Review by Scribe After Five
Nov 25I was slipping into a bit of a genre slump, so I reached for something light, easy, and entertaining. This book delivered exactly what I needed. I’ve always enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s work, so I trusted she’d pull me out of it, and she absolutely did.
I’ve seen many comments saying Hazelwood writes the same FMC and MMC in different settings, but honestly, I don’t mind it. She consistently excels at quiet yearning and those subtle reveals that the MMC has been falling—and in this case, had already fallen—for the FMC long before she realizes it.
Levi carries the familiar Hazelwood qualities, yet he still feels distinct. He isn’t the typical nonchalant type we’ve seen in her other books. Even though he’s cold toward Bee at the start, his explanation makes sense, and it softened my view of him quickly. The banter is sharp and charming, and the pacing of their dynamic really worked for me.
I didn’t guess the twist correctly at all—I genuinely sat up when it was revealed. The small hero moment that follows is unexpectedly sweet and added a warmth I didn’t realize I needed.
Overall, this might be one of my favourite Ali Hazelwood books. Levi is a standout, and Bee is wonderfully herself in every way. I truly enjoyed this one.
Song choice: Love On The Brain by Rihanna
I was slipping into a bit of a genre slump, so I reached for something light, easy, and entertaining. This book delivered exactly what I needed. I’ve always enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s work, so I trusted she’d pull me out of it, and she absolutely did.
I’ve seen many comments saying Hazelwood writes the same FMC and MMC in different settings, but honestly, I don’t mind it. She consistently excels at quiet yearning and those subtle reveals that the MMC has been falling—and in this case, had already fallen—for the FMC long before she realizes it.
Levi carries the familiar Hazelwood qualities, yet he still feels distinct. He isn’t the typical nonchalant type we’ve seen in her other books. Even though he’s cold toward Bee at the start, his explanation makes sense, and it softened my view of him quickly. The banter is sharp and charming, and the pacing of their dynamic really worked for me.
I didn’t guess the twist correctly at all—I genuinely sat up when it was revealed. The small hero moment that follows is unexpectedly sweet and added a warmth I didn’t realize I needed.
Overall, this might be one of my favourite Ali Hazelwood books. Levi is a standout, and Bee is wonderfully herself in every way. I truly enjoyed this one.
Song choice: Love On The Brain by Rihanna
