Perfect school love to adult love drama
I watched it after Dazzling, so comparison is inevitable.First of all, the balance between school years and adults years in this drama was strong, I typically get bored with high-school tragedy, and speed through it. Writers were merciful to leave me with 33% of the drama being about adulthood. My biggest pet peeve with Dazzling was that adult love between leads just happened within like 10 minutes and they went straight to marriage.
Chemistry between leads was hot and proper, no notes.
Character development arcs were a bit simplified, but served the premise. I am constantly amazed by a sheer number of artists making it big by late twenties in CDramas, but it’s ok, since it served the premise.
Overall, it’s a romantic story where passion and love between leads was well-written and believable with a sprinkle of fairy tale.
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❤️?❤️?lot of Angst ?and ?lot of Butterflies
If u r doubting whether to watch this or not don't just think run🏃🏻♀️ and WATCH THIS!!🔥🔥[🏹📚🐟🏍️💌🦋👩❤️💋👨🏃🏻♀️🐶💔💻❤️🩹❤️🔥🔥💋💍] - plot in emoji😗
So first of all there chemistry is sooo soooo soooooo insane 🔥💝💋that actually feels so real🥺 i have not read the novel so i really have no problem with the plot infact i love such plot that give angst ❤️🔥and butterflies🦋 equally while serving great chemistry💌💕 and visuals...this drama has all the plots that i love like - 🚩bad boy good girl👸🏻,💸rich guy poor girl😿, 💌she fell first he fell harder,💝 obsession ❤️🔥, heart break,❤️🩹📚 high school to workplace setting💻, and ofcourse happy ending💍💋. so I'm very well satisfied with this drama infact i would say this year after✨ shine on me✨ and 🏍️speed and love👩❤️💋👨 this is what got me this obsessed 🫠there's very less modern drama i actually love that much🥰 and this is one of them😍 i just love everything about this also i love the fact that from epi 1 to 29 we got very well screen time for them together😍 like in many shows we either see more about side character or the leads but seperately but here they spent very well time together on screen💃🏻🕺🏻 which gave me no way to skip or get bored i just love this so much and it is definitely worth re watching 😍😍😍😍😍❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
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This c drama is absolutely wonderful
Honestly this show made me feel alot of emotions. It made me feel happy, sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, wholesome and alot more, but whats more important is the fact that it made me feel. I was able to really connect to the characters as if i was just watching but i was there.The actors ability to display the emotions their characters feel is truly extraordinary and it's something that really isn't common these days.
The way the characters were written is honestly so refreshing to see, they aren't inherently good like most main characters are, you can see them make bad decisions and struggle with the guilt of knowing what they did was wrong even thought they really didn't have a choice or see a way out at that point.
Zhou Wan and Lu Xixao's love story isn't simple by any means but they were still able to find their way back to each other. We get to see them grow up together and then grow individually and still choose each other in the end. That's why i think their childhood era was very important to the plot because it shows us the depth of their relationship, although i would have loved to see more of their adulthood i think that their teenage era being the main plot point was really beneficial that's why it's called never ending summer because it's mainly about the time when their love sprouted and they look back on fondly
I also like the way the side romance was written. Alot of c dramas I've watched struggle to give the 2nd couple a proper romance but that wasn't the case in this one, Gu meng and Jian fan's romance wasn't just there for the sake of a second romance, it added alot to the main romance and was still able to hold its own
All in all this is one of the vest c dramas ive watched in a while it was fun, exciting and heartwarming. Its a 10/10 i would definitely recommend it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Some summers end. The people they make us become never do.
I knew Never Ending Summer was going to be special after the first few episodes, but I never expected it to become one of the most emotionally devastating and beautifully written coming-of-age dramas I’ve ever watched. This isn’t just a story about first love. It’s about growing up, carrying regret, learning forgiveness, and realizing that the moments we think will last forever are often the ones that disappear the fastest.What makes this drama extraordinary is how real every character feels. Nobody is written as simply “good” or “bad.” They make selfish decisions, hurt the people they love, run away from difficult conversations, and carry wounds they don’t know how to heal. Watching each of them grow over the years felt incredibly rewarding because their development was gradual, believable, and deeply human.
The relationship between the leads completely stole my heart. Their chemistry never relied on exaggerated romantic scenes it was built through years of shared memories, quiet conversations, lingering glances, inside jokes, and countless moments where they chose each other even when life kept pulling them apart. That made every reunion feel earned and every separation absolutely heartbreaking.
The time skips were handled beautifully. Rather than feeling like separate chapters, each period of their lives built naturally on the last. You could see how every decision they made as teenagers continued to affect them as adults. The drama constantly reminds us that growing older doesn’t erase the people we once were it simply teaches us to understand them.
