Let me start this review by saying that I have not been a fan of any of these books. They have ranged from disappointing (Jane - Thatcher) to predictable and overused (Maximoff - Farrow) to outright terrible (whatever Sulli and her sidekicks were).
That being said, I have (like a lot of readers) stuck around for the legacy and nostalgia of the Core 6 (or 8), and the hope of the Cobalt Empire.
So I actually do not want to review Luna and Donelly’s romance since I find them lackluster at best and cringe and awfully blank at worst. I have no connection to either of them, they feel way more two dimensional in their respective POVs than from other’s perspectives.
Sadly, that is a trend I have seen in these books. Fleshed out characters with a real drive and motivation in other POVs, get somehow downgraded and demoted by their inner monologues.
And maybe that is one of the problems; KBR seem to not understand the concept of plot. I see that they mention they “plot out” their books… I have yet to see an actual red line that gets us from point A to B. The Likes Us Series was an amalgamation of randomized shots in the lives of shallow and passive MCs, with no real depth or meaning.
Donnelly feels like a bad copy of Farrow; not cool enough, not wise enough and not interesting enough to fill the pages of 3 full length novels.
His inner thoughts range from hydration (his gf “pussy”) to WaWa and a strong and redundant Philly accent.
His terrible backstroy, which would make for an actual insightful monologue, is completely lost to his rumiation about miniscule things that do nothing to forward the story. What a missed opportunity to make a fleshed out, pained and somewhat insecure character - learn the meaning of true family and find his own meaning in the world and his identity. Instead we get Farrow 2.0, but without the intelligence or charisma.
As for Luna, she is as passive as all her predecessors. KBR have a knack of detroying all female characters, making them whiny, insecure, weirdly incompetente, weak and malleable.
Jane and Sullivan a side, I did have some hope for Luna. Hope that she would be the outstanding female MC, that would make readers see the fortitude in her. The years of bullying or media attention, the stress of lost memories of a past she does not remeber. Who are you withouth your memories? As fascinating as those questions are, we are sadly never going to get those answers. The amnesia trope, as tedious as it is, can lead to interesting plot lines, it can push a character forward in reforging their life, build new bridges and exploring what it means to not remember certain parts of yourself.
KBR instead centered Luna around her sexuality, her codependency to Donnelly and her utter lack of active thought. Again, I am very disappointed and feel Rose a mile away from any of the other female MCs.
I do want to touch upon the (repurposed) plot of the Fizzle CEO race. If we lived in real reality none of these kids (and yes, they are children) are fit for taking over the role. The only person who might come close to is would be Charlie in the future due to his intellect. I understand that KBR wanted to make Luna “win” something, but is goes against everything her character stands (or stood) for. She is the weirdo, the one that doesn’t fit in, the creative writer, the lost-in-the-clouds characters that should have offered us a view into escapism and how bleak reality can be for her. I personnally would have loved to see Luna take over Superheroes&Scones, or become the creative writer behind a comic book franchise, or become part of their marketing campaign. Again, there were so many option for Luna to find a happy and fulfilling and meaningful end. Another missed opportunity in my opinion.
I don’t really want to get into more detail, but all of the Like Us Series, feels shallow and umbereably monotonous. The characters lack depth and do not ring true at all for me. I think Maximoff and Farrow are maybe the only couple that could potentially be saved (if they had 2 books instead of 4), but all their interactions start and stop with something sexual.
I want to address one other point before moving to the main reason I am leaving a review (the Cobalts of course).
I have spoken about Sexism and KBR sexist approach to their female characters before, but I do want to give my honest thought on the whole franchise.
I am very deeply disappointed in two female writers, and their choices to portray female MCs in such a depressing light. There is nothing wrong with being insecure or needing help or even rescue, there is nothing wrong with a protective boyfriend/husband, or needing your partner or relying on them. Those are all great attributes. However, the problem lies within the passiveness and complete incompetence of ALL female characters (exception of Rose and maybe Kinney, Jo and Harriet). I am devastated to read yet another book about a YOUNG girl in a relationship with an OLDER and more experience, protective and snakry male MC. I have had it. I am so done with the portrayal of these young women, that seem to have nothing going on in their lives before the male MC shows up. Even Sulli, a supposed gold olympic medalist, is remarkably dull and insufferable. They all lack motivation, brains and charisma and have legit nothing going on for them.
Moving on, before I get too heated, I want to adress the Cobalts and the upcomign Cobalt Empire series (which we know very little about).
Starting with Ben, since he will be the one opening the brothers series.
Did I think it was smart to start with his book? Maybe. Listen, we all know book MCs are driven by a maketing/sales plan as much as a creative decision. And so yes, I understand why they chose Ben (still pretty unknown to us) over Eliot or fanfavorite Charlie. I think he will be able to offer a POV where we, the readers, get to see NYC Cobalt world through the eyes of a newby like Ben.
Ben as a character feels very different from the one we met at the beginning. No longer does his innocence shine through, but we see a very dark aspect to his character. I enjoyed it, although, in true KBR fashion, they went completely over the top with it. I am here for the drama.
Love interest: Harriet feels like she could be a good snarky strong MC, however as my review shows I have very very very little faith in KBR writing a good female character. The scene of her and Ben (rescuing her from a teacher) is already eye-roll worthy.
Relationships: Very interested to see how Ben - Charlie plays out. I feel like they have so much going on that is will be fun to unveil. Also Ben - Beckett how that bridge will hold up in the future.
If Harriet is going to be his LO, we could also see some interesting scene with Tom and her “feuding”.
Tom, for me a very underutilized character. KBR doesn’t seem to take much time in crafting a characterization for Tom. For now we do not know who his LO will be (maybe Phoenix?) or exactly what his future holds. I think he could be an intersting MC in the future, given he gets the chance for some plot and character growth. For now he seems like Eliots +1.
That bring us to Eliot himself, I really like his character, I think there is a very interesting element of “false greatness” to him, in sense that he portrais to be the perfect mischief god, but is actually riddled with insecurities. I hope we get to see him and Charlie team up in taking down the “bad guys”.
Charlie, the outstanding character of the whole LU series. He is everything I want from a character: morally-grey, remote, emotioanlly conflicted, deep-thinking, black soul and a whole lot of intelect and cunning. I am so gratefuly to have a flawed and real characters, someone who know exactly who they are and do not try to pretend otherwise. There is a fortitude in Charlie, in knowing he will always be on page to make a scene better, to elevate the dialogue or to create utter devastation. He is a catalyst for the whole of the LU series, and is in the center of almost all unfolding events. If I had to give a trophy for outstanding character I would give it to him by a looooong shot. Thank you Charlie for being a character that takes action, that feel emotion on a deeper level and that tries so hard to keep people away, while also needing their love and attention.
LO: Roxanne Ruiz (unsure about her).
Last but not least Beckett, I think we have seen so little of what this character can offer. I think we have just skimmed the very top of the silent and deep lake of Beckett’s mind. He is seemingly unruffled by everything, and we see him be a pillar to his brothers and the one that is the rock to them. I hope we seem him loose some of that control in the upcoming series. LO: Joanna (high hope for her, for now my favorite female character after Rose. Please DO NOT make her into whatever the others are, and Leo who could be interestingly antagonistic).
That wraps up my review (long, sorry). I am dissappointed in the LU series and their characters and wish that the Cobalts have better stories to live and share.
Until then xo