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chronicallybookish's Reviews (1.53k)
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Rating: 3/5
Over All: 4.75 stars
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Disability Rep: 5/5
Chloe Liese is simply incapable of writing a bad book. I adore the Bergman Brothers series, and I was so excited to see what she could do with the power of a trad publishing house behind her—and this book did not disappoint!
Bea and Jamie were both so socially awkward. I’m obsessed with them. Seeing them together, how they navigated each other’s neurodivergencies, and watching them each grow, separately and together, was so heartwarming and wholesome.
The only thing that knocked this book down from a 5 star to a 4.75 star read was the constant “we’re so wrong for each other/we’re such polar opposites/we don’t get along” thing they had going on for the first 1/4 of the book. Like in both their narrations (but especially Bea’s) you’re constantly told that their first meeting was disastrous that the other person was unlikeable to them and they’re polar opposites etc etc… when that’s not at all how it actually read in those early scenes. They never seemed opposite to me, and though their original meeting was a comedy of errors, the takeaway that each character seemed to have of each other after the party always seemed far too extreme to me.
I understand that later, as their scheme progresses, they (especially Bea) lament on the ways in which they differ in order to tamp down their growing feelings. That made sense.
My issue is with before that, from the first meeting up until the “let’s be friends” convo, when they’re saying all these things, but there’s no reason for it, leaving me unconvinced and causing the repetition of these sentiments to become annoying.
But that’s only the first 50 pages, and I have basically no other complaints (it was a bit spicy for me, but I don’t mark down for that because it’s fully personal preference).
Chloe Liese is a phenomenal writer, and she is one of the most talented authors I know, especially when it comes to integrating disability rep into her books. She weaves it seamlessly into both the plot and the characters personalities. They are fully fleshed people outside of their disability, while still being so impacted by their neurodivergencies—exactly how it is in reality when you’re neurodivergent/disabled. Her depictions of anxiety and autism were so beautifully nuanced and raw. I honestly can’t think of a book that does it better.
This book was just so fun, fast, sexy, and heartwarming. I flew through it and I want the next book in the series NOW! The way I was fully squealing when I started to get a glimpse of the set-up for Kate’s book—and then the little sampler! I’m beyond excited, and I cannot recommend this book—or this author!—more.
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Rating: 3/5
Over All: 4.75 stars
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Disability Rep: 5/5
Chloe Liese is simply incapable of writing a bad book. I adore the Bergman Brothers series, and I was so excited to see what she could do with the power of a trad publishing house behind her—and this book did not disappoint!
Bea and Jamie were both so socially awkward. I’m obsessed with them. Seeing them together, how they navigated each other’s neurodivergencies, and watching them each grow, separately and together, was so heartwarming and wholesome.
The only thing that knocked this book down from a 5 star to a 4.75 star read was the constant “we’re so wrong for each other/we’re such polar opposites/we don’t get along” thing they had going on for the first 1/4 of the book. Like in both their narrations (but especially Bea’s) you’re constantly told that their first meeting was disastrous that the other person was unlikeable to them and they’re polar opposites etc etc… when that’s not at all how it actually read in those early scenes. They never seemed opposite to me, and though their original meeting was a comedy of errors, the takeaway that each character seemed to have of each other after the party always seemed far too extreme to me.
I understand that later, as their scheme progresses, they (especially Bea) lament on the ways in which they differ in order to tamp down their growing feelings. That made sense.
My issue is with before that, from the first meeting up until the “let’s be friends” convo, when they’re saying all these things, but there’s no reason for it, leaving me unconvinced and causing the repetition of these sentiments to become annoying.
But that’s only the first 50 pages, and I have basically no other complaints (it was a bit spicy for me, but I don’t mark down for that because it’s fully personal preference).