The fireworks scene is one of the most unforgettable moments I’ve seen in any drama. It isn’t just visually beautiful it perfectly symbolizes everything the series is trying to say. Fireworks are breathtaking, but they’re fleeting. They light up the entire sky for only a few moments before disappearing, leaving behind only memories. Their love, their youth, and that unforgettable summer felt exactly the same. It was a moment that captured both overwhelming happiness and the quiet sadness of knowing nothing lasts forever.
One of the things I appreciated most was that the drama never gave us easy answers. Life doesn’t always work out the way we hope. People drift apart. Dreams change. Circumstances force impossible decisions. Yet despite all of the heartbreak, the series never becomes cynical. Instead, it quietly suggests that even painful memories can become something beautiful because they helped shape the people we become.
The performances across the entire cast were phenomenal. Every actor made their character feel authentic, especially during the emotional scenes where words weren’t necessary. So much of the story is told through expressions, silence, and body language rather than dialogue. That’s incredibly difficult to pull off, yet this cast made it look effortless.
The cinematography deserves just as much praise. The golden sunsets, the beaches, the long summer evenings, the rain, the fireworks, the classrooms, and even the ordinary streets all carry a sense of nostalgia. Every frame feels like a memory someone is desperately trying not to forget. Combined with one of the most beautiful soundtracks I’ve heard, the entire drama feels dreamlike without ever losing its emotional authenticity.
The ending absolutely destroyed me in the best possible way. I loved that it didn’t rely on a fairy-tale conclusion. Instead, it stayed true to everything the story had been building toward from the very beginning. It reminded us that love isn’t always measured by whether two people stay together forever. Sometimes its greatest purpose is to change us, to teach us how to love, how to let go, and how to keep moving forward while carrying those memories with us. Their final moments together, especially when they reflect on everything that happened during that unforgettable summer, left me in tears.
Even after the credits rolled, I found myself thinking about these characters for days. Their happiness felt like mine. Their heartbreak hurt as if I had lived through it beside them. Very few dramas leave that kind of lasting emotional impact.
Never Ending Summer isn’t just one of the best coming-of-age dramas I’ve ever seen it’s one of the best dramas I’ve ever watched, period. It captures youth, love, friendship, regret, grief, hope, and the bittersweet beauty of growing up with remarkable honesty. It’s the kind of story that reminds you of your own first love, your own summers that ended too soon, and the people you’ll carry with you forever.
A flawless 10/10. If I could erase one drama from my memory just to experience it for the first time again, Never Ending Summer would be at the very top of the list. It didn’t just entertain me it stayed with me, and I know it always will.
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Never Ending Summer (炽夏)
The best drama ever in 2026, their chemistry is very good, a very romantic drama and a love full of struggle with a happy ending. Really liked the couple Zhou Keyu and Bao Shang En. Hopefully they will be reunited in another very good drama too....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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Liar! Summer was supposed to Never End!
I wasn't expecting the day would come when I would finally have my first romance cdrama that i can confidently rate 10/10 and highlight all the answers in the "What do you like most about it?" question. Trust me, I really tried my best to find aspects of this drama to dislike, but there are none.The story, i wouldn't really say it's true to life, because i later realized it's the typical Rich Guy & Poor Girl type scenario, but there are some aspects that way it was written and handled that make it grounded to some extent, so that it wouldn't come off as some fetish delulu like some other Rich Guy & Poor Girl type story out there.
Looking back, it is very tropey and I'm hella nervous when it's being presented on screen like "I hope it's not this and that just for the sake of it" because i wanted this to be either 9/10. If you also look at it objectively, the family drama and romance are very messy. It knows it's messy. It leans into that, but handles everything so well together, all of that in the drama, and it still made sense, because the way each of the characters impacts the other defines what's going to happen next. It has a chain reaction effect. You're not just sitting there thinking, "What was that for?"
When it comes to the Pacing, it's smooth for the most part. Still, there are times when I definitely thought it was fast, because sometimes info or an event that is revealed or introduced in an episode is unfolded to the target character later on in the same episode. It's just a nitpick. It didn't ruin the show for me whatsoever.
I watched this because I saw a clip of Bao Shang En getting too immersed with her character that she forgot to snap back even after the director said "Cut!". I'm sure you know what i mean. That tells me that her acting has definitely improved if she can get into that state of mind. Because i watched her first 2 cdramas back in 2024, and for a rookie actress she was definitely decent back then, but i stopped watching because she's not on my priority list. After watching this drama? Definitely can say she has gotten really good. She knows how to put emotions across the screen, and the tone and mood switch. The deep voice- can we talk about her deep talking voice here, because i definitely don't remember her having that kind of voice back then. I'm so in love. Though there are times when she's in a scene with an older actor/actress, you can't help but notice that skill gap. She would get overwhelmed in terms of stage presence, but I'm sure as she gets older and takes on more projects, she's definitely gonna become a great actress.
