Annoying lead female character

I couldn’t get past just how annoying Demi is. I never warmed to her and am actually hoping for a follow on book where Hunter dumps her!

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Another great addition to the series

I have loved this series so far, and preferred some to others. This was a great story with really good characters. I loved Hunter. He’s funny and gorgeous and supportive. I liked Demi although I found her a bit irritating at times. I did like how both characters communicated well which ensured any misunderstandings were cheated up quickly which is refreshing.

I was however disappointed with the female narrator. She isn’t great. Her reading style was a bit monotone and the acting not great. She also pronounced a lot of words incorrectly, which I found frustrating. Teddy Hamilton was great though.

I’m sad I only have a couple more to listen to in the two Briar U series, but I’m really looking forward to Connor’s story.

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The Play

Much better than I expected it to be. Love Demi and Hunter < 3
But the best part is Mick and Rupi appearances.

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not Kennedy's best

the female narrator pronounced several words wrong.. how come noone fixed that? Demi bragging about not putting on weight, not knowing a male friend was into her, despite several ppl telling her... it's like she was deliberately obtuse. and Hunter undoing what he worked so hard to maintain... that was a bit of a letdown 🤷🏽‍♀️

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Best in the series

seriously funny, I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. it wasn't that spicy - and I really loved how hunter redeemed his character from past instalments.

only small annoyance was that Teddy Hamilton cannot do a female voice with a light Spanish accent, kind took me out of it when he had to speak her parts.

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3 people found this helpful

Not my cup of tea

I've not read much of Elle Kennedy but if all her books are like this I will be steering clear. I have never read a book with a more obnoxious main character than Demi, Demi is the ultimate pick-me girl who does not understand consent unless it applies to her and thinks every man is obsessed with her. She's just one of the girls who "find it easier to hang with boys instead of girls" and "can eat anything without ever putting on weight". I really tried to like her character but my god she was insufferable, she does not respect her, albeit sleazy, boyfriend when he said he's tired, and then when pursuing Hunter she does not respect his vow of chastity to try and be a better person. I could write a dissertation on how much I hate her character but that's the spark notes version.

Hunter was a semi-decent character, I could respect what he stands for and how he just wants to do what's best for his team and his personal growth. But like every other male character in the book, he becomes obsessed with the damp dishcloth that is Demi and tries to establish his boundaries but is taken advantage of by her disrespectful and coercive ways. If the genders were switched we would be outraged but as it's a woman pursuing a man it's suddenly okay?

I disliked that there wasn't much of a story, it was just Demi is cheated on, Hunter is an ice hockey player, Demi and Hunter become friends, and Demi wants Hunter as a rebound but Hunter is celibate. Demi manipulates Hunter to sleep with her and enter into a relationship. Demi disrespects Hunter's wishes and connects him to someone to pursue a different career from what he was looking at, without consulting him previously. Demi believes she is the best psychologist, even though she's a college student. Demi is upset when she is unable to diagnose her friend's depression because she is so self-absorbed she ignores all the clear signs.

Performance-wise, I found it hard to listen to as Demi's portrayal leaned into the whiney pick-me girl and tried to emphasize her Latino heritage at the most random times. Don't get me wrong, I am a white woman so I can't comment on cultural differences but I found it disrespectful. I may be wrong and I don't want to offend but I felt like the performance and the novel did nothing to pull away from the disrespectful stereotypes that are out there. I really struggled to enjoy her chapters but I don't know if it was due to the narration or the story.

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50/50

I almost DNF this book but I love Elle Kennedy and I’m too stubborn not to finish the series. It was nothing to do with the story itself (although, Demi was infuriating) and everything to do with the female narrator. She made it sound like a children’s book, didn’t even try to do male voices and continuously mispronounced words. The editors should’ve picked up on that too. It all did this book and Elle Kennedy a huge disservice. As always, Teddy Hamilton was stellar in his performance.

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