I loved this story. I thought I would only read a couple of chapters since I got to a boring part in another novel, but then the sexual tension and drama and characters just kept me going.
I agree with the translator, this author writes wonderful novels about relationships that real people should use as templates for what not to do. However, the misunderstandings and conflicts sure make for great tension and engaging story.
I agree with the translator - while the ml does some things with bad intentions initially, he's not that bad compared to some of the other ml's this author dreams up. I honestly thought it was intriguing how he had so many sides and behaviors depending on the situation.
Esta es la segunda novela que leo de la autora y nuevamente me hace confirmar que escribe novelas muy, muy adictivas. Mi experiencia con este zhaogong fue la siguiente: «La gente dice que es un manipulador... Voy a ignorar eso». Y estuve gran parte de la novela como Gloria Trevi, con los ojos cerrados, hasta que Zhao Jinxin hizo de las suyas. ☠️ No puedo decir que lo odié, pero sí sentí esa decepción amorosa que experimentó Li Shuo. Tuve que poner Soy peor para hacer como que éramos unos bichotes y que podíamos con todo. PD. No éramos unos bichotes y no podíamos con todo. En fin: luego lo perdoné por un detalle tonto porque soy débil de corazón. La propuesta de matrimonio fue muy linda, por cierto. ♡
If you've read Sissy before, Winner Takes All will feel like a seamless continuation of Sissy's second ML and MC. Personally, I picked up this novel because of my admiration for Li Shou in Sissy, and after finishing it, my fondness for him has only grown. The added age gap between the ML and MC is a delightful bonus, with the older shou making this novel a must-read.
One of the highlights of this novel is the incredible character development. Both the ML and MC undergo gradual changes for the better without feeling rushed or abrupt. It's evident that they are drawn to each other, but they struggle to accept their feelings, making for a tantalizing push-and-pull storyline.
Zhao Jinxin's character is remarkably similar to Shao Qun's, the ML from Sissy, but he is better characterized by his balance of maturity and playfulness, as opposed to Shao Qun's immaturity. However, his obsession with sex is a minor drawback, at least for Li Shou's character. Although I expected the smut to be more explicit given his obsession, the novel doesn't linger on those scenes for long. I guess the author held back a bit.
Li Shou is an incredible character, a perfect shou, and would have been an excellent gong if he'd allowed himself to indulge in his desires. He's one of my favorite characters from the 188 novels I've read so far.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Winner Takes All. Zhao Jinxin's retorts were hilarious, the level of angst was acceptable, and it didn't cross any boundaries for me. Emotionally, the novel felt realistic, and I highly recommend it, despite any shortcomings in the English translation.
P.S. After reading this novel, I'll never look at butter blocks the same way again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It pains me to do this but... DNF at 30%. I really like this one because I like the premise the surrounds the whole story especially the dynamic between Zhao Jinxin and Li Shuo. But it's really hard for me to understand some of the MTL, and I didn't want to miss out on the important lines/moments with that and ruin the reading experience for myself. The HTL is still ongoing and I will definitely come back once it's done. Before I drop this, I want to share some of my thoughts first. I will compare this one when I finally finish the book.
SO, it was so much fun witnessing the budding of relationship between Zhao Jinxin and Li Shuo especially that they are somehow polar opposites. Zhao Jinxin is very promiscuous while Li Shuo is a very reserved man. And I get to see Jinxin's internal struggles because of the big reason he approached Li Shuo, ehem Shao Qun ehem. He really has his own faults. I was also surprised that they revealed that at a very early moment in the book but now I get why. Zhao Jinxin is not an asshole because of that, he is much of a bigger asshole than those earlier chapters. He was really pissing me off with his behavior towards the people around Li Shuo. Han Feiye was really disrespected, I didn't like that bit. But I'm enjoying this okay! I can understand why Li Shuo is having troubles with his feelings and how he would handle Zhao Jinxin, lmao.
Anyway, yeah I really have to let go for now. I'm so dramatic, geez! That's all though, I'll see you guys here again. Until next time!
Another masterpiece for the books. I don't think I have a lot to say about this one other than I enjoy it a lot. Li Shuo has always been one of my favorite character since Additional Inheritance, so it's good to see him getting a book of his own. Jin Xin's a red flag but compared to SQ and LY, it's just simply not comparable. It's one of those case of hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby. I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE puppy gong who are secretly a little unhinged and yandere. It's literally one of my favorite thing to read about and JX is a master at acting pathetic, crying, and begging. I love them so much AHHHH!!!!
Li shuo es el hombre perfecto ame conocerlo en sissy y mucho más en su historia él se merece todo lo bueno en el mundo, jinxin tuvo bien merecido todo su sufrimiento por lastimar, usar a li shuo me hubiera gustado verlo llorar más pero apesar de todos los problemas leer sobre ellos casandose y jinxin en traje de novia rojo es adorable se que se aman y tendran una vida hermosa, los amo siempre
Zhao Jinxin is the least toxic male lead in the 188 series so far, and I liked him a lot. I was really looking forward to Li Shuo’s book, and thankfully, he ended up with someone who genuinely adores him. Their story wasn’t without its challenges, but it was satisfying overall.
