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Foes & Cons
Sawyer Roarke was my best friend. Growing up, our families were inseparable. We spent summers vacationing at the beach. In the school yard, it was us against the world. Then puberty hit, and we skated the thin line of staying buddies, or becoming more. Until I accidentally found the pros and cons list he made about whether or not to date me. And there were definitely more bullet points on the no side. Acting out of rage and hurt, I embarrassed him in the most public way possible. Now, we’re enemies. We’ve spent the last two years tearing each other to pieces. Everyone knows that Blair and Sawyer hate the ground the other walks on, and unfortunately, I got the unpopular end of the stick while he became Mr. Prom King. Until senior year starts, and I’m tired of running scared. For the first time ever, I stand up to the golden boy with the whip-smart tongue. As the challenges and dares pick up speed, hearts start to fall and feelings get entangled. Despite my initial discovery, I wonder if being caught by each other wouldn’t be so bad. Except Sawyer has no idea what I found all those years ago. And if the truth comes out about why I pitted us against each other, not only will he add one more con to his list … but he can add my broken heart as well.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2021
362 people are currently reading
1971 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Aarons
63 books2,990 followersAuthor of romance novels such as Fleeting and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. Her stories are fueled by vanilla lattes, meloncholy music, and copious amounts of candles.
When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in farm country with her husband, two children and ninety-pound rescue pup.
When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in farm country with her husband, two children and ninety-pound rescue pup.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
April 30, 2021
Disgusting double standards
They were childhood friends, he knows she is it for him but he fucked others all the while preventing her from having a dating life.
Irredeemable
Double standards at its finest.
He had sex with two girls already and one of them was also a virgin (his first time). So the heroine isn’t especial in any way, first because he already knew her when he was fucking others and second because she is a virgin.
“Blair Oden has been it for me since the day I laid eyes on her.”
“As I trail her up the stairs, I feel like a geeky, anxious virgin again. Idly, I wonder if Blair still is. I lost mine to a girl in our grade at a party last year, in a bedroom that wasn’t my own. We hooked up a couple of times after that, and I slept with another girl this summer. But with the way I’ve limited Blair’s dating life, I’d be surprised if she’s ever been with anyone.”
“Part of me burns with jealousy, and lights with hope, that no one has ever touched her in the way I want to.”
THE CLASSIC baby it was just sex with them, it meant nothing, with you is making love 🤢
SHE APOLOGIZES FOR BEING A VIRGIN?!
“I’m sorry I haven’t been with anyone.”
She won’t look at me. I put two fingers under her chin and make her look at me.
“Stop it. I’m honored you trust me with this. Hell, I’d be raging with jealousy if any guy had gotten to do this with you first. And for me? That was just sex. This is making love.”
How special is her first time:
“I’ve been a virgin, one who has taken someone else’s virginity.”
HE IS NOT WORTHY GIRL MOVE THE FUCK ON
Deep down, I also know I could never own up to the ways I’ve tormented her. Blacklisting her from parties, not speaking up when my friends taunt her, or the girls I hook up with are bitchy and mean to her face. There was the time I let my friends fill her locker with condoms, or when I drove right past her on her street as she was waiting for the school bus, rain drenching her as she was sans umbrella.
Inexperienced heroine plus body betrayal syndrome for the guy who was an asshole to her for two years 🤡
“I’ve not kissed a lot of boys, admittedly. Maybe one or two up until this point. I’ve never had a boy’s hands anywhere but halfway up my shirt. And yet, right now, I would let Sawyer pick me up and take me, take my body, wherever he wants it to go.”
😡 I would be flattered
Pig
“Was it, was I, good for you?”
I’m insecure because he’s been with other girls. Knowing he isn’t a virgin and I am is part of what held me back, and I pray that Sawyer felt the exact same way as I did when we were connected. He brushes a kiss over my lips.
“No one else compares to you.” I shouldn’t need to hear that, but my ego puffs its chest out, nonetheless.”
Authors cmon stop with that bullshit he is mean to me but I am still able to be wet for him. Any person with self respect and self preservation doesn’t feel attraction for someone who is mean to her. Women doesn’t like to be treated bad, we don’t get off on guys who for years treated us like shit just because they are hot, we are not that shallow, this Shit has to stop. A typical handsome face and body DONT equal attraction, we can admit someone is not physically ugly but still be disgusted by the person. We are not moved but some blind hormones, we have memory you know, we don’t forget every bad shit some guy did to us just because he touched us. We don’t feel electricity just by touching a hot guy, we are not moved by hormones, we have brains.
They were childhood friends, he knows she is it for him but he fucked others all the while preventing her from having a dating life.
Irredeemable
Double standards at its finest.
He had sex with two girls already and one of them was also a virgin (his first time). So the heroine isn’t especial in any way, first because he already knew her when he was fucking others and second because she is a virgin.
“Blair Oden has been it for me since the day I laid eyes on her.”
“As I trail her up the stairs, I feel like a geeky, anxious virgin again. Idly, I wonder if Blair still is. I lost mine to a girl in our grade at a party last year, in a bedroom that wasn’t my own. We hooked up a couple of times after that, and I slept with another girl this summer. But with the way I’ve limited Blair’s dating life, I’d be surprised if she’s ever been with anyone.”
“Part of me burns with jealousy, and lights with hope, that no one has ever touched her in the way I want to.”
THE CLASSIC baby it was just sex with them, it meant nothing, with you is making love 🤢
SHE APOLOGIZES FOR BEING A VIRGIN?!
