A laugh out loud series of essays about our gross human bodies, I loved it. If you want in depth conversations about chin hair, hemorrhoids, birthmarks, bellybuttons, and sweating this is the book for you.

I read this in one day but that’s more of a reflection on the amount of free time I had available today and the plot being very easy.

This was…….ok. A trope I really dislike is…maybe I’ll call it fake identity? And the subsequent intense lying that must ensue to maintain this fake identity. I strongly dislike this. It is almost always a man lying to a woman, and then shit happens and the jig is up, the woman must say “yes you’ve been lying to me for weeks/months while in a pretend relationship where we had sex many times but I forgive you easy peasy!! No worries here!!” No thank you.

I like the female friendships and how that group formed, the convos on being a Black woman in STEM, familial and societal pressures/expectations, and the undercover plot (idk why that part isn’t discussed in the description as it’s what the entire book is about).

ALSO another criticism: because we don’t know about the secret undercover plot, for the first 25% during Daniel’s POV he seems like a calculating manipulator who uses women to get what he wants. It’s weirdly cold and clinical and then as soon as the two get involved it immediately disappears, never to be addressed again.

I will still read the second one and then decide if this series is for me or not.

There is nothing better than gay fake dating.

I do wish Eden Finley would stop putting in fake drama around 80% which involves everyone exploding at each other in anger but shockingly it is resolved quickly!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did his best attempt at a Boston accent…..As someone in Boston I can tell you how difficult it was to listen to. I almost had to DNF after the first chapter with Ollie’s whole family since each brother had an increasingly exaggerated accent and it was agonizing to listen to. I actually enjoy a good Boston accent but not this narrator’s version, phew. Only the good reviews made me able to dive back in and I’m so glad I did.

As always with this series, I gasped I squealed I shouted “you love each other!!!” which is the ideal romance.

An excellent primer. Will def be recommending to people.

Obsessed with this series. The audiobook experience is top tier, though prepare yourself for a highly intimate experience.

Can't even count how many times I smiled to myself, gasped, laughed, and wistfully sighed. The only one not involving fake dating but the plot more than makes up for it.

Torn between 4 and 5 stars for this one. I love lyrical, flowery writing which contrasted interestingly with the heist plot. It was beautifully written. The premise was so intriguing (although admittedly implausible). I live in Boston so enjoyed reading glimpses of the city.

I am not Chinese American nor an immigrant so it was very interesting learning more about how each protagonist thought about their family's histories and the disapora. I loved the discussions of colonialism and the role museums play in continuing to maintain it.

The romance was an unexpected addition, and while I am a firm romance-lover, I didn't think it was necessary.

Important and so necessary. As with any compilation, there are some stars and some weeds. I especially liked the poetry included.

Better than the first, imo.

Wow. Excellent. I bought this for my brother and am so glad I read it before giving it to him.