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loverofromance 's review for:
Too Good To Be True
by Kristen Ashley
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππ
Cover:πππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building:ππ
Heart & Feelsπ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter:πππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨
First Impressions
Too Good To Be True on the surface is a contemporary romance with a blend of mystery and intrigue and has a atmospheric feeling of gothic vibes at times. Its a story that is set in England. I do think this book is ONLY for those that enjoy Ashley's modern style writing. If you are looking for something like her classic feel of stories, this unfortunately is NOT it. In fact, this book book was a hot mess. I am so baffled by the high ratings. This was NOT a good book. The mystery was solid and is the only motivator to keep up with the story. If you like a story that is preachy for politics than sure you will probably love it. Don't we all love to be lectured in a romance? Yep that isn't for me and it doesn't matter how much I have loved an author.
What I Loved
I did love their first interactions with each other in the very beginning. There was some sparks of the classic style but the more you get into the book, the less you receive of that. The mystery surrounding what is happening with the rest of Ian's family was really fascinating and the history behind the manor was so intriguing. This plot is what kept me interested in the story. So if you like a good mystery and don't mind her modernistic style, then you might enjoy it.
What I Struggled With
*Sigh* this book was a hard one to get through. I almost came close to DNF'ing this book. I wanted to love this one. I was told it was very similar to her classic novels. So I went into it expecting it to be like that but it was NOT. The beginning it actually had glimpses so I felt optimistic starting it out, but steadily those elements faded into the background and what became more prominent was worse. There was so much preaching type of elements of politics and feminism and men are bad in this book. The hero goes from maybe an alpha to a tame beta. There was this constantly feeling of cynicism in this book. It was almost like KA is telling readers how awful relationships and love are but yet here is a romance but not much promise for the future. This new modern style from her is just not my cup of tea. And I think from now on I will not be reading her. This book was just a mess and is the last straw for me. There was also this feeling of this author attacking women who live a traditional lifestyle. Yeah sorry I am just not going to enjoy that. And for those that think this is ANYTHING like her classic books, you really need to look at what you are reading because they are as different as fire and ice. I think the classic KA style of books are dead and she has lost something so precious and unique in her writing.
Overall View
A true disappointment. A story that had such promise but didn't deliver like I know this author is capable of. Its obvious she has lost her magic that won so many hearts.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Character Types: Beta Hero, Billionaire, Socialite Heroine
Themes: Gothic vibes, House Party, Class Difference
Tropes: Slow Burn, Forced Proximity
Book Perspective
1st Pov
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Mostly Plot Conflict
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππ
Cover:πππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building:ππ
Heart & Feelsπ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter:πππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨
First Impressions
Too Good To Be True on the surface is a contemporary romance with a blend of mystery and intrigue and has a atmospheric feeling of gothic vibes at times. Its a story that is set in England. I do think this book is ONLY for those that enjoy Ashley's modern style writing. If you are looking for something like her classic feel of stories, this unfortunately is NOT it. In fact, this book book was a hot mess. I am so baffled by the high ratings. This was NOT a good book. The mystery was solid and is the only motivator to keep up with the story. If you like a story that is preachy for politics than sure you will probably love it. Don't we all love to be lectured in a romance? Yep that isn't for me and it doesn't matter how much I have loved an author.
What I Loved
I did love their first interactions with each other in the very beginning. There was some sparks of the classic style but the more you get into the book, the less you receive of that. The mystery surrounding what is happening with the rest of Ian's family was really fascinating and the history behind the manor was so intriguing. This plot is what kept me interested in the story. So if you like a good mystery and don't mind her modernistic style, then you might enjoy it.
What I Struggled With
*Sigh* this book was a hard one to get through. I almost came close to DNF'ing this book. I wanted to love this one. I was told it was very similar to her classic novels. So I went into it expecting it to be like that but it was NOT. The beginning it actually had glimpses so I felt optimistic starting it out, but steadily those elements faded into the background and what became more prominent was worse. There was so much preaching type of elements of politics and feminism and men are bad in this book. The hero goes from maybe an alpha to a tame beta. There was this constantly feeling of cynicism in this book. It was almost like KA is telling readers how awful relationships and love are but yet here is a romance but not much promise for the future. This new modern style from her is just not my cup of tea. And I think from now on I will not be reading her. This book was just a mess and is the last straw for me. There was also this feeling of this author attacking women who live a traditional lifestyle. Yeah sorry I am just not going to enjoy that. And for those that think this is ANYTHING like her classic books, you really need to look at what you are reading because they are as different as fire and ice. I think the classic KA style of books are dead and she has lost something so precious and unique in her writing.
Overall View
A true disappointment. A story that had such promise but didn't deliver like I know this author is capable of. Its obvious she has lost her magic that won so many hearts.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mystery
Character Types: Beta Hero, Billionaire, Socialite Heroine
Themes: Gothic vibes, House Party, Class Difference
Tropes: Slow Burn, Forced Proximity
Book Perspective
1st Pov
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Mostly Plot Conflict
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.