“I’m sorry I haven’t been with anyone.”
She won’t look at me. I put two fingers under her chin and make her look at me.
“Stop it. I’m honored you trust me with this. Hell, I’d be raging with jealousy if any guy had gotten to do this with you first. And for me? That was just sex. This is making love.”
How special is her first time:
“I’ve been a virgin, one who has taken someone else’s virginity.”
HE IS NOT WORTHY GIRL MOVE THE FUCK ON
Deep down, I also know I could never own up to the ways I’ve tormented her. Blacklisting her from parties, not speaking up when my friends taunt her, or the girls I hook up with are bitchy and mean to her face. There was the time I let my friends fill her locker with condoms, or when I drove right past her on her street as she was waiting for the school bus, rain drenching her as she was sans umbrella.
Inexperienced heroine plus body betrayal syndrome for the guy who was an asshole to her for two years 🤡
“I’ve not kissed a lot of boys, admittedly. Maybe one or two up until this point. I’ve never had a boy’s hands anywhere but halfway up my shirt. And yet, right now, I would let Sawyer pick me up and take me, take my body, wherever he wants it to go.”
😡 I would be flattered
Pig
“Was it, was I, good for you?”
I’m insecure because he’s been with other girls. Knowing he isn’t a virgin and I am is part of what held me back, and I pray that Sawyer felt the exact same way as I did when we were connected. He brushes a kiss over my lips.
“No one else compares to you.” I shouldn’t need to hear that, but my ego puffs its chest out, nonetheless.”
Authors cmon stop with that bullshit he is mean to me but I am still able to be wet for him. Any person with self respect and self preservation doesn’t feel attraction for someone who is mean to her. Women doesn’t like to be treated bad, we don’t get off on guys who for years treated us like shit just because they are hot, we are not that shallow, this Shit has to stop. A typical handsome face and body DONT equal attraction, we can admit someone is not physically ugly but still be disgusted by the person. We are not moved but some blind hormones, we have memory you know, we don’t forget every bad shit some guy did to us just because he touched us. We don’t feel electricity just by touching a hot guy, we are not moved by hormones, we have brains.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2021
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review -
4.5 stars
I’m a sucker for new adult books and I knew I needed to read it after I saw the blurb.. and this one was top notch. It’s a best friends to enemies to lovers romance. It's packed full of tons of emotion and angst.
Sawyer and Blair were inseparable growing up, but everything came crashing down the summer before sophomore year. One friend sees something that was never supposed to be seen let alone by her. One friend who is clueless as to why a friendship is harshly ended and he is has now become the tormentor of someone who means everything to him. She is trying to protect her heart from being more broken than it is and he is having his heart broken in the process. She keeps her find to herself and instead war is declared.
Fast forward two years and the start of senior year. Blair has finally grown into the beautiful woman she is and Sawyer has taken notice… so has his friends and most of the kids in school.
He continues to try to wreck her world, little by little.. By words and by actions. His thoughts are shifting though and he is once again starting to see her as the girl he grew up with, the girl who has his heart and who hopefully has a spot left in her heart for him.
Blair is ready to fight back. She won’t go down without a fight. He knows it and soon it dawns on him that he has so much work to do to get her back into his life… He just needs to know why he lost her in the first place.
The push and pull they have is great. I really felt like they loathed each other. They would throw barbs out and try to inflict the most pain before the other had the chance to do it. They both said some awful and ugly things to each other. Words that cut the heart to shreds and allowed the crevice of hate to grow even wider. They loved each other despite the giant divide in their friendship. They just hid it well and didn't want to be the first one to take the step to right so many wrongs.
This book made my emotions leak a time or two.
Loved the writing and the characters. I didn't want it to end!
4.5 stars
I’m a sucker for new adult books and I knew I needed to read it after I saw the blurb.. and this one was top notch. It’s a best friends to enemies to lovers romance. It's packed full of tons of emotion and angst.
Sawyer and Blair were inseparable growing up, but everything came crashing down the summer before sophomore year. One friend sees something that was never supposed to be seen let alone by her. One friend who is clueless as to why a friendship is harshly ended and he is has now become the tormentor of someone who means everything to him. She is trying to protect her heart from being more broken than it is and he is having his heart broken in the process. She keeps her find to herself and instead war is declared.
Fast forward two years and the start of senior year. Blair has finally grown into the beautiful woman she is and Sawyer has taken notice… so has his friends and most of the kids in school.
He continues to try to wreck her world, little by little.. By words and by actions. His thoughts are shifting though and he is once again starting to see her as the girl he grew up with, the girl who has his heart and who hopefully has a spot left in her heart for him.
Blair is ready to fight back. She won’t go down without a fight. He knows it and soon it dawns on him that he has so much work to do to get her back into his life… He just needs to know why he lost her in the first place.
The push and pull they have is great. I really felt like they loathed each other. They would throw barbs out and try to inflict the most pain before the other had the chance to do it. They both said some awful and ugly things to each other. Words that cut the heart to shreds and allowed the crevice of hate to grow even wider. They loved each other despite the giant divide in their friendship. They just hid it well and didn't want to be the first one to take the step to right so many wrongs.
This book made my emotions leak a time or two.
Loved the writing and the characters. I didn't want it to end!
April 18, 2021
Foes & Cons is the latest full-length standalone novel by Carrie Aarons. It's a young adult best friends-to-enemies-to-lover's romance that I absolutely loved. This is, hands down, Carrie's best work to date. Told in dual perspectives, get ready to meet Sawyer Roarke and Blair Oden.
