Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Well Matched

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca

8 reviews

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

The first book was gifted to me by Michael Joseph Penguin Publishing and when I found out it was a series, I knew I had to continue it. I was disappointed in Stacey’s story so went into this book with little expectations, but I should have known better with this book being Mitch’s story.

This book is based on April Parker, who we met in the first book, she is Emily’s sister. She is a single mother who has lived in Willow Creek for twelve years with a wall around her heart. On the verge of being an empty nester, she’s decided to move on from her quaint little town, and she’s asked her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvement projects to get her house ready to sell. Mitch Malone is known for being the life of every party, but mostly for the attire he wears to the local Renaissance Faire – a kilt (and not much else) that shows off his muscled form to perfection. While he agrees to help April, he needs a favour too: she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family dinner, so he can avoid the lectures about settling down and having a more “serious” career than high school coach and a gym teacher. April reluctantly agrees, but when dinner turns into a weekend trip, it becomes hard to tell what’s real and what’s been just for show. But when the weekend ends, so must their fake relationship. As summer begins, Faire returns to Willow Creek, and April volunteers for the first time. When Mitch’s family shows up unexpectedly, April pretends to be Mitch’s girlfriend again . . . something that doesn’t feel fake anymore. Despite their obvious connection, April insists they’re just putting on an act. But when there’s the chance for something real, she has to decide whether to change her plan or say goodbye for the kilt wearing hulk who might just be the love of her life.

I didn’t like April when this series started so I was feeling a little bleak going into this book and one of my main reasons was Mitch. I loved him before I started this book. April had been through so much that I was glad we got to see another side of her besides the mum and the hermit of the group. I loved her internal thoughts and how she was just questioning that someone as gorgeous as Mitch was not interested in her. And the way he called her Mama . . . damn! Mitch is just wonderful; I knew his book was going to be amazing and that Mitch was going to top the other men we had meet during this series. Mitch is such a golden retriever and I loved how April stood up for Mitch for what he does and that he doesn’t need to do anymore.

The only thing I didn’t like was the amount of conflict and third-act breakup. I would have preferred for them to have gotten together and then the last bit being whether they were selling the house or not and not the back and forth of does April like him or does Mitch like her probably like you both like each other, get over and get to the good bit please. I found myself skimming the bits of the internal thoughts of do I like them? Do they like me?

This book was a lot better than Stacy’s book and I don’t know if Lulu’s story can beat Mitch’s story, but I love the Malones.

Content Warnings

happyreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing 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

3.5

Content Warnings

luckykosmos's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? It's complicated

3.5

A big improvement over Well Played, with more development for the leads and more scenes where either felt seen by the other. The first book is still my personal favorite (I love an chronically repressed lead), but there's an undeniable improvement of skill in how the dynamics mirror one another here.

Content Warnings

morganperks's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

blackveilbeccy's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny 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

4.5

This was definitely a return to form! I loved this book, it was just as adorable as the first in the series. The romance was gorgeous and both the main character and the love interest were lovely. The supporting characters were great and there was heaps of character development as well as humour and fluffy romance. Definitely recommended.

Content Warnings

cariam's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A soothing sort of easy-read! The emotions were well written and realistic, so definitely a bonus. I wasn’t confident about the Renaissance Fair but it was actually wonderful.

Mitch is cute, in a bumbling sort of honest way. You can see through his “serial-dating” ways, but it wasn’t cliched in how it was revealed. He definitely lives up to his soft cookie interior.

I cheered for Mitch happily with how intense his counterpart is in April. We love a main character who stands up for what he deserves in, even if it hurts.

Content Warnings

hrtlss_grl's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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

decklededgess's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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? Yes

4.0

trigger warning: sexual content, alcohol, divorce, single parenting, gossip, bullying,

This was such a fun followup to Well Met and Well Played, certainly a massive improvement from the second book. I loved the friends to lovers development and especially the fake dating. The MILF-himbo dynamic was SUPERIOR. I appreciate that April wasn't dating someone her daughter's age though, that would have been uncomfortable. I loved the emotional development, the smut was superior, and the romance was chefs kiss.

Content Warnings

More...