Chloe Liese is a phenomenal writer, and she is one of the most talented authors I know, especially when it comes to integrating disability rep into her books. She weaves it seamlessly into both the plot and the characters personalities. They are fully fleshed people outside of their disability, while still being so impacted by their neurodivergencies—exactly how it is in reality when you’re neurodivergent/disabled. Her depictions of anxiety and autism were so beautifully nuanced and raw. I honestly can’t think of a book that does it better.
This book was just so fun, fast, sexy, and heartwarming. I flew through it and I want the next book in the series NOW! The way I was fully squealing when I started to get a glimpse of the set-up for Kate’s book—and then the little sampler! I’m beyond excited, and I cannot recommend this book—or this author!—more.
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Rating: 2/5
Over All: 4.75 stars
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Disability Rep: 5/5
This book is just as good as it sounds—and that’s saying something. I mean, fake dating/marriage of convenience, but she falls in love with her fiance’s sister? Tell me that doesn’t sound amazing.
I enjoyed The Charm Offensive, but for me, KHOFM blew TCO out of the water. I found Ellie to be far more relatable, personally, and more developed as a character, generally. Likewise, the chemistry between Jack and Ellie was so palpable it was suffocating (in the best way possible).
Though, admittedly, I think the reason I found this book so much better was because of the tense and POV. KHOFM is in 1st person present (my personal favorite to read) whereas TCO is in 3rd person present. I have such a hard time with 3rd person present. 3rd person past doesn’t bother me, but as soon as you switch it over to present, I struggle with staying engaged in the book.
I was lucky enough to meet Alison Cochrun at one of the launch events for KHOFM, so I had to ask about the tenses and perspective of her future novels and, unfortunately for me, she says her next novel will be written in the style of TCO, as that is her preferred perspective. Of course, she is an amazing writer in whichever tense she chooses, and I will read any book she puts out, regardless.
As for the disability rep… it was phenomenal. Amazing. All around perfection.
Ellie, the MC, has a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I also have GAD. I swear Ellie’s thought spirals and anxious reactions and just general anxious perfectionisms were stolen right out of my own experiences. I’m not sure, in terms of anxiety rep, that I’ve ever read a more relatable character. Alison Cochrun’s execution of integrating her anxiety into the story without it ever feeling overwhelming in terms of other characterization of Ellie was masterful.
Jack, the love interest, is also neurodivergent. She has ADHD, and while we don’t get to live inside her head like we do with Ellie, that underlying thread of the rep is still obviously present in her characterization, even when it isn’t being directly addressed. It is, of course, directly addressed several times within the text. Through Jack’s dialogue, we get to see a lot of different ways that it has affected her, both positive and negative, as well as the ableism she has experienced because of it. I don’t have a diagnosis of ADHD, but her struggle with some of the facets of her neurodivergencies, the ableism she faces, and her reactions to it are not dissimilar to my own experiences, and I really appreciated the representation. I also really loved that the narrative of the story didn’t demonize or punish Jack for being a college drop-out. We get to see a character who chose a path other than higher education, and though they struggled due to the facts of our society, they still ultimately succeeded. I really enjoyed the discussions of disability and neurodivergencies in education systems and the general workplace. I think that’s such an important topic.
I am obsessed with every single character in this book. Alison Cochrun not only crafted a fleshed-out, compelling main character and love interest, but also some of the best side characters I’ve ever read. I mean, the Boozy Grandmas?? I literally adore them so much. Andrew, too, was a well-rounded, interesting character, as were Meredith, Ari, and Katherine. In my opinion, the only character that suffered a lack of development was Dylan. They didn’t seem to have much of a personality or agency of their own outside of scowling and being the object of Andrew’s affection. I feel like their character, especially being part of the chaotic love trapezoid, had so much potential, but just needed more.
I also wish we had seen a bit more of Ari. She was a fully developed character who I adored, but her existence gets lost in majority of the book when Ellie is in the mountains. She’s a big part of the book before then, and a big part after, but because she’s completely nonexistent between the amount of importance she has in the very beginning and very end of the book feels disproportionate. I think had Ellie even thought of her once or twice or received a text or two, the Ari-sans Ari ratio would’ve felt more balanced. Also I just love her and want more of her.
