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lizacorn's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Child abuse
triniredreading's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ohsoyhappy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first book I've read by Jackie Lau was the half novel that came after this, based on Julie, the younger sister of this novel's main female lead, Charlotte. I enjoyed it enough and it's a breath of fresh air having to Asian main leads. I feel like books in this series do not have to be read in order, but may make more sense if they are but each could hold their own.
Now let's focus back on this novel. I truly enjoyed it. I think it's because I could relate to Charlotte quite a bit in terms of my personality. I am also a HUGE sucker for the childhood friends to lovers trope. It's one of my favorites.I am very glad there wasn't a fight scene or the break up due to bad communication or nothing thinking they're worthy of the other
Now let's focus back on this novel. I truly enjoyed it. I think it's because I could relate to Charlotte quite a bit in terms of my personality. I am also a HUGE sucker for the childhood friends to lovers trope. It's one of my favorites.
cgbart's review
5.0
I don't know if it's because I'm a sucker for the friends-to-loves trope or what, but this was maaaybe my favorite Lau novel so far? I think a lot of it was because it hit a tone I really really wanted right now, with all the chaos that is the end of October 2020--light, but not shallow, and sweet, and not too over-the-top with drama.
ssejig's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
4.0
The book opens in the middle of Charlotte Tam's worst nightmare, her boyfriend proposing to her at a Toronto Blue Jays game on the big screen. She loves the Jays, hates the public. So why didn't her boyfriend get that?
Years later and Charlotte is generally happy in her job that lets her work from home without having to put on real pants (we hear about that a lot; since I agree with her sentiment, it didn't bother me) and generally not going out except to occasionally meet her friends at a cider bar. One night, she recognizes the boy who used to live next door, Mike Guo. He left suddenly one night and she never heard from her best friend again. But now he's all kinds of grown up and hot. Surely he must have women crawling all over him. He'd be the perfect person to get her back into the dating game!
Mike isn't exactly the stud that Charlotte thinks he is but he has missed his old friend and is delighted to spend more time with her. The fact that he now has grown up feelings for her is just icing on top of the cake.
I loved that the fake relationship didn't last too long. I loved that most of the conflict from these two was external to their relationship because they talked to each other. The timeline was maybe a little fast but I really enjoyed this book.
Years later and Charlotte is generally happy in her job that lets her work from home without having to put on real pants (we hear about that a lot; since I agree with her sentiment, it didn't bother me) and generally not going out except to occasionally meet her friends at a cider bar. One night, she recognizes the boy who used to live next door, Mike Guo. He left suddenly one night and she never heard from her best friend again. But now he's all kinds of grown up and hot. Surely he must have women crawling all over him. He'd be the perfect person to get her back into the dating game!
Mike isn't exactly the stud that Charlotte thinks he is but he has missed his old friend and is delighted to spend more time with her. The fact that he now has grown up feelings for her is just icing on top of the cake.
I loved that the fake relationship didn't last too long. I loved that most of the conflict from these two was external to their relationship because they talked to each other. The timeline was maybe a little fast but I really enjoyed this book.
dhee_pa's review
5.0
Bit of a love guru situation x going home for the holidays vibe. What really sticks in memory for me is the messaging. Lau stands by her characters and has strong message about acceptance. This comes in two main forms-Charlotte as introvert and Mike's estrangement from his parents. Throughout the bk, Charlotte's friends and Mike do not try to change Charlotte. They give her space and accept her boundaries. Hell they even intervene in casual manner if she needs backup. Same goes for Mike --his decision comes with shame, fear, and isolation. He lets people know when he's ready. He also relishes friends who don’t pry into his family life and is genuinely grateful for having lightness. And he leans on Charlotte when he needs to. I love the way Lau handles these two situations.
Special mention: This is my opinion. More so than usual.
On introversion: Charlotte is horrified by an ex who proposes publicly. This reflects to her that he doesn't know her likes and dislikes. But it also signals he might willing to forgo her feelings for what he might think of as her betterment. Introversion is often treated as a nuisance. A quirk that needs to be corrected. It gives the impression that a person is not good as is. It's a rejection on some level. It's easy to fall in line when it's thought of as help. That's why Charlotte shuts down people who try to change her.
On family dynamics: I love any book that shows characters who might not necessarily be close to siblings or parents. There is heavy dose of media and pop culture where these bonds are always so much larger than life. It's hard to admit you don’t have that and might not ever. Lau does great job with Charlotte and Julie. They're not close. They're not estranged. There is no need for either to feel guilt. It just is.
I loved it. It's complex and a fun romance.
Special mention: This is my opinion. More so than usual.
On introversion: Charlotte is horrified by an ex who proposes publicly. This reflects to her that he doesn't know her likes and dislikes. But it also signals he might willing to forgo her feelings for what he might think of as her betterment. Introversion is often treated as a nuisance. A quirk that needs to be corrected. It gives the impression that a person is not good as is. It's a rejection on some level. It's easy to fall in line when it's thought of as help. That's why Charlotte shuts down people who try to change her.
On family dynamics: I love any book that shows characters who might not necessarily be close to siblings or parents. There is heavy dose of media and pop culture where these bonds are always so much larger than life. It's hard to admit you don’t have that and might not ever. Lau does great job with Charlotte and Julie. They're not close. They're not estranged. There is no need for either to feel guilt. It just is.
I loved it. It's complex and a fun romance.
bookswithgab's review
4.0
This was a really cute book I loved how Charlotte was the grumpy one in this book we don’t see enough grumpy women in romance. Her and Mike were really cute together and I loved seeing them slowly fall for each other and how comfortable they were with one another. The way Jackie described the food in this book made my mouth water I wanted to try everything.