Sawyer and Blair have been best friends for years, but then at sixteen, everything changed. It starts with a pros and cons list that she wasn't supposed to see and ends with a game of seven minutes in heaven gone wrong. Now their once unbreakable bond is destroyed and all that's left is their simmering hate for one another.
After two years of dealing with his torture and pranks, Blair has had enough. It's her senior year and she's determined to make the most of it. The summer away changed her. She is now sexier and more confident than ever. Sawyer can't help but to notice and after a truth is revealed, he is determined to win her heart and make up for all of that wasted time.
I devoured this highly addictive and well written story in just a couple of hours. Blair and Sawyer's love story made my heart happy in the end. Their happily ever after was well worth all of the ups and downs along the way. A super quick read, I enjoyed everything about this angsty, fun and exciting read. Five stars for Blair, Sawyer and Foes & Cons!
Sawyer and Blair have been best friends for years, but then at sixteen, everything changed. It starts with a pros and cons list that she wasn't supposed to see and ends with a game of seven minutes in heaven gone wrong. Now their once unbreakable bond is destroyed and all that's left is their simmering hate for one another.
After two years of dealing with his torture and pranks, Blair has had enough. It's her senior year and she's determined to make the most of it. The summer away changed her. She is now sexier and more confident than ever. Sawyer can't help but to notice and after a truth is revealed, he is determined to win her heart and make up for all of that wasted time.
I devoured this highly addictive and well written story in just a couple of hours. Blair and Sawyer's love story made my heart happy in the end. Their happily ever after was well worth all of the ups and downs along the way. A super quick read, I enjoyed everything about this angsty, fun and exciting read. Five stars for Blair, Sawyer and Foes & Cons!
April 30, 2021
This was on the lighter side of the bully romance genre and it didn’t hold my interest at all. I didn’t like the writing, I didn’t like that it was political, and I thought the conflict was just dumb. The heroine, who is seventeen and has been to Haiti to volunteer for the summer, doesn’t know about pre-cum?? Huh? That scene made me cringe! Not to mention the fact that the hero, who claims to be in love with the heroine his whole life, has slept with other girls. Okay... I don’t buy his feelings whatsoever. I didn’t get this book whatsoever. Everything just felt very juvenile. I have now read eight books by this author and have only liked three of them, so I guess it’s time to cut my losses and move on.
ARC
ARC
May 2, 2021
Carrie Aarons books never cease to draw me in, and with Foes & Cons she’s written the ultimate enemies to lovers high school romance. Sawyer and Blair’s story was full of miscommunication, high school love, and angst, and I devoured the entire thing in one evening.
Sawyer and Blair were childhood best friends, thanks to their dad’s being business partners, but as their hormones kicked in, the feelings of friendship began to secretly change to more for both of them. But days before Sawyer decides to make a move, Blair finds his pro and con list on whether it’s worth jeopardising his popularity to date his best friend. Heartbroken, Blair cuts Sawyer down publicly, causing their once tight bond to implode spectacularly overnight. Ever since, they’ve been sworn enemies, Blair the nerdy girl on student council and Sawyer the star soccer player. Until senior year, when Blair comes into her own, and causes Sawyer to realise what’s been in front of him all along. But when Blair reveals the reason she turned on him all those years ago, will it be enough to mend their fractured relationship?
Carrie captured the rawness of a first love, and the hurt that stays with you once it all goes wrong. She wrote them as enemies so well, but their progression to more was even better, the big reveal was built up perfectly and I liked how they weren’t instantly together, it took a bit more work than just being honest with each other. Another thing I thought was important was the characters acted their ages. There were very clearly 17/18, doing homework, sneaking out to parties, and keeping secrets from their parents, there were no over the top events that made them seem older.
Sawyer was your typical teenage boy, focussed on girls, his friends and partying. He kind of waltzed through life, and whilst he was working hard for his future, I think he did come across as quite spoilt at times. But like I said, he’s an 18 year old guy, who’s never faced any kind of hardship and I think that was just part of his charm, and by the end, he had come to accept that not everything would fall into his lap. I liked how once the revelation came, he looked back on his actions over the past two years and realised his part in the downfall of his relationship with Blair, and reflected on how he’d hurt her, which was a very mature thing to do. He grew up a lot and having Blair back in his life definitely helped.
Blair was my favourite, because unlike Sawyer, she didn’t have the picture-perfect upbringing, and was constantly trying to find her place in the world. The list she found highlighted every single insecurity she had, something someone who was meant to love her unconditionally was already doing, and it knocked her confidence massively. The boy who was supposed to know her better than anyone reduced her to nothing more than a few pros and cons, and I completely understood why she reacted the way she did. Her trust was majorly affected, and even when Sawyer was trying to make amends, she was hesitant to let him back into being such an important part of her life, but when she did, she was all in. Although what happened between them was horrible, it did Blair so much good in the long run. She became her own person, learnt more about herself, grew in confidence and found her independence, something I wonder if she would’ve had the chance to do had she remained friends, or more, with Sawyer at 15.
Foes and Cons is the perfect high school romance, a teen romcom in book form, and one I would highly recommend if you’re looking for an easy read!
* I voluntarily left a review of this book after receiving an advanced copy.
