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emufranklin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
funny and enjoyable but not all that special
gillianw's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Reviewed for Just Love
Here’s the thing – I think the title of the book is wrong.
This really should be called How to Blow it with Arden St. Ives because if anyone blows it here, it’s Caspian Hart.
Here’s the other thing – I can’t entirely blame Caspian for fucking things up.
Look, I didn’t go into this expecting to feel something akin to sympathy for that inscrutable billionaire, but HTBIWAB made me do just that. It seems like the more we get to know Caspian, the less we really understand, and that just makes him more intriguing. Bastard.
“Arden” – he looked up at me with his restless ocean eyes, so full of unfathomed pain – “you have no idea what I’m capable of.”
But despite getting glimpses into Caspian’s messed up psyche, this is still Arden’s story and HTBIWAB sees Arden showing some real growth, both personally and professionally, as he explores a life of endless possibilities outside of Oxford. He’s still committed to Caspian, of course, but far less willing to accept the emotional crumbs Caspian has, up until now, been doling out.
Was Caspian Hart my boyfriend? And did I even want him to be?
One of the things I loved about HTBIWAB is how Arden gets to live this full life outside of Caspian’s sphere. While there’s no doubt about his feelings for Caspian, he doesn’t let their relationship overshadow everything else in his life. Whether he’s hustling for work or spending time with Caspian’s sister, Ellery, he’s building this life for himself that exists outside of his and Caspian’s relationship.
I know a few people who are holding back on reading this until book three is released, hoping not to prolong any heartache they’ll feel at the end of this book, but I have to say that, despite the title, HTBIWAB somehow manages to end on a hopeful note. You can’t keep a good man down (unless he fully consents to being held down, of course) and Arden is the best of men. His natural inclination to find light in the darkness serves him well here and quite frankly, I get the feeling that he’s going to be fine. Eventually. But he’ll get there.
In the end, Caspian may be the one who needs our sympathy, not that he’d ever want it, mind you. He’d sooner throw it back in our faces. But the guy who really blew it here is going to need Arden’s help if he ever wants to overcome his demons. Now we’ll just need to wait and see if he’s brave enough to try.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Reviewed for Just Love
Here’s the thing – I think the title of the book is wrong.
This really should be called How to Blow it with Arden St. Ives because if anyone blows it here, it’s Caspian Hart.
Here’s the other thing – I can’t entirely blame Caspian for fucking things up.
Look, I didn’t go into this expecting to feel something akin to sympathy for that inscrutable billionaire, but HTBIWAB made me do just that. It seems like the more we get to know Caspian, the less we really understand, and that just makes him more intriguing. Bastard.
“Arden” – he looked up at me with his restless ocean eyes, so full of unfathomed pain – “you have no idea what I’m capable of.”
But despite getting glimpses into Caspian’s messed up psyche, this is still Arden’s story and HTBIWAB sees Arden showing some real growth, both personally and professionally, as he explores a life of endless possibilities outside of Oxford. He’s still committed to Caspian, of course, but far less willing to accept the emotional crumbs Caspian has, up until now, been doling out.
Was Caspian Hart my boyfriend? And did I even want him to be?
One of the things I loved about HTBIWAB is how Arden gets to live this full life outside of Caspian’s sphere. While there’s no doubt about his feelings for Caspian, he doesn’t let their relationship overshadow everything else in his life. Whether he’s hustling for work or spending time with Caspian’s sister, Ellery, he’s building this life for himself that exists outside of his and Caspian’s relationship.
I know a few people who are holding back on reading this until book three is released, hoping not to prolong any heartache they’ll feel at the end of this book, but I have to say that, despite the title, HTBIWAB somehow manages to end on a hopeful note. You can’t keep a good man down (unless he fully consents to being held down, of course) and Arden is the best of men. His natural inclination to find light in the darkness serves him well here and quite frankly, I get the feeling that he’s going to be fine. Eventually. But he’ll get there.
