If you’re looking for a plot-driven story, this one isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a character-driven romance, then this is the one for you! I enjoyed the push-and-pull slow burn relationship between the two main characters. Their chemistry felt convincing and the setting made for some unique circumstances that I’ve never read before in other romances, which was a treat! There were plot points that kinda felt like it was shoved under the rug to prioritize the romance plotline only - which was disappointing, and my reason for ticking off one star. I was hoping as I reached further and further into that 100% completion that maybe *this* was the part we’ve been building up to for the climax - but unfortunately I was left underwhelmed for the payoff. Regardless, if you’re looking for a slow-burn romance with a unique setup and two main characters who have a love-hate relationship with each other, this is your next read.

sorry but sometimes a sweet ending is not enough! It felt very flat up until 85% into the book and i just can’t make myself like it.

i think i loved this? the first 20% were painfully slow and... uh boring, but everything that came after is a big yes from me. 4.5

I liked the general idea and world of this book. However I didn't like Gracie at all. She was whiney, spineless, ridiculous and just plain annoying. Like I got so frustrated and annoyed with her thoughts and monologs. I wanted to scream - and not in a good "she's/they're so annoying but I love the tension" way. There was a lot a repetition in this book. Conversations going in circles, e.g. after Alex was so fucking rude to her and they were talking about her leaving in the middle of the night. Gracie said she was leaving, Alex refused to accept it. Gracie said it again. Alex refused. Gracie said it once more, Alex refused to accept it and instead was touching her face and hair. That went on for paaages. And Gracie was still convinced she was going to leave and live somewhere else - and she kept saying it until they finally talked and there were maybe 30pages left in the book. And I'm not at her for wanting to leave - because Alex was so fucking hot and cold with her, it was ridiculous and - plainly - screams toxic relationship to me. This book should have been 350 pages - then I would have loved it. MZ books are always long and always slow burn. Usually I love that - but these 638pages dragged on and on and on. For such a long book at lot was left unresolved (the mafia plot? The side characters - the grandma, the mother, the siblings..? The whole alien thing in general). There was a lot going on in general but at the same time nothing really happened. So sadly this was quite the let down and I'm hoping MZ will be back to her usual awesomeness with whatever comes next.