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turnthepages_nl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was okay. I loved the ADHD rep. The characters were nice. But I really dislike all the guilt. I understand. But I don't like it.
Also very slow burn. And I felt like Lauren was different from how I remember her in Spoiler Alert. But that just could be my memory.
Spoiler alert made me really curious about Alex and Lauren and I guess it felt a bit flat for me. Because it takes place over so many months. It skips over a lot of banter and getting to know each other time. And that is my favourite time. It was a little too slow for me I guess. Slow-burn is not my favourite.
I love friends to lovers but it didn't really work for me in this one. Maybe also because of the miscommunication/third act break-up.
The translation was nice tho! It read really smooth. (But hated the amount of cursing!!)
Also very slow burn. And I felt like Lauren was different from how I remember her in Spoiler Alert. But that just could be my memory.
Spoiler alert made me really curious about Alex and Lauren and I guess it felt a bit flat for me. Because it takes place over so many months. It skips over a lot of banter and getting to know each other time. And that is my favourite time. It was a little too slow for me I guess. Slow-burn is not my favourite.
I love friends to lovers but it didn't really work for me in this one. Maybe also because of the miscommunication/third act break-up.
The translation was nice tho! It read really smooth. (But hated the amount of cursing!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit
frantic_vampire's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a lovely read. I love both Lauren and Alex to the moon and back. They met each other on some of their worst days and helped build each other back up through banter and flirting and simply getting to know who the other was. I really appreciated that we had the representation of Lauren being burnt out from a job that she loved and the dread of trying to figure out what’s next. I also really appreciated the ADHD rep we got in Alex. It was just so nice to see them dealing with their issues together and finding solutions that worked for them. I think this is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. It’s getting a solid five stars and it might be my favorite of the series so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Misogyny and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse and Vomit
booknerdery's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
kira20's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
tiredfangirl's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
the_rabble's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rad as hell. Ended up laughing out loud often and feeling big feelings.
I don't think this one was a 5-star for me until the reread, bc it takes you for a ride. Big feelings abound and when you aren't laughing, swooning, or vibing, sometimes the big ones are uncomfortable.
But even when chaotic choices are made, the feelings and internal logic of those choices are deeply in-character.
Expert depiction of a stressed out ADHDer (hyperactive type) and a professionally burned out person used to minimizing her own needs, feelings, and comfort.
Some of these romance books give me crushes on one or both main characters- this one was definitely an "oh shit, I just am both of these characters," which this time was a joyful experience.
Also an extremely good depiction of how hotness actually works- Alex finding Laureninteresting and pleasant to look at and relating her appearance to positive things in his past while finding conventional/common aesthetics boring was highly relatable. On an extremely shallow level- everyone's a 10 (or a 1) to someone and you never know how it's going to play out.
This book also does "strangers to friendship to more" very well and that emotional intimacy drives the romance- I just appreciated the realistic take on physical attraction.
I don't think this one was a 5-star for me until the reread, bc it takes you for a ride. Big feelings abound and when you aren't laughing, swooning, or vibing, sometimes the big ones are uncomfortable.
But even when chaotic choices are made, the feelings and internal logic of those choices are deeply in-character.
Expert depiction of a stressed out ADHDer (hyperactive type) and a professionally burned out person used to minimizing her own needs, feelings, and comfort.
Some of these romance books give me crushes on one or both main characters- this one was definitely an "oh shit, I just am both of these characters," which this time was a joyful experience.
Also an extremely good depiction of how hotness actually works- Alex finding Lauren
This book also does "strangers to friendship to more" very well and that emotional intimacy drives the romance- I just appreciated the realistic take on physical attraction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Ableism, and Bullying
ordinaryroyalty's review
1.0
Moments of adorable romance but explicit sex was pervasive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Domestic abuse
nightlight_reader's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
These two were my favorite in Spoiler Alert, I was so glad to see them again! I LOVED Alex, I felt seen, I felt his chaos, I loved his voice and his tone and his joy. Lauren was a delight to get to know better, she’s so strong and brave and made such a great contrast to Alex. Such a different protagonist compared to April from Spoiler Alert.
I loved them. Alex and Lauren are so goofy together, I love that they found each others’ love languages in a perfect way. Alex’s favorite tropes are also my favorite tropes and I would read any of his fics any day.
I loved them. Alex and Lauren are so goofy together, I love that they found each others’ love languages in a perfect way. Alex’s favorite tropes are also my favorite tropes and I would read any of his fics any day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, Mental illness, and Suicide
leonwingstein's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia
maakbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's difficult, because I don't remember much from book one, but I enjoyed everything I read in this book. Alex's ADHD is quite relatable, as someone with ADHD and feeling like you're the root of all problems for those you love.
For a book that follows a tv star, so many parts of this felt so grounded. I read this coming off of a book that wasn't nearly as grounded but had a similar concept and I don't feel great to compare them, but it's hard not to.
Lauren's feelings with her family were also something that I found so relatable. Bad family relationships are so difficult to navigate, especially when you can't just leave the family/relationship.
I really really loved this book and this series, but I find it so difficult to remember that much from the writing of this series that it's difficult to give it a 5 or call it a favorite.
For a book that follows a tv star, so many parts of this felt so grounded. I read this coming off of a book that wasn't nearly as grounded but had a similar concept and I don't feel great to compare them, but it's hard not to.
Lauren's feelings with her family were also something that I found so relatable. Bad family relationships are so difficult to navigate, especially when you can't just leave the family/relationship.
I really really loved this book and this series, but I find it so difficult to remember that much from the writing of this series that it's difficult to give it a 5 or call it a favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Alex gives money to a DV charity and his mother was abused by her ex and Alex goes into the story.