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shawniebooks's review
4.0
Easy angst, great humor and in-depth characters. I'll save my further comments for book club.
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tessanne's review
3.0
Solid three stars here; I listened to the audiobook.
Lau’s writing is great, but there wasn’t enough background and character development. Nicole was pretty flat with the same concerns and follow up feelings throughout and when it came to the big declaration, she still reacted the wrong way. I had really thought we’d be spared that third act breakup with the awareness both MCs seemed to have, but no.
I also couldn’t get much into the friends’ relationship—in particular, the teasing by Charlotte and basically her threats to not keep a secret. Which she later spills anyway. That was irritating, though I honestly think it was made worse by the narrator. Who also wasn’t the best—rather robotic and I think gave different emphasis and meaning to some things that made it less good than they probably were in the book version.
Lau’s writing is great, but there wasn’t enough background and character development. Nicole was pretty flat with the same concerns and follow up feelings throughout and when it came to the big declaration, she still reacted the wrong way. I had really thought we’d be spared that third act breakup with the awareness both MCs seemed to have, but no.
I also couldn’t get much into the friends’ relationship—in particular, the teasing by Charlotte and basically her threats to not keep a secret. Which she later spills anyway. That was irritating, though I honestly think it was made worse by the narrator. Who also wasn’t the best—rather robotic and I think gave different emphasis and meaning to some things that made it less good than they probably were in the book version.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review
3.0
I think for many people it would be more of a four-star book, it just wasn't 100% for me. I enjoyed it for the most part.I like how non-judgemental the book was towards sex-positivity, although they belabored the point a bit. I enjoyed the narration, and the quirky characters.
_ashton_reads_'s review
4.0
This was definitely spicier than the other Lau books I’ve read, and I wasn’t mad about that!
jessoehrlein's review
3.0
Nicole's grandmother and cousin very much steal the show here.
Somehow I always manage to be surprised by how much great food description is in Lau's books.
Somehow I always manage to be surprised by how much great food description is in Lau's books.
littlebookterror's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
very happy to end this series (for now) on a more positive note. Definitely my favourite of the Cider Bar Sisters as it currently stands but I still prefer the Kwan Sisters/Fong Brothers.
Nicole is one of her stronger characters and I enjoyed being in her head and watching her reluctantly fall for David who in turn is pretty much on board with anything as soon as he sees her, lol. While I don't think I will ever be a massive fan of Lau's writing style, her handling of miscommunication is something I really enjoy. And I don't mean this in the way people often complain about this as a trope, but in the way Lau allows both characters to make assumptions based on their lives and misspeak at times so that there is tension without exaggerating its intended purpose.
It's a classic trope but I also do enjoy it when the friendly, nerdy character is not afraid to get adventurous in bed. It worked well for this story even if I think it could have been used even more to deepen the romance but that's what I often think with her books: it could have done a little more, dug a little deeper.
This is also a rare occurrence where I enjoyed the meddling grandmother. Po Po was a lot of fun and unpredictable to the otherwise tame plot and her bonding with David was precious. Kelsey's presence and commentary also alleviated my usual problems as she was often a voice of reason or explanation when needed and all of the side characters were trying to not overstep boundaries.
Nicole is one of her stronger characters and I enjoyed being in her head and watching her reluctantly fall for David who in turn is pretty much on board with anything as soon as he sees her, lol. While I don't think I will ever be a massive fan of Lau's writing style, her handling of miscommunication is something I really enjoy. And I don't mean this in the way people often complain about this as a trope, but in the way Lau allows both characters to make assumptions based on their lives and misspeak at times so that there is tension without exaggerating its intended purpose.
It's a classic trope but I also do enjoy it when the friendly, nerdy character is not afraid to get adventurous in bed. It worked well for this story even if I think it could have been used even more to deepen the romance but that's what I often think with her books: it could have done a little more, dug a little deeper.
This is also a rare occurrence where I enjoyed the meddling grandmother. Po Po was a lot of fun and unpredictable to the otherwise tame plot and her bonding with David was precious. Kelsey's presence and commentary also alleviated my usual problems as she was often a voice of reason or explanation when needed and all of the side characters were trying to not overstep boundaries.