No but seriously, this novel was so entertaining I couldn't put it down. I have to give the author their flowers, they have really improved in writing dogblood novels well in comparison to the first couple of novels they released in this same universe.
Things I enjoyed: SPOILERS The age gap is done extremely well - shou is our MC Li Shou, who I already enjoyed from his brief appearances in Sissy and Additional Inheritance; we get to see a lot more of his gentle but firm personality, and his principles/beliefs never waver no matter what the "scum gong" does to him, be it betrayal of his feelings/his work and always making rational plans, never once giving leeway for the gong to have the upperhand for long. It is extremely refreshing to see this type of personality, especially if you compare to the other MCs from the first two novels, and shows just how mature he is (he's older by 11 years), which shapes how he views relationships, loyalty, betrayal, etc.
What I liked the most is that both the MC and ML start off on equal footing (both rich, parents are friends/coworkers, both are not virgins, one has more experience in relationships while the other in sexual partners) so it never truly feels like one character has the upper hand in certain situations. Usually whenever the ML tries to be domineering and do something behind the MC's back, the MC will think on it rationally and turn the tables back towards himself so that he never owes the ML anything. The MC never begs, always returning the ML's own venomous words back double, so much so that the ML is forced to change his playboy ways. Likewise, the ML is able to recognize his own flaws and plead to the MC that he can change.
The story as a whole is very entertaining, just the sexual tension alone is amazing, but once they start trying to get back at each other it turns the drama up in a good way.
The one reason I wouldn't give it full stars is because of slight continuity errors in regards to this story and Sissy - SPOILERS
I enjoyed it! It wasn't as angsty as some of this author's other stories because the scum gong didn't fuck up as badly as some of her other gongs. I really loved the character of the shou, Li Shuo, because he was older and had a more mature and logical mindset. When Li Shuo found out about Zhao Jinxin's first fuck up, he realized that he still loved him and he told him he would give him a second chance but they still needed to rebuild trust. Then after the second fuck up, he was like, nope not giving a third chance, I want a family and I'm not wasting time on a 24 year old's fickle feelings. There wasn't much plot but Li Shuo's character really carried this book for me.
Honestly, one of my favourite BL novels period. I can't remember how many times I've reread it, even reread it in Chinese because the translation isn't that good. I think what works for me is that the novel is pretty unashamed of what it is, but is well-written and restrains itself just enough.
The main couple has such good chemistry, and individually the characters are great. Li Shuo is seriously one of my favourite BL protagonists and shous and Zhao Jinxin is an adorably lovable scumbag. He's pretty unapologetically scummy but never crosses the line like his other 188 brethren (Shao Qun). The smut is also satisfying because both parties are equally into it, in fact, the bottom here is arguably the kinkier one so that's refreshing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As much as I read this because of the appearance of LiShuo in Additional Inheritance and Sissy, I didn't have high expectations. I never thought I'd be reading such a scum-gong type but, oh well. This would've been rated lower if it weren't for Lishuo, He was just really someone who has good morals(?) and, is really considerate though sometimes I feel like he should've snapped earlier. I somewhat liked ZJX at the start but when I remembered why he was with LS it just made me feel sick in the stomach (screw SQ). I started to dislike him during those 43 days separated while Lishuo was going crazy and was hurting, he was banging someone else, I'm still bitter about that. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, less angst than other ones in the series, probably would recommend it.~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Honestly it might not be the novel but me. I'm not into this type of pairing/dynamic, I got to the first few chapters but ML is too annoying. I was only looking to read more about the universe since I read the NNQ characters appear a lot and I like reading the same story with a different perspective (such as with 'Additional Inheritance'), but from the first chapter one of them has an instant infatuation and I am not willing to follow that for the next hundred chapters, just not my thing.
a veces para ser feliz una chica necesita a su shou que es realmente *EL* HOMBRE y a su gong una década menor con personalidad de mario casas en 3 metros sobre el cielo
AMOOOO, Jinxin y Li Shushu son muy lindos, y están casados.
obviamente, como típica novela de shuida, la sangre de perro no hace falta, pero la parte más divertida es que el mismísimo Shao Qun le llamó a Li Shuo para que perdone a Jinxin..
Li Shuo es el ex algo de Li Chengxiu(esposo de Shao Qun), y en venganza Shao Qun mandó a su primo aka Zhao Jinxin para que 'jugara' con Li Shuo, obviamente el tiro le salió por la culata, ya que el peor enemigo de Shao Qun se convirtió en parte de su familia, y hasta tuvo que ir a la boda, JAJAKAKAKKA, lo más gracioso es que siempre le va a ver la cara en todas las reuniones familiares... SHAO QUN ES LA BURLA.
bueno, Li Shuo es odiado por Luo Yi y Shao Qun ya que en el pasado, él tuvo algún tipo de relación con sus parejas actuales de los susodichos, bueh, no es culpa de nadie que Li Shuo sea el hombre perfecto, felizmente Li Shuo también pudo encontrar el amor (aunque tóxico) y vive felizmente casado con Jinxin...
Jinxin es un babe, manipulador y mimado, si las ví 🚩🚩🚩 pero Y A TI QUE.