This book was phenomenal. Alison Cochrun is a phenomenal writer. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Rating: 2/5
Over All: 4.75 stars
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Disability Rep: 5/5
This book is just as good as it sounds—and that’s saying something. I mean, fake dating/marriage of convenience, but she falls in love with her fiance’s sister? Tell me that doesn’t sound amazing.
I enjoyed The Charm Offensive, but for me, KHOFM blew TCO out of the water. I found Ellie to be far more relatable, personally, and more developed as a character, generally. Likewise, the chemistry between Jack and Ellie was so palpable it was suffocating (in the best way possible).
Though, admittedly, I think the reason I found this book so much better was because of the tense and POV. KHOFM is in 1st person present (my personal favorite to read) whereas TCO is in 3rd person present. I have such a hard time with 3rd person present. 3rd person past doesn’t bother me, but as soon as you switch it over to present, I struggle with staying engaged in the book.
I was lucky enough to meet Alison Cochrun at one of the launch events for KHOFM, so I had to ask about the tenses and perspective of her future novels and, unfortunately for me, she says her next novel will be written in the style of TCO, as that is her preferred perspective. Of course, she is an amazing writer in whichever tense she chooses, and I will read any book she puts out, regardless.
As for the disability rep… it was phenomenal. Amazing. All around perfection.
Ellie, the MC, has a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I also have GAD. I swear Ellie’s thought spirals and anxious reactions and just general anxious perfectionisms were stolen right out of my own experiences. I’m not sure, in terms of anxiety rep, that I’ve ever read a more relatable character. Alison Cochrun’s execution of integrating her anxiety into the story without it ever feeling overwhelming in terms of other characterization of Ellie was masterful.
Jack, the love interest, is also neurodivergent. She has ADHD, and while we don’t get to live inside her head like we do with Ellie, that underlying thread of the rep is still obviously present in her characterization, even when it isn’t being directly addressed. It is, of course, directly addressed several times within the text. Through Jack’s dialogue, we get to see a lot of different ways that it has affected her, both positive and negative, as well as the ableism she has experienced because of it. I don’t have a diagnosis of ADHD, but her struggle with some of the facets of her neurodivergencies, the ableism she faces, and her reactions to it are not dissimilar to my own experiences, and I really appreciated the representation. I also really loved that the narrative of the story didn’t demonize or punish Jack for being a college drop-out. We get to see a character who chose a path other than higher education, and though they struggled due to the facts of our society, they still ultimately succeeded. I really enjoyed the discussions of disability and neurodivergencies in education systems and the general workplace. I think that’s such an important topic.
I am obsessed with every single character in this book. Alison Cochrun not only crafted a fleshed-out, compelling main character and love interest, but also some of the best side characters I’ve ever read. I mean, the Boozy Grandmas?? I literally adore them so much. Andrew, too, was a well-rounded, interesting character, as were Meredith, Ari, and Katherine. In my opinion, the only character that suffered a lack of development was Dylan. They didn’t seem to have much of a personality or agency of their own outside of scowling and being the object of Andrew’s affection. I feel like their character, especially being part of the chaotic love trapezoid, had so much potential, but just needed more.
I also wish we had seen a bit more of Ari. She was a fully developed character who I adored, but her existence gets lost in majority of the book when Ellie is in the mountains. She’s a big part of the book before then, and a big part after, but because she’s completely nonexistent between the amount of importance she has in the very beginning and very end of the book feels disproportionate. I think had Ellie even thought of her once or twice or received a text or two, the Ari-sans Ari ratio would’ve felt more balanced. Also I just love her and want more of her.
This book was phenomenal. Alison Cochrun is a phenomenal writer. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
