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macbeth03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
unlady_like's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jf_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amberisalwaysreading86's review against another edition
5.0
Phew, Hayes Wilder is one helluva pro when it comes to delivering all the delicious praise-kinkery I didn't know I needed.
This book is a double whammy of sibling's best friend hook-ups and hang-ups.
Laiken has secretly harbored feelings for her brothers best friend,and hockey co-captain for years. Pining for him across weekly backyard bonfires has been the closest she's come to feeling the burn,until one night he overhears her confessing her feelings.
Seeing Hayes turn into a possessive caveman who softens,and breaks his rigid rules on relationships, ONLY for her, had me fanning myself near constantly. The fear of losing his best friend,the pseudo brother he knows so well, was both relatable,and frustrating.
I loved the chemistry and angst between Hayes and Laiken, and while it comes to a head,alas,we are left with the mother of all cliffhangers.
(Kelsey, Thanks for that, ma'am)
I'm dying for book 2!
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3
This book is a double whammy of sibling's best friend hook-ups and hang-ups.
Laiken has secretly harbored feelings for her brothers best friend,and hockey co-captain for years. Pining for him across weekly backyard bonfires has been the closest she's come to feeling the burn,until one night he overhears her confessing her feelings.
Seeing Hayes turn into a possessive caveman who softens,and breaks his rigid rules on relationships, ONLY for her, had me fanning myself near constantly. The fear of losing his best friend,the pseudo brother he knows so well, was both relatable,and frustrating.
I loved the chemistry and angst between Hayes and Laiken, and while it comes to a head,alas,we are left with the mother of all cliffhangers.
(Kelsey, Thanks for that, ma'am)
I'm dying for book 2!
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3
ashnicole13's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_kathyxo's review against another edition
4.0
There was something kind of nostalgic about this book. As an adult, I got annoyed with the situation Laiken kept putting herself in with Hayes bc of course she deserves more then to be a secret. But as a young girl being the sole recipient of someone’s affection it’s addicting.
Anyways, they’re cute and I’m gonna binge read the rest of the series.
Anyways, they’re cute and I’m gonna binge read the rest of the series.
chrstbl's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
The title is super appropriate, A Dose of Pretty Poison is both angsty, but also summertime sweet. It is filled with all the lovely tropes; small town romance, brother's best friend, sports romance, new adult, ride or die best friends, OT jealous hero, praise kink, and virgin heroine. It's the best kind of book to snuggle up and fall in love with.
The thought of losing your best friend, who is more like a brother, is a blow that most people wouldn't take, especially when you've already experienced loss in your life. Hayes Wilder stepped up as the man in his family when his dad left years ago, but the Blanchards became his second family because his mother also had to compensate and work a lot to provide for her two children. Laiken Blanchard kept her crush on Hayes under wraps for years, until one summer the chemistry between them explodes, but the thought of losing the only stable family he has and his best friend, Cam, makes it so their affair is kept in secret, until circumstances tear them apart and Laiken no longer can handle being swept under the rug.
Everyone knows everyone in a small town and without opportunities to escape or chances to get out, how do you grow in a relationship that is stifled from the beginning? How do you choose loving someone when they don't seem to respect you? While I understand Hayes' hesitancy in telling Cam that he's hooking up with Laiken, as Cam is an OT protective brother and could very well murder his best friend, it's also killer to watch Laiken take the hit to her heart. On the plus side, I loved Laiken and her bestie Mali, they are both super spunky and sassy. I'd want either of them as my ride or die friends too, so at least Laiken has someone on her side and Mali is literally the best.
Like I said above, the title of this book is super appropriate as the book is both angsty, but also summertime sweet. There were moments I felt like singing, "Summer Nights", because that song seemed to fit the feel of this book. Hayes and Laiken are wrapped up in this summertime bubble, but I knew the small town around them was going to pop it at any moment just like school did for Danny and Sandy in "Grease". There is also a sports element with both of them being involved in ice themed sports and I have a feeling that part of the book will come into play even more as this series progresses.
Did I say progresses? Yes, that's right. This is just book one and it does end on a cliffy, but I'm ready for more Hayes, Laiken, Cam, Mali, plus everyone else in their small town to return in the next book.
The thought of losing your best friend, who is more like a brother, is a blow that most people wouldn't take, especially when you've already experienced loss in your life. Hayes Wilder stepped up as the man in his family when his dad left years ago, but the Blanchards became his second family because his mother also had to compensate and work a lot to provide for her two children. Laiken Blanchard kept her crush on Hayes under wraps for years, until one summer the chemistry between them explodes, but the thought of losing the only stable family he has and his best friend, Cam, makes it so their affair is kept in secret, until circumstances tear them apart and Laiken no longer can handle being swept under the rug.
Everyone knows everyone in a small town and without opportunities to escape or chances to get out, how do you grow in a relationship that is stifled from the beginning? How do you choose loving someone when they don't seem to respect you? While I understand Hayes' hesitancy in telling Cam that he's hooking up with Laiken, as Cam is an OT protective brother and could very well murder his best friend, it's also killer to watch Laiken take the hit to her heart. On the plus side, I loved Laiken and her bestie Mali, they are both super spunky and sassy. I'd want either of them as my ride or die friends too, so at least Laiken has someone on her side and Mali is literally the best.
Like I said above, the title of this book is super appropriate as the book is both angsty, but also summertime sweet. There were moments I felt like singing, "Summer Nights", because that song seemed to fit the feel of this book. Hayes and Laiken are wrapped up in this summertime bubble, but I knew the small town around them was going to pop it at any moment just like school did for Danny and Sandy in "Grease". There is also a sports element with both of them being involved in ice themed sports and I have a feeling that part of the book will come into play even more as this series progresses.
Did I say progresses? Yes, that's right. This is just book one and it does end on a cliffy, but I'm ready for more Hayes, Laiken, Cam, Mali, plus everyone else in their small town to return in the next book.
readingbetweenthevines's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75