Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Happily Never After

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

5 reviews

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

I wanted to read this book because I love Lynn Painter’s work and when she announced this book, I instantly pre-ordered this book.

This book is based on Sophie Steinbeck and finds out just hours before nuptials that her fiancé has cheated yet again, she desperately wants to call it off. But because her future father-in-law is her dad’s cutthroat boss, she doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Her saviour comes in the form of a professional objector, whose purpose is to show up at weddings and proclaim the words no couple wants to hear at their ceremony: “I object.” During anti-wedding festivities that night, Sophie learns more about Max the Objector’s job. It makes perfect sense to her: he saves people from wasting their lives, from hurting each other. He's a modern-day hero. And Sophie wants in. The two love cynics start working together, going from wedding to wedding, and Sophie’s having more fun than she’s had in ages. She looks forward to every nerve-racking ceremony saving the lovesick souls of their betrothed masses. As Sophie and Max spend more time together, they realize that their physical chemistry is off the charts, leading them to dabble in a hookup session or two, but it’s totally fine, because they definitely do not have feelings for each other. Love doesn’t exist, after all. And then everything changes. A groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, but his fiancée is the woman who broke Max’s heart. As Max wrestles with whether he can be a party to his ex’s getting hurt, Sophie grapples with the sudden realization that she may have fallen hard for her partner in crime.

This book is so fun and adorable and flirty. I love the aspect of professional stopping wedding discreetly without being the one that is breaking the family apart. I feel like I would find the perfect job, I would love to do this job. I love Sophie, I think she is brilliant, and I wanted to hug her throughout the book, she was going through a rough time, trying to get a promotion and having to see her ex-fiancé every day. I love the character development she had and how she went from being a cynic to be all fluffy and in love. Max took a while to grow on me, I think it’s mainly because I was waiting for the red flag to make an appearance. He seemed too perfect for a main character, even in fluffy romances there is usually something wrong with the love interest. I loved his POV and wanted more than him just talking about how much he missed or wanted Sophie. I loved Larry and Rose and what them to have a book together please? They could be doing anything – bickering, on holiday, working. I don’t care, I loved those two.

The third-act conflict wasn’t needed. The miscommunication wasn’t needed. If Max had told Sophie on the phone that Lilabeth was his ex then she would have understood why he didn’t want to be the objector at this one and then moved on, but instead he went behind her back and then was wondering why she was pissed. It was all just very annoying for the last sixty pages.

I will always read anything Lynn Painter writes. I adore her work and I'm hoping to rate one of her books five stars soon, but this was just missing something to make it a five-star read.

Content Warnings

thevanessa's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

1.75/5⭐️

✨She’s not like other girls✨

✨He’s not like other guys✨

✨And they remind you of that in every chapter with great detail✨

🫠

Content Warnings

sdupont's review

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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

4.5

Looking for a book with the vibes of a fun 2000’s romcom movie? Read this one right here! I liked Max and Sophie they had a fun dynamic. The dual POVs delivered some mutual pining and feelings that they both tried to ignore. They brought out an easiness in each other. The wedding objector plot was the perfect amount of quirky. Lynn really delivers on the kissing (and spicy scenes) and might have you looking for a new make out partner. I recommend this book if you want a lighthearted and fun romance.

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lexiemoon321's review

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funny lighthearted fast-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

4.25

Did I manage to read this all in a couple of hours? Yes, I did.

Okay, I want to go ahead and get my only problem with the book: the romance between the two main characters just completely undermines what the book is trying to talk about: that love isn't real. But besides that...I liked it! If there is one thing that I have noticed with Lynn Painter is that she writes the most HILARIOUS banter. I think overall this was a really cute read and one that you can read in one sitting!

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dianaschmidty's review

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adventurous funny inspiring 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

5.0

BUTTERFLIES! That’s what I felt the ENTIRE TIME that I was reading this book! Lynn Painter does such a great job at setting up adorable romances, which make me feel so immersed in the story! I felt butterflies when they were happy and kind of sick to my stomach during the third act conflict. But mostly I was kicking-my-feet kind of giddy!

First of all, Sophie and Max were absolutely adorable! Like, I was giggling anytime they interacted because they just seemed SO GOOD TOGETHER! Like with all of Lynn Painter’s books, the dialogue/banter was phenomenal! And for Max and Sophie specifically, I loved their foundation as instant-besties. I feel like it made the transition of them going from friends to something more so seem less because it felt natural given their connection.

This book was also just hilarious! Between their constantly riffing of each other and the insane situations they find themselves in, I never stopped laughing! The whole concept of The Objectors is amazing and honestly feels like it needs to exist! I actually know multiple people that have gotten married because they felt they couldn’t cancel and then quickly divorced. If only The Objectors (TM) were around!

Also, speaking of The Objectors, I have a bone to pick with Berkley. Berkley, why did you change the title? The OG title of The Objectors fits the book so much better! Happily Never After is a fine title, I guess, but The Objectors fits Max and Sophie’s story SO WELL! In my head, I’ll forever call it The Objectors in my mind.

Overall, this will be one of my favorite books of the year!

Thank you so much to Lynn Painter, Berkley, and Edelweiss for providing me access to this book!!

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