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A Disappointing 'Hate to Love' Romance: My Take on 'The Ugly Cruz'
melissaH
Books•2 weeks ago
3
photo_library22
visibility5
The Horrible Cruz
Ürünstar 3.0

The Horrible Cruz

I dove into L.J. Shen's latest novel and was immediately swept up in the story. From the opening pages, I was hooked - the characters, the plot twists, everything kept me guessing. It's a wild ride, and I loved every minute of it.
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A Disappointing 'Hate to Love' Romance: My Take on 'The Ugly Cruz'

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm a sucker for 'hate to love' romances, but unfortunately, 'The Ugly Cruz' didn't quite hit the mark for me. The cover art is bright and cheerful, perfect for a lighthearted summer read. The book itself is 12x20 cm, and the paperback is well-bound - I was impressed by the quality of the paperback. However, the story fell flat for me, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. If you're a fan of the genre, you might still enjoy it, but for me, it was a total letdown. I was expecting a more engaging storyline and characters that I could really root for.

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settingsSpecifications

KararOrta
Hikaye7/10
Romantizm6/10
KitapKalitesi9/10
KitapKapağı8/10
KarakterGelişimi8/10
YazarınYazımStili8/10
Hello!
I'm a sucker for 'hate to love' romances - you know, where two people who can't stand each other end up falling in love. It's a fun dynamic to follow, and I've enjoyed many stories like this. Unfortunately, 'The Ugly Cruz' didn't quite hit the mark for me.
First Impressions
The cover art is bright and cheerful, perfect for a lighthearted summer read. The book itself is 12x20 cm, and the paperback is well-bound - I was impressed by the quality of the paperback.
The paperback costs 576 rubles on the EXMO website, which is a pretty standard price for a romance novel.
About the Story
Tennessee, 29, works in a diner and raises her son, Mike, on her own. Her sister gets married to Cruz's brother, a successful doctor. Tennessee accidentally ends up on a cruise with Cruz, and they pretend to be a couple for 10 days, laughing and joking along the way. Of course, they end up falling in love. I liked the idea of the story, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
My Thoughts
First, a few words about the paperback. The pages are dense, and the text is slightly transparent, but it doesn't affect readability. The font is comfortable on the eyes. I appreciated the attention to detail in the paperback's design - it's clear the publisher put some thought into it.
I wasn't familiar with the author before this book, but her writing style caught my attention - I might give her another try. However, sometimes her writing feels a bit forced, like she's trying too hard to be funny or witty.
The story is told from the perspectives of both Tennessee and Cruz, which I liked. Tennessee isn't your typical heroine - she's clumsy, beautiful, and has a bad reputation despite living a relatively simple life. Her inner monologues were quite interesting, and I appreciated the author's attempt to create a unique and relatable heroine.
The author's writing style is engaging, with a good balance of humor and wit. However, sometimes the humor falls flat, especially when it comes to the more intimate moments - I think the author could have done a better job with the romance.
I'd much rather read a story about two people who genuinely dislike each other, only to find themselves falling in love. Unfortunately, that's not what I got with 'The Ugly Cruz'. The romance felt forced, and I didn't believe the characters' emotions - I wanted to see more development in the romance.
The ending was also a bit of a letdown - it felt rushed, and the aftermath of the cruise was even more bizarre than the events on the ship. I was expecting a more satisfying conclusion.
Overall, I'd give 'The Ugly Cruz' 3 stars. It's an easy, lighthearted read with some humor and originality, but the story didn't quite resonate with me. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a quick, fun romance, but don't expect to be blown away.
Thanks for reading!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What is the 'hate to love' romance genre, and why do I enjoy it?

The 'hate to love' romance genre is a type of romance novel where the two leads start out as enemies or have a strong dislike for each other, but eventually fall in love. I enjoy this genre because it adds a fun and dynamic twist to the traditional romance story. It's a great way to explore the complexities of relationships and the challenges of falling in love with someone who's not necessarily easy to get along with.

What did you like about the cover art of 'The Ugly Cruz'?

I liked the bright and cheerful design of the cover art. It's perfect for a lighthearted summer read and immediately conveys the book's tone and genre.

What did you dislike about the characters in 'The Ugly Cruz'?

I didn't find the characters to be particularly well-developed or relatable. I had a hard time connecting with them and understanding their motivations and actions.

Was the price of 'The Ugly Cruz' reasonable?

Yes, the price of 576 rubles on the EXMO website is pretty standard for a romance novel. You can expect to pay around the same price for similar books in the genre.

What did you think of the author's writing style?

I thought the author's writing style was engaging and easy to follow. They did a great job of pacing the story and keeping me interested in the characters and their relationships.

Would you recommend 'The Ugly Cruz' to fans of the 'hate to love' romance genre?

Yes, I would recommend 'The Ugly Cruz' to fans of the 'hate to love' romance genre. While it didn't work for me, the genre is a great way to explore the complexities of relationships and the challenges of falling in love with someone who's not necessarily easy to get along with.

What did you think of the plot of 'The Ugly Cruz'?

I thought the plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. It was easy to see what was coming and I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat or wondering what would happen next.

What did you think of the themes and messages in 'The Ugly Cruz'?

I didn't find the themes and messages to be particularly well-developed or explored. They felt shallow and didn't add much depth or complexity to the story.

How does the book's size affect the reading experience?

The book's size makes it easy to fit in a bag or purse, and the paperback is a decent size, making it easy to hold and read.

check_circlePros

  • •The cover art is bright and cheerful, perfect for a lighthearted summer read.
  • •The book itself is 12x20 cm, and the paperback is well-bound - I was impressed by the quality of the paperback.
  • •The price of 576 rubles on the EXMO website is pretty standard for a romance novel.
  • •The paperback is a decent size, making it easy to hold and read.
  • •The story has a clear 'hate to love' dynamic, which I always enjoy.
  • •The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow.
  • •The book's size makes it easy to fit in a bag or purse.
  • •The cover art gives you a good idea of the book's tone and genre.

cancelCons

  • •The story fell flat for me, and I found it hard to connect with the characters.
  • •The romance between the two leads felt forced and unrealistic.
  • •I didn't find the characters to be particularly well-developed or relatable.
  • •The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises.
  • •I didn't enjoy the way the author handled the conflict between the two leads.
  • •The book's themes and messages felt shallow and unexplored.
  • •The characters' motivations and actions were hard to understand.
  • •The story didn't have a strong emotional impact on me.

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The Horrible Cruz

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