Sawyer and Blair were childhood best friends, thanks to their dad’s being business partners, but as their hormones kicked in, the feelings of friendship began to secretly change to more for both of them. But days before Sawyer decides to make a move, Blair finds his pro and con list on whether it’s worth jeopardising his popularity to date his best friend. Heartbroken, Blair cuts Sawyer down publicly, causing their once tight bond to implode spectacularly overnight. Ever since, they’ve been sworn enemies, Blair the nerdy girl on student council and Sawyer the star soccer player. Until senior year, when Blair comes into her own, and causes Sawyer to realise what’s been in front of him all along. But when Blair reveals the reason she turned on him all those years ago, will it be enough to mend their fractured relationship?
Carrie captured the rawness of a first love, and the hurt that stays with you once it all goes wrong. She wrote them as enemies so well, but their progression to more was even better, the big reveal was built up perfectly and I liked how they weren’t instantly together, it took a bit more work than just being honest with each other. Another thing I thought was important was the characters acted their ages. There were very clearly 17/18, doing homework, sneaking out to parties, and keeping secrets from their parents, there were no over the top events that made them seem older.
Sawyer was your typical teenage boy, focussed on girls, his friends and partying. He kind of waltzed through life, and whilst he was working hard for his future, I think he did come across as quite spoilt at times. But like I said, he’s an 18 year old guy, who’s never faced any kind of hardship and I think that was just part of his charm, and by the end, he had come to accept that not everything would fall into his lap. I liked how once the revelation came, he looked back on his actions over the past two years and realised his part in the downfall of his relationship with Blair, and reflected on how he’d hurt her, which was a very mature thing to do. He grew up a lot and having Blair back in his life definitely helped.
Blair was my favourite, because unlike Sawyer, she didn’t have the picture-perfect upbringing, and was constantly trying to find her place in the world. The list she found highlighted every single insecurity she had, something someone who was meant to love her unconditionally was already doing, and it knocked her confidence massively. The boy who was supposed to know her better than anyone reduced her to nothing more than a few pros and cons, and I completely understood why she reacted the way she did. Her trust was majorly affected, and even when Sawyer was trying to make amends, she was hesitant to let him back into being such an important part of her life, but when she did, she was all in. Although what happened between them was horrible, it did Blair so much good in the long run. She became her own person, learnt more about herself, grew in confidence and found her independence, something I wonder if she would’ve had the chance to do had she remained friends, or more, with Sawyer at 15.
Foes and Cons is the perfect high school romance, a teen romcom in book form, and one I would highly recommend if you’re looking for an easy read!
* I voluntarily left a review of this book after receiving an advanced copy.
April 23, 2021
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4.5/5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : No
Hero : Sawyer
Heroine : Blair
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 6/10
Triggers Involved : Bullying , Betrayal
Plot Summary :
Blair has always been in love with her childhood best friend Sawyer. That is until she discovers a list in his drawer with pros and cons written about whether he should date her or not. And there were definitely more on the cons side. So she does something bad. She embarrasses him in the most public way ever , making an enemy out of him forever.
Sawyer never knew what he did to deserve the betrayal of the only girl he ever wanted. But now it was too late. Now she would pay and he would make her pay for years. From then starts a war with Blair being the victim and Sawyer being the bully. He doesn't hold back and puts everything of his to break the girl, making her run away.
But now she is back. And she is not the same doormat she was years ago. The pain is still there and so is the hate. But what they didn't count on being was the attraction. And that is the one thing that finally destroys them in the end.
Overall Opinion :
I absolutely loved this book! I have read a few books by this author and damn she never fails to surprise me with her amazing enemies to lovers writing skills! The one thing that shocked me in this book was the angst. I didn't expect it to be so emotional and filled with feels and that felt amazing.
Both Blair and Sawyer have a tale that is full of so much pain and heartache. They have made a lot of mistakes and when Sawyer comes to know the real reason balur betrayed him, he is hell bent on making it up to her. But it's not that easy. Maybe things are too messed up now. Maybe all they can do now is keep on destroying each other.
I would definitely recommend this book to all the contemporary enemies to lovers and second chance romance lovers out there!
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nope-nope-nope
April 30, 2021Its 2021, please stop with these same tired double standards 🙄
dnf
June 9, 2021DNF at 13%
... bc I just can't take it anymore. I'm speaking in gen Z, but this story (thus far) has been peak "pick me" and "am I better than everyone" energy. Another 87% of this seems like veritable torture, so I’m out ✌️
... bc I just can't take it anymore. I'm speaking in gen Z, but this story (thus far) has been peak "pick me" and "am I better than everyone" energy. Another 87% of this seems like veritable torture, so I’m out ✌️
May 10, 2021
3 Stars ⭐️
April 8, 2021
Warning - Addictive...you’ll want to take a day off, call in sick, ignore family and friends because Blair and Sawyer’s story is unputdownable!
This book is a best friends to enemies to lust to lovers with an element of bully romance...it’s got all that and more!
A pros and cons list she wasn’t supposed to see and a teenage game of seven minutes in heaven changes everything...Blair and Sawyer’s once unbreakable bond is severed.
After she did something she shouldn’t have to protect her heart, he did something worse...he became her tormentor and through the most of high school they were sworn enemies. Until senior year, when Blair arrives back from a summer away...changed...hotter, sexier and with a confidence she’d been lacking. Sawyer is reluctantly unable to stop noticing her and after a revelation, he’s determined to correct every wrong and to make up for all the time wasted.
Trust isn’t always an easy thing to get back, and through the ups and downs, every raw emotion, and every heartbreak, I was completely invested in this very addictive story. And wow, their happily ever after is worth it all!
I often forget that I’m reading about high school age kids when it’s a Carrie Aarons book because her characters are so well written, smart and mature.
This book is a best friends to enemies to lust to lovers with an element of bully romance...it’s got all that and more!
