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A review by chai_and_books
Spring Tide by Ki Stephens
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I went in expecting a cute fluffy romance but ended reading a hot dramatic mess. WHAT WAS THIS.
I disliked everyone in this book- Harper, her friends, Nate, Luca, his family (except his sister and her dog)- but I guess Harper was the best of the bunch and Luca was down right insufferable. He wasn't grumpy, or recluse, he was legitimately mean and rude to Harper for like more that half the book.
Things I didn't like starting off:
1. Harper lying and not telling Luca immediately and him finding out about their 'dating situation from harper's friend.
2. Luca having this weird villain internal monologue where he talks about a secret for a secret like it's some business deal- sir it is not that serious
3. I get the premise of being with someone to make the person you actually like jealous (as is usually with fake dating books) but it wasn't presented clearly here and smth about that gave me the ick
4. Luca not telling Harper they were meeting his ex for dinner at the double date and then breaking it to her when it got super awkward AND her overcompensating for it
GIRL-
Luca was dismissive of her thoughts and interests and like I understand he had a lot going on but that did not give him the right to disregard her problems. And the third act break up thing whatever was just unnecessary considering he came to his senses 5 mins after, groveled for 2 secs, solved all his family issues and found a therapist. IF YOU HAD JUST DONE THAT FROM THE START YOU COULD'VE SAVED ME A LOT MORE BRAINCELLS TODAY.
Things I didn't like starting off:
1. Harper lying and not telling Luca immediately and him finding out about their 'dating situation from harper's friend.
2. Luca having this weird villain internal monologue where he talks about a secret for a secret like it's some business deal- sir it is not that serious
3. I get the premise of being with someone to make the person you actually like jealous (as is usually with fake dating books) but it wasn't presented clearly here and smth about that gave me the ick
4. Luca not telling Harper they were meeting his ex for dinner at the double date and then breaking it to her when it got super awkward AND her overcompensating for it
GIRL-
Luca was dismissive of her thoughts and interests and like I understand he had a lot going on but that did not give him the right to disregard her problems. And the third act break up thing whatever was just unnecessary considering he came to his senses 5 mins after, groveled for 2 secs, solved all his family issues and found a therapist. IF YOU HAD JUST DONE THAT FROM THE START YOU COULD'VE SAVED ME A LOT MORE BRAINCELLS TODAY.