**spoiler alert** This book has been on my radar for years, but I don’t always love the author, so I’ve put it off.
The blurb sets this up, Riley gets**spoiler alert** This book has been on my radar for years, but I don’t always love the author, so I’ve put it off.
The blurb sets this up, Riley gets out of an abusive relationship and runs into Zander, a fellow college student/aspiring musician. She’s hesitant because of her bad experience, but they eventually make a go of it. Enter Beth, the “platonic” BFF that’s always showing up and acting bitchy.
I actually like this trope and have read several with a similar plot. (Molly by Krystal Veitch, Flower by Jaclyn Combe, Kade by Chantal Fernando, Heartfelt Lies by Alexandra Christopher) All featured a clueless H with a female BFF wanting more and trying to eliminate the competition. This is most similar to the last two (Kade & HL) in that the main characters are young, and the book has a YA/NA feel rather than adulting.
I had a few issues. ⚫ The tone of the book was immature. There’re TONS of drama, but it’s all teenage-y drama… OTT and unrelatable. ⚫ The H and BFF relationship felt codependent and icky. Molly had the same issue, you can’t say you think of her as a sibling, then cuddle her like a gf. I’m very close with my brother, and you are NEVER going to catch us napping together with my head on his chest. That’s inappropriate not innocent. ⚫ The ending was brushed away with lazy writing. The entire conflict is Riley feeling uncomfortable with Zander and Beth’s relationship while Beth acts inappropriately. Then Beth makes her move opening Zander’s eyes, but suddenly Riley is totally ok and wants them all to be friends. What? You hate her when she’s flirting, but are fine after she accosts him in his sleep? And Beth, after lusting and secretly LOVING him all of her life just shuts those feelings off? That makes ZERO sense.
Bottom Line- This was a miss for me. I love drama and especially OW drama, but I don’t enjoy overdramatic teen drama. I still would’ve rounded up had the ending not felt so manipulated to get a quick HFN. The reason why all the above-mentioned books work (for me) is because the H sees the light and cuts the overstepping BFF off. The h shouldn’t have to put up with her forever. It was illogical how everyone just POOF did a 180 in there way of thinking/feelings....more
I didn’t read this too long ago, but it was already downloaded on my phone and I was stuck in airplane mode so I skim read it again. I HATE when autI didn’t read this too long ago, but it was already downloaded on my phone and I was stuck in airplane mode so I skim read it again. I HATE when authors make you sign up for their newsletter to get the extended epilogue, but the ending was so rushed that I was curious and decided to take one for the team. (view spoiler)[
Unfortunately, it was disappointing because once again Everly took a back seat to his bratty daughter Savannah. In her defense… it takes place 10 years later, so she isn’t still an obnoxiously selfish teenager (27), but I hold a mean grudge. (hide spoiler)]...more
I’m cleaning out some of my old TBR’s and I’m not having great luck. This reminded me a bit of my last read Never Letting You Go … different plot but I’m cleaning out some of my old TBR’s and I’m not having great luck. This reminded me a bit of my last read Never Letting You Go … different plot but another immature annoying h with ridiculous levels of juvenile soapy-drama and some dicey bits that aren’t handled seriously, so it generates zero angst. I noticed that author co-authored this one so, this could be a style thing.
Kade and Nikki are the brother and BFF of the previous H and h, but they actually met at a club and had a ONS before running into each other again.
The first half of the book is very frustrating because Nikki’s actions made zero sense. She’s constantly pushing him away, being bitchy, telling him all he cares about is sex… But. She’s also very casual with sex, her first words were “Hello there, handsome, wanna fuck?” I purr boldly. And. He’s made a huge effort to get to know her, asking her to date, telling her he wants more than sex, etc. even shutting her down when she wants casual hookups. So. Why is she so pissed? Why is she “slut shaming” him when she too sleeps around? Why does she constantly shut him down, then get hurt when he gives up?
The second half is better because they finally get together, and the wannabe OW causes some drama, so I wasn’t as bored, but I was already checked out by then.