A pros and cons list she wasn’t supposed to see and a teenage game of seven minutes in heaven changes everything...Blair and Sawyer’s once unbreakable bond is severed.
After she did something she shouldn’t have to protect her heart, he did something worse...he became her tormentor and through the most of high school they were sworn enemies. Until senior year, when Blair arrives back from a summer away...changed...hotter, sexier and with a confidence she’d been lacking. Sawyer is reluctantly unable to stop noticing her and after a revelation, he’s determined to correct every wrong and to make up for all the time wasted.
Trust isn’t always an easy thing to get back, and through the ups and downs, every raw emotion, and every heartbreak, I was completely invested in this very addictive story. And wow, their happily ever after is worth it all!
I often forget that I’m reading about high school age kids when it’s a Carrie Aarons book because her characters are so well written, smart and mature.
April 29, 2021
This was a quick, fast paced read!!
If you love enemies to lovers with some bully romance on the side, then you need this book.
Blair and Sawyer.
This had the perfect amount of drama and angst. My heart is happy. We do get plenty of teenage drama but I loved how it was balanced out by the relatable characters.
I highly recommend this book.
If you love enemies to lovers with some bully romance on the side, then you need this book.
Blair and Sawyer.
This had the perfect amount of drama and angst. My heart is happy. We do get plenty of teenage drama but I loved how it was balanced out by the relatable characters.
I highly recommend this book.
November 23, 2021
Both had toxic traits that weren’t redeemable. Just once I’d like to read a book where the heroine doesn’t stay a virgin and the hero pines over the heroine. Can we please get that?
January 5, 2025
4⭐️
This is a fantastic friends to enemies to lovers read ❤️🩹😊. Blair and Sawyer’s friendship fell apart when they were 16 and realizing they had more than friendly feelings for each other. I think Carrie captured this trope spot on.
This was my first read through the alphabet stand alone for the year and I couldn’t have picked any better 🙌.
This is a fantastic friends to enemies to lovers read ❤️🩹😊. Blair and Sawyer’s friendship fell apart when they were 16 and realizing they had more than friendly feelings for each other. I think Carrie captured this trope spot on.
This was my first read through the alphabet stand alone for the year and I couldn’t have picked any better 🙌.
April 29, 2021
4.5 "PROS & CONS" STARS!!!
"I knew, the moment I saw that list, that he has never and could never love me the way I did him."
This author is new to me but after I read the blurb of this book I was sold! I mean can you imagine finding out a pros and cons list your best friend, who you have a huge crush on, made about you? Not only that but the cons side is unquestionably longer and harsher. That's the beginning of Sawyer and Blair's love story and it's one of the most intriguing premises I read in a while and Carrie definitely delivered.
"We've cut each other down, past the quick, to a thing way beyond hurt."
Sawyer and Blair were best friends growing up but that friendship ended when she found the list and later embarrassed him with no explanation, from that moment on they were sworn enemies. Lately I'm loving high school romance and you add to it the friends-to enemies-to lovers trope and you have my perfect combo. This book had so much emotion, angst, misunderstandings and all of that added to some amazing tension and banter.
"Both of us seem to keep saying we'll avoid each other, that we want nothing to do with each other, but we're constantly doing this circling dance around one another."
Blair is so similar in personality with me so I really related to her a lot. I liked that when we start the book we were at the turning point where she decided not to let anyone walk all over her again, she was confident, she stood up for herself and had some great comebacks. Sawyer could be an ass but she did break his heart so you kind of get where he was coming from. I liked him a lot and even though he tried to stay mad at her he was so jealous and protective and I'm a sucker for that. Both made mistakes but when everything is resolved, they are all about each other and I really believed in their connection.
"She was the other half of my whole, in every way."
Foes & Cons had so many great characters, it was fast paced, it had some steamy moments and was overall an amazing high school, bully romance. I definitely recommend it for those who like the tropes and a good dash of angst. This author was new to me but now I already want to read her whole backlist because I loved her writing.
"Blair Oden has been my destiny from the minute I laid eyes on her."
*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.
"I knew, the moment I saw that list, that he has never and could never love me the way I did him."
This author is new to me but after I read the blurb of this book I was sold! I mean can you imagine finding out a pros and cons list your best friend, who you have a huge crush on, made about you? Not only that but the cons side is unquestionably longer and harsher. That's the beginning of Sawyer and Blair's love story and it's one of the most intriguing premises I read in a while and Carrie definitely delivered.
"We've cut each other down, past the quick, to a thing way beyond hurt."
Sawyer and Blair were best friends growing up but that friendship ended when she found the list and later embarrassed him with no explanation, from that moment on they were sworn enemies. Lately I'm loving high school romance and you add to it the friends-to enemies-to lovers trope and you have my perfect combo. This book had so much emotion, angst, misunderstandings and all of that added to some amazing tension and banter.
"Both of us seem to keep saying we'll avoid each other, that we want nothing to do with each other, but we're constantly doing this circling dance around one another."
Blair is so similar in personality with me so I really related to her a lot. I liked that when we start the book we were at the turning point where she decided not to let anyone walk all over her again, she was confident, she stood up for herself and had some great comebacks. Sawyer could be an ass but she did break his heart so you kind of get where he was coming from. I liked him a lot and even though he tried to stay mad at her he was so jealous and protective and I'm a sucker for that. Both made mistakes but when everything is resolved, they are all about each other and I really believed in their connection.
"She was the other half of my whole, in every way."
