Member Reviews
Very much enjoyed the premise of this - Leonie goes on an unexpected date with someone that’s meant to be the total opposite of her just to try it out, and finds herself attracted to this younger man who is very much not her usual type. They have an interesting night together that’s very much a one time thing, but she soon finds herself having to work with him. There is a lot of tension and drama in this, as well as some unexpected turns. However, I did get a bit lost in some of the tech jargon at times and the MMC’s baggage is MESSY - maybe like not worth it messy? It just didn’t end up a very swoony romance in the end and there wasn’t an epilogue to elevate the romance of it.
What to expect:
- one night stand gone wrong
- opposites attract
- age gap
- forced proximity
- workplace romance vibes
Gosh I wanted to love this. I enjoyed the romance but there wasn’t much fun or laughter. Struggled with the characters a bit, really did want to love this more.
I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking out for their work in the future. I loved seeing the story unfold and seeing the characters grow.
I couldn't get into this book. I wanted to like it, but I did not find myself wanting to read more. I think others may enjoy it. For me, there are better romance novels out there.
I have to say, I enjoy STEM romances
Where folks encounter surprising chances!
This time in Paris an opposites match app shows
That maybe romance for opposites might grow.
This one night encounter with Jack should be the end,
Though her dating algorithm needs an amend.
Leonie decides chemistry is also a must
But there is also a need for trust.
When helping out her step-brother
Leonie is very shocked to discover
That Jack is also a part of the team.
Will this be a nightmare or a dream?
This is a family drama and fun romance
Where several relationships are given a chance.
There's healing, honesty and chemistry,
After a slow start as you'll soon see.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
I approached the algorithm for finding opposites with skepticism, doubting its effectiveness. To my surprise, the experience turned out to be not only interesting but also quite enjoyable. The exploration of this computational approach led to unexpected and even steamy results, challenging my initial doubts.
Engaging with the algorithm was a unique journey that defied my preconceptions. It's fascinating how technology can deliver experiences beyond what we might anticipate. This process of discovery has made me reconsider my skepticism towards computers and their potential to understand and generate content that resonates on a personal level.
The exploration of opposites through an algorithm provided a new perspective on the capabilities of computer systems. It's a reminder that technology continues to evolve and surprise us, bridging the gap between human intuition and machine intelligence. This experience has left me intrigued and more open-minded about the possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of computational creativity.
I really enjoyed this book and the idea that you put what you want in a partner into a dating app and it matches you up with the reverse! There was a lot of detail on software development which I didn’t fully understand but apart from that, it was a good story of developing romance at times of challenge.
This review contains spoilers!!
This romance novel starts with a dating app with a fun opposites attract premise. However, the lead romance that we’re supposed to be rooting for is toxic. It is a common trope in romantic comedies for there to be miscommunication and occasionally hiding information, however, usually, you can understand why one or all individuals had to do that. In this book the FMC hid information from the MMC that this app he was creating was going to be sold without his knowledge, she never knew he’d invested, and she was being lied to and emotionally blackmailed by her stepbrother. The MMC, however, did not inform her that he was still actively married and shared a home with his wife. He wasn’t the one to inform the FMC of this and let her decide what to do with that information. Throughout the book, the two leads, but particularly the MMC, take each other on emotional rollercoasters with intense downs. At one point, he literally won’t let her out of the car, and he hasn’t even told her where they’re going. This is after they’ve had some intense discussions, and it felt very very unsafe.
I did not like any of the characters. Especially at the beginning, there was casual homophobia that wasn’t addressed as being very problematic. The FMC’s friends were unsupportive and made me uncomfortable at several points, in particular, after being informed that the MMC was married this whole time. The response to this is: “The list never said he had to be single.” And “We’re halfway through life. You’ve got to roll with a little baggage.” Her mother also acts as though him being married and the general toxicity that has occurred throughout their relationship is merely within the normal range of all relationships having issues. She even goes so far as to tell the FMC that everything is simply a shade of gray (other than death). Simply because all relationships have issues doesn’t mean that all issues are tolerable, acceptable, or non-abusive. To imply that abusive behavior can be qualified as in a gray area is concerning.
I received an ARC from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins/One more chapter for this ARC.
I stopped reading at 50%.
I honestly didnt not like this book. The cover was very cute and enticing to read but this just wasn't for me.
Leonie is single and has a list of what she looks for in a perfect date, but so far has not been successful on dating apps. Leonie is from Los Angeles, California and has been living in London for ten years. She travels to Paris with her friends for a celebration weekend and one of friends sets Leonie up for a blind date by reversing Leonie’s list of a perfect man.
Back in London Leonie starts working on a new job and finds she is working with Jack the guy she met in Paris on a blind date.
