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Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'
Hollywood Ending by Sarah Skilton, Sarvenaz Tash, Tash Skilton
2 reviews
lchambers394's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This book got so many things right. The characters were perfect, with both Nina and Sebastian feeling like real, authentic, messy, well-rounded human beings. They had believable backstories that crept into their present selves, genuine emotions and realistic reactions. Even better, it wasn’t just the main characters that the authors fleshed out so completely. The sisters, Millie and Sayeh, were highlights of their own, each a complex source of light and reflection for Nina and Sebastian, as well as the reader. The relationships between characters were, too, authentic and human. The characters lived, grew, made mistakes, got hurt, struggled with work and times changing, grew some more. I really cared for the couple and loved the misunderstandings, Tash and Skilton perfected the ‘I like them but there’s no way they like me’ x2 trope and I was so invested in their relationship. This book was a sure 4 stars, creeping up perhaps to 4.5!
However, when they finally got together, I strangely realised that… I didn’t care that much about it!! It was inevitable and it was at face value the climax I was waiting for. But something didn’t quite feel as exciting and satisfying as I had expected. There was still a decent section of the book left and I felt it was okay. I liked how the characters continued to grow and develop. I enjoyed their individual story arcs. But, ultimately, I felt my earlier emotions dim somewhat and it never entirely claimed back my interest in the couple. This last section let this book down, but it did not take away completely from the complex characters or the plot with layers and humanity. 3.5-4/5.
However, when they finally got together, I strangely realised that… I didn’t care that much about it!! It was inevitable and it was at face value the climax I was waiting for. But something didn’t quite feel as exciting and satisfying as I had expected. There was still a decent section of the book left and I felt it was okay. I liked how the characters continued to grow and develop. I enjoyed their individual story arcs. But, ultimately, I felt my earlier emotions dim somewhat and it never entirely claimed back my interest in the couple. This last section let this book down, but it did not take away completely from the complex characters or the plot with layers and humanity. 3.5-4/5.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
slow-paced
3.0
"That's how most people live, right? Get up, go to work, drudgery, drudgery, get paid (not nearly enough), go home, repeat, repeat, repeat, die."
This quote doesn't exactly encapsulate the book in question, but it does explain why I was found cackling through my existential dread during a decidedly dark moment in the story. Because my sense of humor is objectively terrible.
But I digress. The Tash Skilton duo knows how to cook up a cute, clever premise. Here, college friends that built a relationship on mutual TV fandom, reconnect five years later on the set of that very show's reboot. The Hollywood behind-the-scenes was fun and sometimes absurd, which made for an enjoyable read. The interweavings of fandom culture spoke directly to my geeky soul. It showcases the joys and creativity right alongside the foibles and cruel realities.
The characters are well-formed, including their dreams and struggles, their personal and shared histories. Nina's afraid to be head-over-heels for someone and give up emotional control, and Sebastian lives in fear of his friends abandoning him, so he always attempts to give an impossible 110% to feel safe in his relationships. We meet their younger sisters, visit their memories of college, and view their horrific working conditions (relatable).
My stress levels were high as these two friends-to-estranged friends-to-roommates-to-lovers-to
-estranged lovers-to-lovers dated other people, pined, obsessed, and tried to act happy and fine. While I can be all about angst, in this case, it wasn't necessarily a good tension for this reader. There was no romantic content (aside from the aforementioned pining) until the 70% mark, and then things kicked off at 100 mph, only to hit the big crash-and-burn moment at 85% with a brief reunion/heart-eyes moment right at the end to wrap things up. I realize this is complex math, people, but that means we are only graced with about 15% of the book where romance is happening, and to be honest, that's generous, seeing as the red flags started popping up long before the big blowup. As usual, pacing is something I'm very particular about, so it had a strong influence on my perception of the book.
I think if you're looking for a high angst romance between nuanced characters with aspects of fan culture and/or movie magic (?), this book will hit the mark for you, so check it out. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out 9/7.
This quote doesn't exactly encapsulate the book in question, but it does explain why I was found cackling through my existential dread during a decidedly dark moment in the story. Because my sense of humor is objectively terrible.
But I digress. The Tash Skilton duo knows how to cook up a cute, clever premise. Here, college friends that built a relationship on mutual TV fandom, reconnect five years later on the set of that very show's reboot. The Hollywood behind-the-scenes was fun and sometimes absurd, which made for an enjoyable read. The interweavings of fandom culture spoke directly to my geeky soul. It showcases the joys and creativity right alongside the foibles and cruel realities.
The characters are well-formed, including their dreams and struggles, their personal and shared histories. Nina's afraid to be head-over-heels for someone and give up emotional control, and Sebastian lives in fear of his friends abandoning him, so he always attempts to give an impossible 110% to feel safe in his relationships. We meet their younger sisters, visit their memories of college, and view their horrific working conditions (relatable).
My stress levels were high as these two friends-to-estranged friends-to-roommates-to-lovers-to
-estranged lovers-to-lovers dated other people, pined, obsessed, and tried to act happy and fine. While I can be all about angst, in this case, it wasn't necessarily a good tension for this reader. There was no romantic content (aside from the aforementioned pining) until the 70% mark, and then things kicked off at 100 mph, only to hit the big crash-and-burn moment at 85% with a brief reunion/heart-eyes moment right at the end to wrap things up. I realize this is complex math, people, but that means we are only graced with about 15% of the book where romance is happening, and to be honest, that's generous, seeing as the red flags started popping up long before the big blowup. As usual, pacing is something I'm very particular about, so it had a strong influence on my perception of the book.
I think if you're looking for a high angst romance between nuanced characters with aspects of fan culture and/or movie magic (?), this book will hit the mark for you, so check it out. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out 9/7.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
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