eARC Review: If Not You by Ellen O'Clover
Romance
If Not You
Book Info
Released Date: September 15th
Publication: Berkley
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
I usually enjoy this author's books, but unfortunately this one wasn't a favorite for me. The rivals-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites, yet the rivalry dragged on for far too long. I kept waiting to understand why these characters disliked each other so much, and by the time the explanation finally arrived, it felt way too late in the story to have the impact it should have had.
Because of that, I struggled to connect with the romance. The chemistry felt off, and I never fully believed that these two characters were meant to be together. Instead of rooting for them, I found myself questioning their relationship throughout most of the book.
I also had a hard time with the main character, who constantly annoyed me and made it difficult to stay invested in the story. While I didn't hate the book, it just didn't work for me the way the author's previous books have. Sadly, this one was a miss, but I'll still be looking forward to whatever they write next.
