- Broken Base: This book is well-loved by Game of Thrones fans and readers looking for a slow-burn romance with a happy ending featuring a plus-sized heroine, but not as well-liked by people who found April and Marcus annoying and the Game of Thrones RPF angle creepy.
- Jerkass Woobie: Possibly April's mother Joanne. She nags her daughter about her weight and her diet, but her insecurities stem from her husband being incredibly shallow to the point where he nearly left her for gaining weight, only staying when she slimmed down. She was so afraid of gaining even an ounce that April stayed an only child so Joanne could avoid the risk of pregnancy weight.
- Unfortunate Implications:
- April is supposed to represent women who aren't conventionally attractive, but aside from her size the narrative makes her out to be completely irresistible with conventionally pretty features: long red hair, large breasts, impeccable fashion sense, etc.
- Some readers found it hypocritical that Dade's heroines are all fat or homely, but her heroes all fit the ideal standard for male attractiveness.
- The portrayal of dyslexia as some kind of dark secret and Marcus playing up the "himbo" role just to avoid hard questions.
- At one point April rants to Marcus about a fangirl's racism...in a book where all the main characters are white.
- Wangst: While Marcus and April's parents' behaviors towards them were hurtful and the characters had the right to be upset, many of the book's detractors thought they were way too whiny about it and didn't even try to solve their problems. Especially April, who stood up to her mother once and then let Marcus fight all her battles with the woman from then on.
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