NJ
3.5 stars. Very cute
For a book that otherwise stressed the importance of consent, I just wish their first kiss had been less iffy. The FMC mentions being totally surprised by the kiss. I just found that odd in a book that otherwise strove towards developing a mature, respectful, consensual relationship.
3.5 stars
I wish we got to learn more about Whit other than he's hot and stubborn. I would have loved to know more about how his stubbornness was essential early in the farm's history. Instead, I felt like I didn't get to know many of Whit's strengths.
However, because I love mutual pining, this was still a cute story in my book.
2.5 rounded to 3.
Brother's best friend/Best friend's little sister is one of my least favourite romance tropes, particularly because the obstacles to the main characters' relationship seem flimsy at best. In this particular case, I really hated that Wyatt asked that they keep their relationship secret. It led to jealousy (on both sides) and a lot of feelings of inadequacy on Andie's end, that I didn't really want them to be together by the end of the book. So much of the book was spent in what felt to me like a toxic relationship, that by the time the big reconciliation rolled around I was ready for them to end it. I usually enjoy Susannah Nix's books but this was a miss.
I've read enough Eve Dangerfield books to notice a disturbing trend. When she is describing characters of colour, she goes “the black woman”, “the Latino man” etc... No other physical descriptors are used. But when describing white characters she mentions their hair colour, hair type, etc... In fact, their whiteness is never the focus. It's an interesting tactic from an author who so clearly wants to indicate a diverse environment. However, more often than not it reads as tokenism and diversity for diversity's sake rather than any real investment in creating a truly diverse cast of characters.
Otherwise, her books are mostly fun and engaging. The hero from this book was the cutest. After this, I want to read more romances with himbo MCs.
I'm going to leave this unrated because I don't fully know how I feel about it.
On the one hand, I loved the magic system, the themes and some of the characters but overall I wanted more darkness from the book. When I'm reading a fantasy dark academia, I expect it to be dark and twisty and brutal from the beginning and this lacked that for me. Additionally, I have realised that I don't enjoy reading about passive characters, particularly in fantasy. Robin changes a lot in the end but especially in the beginning I wanted him to have more of the eye of the tiger. Now this doesn't speak to the overall quality of Robin's character it's just my personal preference. So overall, I realise it might objectively be a good book, it just lacked certain things that make a book in this genre sing for me.
Norah had no personality, friends or aspirations outside of her fake relationship. She quits her jobs to become Paddy's girlfriend and that's all she is. She seamlessy inserts herself into Paddy's life because she has no life of her own. While we meet Paddy's friends and his team, there is little mention of Norah's friends. Norah's lack of a life isn't even mentioned in the book, perhaps an explanation could have been given that would have shed more light on her character.
For a book whose main character spouts feminist ideals, it is interesting that the very same main character's life seemed solely centred around her romantic relationship. Initially, in Norah and Paddy's relationship, Norah is a replaceable woman who simply serves to boost Paddy's career. It doesn't particularly matter who Norah is, as long as she's a good girl who can salvage Paddy's reputation. I think in a sense that is precisely the role her character plays in this book, Norah exists so the reader can imagine being with a movie star. It doesn't matter who Norah is, as long as she's an everyday, down on her luck woman whose life is vastly improved by a rich man. But, it makes for a disappointing and regressive reading experience. Especially coupled with the ridiculous ultimatum she gives him when his ex comes to the house
Owen's actions at the end, were too secretive and manipulative. Could not believe in their relationship after that.
