnt a huge chunk of the book, and because it was resolved so nicely. If I was trying to be critical of this book I think I would give it 4 stars, but I had such a great time reading it and I was so moved by it, that it doesnt feel right to give it anything but 5 stars....more
**spoiler alert** HMM.... I really enjoyed the setting of the first part of this book. I wish it would have been there more! At first I was okay with **spoiler alert** HMM.... I really enjoyed the setting of the first part of this book. I wish it would have been there more! At first I was okay with the very specific timeline and covid, but by the time Gerry got sick I was not about it anymore. Too soon. Very conflicted as well about the plotline with her insecurities and the Danny Horst Rule and all of that. A solid 3 stars I would say....more
Very enjoyable, and I'm sad that the series is over. I wish there would have been more closure with the book that Gretchen was reading. And I sort of Very enjoyable, and I'm sad that the series is over. I wish there would have been more closure with the book that Gretchen was reading. And I sort of feel like Mack's character has diminished and become more vague as the books have gone on, but oh well. I would definitely recommend this entire series to romance readers. I still love the premise of guys in a romance book club...more
Probably my favorite character from the whole series. Almost all of the books in this series have had a single scene that is about the funniest thing Probably my favorite character from the whole series. Almost all of the books in this series have had a single scene that is about the funniest thing I've ever heard and I just die laughing in my car. Good stuff....more
Very pleasant sapphic rom com and pretty steamy. I really liked the side plot with Astrid and how that ended up.
I was nervous at first because after Very pleasant sapphic rom com and pretty steamy. I really liked the side plot with Astrid and how that ended up.
I was nervous at first because after self sabotage, "mean is my personality" is my least favorite trope, but Delilah isn't mean, she's just sort of gruff. And they justify it pretty early on in a way that doesn't feel like an info dump. I also just loved the characters in general, and I'm excited that there is a sequel for this reason.
Iris' romantic relationship seemed kind of random, like they mention this huge thing and never come back to it, so maybe there will be a third book about her....more
**spoiler alert** I am going to give this book a hesitant 5 stars. First of all, this book is super sad. Like, Josie Silver sad, I thought. It was def**spoiler alert** I am going to give this book a hesitant 5 stars. First of all, this book is super sad. Like, Josie Silver sad, I thought. It was definitely a mood, so I would keep that in mind if you are thinking about reading this book. I dont think any of Emily Henry's books are this sad, but way to go, raising the stakes.
I loved how this book was a romance is the truest sense, but there was SO MUCH going on besides that: more than simple friendships, family dynamics, and Harriet's situation with her job. As far as romances go, I thought this book was pretty philosophical about life in a not-cheesy way, which was refreshing (i.e. i want to enjoy my life while its happening, how to fight, Hanks existence, etc.)
I kind of wanted to hate Sabrina and Kimmys characters, but by the end they seemed like people to me, and that's fine.
The reason I am giving 5 stars hesitantly is because of Wynn's character... I liked him, but I can honestly not wrap my head around how he thought it was fair or right to make out with Harriet and basically lead her on throughout this book. What is this "we cant be together" crap? However, I liked how Harriet sort of addressed this in her monologue at the end by saying that Wynn couldn't decide things for her either and that he wasnt allowed to think he was being noble.
Very happy to report that Emily Henry does not do us dirty in this book because I was very confident she wouldnt for about 80% of the book, and near the end I was very nervous I was wrong....more
**spoiler alert** You had to take my favorite trope and ruin it. First complaint: I thought the friendship was very well represented early on in the b**spoiler alert** You had to take my favorite trope and ruin it. First complaint: I thought the friendship was very well represented early on in the book, but by the end it felt like it dissolved into generic chatter. I will say that Noah's character was distinct from other men in the book club, but I dont know if I could say the same for Alexis.
My biggest complaint is that Noah was right! The US sucks and defense companies should be exposed for the greedy frauds they are, but thinking "hmm, maybe we shouldn't use a private jet to go somewhere that takes 3 hours to drive" does not make someone a "radical lefty."