Foes & Cons had so many great characters, it was fast paced, it had some steamy moments and was overall an amazing high school, bully romance. I definitely recommend it for those who like the tropes and a good dash of angst. This author was new to me but now I already want to read her whole backlist because I loved her writing.
"Blair Oden has been my destiny from the minute I laid eyes on her."
*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.
April 28, 2021
Sawyer and Blair were the best of friends since they were little kids. Then the summer before their junior year of high school they are both feeling things that best friends don't feel - they both want to take their relationship to the next level. Until Blair finds a list of pros and cons for dating Blair that Sawyer wrote. She was heart broken, you know what they say about a woman scorned, she turned the tables and humiliated him in front of all their friends. And the next two years these two are at each other's throat. But now it is senior year and everything is changing, especially the way Blair and Sawyer see each other.
For being an enemies to lovers story this was super cute and sweet. I really liked the development and growth of both of them. As they were going through their issues you could truly feel/see how awful they felt for being such a jerk to the other. I loved that aspect of this story - that the remorse was always there but they couldn't stop because the other wouldn't and neither one could admit how they really felt. Yes, it could have all been cleared up with a conversation but they are teenagers so I won't hold it against them. I loved it. I devoured this one in one day and was disappointed when it was over. Truly loved both of these characters so much. My favorite book by this author to date. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a sweet and cute enemies to lovers book.
For being an enemies to lovers story this was super cute and sweet. I really liked the development and growth of both of them. As they were going through their issues you could truly feel/see how awful they felt for being such a jerk to the other. I loved that aspect of this story - that the remorse was always there but they couldn't stop because the other wouldn't and neither one could admit how they really felt. Yes, it could have all been cleared up with a conversation but they are teenagers so I won't hold it against them. I loved it. I devoured this one in one day and was disappointed when it was over. Truly loved both of these characters so much. My favorite book by this author to date. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a sweet and cute enemies to lovers book.
April 28, 2021
Wow, this author reminds me of a soft forest goddess. She poured out her words and they became ethereal. Foes & Cons is other-worldly beauty!
This book started off so adorably angry and I was hooked from page one! I can't even possibly express just how much I loved it.
Foes & Cons is a charming and witty YA High School Romance with heart in all the right places. Author has created characters who are interesting (side characters are just as amazing), an inventive plot, and there's more than enough going on to keep those pages turning.
Sawyer and Blair both want the same thing, they are just too stubborn to realize it. Something happened between the two of them. He thinks she's to blame and she thinks he's to blame. They become sworn enemies. As they are forced to see each other at school and family gatherings, they recognize this crazy chemistry between them. And they do try to fight it off.
Their emotional tug of war made me keep flipping the pages to see how it all worked out, and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend this one!
This book started off so adorably angry and I was hooked from page one! I can't even possibly express just how much I loved it.
Foes & Cons is a charming and witty YA High School Romance with heart in all the right places. Author has created characters who are interesting (side characters are just as amazing), an inventive plot, and there's more than enough going on to keep those pages turning.
Sawyer and Blair both want the same thing, they are just too stubborn to realize it. Something happened between the two of them. He thinks she's to blame and she thinks he's to blame. They become sworn enemies. As they are forced to see each other at school and family gatherings, they recognize this crazy chemistry between them. And they do try to fight it off.
Their emotional tug of war made me keep flipping the pages to see how it all worked out, and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend this one!
May 1, 2021
This is the first book I've read by the author. It is a great, quick read. It has all the feels and tension between the MCs. It was so enjoyable enough. Sawyer was a difficult character to love, but he redeemed himself in the end. This is not going to be my last book by the author.
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April 29, 2021My gratitude to a reviewer that remarked that there are references of politics in this book.
There’s a time and place for political convictions, this is not it...unless the book is a political book. Some writers sneak it in...
Read Megan's 3-star review of Foes & Cons by Carrie Aarons
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
From reviews provided this sounds similar to the Penelope Douglas YA, Fall Away series ‘Bully’.
There’s a time and place for political convictions, this is not it...unless the book is a political book. Some writers sneak it in...
Read Megan's 3-star review of Foes & Cons by Carrie Aarons
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
From reviews provided this sounds similar to the Penelope Douglas YA, Fall Away series ‘Bully’.
June 16, 2022
Sawyer and Blaire have been besties since childhood until Blaire goes snooping and gets her feelings hurt and winds up purposely embarrassing Sawyer sophomore year in high school.
There is some very mild bullying, it’s really not that bad. It’s just briefly talked about on all things that have happened to her over the past 2 years. I think it was just a couple paragraphs that talk about everything.
Senior year comes and she finds her voice and finally stands up for herself where eventually it all comes to light for Sawyer on why Blaire embarrassed him. Basically they kiss and makeup.
There isn’t much description of the romance scenes. There is one scene and the rest is unwritten.
No idea who won the scavenger hunt. There’s an entire chapter on it and then next chapter bam, a whole new day of something else happening. Like wtf?!
I would’ve liked to read about prom, but it was completely skipped over even though we know they went.
There is, however, quite a bit of political talk in the book - democrat side (in case you need to know). If I knew more stupid politics were going to be in this book, I would’ve 100% passed but since I received this as an ARC I went in blind. Now you know.
If you want unfinished chapters with no endings and lots of unanswered questions, this book is for you then.
There is some very mild bullying, it’s really not that bad. It’s just briefly talked about on all things that have happened to her over the past 2 years. I think it was just a couple paragraphs that talk about everything.
Senior year comes and she finds her voice and finally stands up for herself where eventually it all comes to light for Sawyer on why Blaire embarrassed him. Basically they kiss and makeup.
