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A review by bessw
Managed by Kristen Callihan
2.0
I really, really wanted to like this because of the rave reviews, but I came out meh. 2.5 stars rounded down to 2.
First a quirk—This book feels very much like men writing women. There is an intense fixation on “bouncing breasts” and nipples. I realize I don’t speak for all women (and would never try to) but it’s incredibly odd that every time she’s aroused or sees something that makes her horny, her “nipples pulse” or her “nipples harden”. I think that’s one of the reason the writing feels so off? Like the nipples are basically treated as a substitute for a penis and constantly stiffening, pulsing, and hardening.
Additionally—the words used instead of pussy. Again, I don’t speak for everyone, but I would rather see the word pussy 10 times than see “sweet box” and “sex” and “slick clasp”.
Next, the MMC has a tragic backstory and overwhelming amount of current issues that just feels…irrationally tragic. Coco Chanel said that you should always take off one accessory before leaving the house to avoid over-accessorizing, and this book could stand to take out at least one problem. Between his really sad childhood, his lingering trauma from a character’s suicide attempt, his need to participate in violent extracurricular activities to let off steam, his extreme insomnia (not sleeping for days at a time?!), etc.
Petty, but it also grossed me out that he I know this is so petty but these are the things my brain pings on sometimes.
The drama throughout also feels very *ducks* fanfic-y to me. The pacing also has major issues.
I did like some things though, I liked the slower pace to their relationship development compared to what I thought it was going to be. I liked the back-and-forth between the FMC and MMC until they get together, and then things are just off. It almost feels like the author wasn’t sure to do with the couple once they were together so she threw a bunch of unrealistic situations and coincidences their way until the book was long enough to finish.
I hate being a party pooper in this review, but I am just a little baffled by the hype.
Tropes: workplace romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy (MMC) sunshine (FMC), music/rockstar
First a quirk—This book feels very much like men writing women. There is an intense fixation on “bouncing breasts” and nipples. I realize I don’t speak for all women (and would never try to) but it’s incredibly odd that every time she’s aroused or sees something that makes her horny, her “nipples pulse” or her “nipples harden”. I think that’s one of the reason the writing feels so off? Like the nipples are basically treated as a substitute for a penis and constantly stiffening, pulsing, and hardening.
Additionally—the words used instead of pussy. Again, I don’t speak for everyone, but I would rather see the word pussy 10 times than see “sweet box” and “sex” and “slick clasp”.
Next, the MMC has a tragic backstory and overwhelming amount of current issues that just feels…irrationally tragic. Coco Chanel said that you should always take off one accessory before leaving the house to avoid over-accessorizing, and this book could stand to take out at least one problem. Between his really sad childhood, his lingering trauma from a character’s suicide attempt, his need to participate in violent extracurricular activities to let off steam, his extreme insomnia (not sleeping for days at a time?!), etc.
Petty, but it also grossed me out that he
Spoiler
used her panties to masturbate and then washed them with his shower gel and shoved them under the mattress and when she finds them they’re damp? So there’s just mildew-laden white silk panties there?The drama throughout also feels very *ducks* fanfic-y to me. The pacing also has major issues.
I did like some things though, I liked the slower pace to their relationship development compared to what I thought it was going to be. I liked the back-and-forth between the FMC and MMC until they get together, and then things are just off. It almost feels like the author wasn’t sure to do with the couple once they were together so she threw a bunch of unrealistic situations and coincidences their way until the book was long enough to finish.
I hate being a party pooper in this review, but I am just a little baffled by the hype.
Tropes: workplace romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy (MMC) sunshine (FMC), music/rockstar