I just found the whole plot of "Noah isnt like that anymore" distracting because THAT NOAH WAS BETTER. Not the endless angry grieving for his father part, that part made sense, especially in the context of the book club and the men being vulnerable with eachother, but I have a feeling the author could have woven the father plot into the book without landing in the camp of "the military and all of its meddling around the world is fine."...more
I liked this one a lot less than the first one in the series, but I am so obsessed with the premise of guys in a romance book club, that I could forgiI liked this one a lot less than the first one in the series, but I am so obsessed with the premise of guys in a romance book club, that I could forgive many sins.
I just dont like mean and sarcastic as a personality. Even when it is linked to childhood trauma. I'm sorry, it just bothers me.
This has to be the first romance I have read where I was more interested in the plot than the couple, but I do really like Mack's character in general. I mean, yeah, on to the third book!...more
**spoiler alert** Cons: - Some light fatphobia - Self-sabotage trope that was not super convincing on top of being one of my biggest pet peeves (I thoug**spoiler alert** Cons: - Some light fatphobia - Self-sabotage trope that was not super convincing on top of being one of my biggest pet peeves (I thought BOYFRIEND MATERIAL and RED, WHITE, & ROYAL BLUE did this-- one of my least favorite tropes-- super well.)
Pros: - Included one of my FAVORITE tropes of the guy being in love with the girl "the whole time." Very The Hating Game-esque in that way. There is something about the woman not being the person harboring the crush and instead it is the guy. I could just gush about it. - I was laughing hysterically for the majority of this novel. Less about witty banter and jokes than about the ridiculous scenarios Olive finds herself in. - Gotta love a name like "Olive" -- and Malcolm's nickname for her, very cute - Honestly, the level of steam in this novel (that level being very high). I thought this scene was honest in a way that was pretty refreshing.
Would have definitely been 5 stars if the self-sabotage would have been even slightly rational or justified, but it felt forced to me, AND if there hadn't been any Type 2 diabetes jokes. Two? Really?...more
**spoiler alert** There were a few parts of this book that I really liked: the scene where Nick is about to leave for the airport and they talk about **spoiler alert** There were a few parts of this book that I really liked: the scene where Nick is about to leave for the airport and they talk about the romance vs. womens fiction ending, the main character's best friend's presence, and June French's quotes at the beginning of chapters, but I have two main qualms that really influenced 3 instead of 4 stars.
1) the simple first one is that this book sort of felt all over the place to me. There was a lot going on, and I wasn't satisfied by how all the pieces [failed to] fit together.
2) I might just be an idiot, but I felt so emotionally manipulated by the scene where Nick walks onto the stage to get the award and Swanny sees him. Obviously, we knew Nick and Brock were the same person, but we didnt know how Swanny would find out. And the fact that she saw Nick as Nick and thought Nick and Brock were two separate people she had feelings for, instead of seeing a Nick at a bar when she was expecting a stranger, felt so heartbreaking that the sex scene that followed it left a terrible taste in my mouth. Again, maybe I'm just an idiot, but Brock also went out of his way to say he wasnt going to the Audies, which just doubled down on Nick and Brock being two different people. So I dont know. Please someone agree with me on this.
Still love Julia Whelan as a narrator though and that will never change....more
This is the first historical romance I have read, and at first I was going to give up, but I powered through and I ended up really enjoying this book.This is the first historical romance I have read, and at first I was going to give up, but I powered through and I ended up really enjoying this book.
I thought the author handled the context of English colonies in India and prejudices against Indian people really well without hitting the reader over the head.
I just really liked the characters in this book. Nothing terribly dramatic happens which makes me think, what even happened in this book? But I was too busy enjoying it to worry about that too much as I was reading it.
This book does not have any sex scenes, but I would claim it is INCREDIBLY steamy: longing glances, so much blushing, etc....more
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