Falling for My Brother’s Childhood Friend
Jason Thorn… The boy from my childhood, the friend of my brother. I was foolishly infatuated with him. He was the first boy to make me blush, my very first crush. It all sounds enchanting, doesn’t it? That exhilarating feeling that surges within you, the famous butterflies fluttering for the first time—Jason was the cause of it all. But, as they say, you can only live in that fairytale world until reality shatters your hopes and dreams, leaving your heart shattered as well. And oh, how he crushed my little heart into countless pieces.
After the crushing blow, I did my best to avoid him. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy, especially considering that he slept in the room right across from mine. But when tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was more than ready to erase him from my existence.
Now, he’s a movie star, the one who sends women of all ages into a frenzy, the one who makes everyone swoon with that adorable dimpled smile. Do you find that dreamy? Well, I certainly don’t. And guess what? I’ve come face to face with him. But no, it’s still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even bring myself to look him in the eye.
As for me, I’m Olive—the new writer. Actually, I’m THE writer of the book that has inspired the movie he’s about to star in on the big screen. Lately, people have been referring to me as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become Jason Thorn’s wife. But you know what? There’s nothing dreamy about it. Not even close.
A Roller Coaster of Emotions
I devoured this book in one sitting. The writing was captivating, and it had that irresistible fake dating/marriage trope that I can’t resist. It hit all the right romantic notes, and I genuinely enjoyed it. However, there are a few things I need to get off my chest.
In my opinion, Jason displayed a hint of toxicity. It wasn’t overly severe, but it was there. Sometimes, he acted aggressively or made decisions without seeking Olive’s consent. I didn’t appreciate those moments (which, to be honest, made up about 70% of the book). Nonetheless, it didn’t make me hate the story. Also, can we talk about how slick he was as a kid? I find it hard to believe.
I wish there had been more open communication between Jason and Olive. They jumped into bed together before truly exploring their emotional connection. I craved a deeper attachment beyond just physical desire. While there were some discussions towards the end, they often revolved around Jason’s aggressive behavior and Olive’s unwavering love for him. I simply wanted more genuine emotional moments.
Another aspect that left me slightly dissatisfied was the way they dealt with Olive’s family. Their wedding was never properly celebrated, and they never had a meaningful conversation with her family. I believe they deserved more.
Now that I’ve shared my criticisms, let me remind you how much I enjoyed this book. It had countless adorable moments, steamy encounters that left me flushed, and plenty of fun-filled scenes. The plot was engaging, and the pacing felt just right.
My Rating
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