There isn’t much description of the romance scenes. There is one scene and the rest is unwritten.
No idea who won the scavenger hunt. There’s an entire chapter on it and then next chapter bam, a whole new day of something else happening. Like wtf?!
I would’ve liked to read about prom, but it was completely skipped over even though we know they went.
There is, however, quite a bit of political talk in the book - democrat side (in case you need to know). If I knew more stupid politics were going to be in this book, I would’ve 100% passed but since I received this as an ARC I went in blind. Now you know.
If you want unfinished chapters with no endings and lots of unanswered questions, this book is for you then.
May 10, 2021
All my least favourite tropes rolled into one.
Nope.
November 8, 2021
Not for me- couldn't get past/get on board with the hero on this one unfortunately.
June 3, 2023
I wish I could unread this. 🙄
April 22, 2021
OK WOW! This was my favorite Carrie Aarons’ book! I had a huge smile to my face throughout and absolutely did not want to put this one down! It’s a mature young adult. It’s kind of a bully story, but more friends to enemies to lovers.
Sawyer and Blair grew up together and were best friends. Right before Sophomore year, Blair finds Sawyer’s pros and cons list of whether or not he should move their friendship to more. She reacts out of anger and embarrasses him in front of all their friends, which begins their two year feud with her being bullied by him and his friends. She leaves the country for the summer before Senior year and comes back completely changed. She stands up for herself to Sawyer and all his minions, which Sawyer wasn’t expecting. The barbs between them were intense! Their chemistry and sexual tension was incredible! There were so many sweet moments in between the insults. I LOVED this couple and cannot get them out of my head! You need this book in your life!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sawyer and Blair grew up together and were best friends. Right before Sophomore year, Blair finds Sawyer’s pros and cons list of whether or not he should move their friendship to more. She reacts out of anger and embarrasses him in front of all their friends, which begins their two year feud with her being bullied by him and his friends. She leaves the country for the summer before Senior year and comes back completely changed. She stands up for herself to Sawyer and all his minions, which Sawyer wasn’t expecting. The barbs between them were intense! Their chemistry and sexual tension was incredible! There were so many sweet moments in between the insults. I LOVED this couple and cannot get them out of my head! You need this book in your life!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 30, 2021
Y’all just like any Carrie Aarons book I LOVED IT!! This is one of my top five favorite Carrie Aarons books of all time. I just absolutely adore each character.
Carrie just makes the best heroes like hands down. Sawyer was just dreamy even though he was such a jerk sometimes. The angst is so good in this one. It was endearing to see Sawyer hurt every time he hurt Blair. He didn’t like doing that, but he was angry at her for ruining their friendship.
Blair is such a sweetheart and I felt bad for her for all the bullying she had to endure because she was smart and nerdy and was against Sawyer, who was the popular guy. The things she would say to Sawyer were so mean too. They just knew how to hurt each other because they used to best friends.
But when they declare their love OMG SWOON! But there’s a lot of trust that isn’t there because of the list of Pros and Cons that Swayer once made of Blair.
Their love is so sweet. They get each other’s dreams. They’re families are best friends. They just go so well. I love this book and each character so much.
Carrie just makes the best heroes like hands down. Sawyer was just dreamy even though he was such a jerk sometimes. The angst is so good in this one. It was endearing to see Sawyer hurt every time he hurt Blair. He didn’t like doing that, but he was angry at her for ruining their friendship.
Blair is such a sweetheart and I felt bad for her for all the bullying she had to endure because she was smart and nerdy and was against Sawyer, who was the popular guy. The things she would say to Sawyer were so mean too. They just knew how to hurt each other because they used to best friends.
But when they declare their love OMG SWOON! But there’s a lot of trust that isn’t there because of the list of Pros and Cons that Swayer once made of Blair.
Their love is so sweet. They get each other’s dreams. They’re families are best friends. They just go so well. I love this book and each character so much.
May 1, 2021
FOES & CONS BY CARRIE ARRON
What would you do if guy you liked wrote a list of pros and cons of a possible relationship, especially if your hoping to be more with him? This is a realistic scenario, many people make list, but does sting when someone points out your flaws. Well that's what happened to Blair, she found a list in her best friend Sawyers room and that was the day their friendship ended for her. Sawyer could never figure out what happened. Two years later they are now complete enemies, Sawyer is determined to make Blair life a living nightmare.
This a young adult romance, at times I find myself reaching for these books when I want something easy to read.
Sawyer was mean, and hurtful to the person he claims was his best friend. While he didn't want to be in her life he did want to control some parts of it. Blair is starting her senior year standing up to Sawyer, ready to give him a little piece of medicine. I could feel the connection Sawyer and Blair shared, I think they needed to group up more to really figure things out.
This was a slow, light drama book that's perfect for weekend read.
What would you do if guy you liked wrote a list of pros and cons of a possible relationship, especially if your hoping to be more with him? This is a realistic scenario, many people make list, but does sting when someone points out your flaws. Well that's what happened to Blair, she found a list in her best friend Sawyers room and that was the day their friendship ended for her. Sawyer could never figure out what happened. Two years later they are now complete enemies, Sawyer is determined to make Blair life a living nightmare.
This a young adult romance, at times I find myself reaching for these books when I want something easy to read.
Sawyer was mean, and hurtful to the person he claims was his best friend. While he didn't want to be in her life he did want to control some parts of it. Blair is starting her senior year standing up to Sawyer, ready to give him a little piece of medicine. I could feel the connection Sawyer and Blair shared, I think they needed to group up more to really figure things out.
