I’ve seen a few raving TikTok’s and other glowing reviews about this book, but since so many of them focused on the steamy part I categorized it with some of my more disappointing reads this year - even though I hadn’t read it (yes, unfortunately I am cynical like that at times).
But curiosity killed the cat, or revived it in my case, I guess, since I really enjoyed this book!
Is it corny in some places? Yup! Are there a few too many happy coincidences for it to be all the way authentic? Sure. Did I still have butterflies by proxy whenever Adam was with Olive and she didn’t pick up on his endearing actions and words towards her? Heck yeah!
Although some happenings and situations seemed very cliché and too coincidental, the reactions and interactions within them were so authentic that I couldn’t really put the e-reader down. The way their friendship and relationship grew was wonderful to read (slow burns are my thing). It had NOTHING of the dreaded insta-love feeling, and wasn’t really that cliché-ladden. Ok, maybe a bit ;P But I feel like the author managed to get a good balance and found the sweet spot. She broke just as many clichés as she used them.
Even the drama that, next to the fake-relationship obviously, served as the main plot-driver was deliberately placed, and executed very well. It was incorporated well into the story. I didn’t feel like the author picked something at random and threw it in there, and I appreciate that.
Last but not least, I very much enjoyed the author’s style of writing. Especially the quirky moments and funny interactions seem to be one of her fortes.
There’s really no way around loving Olive and Adam or their friends Anh, Malcolm and Holden.
Overall, I’m very glad that I’ve read this book and didn’t listen to my petty self.
To be honest though, I’m a bit annoyed that it’s being made out to be this steam fest when the best thing about this book is the development of the relationship, the drama, and the fact that the author clearly knows what she writes about. It’s unmistakeable that she knows a thing or to (or a hundred) about science and everything surrounding it.