Jack and Leonie are attracted to each other, but their life and background get in the way.
This was about families, friendships and the development of social media Apps. It was a fun easy read.
It was hard to work out who was who at the beginning, and it was a bit drawn out in the middle.
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the chance to read this book.
I did not finish this book. I loved the concept of the book but there were just alot of things that bothered me about this book. It felt like it as all over the place and it felt immature. I also am not a fan of cheating so that part did not help at all. I really wanted to like this one but it just fell short for me.
This is a difficult one to review as I didn't love it but I didn't entirely hate it either.
I did not enjoy the romance storyline and there was no comedy despite it being billed as a rom-com.
Leonie and Jack meet for the first time in Paris via a dating app but it really lacked that meet-cute to set them up as aromantuc couple. There is no chemistry between them or funny banter to lighten the mood. Jack was a miserable sod for most of the novel. For an Irish man he was zero craic and the last person I'd volunteer to go for a drink with. He doesn't seem to like or trust Leonie at all and I didn't believe in any romantic feelings he may have had for her because he didn't show that he had any.
There seemed to be a slight shift in their frenemies relationship when they travelled to Los Angeles. I did find their travelling scenes quite entertaining especially as Leonie had to look after him. This was the best part of the book for me. It provided a good opportunity for a real friendship to build as they spent time together but they didn't really grow emotionally closer in the way that I wanted.
Maybe a dual POV would have helped with this book as there are so many red flags with Jack. It would have helped to understand his marriage arrangements and what he actually felt for Leonie beyond the obvious.
There is an awful lot of focus on the work behind the development of the app and the process the characters had to go through in order to get it ready for launch. It was more realistic than the romance but it didn't exactly make the book a page turner.
This book took my a while to get into and I found it a little slow to start with but I'm glad I stuck with it as it became a very enjoyable read! I think if you enjoy Ali Hazelwood books you will love this one!
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity!
I loved Ali Hazelwood’s works so when i read the synopsis i was really interested in it and it delivered!
The cover is soo pretty and they are just as pretty. I smiled and even teared up at the relatability of the certain incidents and events.
4/5
I got 14% into this book and could tell it wasn’t my vibe, so in the spirit of 2024 being the year I don’t put myself into reading slumps my persevering with books I won’t enjoy, I am DNF-ing.
I can already tell this far in that I won’t like the MMC. I don’t like books where women are deemed ‘boring’ for not sleeping with men frequently. Leonie then of course has to have a one night stand and of course it has to be with a man whose entire being is centred on him having abs and tattoos.
I dislike the FMC’s friends, it was so hard to like them. I also find there are many references in this I just don’t get. I don’t know if it’s because the FMC is 10 years older than me? But also she’s making it out like this 30 year old MMC is ‘so young’ and trust me, I do not feel young 🤣
I’ve read reviews of what happens in the story and know this will not be for me at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was okay, nothing special. I didn't really like the characters and felt no connection. I did like the writing style but not the storyline.
Opposites attract romance, the story of Leonie and Jack. A fun read, and I wanted everything to work out for them
Ready to get back out there Leonie decides to give dating apps a chance but not just any app. This one finds the exact opposite of what you wish for, in her case that’s Jack although their chemistry is off the charts. They go out and have a nice date in Paris until the morning comes. She’s not planning on ever seeing him again. Until Leonie starts a new job and runs into the best and worst date of her life.
The beginning is great it really caught my interest. Leonie and her friends are so entertaining and who doesn’t like a blind date. But after Paris I felt like the books lost its momentum and became a bit stagnant. The mcs don’t particularly get along, there’s some back and forth and of course miscommunication which I’m not a big fan of.
Leonies family an interesting aspect of the back half in my opinion. They have some drama about money etc. I want more romance, more content about Jack and the two of them out of the office. The ending is quite sweet.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the chance to read this book.
This is an office romance type story with a cast of entertaining characters. The main female character, Leonie, loves a good checklist and has applied one in her search for a partner, aided by her "Greek choir" of best friends who are more than ready to help her along. They are a varied group of women with different life stages, but the humour and camaraderie is a joy to read.
The main male character, Jack, comes across as the strong and silent type and has a big chip on his shoulder, though to be fair, Leonie has a similar sized chip. They have some similarities, but enough differences that have them deciding a relationship won't work.
What follows is a journey full of misunderstandings, trust lost and gained, moments of joy and sadness all wrapped up with a happily ever after.
I feel the main message of the story is about the pay-off that can come from stepping outside of the box you put yourself in.
I really enjoyed this book, if you are a lover of Ali Hazelwood then this book is for you! There was definitely a lot of sexual tension and some spice in here. I also really loved that the female main character wasn’t a damsel in distress and she owned it. Overall, this was a quick fun read which had me gripped from page 1.