Review Detail

After an unexpected accident leaves her in crutches, Agnes Chan's track career crashes to an end. Wobbling her way through trying to rediscover herself, she stumbles upon stand-up comedy after a night of trailing her biggest enemy, Royce Taslim. Here, she discovers an entirely different side of her she didn't know existed. As she navigate this new talent, a competition presents itself with the opportunity to win money, which is something she learns her family needs.

Royce Taslim is almost like royalty with his high status, but there's more to him than his family. He wants more out of life than the road paved for him. After accepting his offer to tutor her, Agnes finds herself spending more and more time with him and learning his more sweet side. All the while, their budding relationship is slow burning because Agnes sees him as her biggest rival. If there's anything he can do, she can do it better. Like stand-up comedy.

BITE ME, ROYCE TASLIM is a young adult enemies-to-lovers contemporary rom-com that is heavy on the humor side of it. Agnes and Royce banter throughout the entire book and it's entertaining to witness. The characters were interesting, but Agnes could get a bit whiny, which it to be expected with her situation. Royce is a great guy, but nobody takes the time to see it. Zee, her best friend, is all about finding a boy and is willing to use whatever means possible. Vern, an old school classmate, rubs me the wrong way in just about every scene, but there has to be tension somewhere to keep the momentum going. The plot is fast-paced and the comedy side of it holds your interest.


Final Verdict: Overall, this was a cute rom-com that I would recommend to fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes, coming of age stories, and humor. Life loves to throw curveballs at you and Agnes has to learn how to cope with her new identity when it's no longer being a sports star. This story shows you the struggles of life while staying fluffy like a rom-com should be.