you know what... this was actually enjoyable. i'm glad i didn't completely write off this series with the last two lacklustre books, because this one was actually a fun time. however. me enjoying this book just PROVES that build up is so much better than insta-love. do i wish the "enemies" thing lasted a bit longer? yeah. and do i also wish the whole kiss seven years ago hadn't been so underwhelming (and obvious) - also yeah. no one ever wants to commit to enemies to lovers and it's starting to really grind my gears. we need a new word for this trope because no one fucking understands what an enemy is. "annoyance at their presence to lovers" is a better term, i think. there was also barely any push back to this relationship, which made the story post-kiss lose momentum for me. the smut was actually interesting here and i liked that it was different content wise compared to most.

don't think im gonna bother with the fourth book because it reallyyyy feels so shoehorned in here - and i honestly don't care enough.

i can definitely understand why this book is so highly regarded... i just didn't really connect to any of the stories? i know there's sequels and stuff, that probably explore other stories that i may (or may not, who knows) be able to relate to more, but i do not see myself picking them up to check. the writing itself is very detailed and eloquent and the concept itself is really interesting and i really do love magical realism. i struggled a little bit to keep track of the characters--there being so many in such a short period of time with names i am not used to seeing--so that could've also been a reason why the wrapped up ending took me a few minutes to appreciate. i think the lovers story i especially did not enjoy nor understand why That was your opening to the story... idk it just seemed so inconsequential compared to the other themes we explore later on. overall, not bad but i don't think i'll be delving back into this series again