This was a slow, light drama book that's perfect for weekend read.
July 3, 2022
2.5 stars.
Eh. It was a cute and quick read, more lighthearted than angsty. I liked the premise of the book and was excited after reading the blurb and the tropes, however, I think it could have been executed better.
The two main characters are very childish, and this entire book is built on a bunch of miscommunications. Literally one conversation could’ve prevented the entire thing. The “enemies” is just a bunch of bullying and bickering in the hallways of school (Also, so many cliche high school tropes it was too predictable.)
Then, the author just randomly brought in political views and idk it was just so out of place. And the pacing was really weird and the entire book builds up their big prom moment and then we don’t even get to witness it? Hm
And there were so many double standards between the main characters. Like the whole fuckboy + girl who apologizes for being a virgin was a no from me.
Overall, it was cute to read but I feel like the couple’s relationship would never last. One argument and their “love” would probably crumble to pieces.
Eh. It was a cute and quick read, more lighthearted than angsty. I liked the premise of the book and was excited after reading the blurb and the tropes, however, I think it could have been executed better.
The two main characters are very childish, and this entire book is built on a bunch of miscommunications. Literally one conversation could’ve prevented the entire thing. The “enemies” is just a bunch of bullying and bickering in the hallways of school (Also, so many cliche high school tropes it was too predictable.)
Then, the author just randomly brought in political views and idk it was just so out of place. And the pacing was really weird and the entire book builds up their big prom moment and then we don’t even get to witness it? Hm
And there were so many double standards between the main characters. Like the whole fuckboy + girl who apologizes for being a virgin was a no from me.
Overall, it was cute to read but I feel like the couple’s relationship would never last. One argument and their “love” would probably crumble to pieces.
April 29, 2021
This was probably one of the most addictive, sweet YA reads for me. I found myself reading this book within 3hrs and not once wanting to put it down.
This book is more friends to enemies to lovers than bully romance, but there is a lot of bully aspects sprinkled throughout this book.
Foes & Cons had a lot more angst than I anticipated, but it really worked, especially for a YA book. You could sense the tension between the Sawyer and Blaire – it was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. And the chemistry between just added to that ever building tension.
Carrie wrote this story very realistically. Sawyer and Blaire are typical high school teens who struggle to talk things through, blow up at ridiculous things, treat others differently to make themselves feel better, etc. But readers also see these two realize their mistakes and grow from that.
I loved everything about this book. For me, this is was one the best YA books I have read if quite some time. Bravo, Carrie.
This book is more friends to enemies to lovers than bully romance, but there is a lot of bully aspects sprinkled throughout this book.
Foes & Cons had a lot more angst than I anticipated, but it really worked, especially for a YA book. You could sense the tension between the Sawyer and Blaire – it was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. And the chemistry between just added to that ever building tension.
Carrie wrote this story very realistically. Sawyer and Blaire are typical high school teens who struggle to talk things through, blow up at ridiculous things, treat others differently to make themselves feel better, etc. But readers also see these two realize their mistakes and grow from that.
I loved everything about this book. For me, this is was one the best YA books I have read if quite some time. Bravo, Carrie.
April 29, 2021
"Carrie Aarons always seems to write the book I didn’t know I needed to read until I actually read it. Sawyer & Blairs story covers so many tropes I love to read it was like every chapter I was rubbing my hands in anticipation of what was going to happen. And let’s just say at the end of each chapter I was almost giddy with glee from what I had just read and then what was to come next.
There was so much to love about this book, from the great main characters to the outstanding supporting ones as well. But the part I liked the most was Sawyer and Blair’s story went full circle and it was truly incredible to read. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book."
There was so much to love about this book, from the great main characters to the outstanding supporting ones as well. But the part I liked the most was Sawyer and Blair’s story went full circle and it was truly incredible to read. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book."
April 22, 2021
I liked this book, but it's definitely a lighter read. No real angst or heavy emotions with this one. This is the story of Sawyer and Blair. Best friends since they were small children, they both start to develop feelings for each other as puberty hits, but then Blair finds a pros & cons list that Sawyer wrote about dating her. Blair's feelings are hurt which results in her hurting Sawyer and best friends quickly become enemies. Fast forward a couple of years, and that's when the rest of this story takes place.
This is a pretty straight forward enemies-to-lovers/second chance romance. The characters are likeable enough, but I did find myself getting a little frustrated with them both in the beginning. The story kept my interest, and although I wouldn't necessarily consider it a page-turner, I definitely wanted to see if there would be a HEA. Overall, this is a pretty typical YA read. If you're looking for an enjoyable, quick story that won't leave you an emotional mess, then I definitely recommend this one.
This is a pretty straight forward enemies-to-lovers/second chance romance. The characters are likeable enough, but I did find myself getting a little frustrated with them both in the beginning. The story kept my interest, and although I wouldn't necessarily consider it a page-turner, I definitely wanted to see if there would be a HEA. Overall, this is a pretty typical YA read. If you're looking for an enjoyable, quick story that won't leave you an emotional mess, then I definitely recommend this one.
January 31, 2022
This book is hot and steamy. I loved it so much. It is one of those books where you just cannot describe how much you love it. The romance is just everything. Sawyer and Blaire are just so good together. The character growth is out of this world. Also, the steamy factor is so good. I loved how they fell together and it was a rocky but awesome roll. Additionally, I love that Sawyer had great grades and actually had to work hard. It is rare to see studious heroes.
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