I found pretty much every character unlikable…there’s way too much purring… I love trashy drama, but I have little patience for grown people screaming, yelling, demanding candy, getting into girl fights like they’re 13.
Bottom Line- Not a great fit for more… I think I’m just too old for this type of writing. Like maybe her mom was supposed to be funny, but I thought it was stupid. What mother talks like this??
“Well, Nikki. His dick certainly does match the rest of him. He’s big! You did well for yourself,”
We’re all making small talk when mum pipes up. “So, Kade, I want some grandbabies. When are you going to stop using the rubbers?”
“So, did you do it? Did she say yes? Was the sex smoking hot afterwards?” Mum is jumping up and down clapping.
The first 40% was super boring/irritating, and I hated Nikki. The last 60% was more entertaining with the overstepping best friend wannabe OW, but Kade was too clueless/stupid and got on my nerves. This combo (clueless H/manipulating wannabe OW) isn’t unique, but I found Nikki so unlikable that I couldn’t pull for her. There’s an epilogue six years later.
Safety- There’s technically no cheating, but they both fool around with others. Before they get together, (when she’s still blowing him off/avoiding) he gives up and brings a woman home/ONS. Later during their breakup, she dates a dude and fools around but no sex. (she tries but the OM shuts her down) He brings a girl home but pushes away/leaves after one lick of his package. ...more
This is very soapy-drama-llama read due to a rabid wannabe OW and the idiot H that is blind to her machinations. The story spans over many years (likeThis is very soapy-drama-llama read due to a rabid wannabe OW and the idiot H that is blind to her machinations. The story spans over many years (like 6-8ish) of the H and h trying to find their HEA while the evil OW continuously jumps out yelling SIKE snatching it away.
This is the second book in the series, based on the reviews this couple played a large part of that book, but (from what I read) it appears to follow the same timeline, so I don’t think you’ll miss anything if you skip it.
The book is told from the h, Becs POV except two bonus chapters at the end of the book from Austin’s. She does give the moron many chances, but she’s not a total doormat and does stick up for herself… and make him work for it. The only bad thing is that we miss any OW interaction/ comeuppance because we're only privy to her side of things.
Bottom Line- This is silly-soapy drama. Nothing resembles real life, so if you’re not in the mood for OTT telenovela level of WTFery… this isn’t for you. If you’re in the mood for something more realistic with another stupid H/BFF scenario, you could try Molly. (that H doesn’t screw his BFF but is equally as blind to her BS) That one is in KU, this one is on scribd.
Safety-(view spoiler)[ H never cheats but has a long-term fuck buddy relationship with his best-bud Jordan... and partakes with her during the separation. h is with others during the break, but we aren't given details. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is a solid HS-soapy read, but the drama sits firmly in the HS lane. (bullying, ex-issues, family drama) So, FYI if that isn’t your thing3.5 Stars
This is a solid HS-soapy read, but the drama sits firmly in the HS lane. (bullying, ex-issues, family drama) So, FYI if that isn’t your thing. The blurb sets this up, Ava is the school cheerleader dating the star football player. Mason is the alpha hiding in geeks clothing that’s been in love with her since middle school. The book opens with Ava being betrayed by her bf and being partnered with Mason for a school project.
There were so many things handled right. ✔️ The h was popular AND kind. She was also strong and demanded more when her bf did her wrong. ✔️ The H was smart AND athletic. He was nerdy AND alpha, and totally dedicated to the h. ✔️ The teen drama is handled maturely (for 18-yr-olds). Some parts get very dramatic but it never felt immature or childish… merely soapy. (no stomping, screaming, pouting, etc.) ✔️ And I loved that she poked fun at certain tropes being outdated.
(while discussing a book) Me: He cheated on her and got that other woman pregnant. Mason: Is this book set in the 1950s? Me: No. It is set in the present time. Why? Mason: Haven’t they ever heard of child support?...more
Reread cuz I saw the next book out there... didn't notice it's not released until April. Reread cuz I saw the next book out there... didn't notice it's not released until April. ...more
Loading...