In the end, Caspian may be the one who needs our sympathy, not that he’d ever want it, mind you. He’d sooner throw it back in our faces. But the guy who really blew it here is going to need Arden’s help if he ever wants to overcome his demons. Now we’ll just need to wait and see if he’s brave enough to try.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
iread2dream's review against another edition
4.0
This book wasn't nearly as hot as the first book. All the relationship-y stuff was kind of annoying, especially when Arden was pushy about it. I loved Ellery and hope there's way more of her in the next book.
I was really disappointed that the book had a bunch typos throughout.
I was really disappointed that the book had a bunch typos throughout.
thelasthousewife's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
welkinvault's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Well written version of "50 Shades" this is the inbetween book, building up to the last in the trilogy, so a bit disappointing in that the ending is not an ending
mdee's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my God this was soooo good and the preview at the end for the next book I- sksksk I’M SHOOK! Give me the third book NOW! 😩😭
nick_name_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this a lot more than I liked the first book, and miraculously, a lot of that has to do with the reason I didn't 100% love the first book: Caspian.
Apparently running off to Scotland to get your sort of boyfriend back from his parents' house does wonders for your attitude?? Haha but honestly, the shifts weren't exactly subtle, but they were believable and natural enough to make him outright endearing to me. It makes sense: after coming that close to losing Arden, he's a little easier to fluster, to embarrass, to tip slightly off kilter. All the blushing and stammering was FRIGHTENINGLY sweet. Like, wow! He's a person! That I kind of like now! Seeing Arden get closer to him and coax trust out of him and get him to be vulnerable was just lovely.
I sincerely hope that's what the third book is going to be about.
Other miscellaneous things I liked: keeping the kink to the bedroom, Arden being involved and having people and things in his life other than Caspian, but ALSO the fact that this book showed them getting closer in sweet normie ways (dork Caspian is my bread and butter), Ellery in general, GEORGE (I can't be the only lesbian who got all perky-eared and perky-elsewhered when she was mentioned), Arden's thoughts and musing on personal achievements and accomplishments, and the ways we self-sabotage before we even take the first step. HE'S SO FRIGHTENINGLY ME. ALSO, how could I forget. The office scene? With the writing on stomach?
Apparently running off to Scotland to get your sort of boyfriend back from his parents' house does wonders for your attitude?? Haha but honestly, the shifts weren't exactly subtle, but they were believable and natural enough to make him outright endearing to me. It makes sense: after coming that close to losing Arden, he's a little easier to fluster, to embarrass, to tip slightly off kilter. All the blushing and stammering was FRIGHTENINGLY sweet. Like, wow! He's a person! That I kind of like now! Seeing Arden get closer to him and coax trust out of him and get him to be vulnerable was just lovely.
Spoiler
And hey, now I have a new mission in life: to fucking kill Lancaster. Also hug Caspian. Fuck, those last couple of chapters hurt, especially with Caspian being so adamant that he's a monster that deserves to be hated. Honey no. :( And since I listened to this on audiobook and can't fact-check super easily: did Ellery invite Lancaster to the party? Why??? If she knows all about it??? Does the mother know??? What in the WORLD. Yeah, I know, rich predators have even more room and freedom to be predators, but it made me so SAD. When Ellery said that Caspian was probably back with Lancaster I almost screamed. SOMEONE SAVE HIM. ARDEN GET YOUR FUCKING STEED AND RIDE INTO THE CASTLE AND GET YOUR MAN.I sincerely hope that's what the third book is going to be about.
Other miscellaneous things I liked: keeping the kink to the bedroom, Arden being involved and having people and things in his life other than Caspian, but ALSO the fact that this book showed them getting closer in sweet normie ways (dork Caspian is my bread and butter), Ellery in general, GEORGE (I can't be the only lesbian who got all perky-eared and perky-elsewhered when she was mentioned), Arden's thoughts and musing on personal achievements and accomplishments, and the ways we self-sabotage before we even take the first step. HE'S SO FRIGHTENINGLY ME. ALSO, how could I forget. The office scene? With the writing on stomach?