By Salon Ballard
Book is rated 4 / 5 stars.
This book was just downright cute, easy to read, and adorable. If you're a fan of How To Loose a Guy in 10 Days (and if you aren't, why the heck not?) then this book is for you! Enemies to lovers, exes, competition. And it really is an easy read. I knocked it out in a few hours and I was grinning and squealing the entire time. There are spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read the book, be prepared.
Initial Thoughts
I think I saw this book pop up on an IG story and then I never saw it again. On a latest trip to Target, I saw this book sitting there and I grabbed it on a whim.
I'm so glad I did.
This book is just adorable and a great book to read on a rainy day to remind you of cute rom-coms. It's very modern, very real and the characters of Lana and Seth are so relatable. in fact, much of Lana reminded me of me in the best of ways. Her nerdy side along with her second guessing her job choice and the personal blog are all things that reflect me, too.
I love how each chapter was headed. It was a cute, very journalistic/columnist type of way to tie into the rom-com favorites. It was a really precious touch that I enjoyed throughout. It gave me very He's Just Not That Into You vibes with the cutaways they did.
Who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers storyline that's a slight slow burn but then also throw in some past history of first loves. Makes for a classic rom-com right? One that is predictable, but you still want to know it all.
The Competition
Seth and Lana, who are first loves and exes, are forced into a competition by a money-grabbing, power hungry woman who was never going to actually keep her promise. At first, I thought that Natasha was a caring woman who wanted the best for Lana. The more we get to know her, and the more that Lana discovers about herself and her strengths, we realize that really isn't the case. In fact, Lana notes that she hyper fixated on that relationship because it represented a do-over with her mother -- sad, but true. And, I'm so proud of her that she stood up for herself in the end.
No part of this book is surprising. But, this isn't the kind of book you read for plot twists. It's the kind of book you read for a happy resolution and that is exactly what you get. The Competition itself -- a classic pitting two people against each other. They each are forced into close proximities with each other, while having to go on a journey of self-discovery in their own right. It is a little ridiculous of a plot, considering that their boss is the one who is pushing it. But, she wants the ratings and the clicks.
A halo of golden light from the hallway surrounds him like he's freaking Captain America.
Every nerdy description made me so happy and giggle. And, Seth is the epitome of the man every girl wants to fall in love with in the rom-com. Though we see this story from Lana's point of view, I think it's more than clear we see his own transformation. From the chapter beginning notes, to the IMs, to his announcement at the party and finally the paralleled by his own confession in the final post they both make was just incredible. I loved reading his transformation from the eyes of a woman who was going through her own.
Lana finding her breakthrough was stunning! I also wanted it to be me so bad. I wanted to be the person who had that revelation, who had that love, who was courageous enough to confess it to the World and recognize that she needed to spread her wings and fly.
"And I want it to be you. I need it to be you."
All of their little moments throughout were just sprinkled at the right pace. It was heartbreaking to see her have to endure past pains, but it needed to happen so she could see what was in front of her. It's not every day that you get to fall in love again with your first love and it sticks. That's the ultimate dream, right?
It was all made obvious, but nothing really hit home like that moment at the bar where he gets jealous. More so when they bond at the Tourist Day and even more at speed dating when he hides out in his car until he wants to talk to her in person. Their relationship is the end goal - at least for me while I dream about my first love.
Final Thoughts
When I need a good, cute story to really get me through a rough patch, this will be one of the books that I will pick up. When I want to believe that rom-coms are real, but I want to read it, this is what I'll pick up.
What did you all think? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments!
Комментарии