Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
“You are my greatest weakness because I have no defense when it comes to you.”
4.5 stars!
Reading this book was like being wrapped up in a warm hug. I adored Gabriel and Sophie’s grumpy/sunshine dynamic; their banter was always so on point and fun to read. Sophie’s bright, cheerful, and talkative personality perfectly contrasted Gabriel’s quiet, broody, and controlled nature; they really brought out the best in each other.
There wasn’t a lot of Plot with a capital P, but honestly, I loved how slice-of-life the story was; it provided many opportunities for Sophie and Gabriel to get to know each other and basically operate as a couple. Their romance was so sweet and well-developed, with many precious, tender moments of them just getting along and spending time together doing normal things.
The supporting characters rounded out the story very nicely too—even though I haven’t read the first book, it didn’t take long for me to catch on to this lovely found family. I had such a blast with the scenes featuring all the band members + Gabriel, Brenna, and Sophie—it was clear they all cared deeply about one another.
The only thing I didn’t completely love was how Gabriel sometimes became distrustful of Sophie—more than once, he jumped to unfair conclusions and became a liiiittle too protective/angry at her. While I understood that a lot of it had to do with his past, realistically, I’m not sure how well that attitude bodes for their future. Also, this is a smaller thing, but the nickname “chatty girl” didn’t really work for me—it just didn’t feel like the cute endearment it was intended as.
Overall though, this was such a lovely time. The story had me hooked from the first page to the last, and I will definitely be checking out more books by Kristen Callihan!
slow-paced
I get a good slow burn but why am I almost 70% in and NOTHING has happened between the leads. But they both know that they like each other and in fact sleep together tree he every night. I feel like I’m being too generous with the 4 stars but it was a good vibe read so there we have it.
I really, really wanted to like this because of the rave reviews, but I came out meh. 2.5 stars rounded down to 2.
First a quirk—This book feels very much like men writing women. There is an intense fixation on “bouncing breasts” and nipples. I realize I don’t speak for all women (and would never try to) but it’s incredibly odd that every time she’s aroused or sees something that makes her horny, her “nipples pulse” or her “nipples harden”. I think that’s one of the reason the writing feels so off? Like the nipples are basically treated as a substitute for a penis and constantly stiffening, pulsing, and hardening.
Additionally—the words used instead of pussy. Again, I don’t speak for everyone, but I would rather see the word pussy 10 times than see “sweet box” and “sex” and “slick clasp”.
Next, the MMC has a tragic backstory and overwhelming amount of current issues that just feels…irrationally tragic. Coco Chanel said that you should always take off one accessory before leaving the house to avoid over-accessorizing, and this book could stand to take out at least one problem. Between his really sad childhood, his lingering trauma from a character’s suicide attempt, his need to participate in violent extracurricular activities to let off steam, his extreme insomnia (not sleeping for days at a time?!), etc.
Petty, but it also grossed me out that he I know this is so petty but these are the things my brain pings on sometimes.
The drama throughout also feels very *ducks* fanfic-y to me. The pacing also has major issues.
I did like some things though, I liked the slower pace to their relationship development compared to what I thought it was going to be. I liked the back-and-forth between the FMC and MMC until they get together, and then things are just off. It almost feels like the author wasn’t sure to do with the couple once they were together so she threw a bunch of unrealistic situations and coincidences their way until the book was long enough to finish.
I hate being a party pooper in this review, but I am just a little baffled by the hype.
Tropes: workplace romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy (MMC) sunshine (FMC), music/rockstar
First a quirk—This book feels very much like men writing women. There is an intense fixation on “bouncing breasts” and nipples. I realize I don’t speak for all women (and would never try to) but it’s incredibly odd that every time she’s aroused or sees something that makes her horny, her “nipples pulse” or her “nipples harden”. I think that’s one of the reason the writing feels so off? Like the nipples are basically treated as a substitute for a penis and constantly stiffening, pulsing, and hardening.
Additionally—the words used instead of pussy. Again, I don’t speak for everyone, but I would rather see the word pussy 10 times than see “sweet box” and “sex” and “slick clasp”.
Next, the MMC has a tragic backstory and overwhelming amount of current issues that just feels…irrationally tragic. Coco Chanel said that you should always take off one accessory before leaving the house to avoid over-accessorizing, and this book could stand to take out at least one problem. Between his really sad childhood, his lingering trauma from a character’s suicide attempt, his need to participate in violent extracurricular activities to let off steam, his extreme insomnia (not sleeping for days at a time?!), etc.
Petty, but it also grossed me out that he
Spoiler
used her panties to masturbate and then washed them with his shower gel and shoved them under the mattress and when she finds them they’re damp? So there’s just mildew-laden white silk panties there?The drama throughout also feels very *ducks* fanfic-y to me. The pacing also has major issues.
I did like some things though, I liked the slower pace to their relationship development compared to what I thought it was going to be. I liked the back-and-forth between the FMC and MMC until they get together, and then things are just off. It almost feels like the author wasn’t sure to do with the couple once they were together so she threw a bunch of unrealistic situations and coincidences their way until the book was long enough to finish.
I hate being a party pooper in this review, but I am just a little baffled by the hype.
Tropes: workplace romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy (MMC) sunshine (FMC), music/rockstar
slow-paced
funny
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:
No
This was the book I wanted to read, but I started with Idol first to get an idea of the characters. I really loved how methodical and kinda uptight Scottie is. He's practically the only reason I read these books. The banter between the two leads are easygoing but that start on the plane was kinda weird to me. The ending also felt flat but hey this is a series, I'll read more of Scottie and Sophie soon.
funny
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
Dieses Buch war leider enttäuschend für mich. Insgesamt erschien es mir leider recht vorhersehbar und unoriginell, so als hätte ich exakt diese Geschichte schon öfter gelesen. Persönlich war mir die Lovestory zu oberflächlich: Mehr optische Anziehungskraft, als durch Dialoge gezeigte Chemie zwischen den Charakteren, da fehlte die Glaubwürdigkeit und der Funke. Von den Charaktere, den Dialogen, den behandelten Themen, dem Humor oder von der Handlung war ich einfach nicht besonders begeistert - daher würde ich es insgesamt für mich eher als Buch für zwischendurch bezeichnen.
One of the best cute meets i’ve read. Kicking my feet and giggling