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10iii_kat's review
3.0
Contemporary LGBTQ+ Adult Romance ★ Fake Dating / Age Gap [M24 F36]
Bisexual MC & LI, Consensual Sex ★ Queerphobia
I loved how the sex scenes were written, the whole point of consensual sex is talking about everything and it was shown here. The same goes for the age gap part of the book, it was well-written and all the questions that can be asked in real life were there.
It did feel like the whole point of romance between them was a bit left out, I can't explain what was missing, but it kind of felt rushed. Therefore I probably will forget about it soon but the whole book was a good read if someone is looking for a quick, age-gap romance with queer characters.
★ rating 3* - good! a solid read, though not the most memorable.
★ thanks to BookSirens and Skye Kilaen for the e-arc! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bisexual MC & LI, Consensual Sex ★ Queerphobia
"You're so smart and generous and hardworking, and he's the kind of person who will admire those things about you."My first meeting with Skye Kilaen and the "Love at Knockdown" characters and I enjoyed it! Oliver is a little cinnamon roll that loves his job but also is a "Nice People" as Octavia would've said. He reminded me of myself from time to time - wants to be perfect at what he does, doesn't like conflicts, and gets shy when his crush does things.
I loved how the sex scenes were written, the whole point of consensual sex is talking about everything and it was shown here. The same goes for the age gap part of the book, it was well-written and all the questions that can be asked in real life were there.
It did feel like the whole point of romance between them was a bit left out, I can't explain what was missing, but it kind of felt rushed. Therefore I probably will forget about it soon but the whole book was a good read if someone is looking for a quick, age-gap romance with queer characters.
★ rating 3* - good! a solid read, though not the most memorable.
★ thanks to BookSirens and Skye Kilaen for the e-arc! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
amyreadsandsails's review
5.0
mf - contemporary romance - white MCs - low steam - POV: third dual - age gap (older FMC) - bisexual (both MCs) - child free - class gap (wealthy FMC) - fake relationship - grumpy heroine - opposites attract - queer voices - slow burn - workplace - 5 stars. I got really sucked into this book. The MMC is just super adorable and I loved that they both were very out and proud bisexuals. The FMC even mentions that she prefers to date women or queer men. The MMC’s roommates were very entertaining dude bros who tried a little too hard to be allies.
bookshelvesandtealeaves's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
I finally got around to reading the last in this little romance series and I’m so glad I did!
I wasn’t particularly drawn to Oliver as a character before reading this book but oh, my gosh, he just has my whole heart now??? Like he’s so sweet and affectionate and considerate and I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH.
Octavia was suuuuch a great character too. She has such a big heart and it genuinely makes me laugh how much she hates that being acknowledged/noticed. Her passion and her drive made her shine for me.
There were so many great moments between these two. I especially loved the party and the performance they gave for Kara. Like just all of it. The whole party was sublime.
I really can’t recommend this series enough. All three books are so full of warmth and love and they brought me so much joy.
jacquy's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
buecherbelle's review
3.0
Ich sollte es mögen, ich wollte es mögen, es war auch gar nicht schlecht - aber irgendwie war der vibe off.
emeliestegbornblixt's review
4.0
Bisexual m/f romance is very much my thing at this point in my life and Kilaen keeps delivering thoughtful variations on that category. This one is fake dating with a bit of an age gap (younger man, older woman). If you've read previous installments in this series you're familiar with Oliver and his pining for Octavia. Before he became a math teacher he used to work as a barista at Knockdown and she was one of his regulars.
This story starts when Octavia volunteers at the school to fix their very shitty software. These two nerds start fake dating because of silly reasons. (Are there any other reasons for fake dating? No.) In this particular case the silly reasons include spite, which makes for a very dramatic and silly episode toward the end - which, to be clear, is a good thing. This is fake dating, things are supposed to be silly and dramatic. Along the way we get lots of mutual care and support, and lots of explaining away the other persons acts of affection as a part of the act. I love how they both have good support systems, are good at and passionate about their jobs and are adult enough to communicate like adults (by which I mean, they're emotionally mature, not that they swear a lot). They could in all honesty use some deeper flaws than being overly careful and apologizing for everything, if there's any real problem with this story it's that they're maybe too perfectly likeable. You know, apart from the pettiness, which isn't really presented as a flaw by the narrative, so it doesn't count.
Anyway, not my favorite by Kilaen, but it's comforting and entertaining.
eArc provided by the author
This story starts when Octavia volunteers at the school to fix their very shitty software. These two nerds start fake dating because of silly reasons. (Are there any other reasons for fake dating? No.) In this particular case the silly reasons include spite, which makes for a very dramatic and silly episode toward the end - which, to be clear, is a good thing. This is fake dating, things are supposed to be silly and dramatic. Along the way we get lots of mutual care and support, and lots of explaining away the other persons acts of affection as a part of the act. I love how they both have good support systems, are good at and passionate about their jobs and are adult enough to communicate like adults (by which I mean, they're emotionally mature, not that they swear a lot). They could in all honesty use some deeper flaws than being overly careful and apologizing for everything, if there's any real problem with this story it's that they're maybe too perfectly likeable. You know, apart from the pettiness, which isn't really presented as a flaw by the narrative, so it doesn't count.
Anyway, not my favorite by Kilaen, but it's comforting and entertaining.
eArc provided by the author
quiza's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Light and enjoyable read
A bit too much will they/won't they for my taste
Writing was felt a little flat
A bit too much will they/won't they for my taste
Writing was felt a little flat
cleansetolovers's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tarrant's review against another edition
5.0
so glad to get Oliver’s Book
These Love at Knockdown books including Check Your Work make me want to move to Austin or at least vacation there. This group of friends just can’t be matched or well, they can. Oliver is no different with a fake-dating, age gap, geeky romance that has just enough humor and a constant insistence on consent in a way that doesn’t feel awkward.
These Love at Knockdown books including Check Your Work make me want to move to Austin or at least vacation there. This group of friends just can’t be matched or well, they can. Oliver is no different with a fake-dating, age gap, geeky romance that has just enough humor and a constant insistence on consent in a way that doesn’t feel awkward.