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Judith Rodda
July 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Who knew? 6 levels to happiness.
This is such a wonderful, totally different and a bit off-beat love story. The characters are very well written and lovable with all their quirks and issues. Even though they approach their relationship from opposite views, it really works well. They totally get each other.
Great secondary characters, lots of humor and low angst makes this an entertaining and enjoyable love story.
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Kole Rock
September 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Interesting and entertaining in equally offsetting ways
Leveled is a fresh take on a classic love story. Both main characters are interesting and entertaining in equally offsetting ways. Stef is extremely structured (borderline compulsive) in her need to organize the progression of all thoughts and actions surrounding her love life. As she gets closer to love, Stef is supported by her system of levels and resolute in her scientific method, convinced it will yield the best possible results. Perse, on the other hand, seems to come undone at each level of falling in love as she is triggered by fear and anxieties of prior relationships. As she gets closer to love, and abandons the destructive structure anxiety has built around her heart, Perse is able to find true happiness. I saw myself and my relationships in both characters, and that was really fun as I wasn't sure how it was all going to turn out. This is what makes Leveled so authentic yet familiar yet thoroughly enjoyable. I definitely recommend this book, 5 stars!
An Interesting Take On The Dating Process!
I am a big fan of Serena J. Bishop. She has a special way of storytelling especially in the “Dreams Trilogy Books”. This was a little different. I wanted to understand the forwardness of Stef. Perse says she doesn’t want to date but that doesn’t stop Stef in preparing a pre signed HRA letter. Then after getting Perse to sign it, she is very hands on and touchy feely for someone who has layer out how the levels are to go, including the sex level. A lot of mixed signals coming out here. I also found that Stef’s Harry and then later mentioning Mei’s engagement to the head of the department, Harry was a very confusing point. I had to go back into the story and not finding what would clear this up. Now having said that, I started to appreciate the story when they finally were in a “relationship” and the sincerity of Stef and the acceptance of Stef for Perse and having their friends and Perse’s sister and family all involved in the story brought it to a nice conclusion. Not my favorite but worth the read.
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Ms. I Read to Escape
September 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Tender RomCom Tugs the Heartstrings
Author Bishop did a fantastic job of blending both humor and compassion into this well-thought out story. The humor alone was truly golden with several laugh out loud moments that brightened my day as I read it. But the author also managed to create a tender safe place for the main character's painful struggle with anxiety. This balance of humor and reality, as well as the masterful way the characters' interactions fully developed each character's personalities made for an incredibly satisfying read and poignant romance. Well done and highly recommend. (18+ due to adult sexual content.)
Our experiences give us layers, levels that are the walls we make to move on sometimes. Love can navigate levels.
This complex but extraordinary cast of characters weave a rich story. You can read the blurb which tells you what the story is about. To read this story is to open your heart to layers of life. The characters are brilliantly fleshed out in such caring complexity that you instantly feel affection. As the story unfolds we learn more of the delicate balance in life as a journey. Stef and Perse have very different life stories. They see and deal with experience in exceptional ways. There is an instant attraction when they meet and the connection they form is even more unique. The many moments they share, the familial relations and all that make them who they are is beautifully written. This book takes two brilliant professors through a first-time relationship neither are sure they can commit to. I loved so much that they always found ways to accept each other in even the hardest moment. A good read with lots of feelings.