Zhou Wan as a character, when you think she's perfect, but she's not. She can be frustrating or hateable, but it's hard because every decision she makes is because of the people around her. You can't really blame her if you were in her position, and as she's stated, "I'm just 18." You can't expect a person at that age to make the right decision every time. Sometimes it will be dumb, but i loved how she was written as a realist, so at least she's very calculating when making decisions. Also, my gosh, i love her fits during her high school arc. It's simple, but layered so that it won't look bare.
The same goes for Lu Xixiao. I'm amazed by the progression of his character, from being a tough/rebel boy to a softie/yearner guy. He's a smart character, but he too makes dumb decisions, and then i remember, "Oh, yeah, he's 18, so you probably wouldn't be thinking like this." I'm always amazed how he's able to pick up hints from his day to day life to be able to piece things together when trying to figure out something, I guess that's where the observation skill from being an artist comes in, because he's able to figure out what Zhou Wan's intentions is whenever she doesn't want to talk, not all of them, but for the most part.
It's my first time seeing Daniel Zhou as an actor. Before this i saw him in a variety show, but I wasn't focusing on him. My eyes were on Bai Lu, because she was in it as well. Anyway, going back. He's such a really good actor and so freaking tall, my god. Also, can we talk about how he and Shang En got such explosive chemistry going on, like i got hooked episode 1 right away because of their chemistry. Now i want them to star in a Fantasy drama, because they reminded me of Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu so much in terms of chemistry.
Among all the hateable characters, Luo He takes the crown for me. He's the first thug character that i actually thoroughly enjoyed watching, because he's actually written well for me. I think it's because it's got to do with the actor. He's so good at playing the role. You can tell he's really into it.
The music in this drama bangs! I don't think there's a song here that i don't like. I watched this drama on the Mango TV YouTube channel, and they always mute some music scenes to avoid copyright issues. So i would pause and watch the parts with music on a pirate site, then go back to their channel when it's done. That's how dedicated I am to not skip any scenes with music.
Overall, such a top tier drama. Sure, it may have its flaws, but i eat that all up because it's good. Highly recommend watching it. Give it a go!
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This review may contain spoilers
Chemistry so insane I thought the actors were dating IRL
The sweetest first love story imaginable, the yearning was insane.I WILL NOT accept any slander towards Zhou Wan. Y'all are messed up if you believe that Zhou Wan didn't deserve Lu Xixao. Was it right for her to use Lu Xixao for her own means? No, but she was doing it to save her grandmother. She's 18 years old, in debt, and her only family in the world is dying. She literally had no other options.
Was it depressing af to watch her leave Lu Xixao in the most twisted Hide n Seek game possible? Yes. Could this 10-year old breakup been avoided if she just had a conversation with him? Yes but that would not be her character. People are forgetting that she is as in love with him as he with her but she grew up believing that she's a burden and to hide her emotions for the sake of others. The love of her life got hurt protecting her and one of the only family members he trust told her to leave him. That breakup broke the BOTH of them and honestly me too.
I thank the Cdrama gods for Lu Xixao because no matter how much Zhou Wan hurts him, he never gave up. He called out her lies and when they finally reunited, he folded like a wet paper towel. I just love a ML who knows what and who he wants, it's always been her.
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I'm still not over this drama
never ending summer easily became my favorite modern cdrama this year. it's one of those dramas that had me smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet, and not wanting it to end. is it perfect? no. but did i genuinely enjoy every minute of it? absolutely.the chemistry between zhou keyu and bao shangen is hands down the biggest reason i stayed till the very end. they just have that natural chemistry that makes every scene together feel so effortless. add the beautiful cinematography and OSTs, and everything just comes together so well. and now i'm dealing with the hardest part... moving on..
i wasn't ready to say goodbye to them, so i immediately watched Blazing Summer, a variety show promoting the drama, just to get more crumbs. if anything, it made me even more obsessed with them. the chemistry is just as adorable off-screen, and i found myself smiling the entire time.
at this point, zhou keyu and bao bao have completely taken over my sns feeds and honestly? i'm not even complaining.
if you're looking for a light youth romance with amazing chemistry and all the butterflies, i'd definitely recommend giving this drama a try.
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A summer like no other
I think the hardest part of watching Never Ending Summer was waiting for new episodes to drop. I couldn't wait for the series to finish, so I watched it while it was still airing and honestly, I don't regret it one bit.This drama took me on such an emotional ride. It made me smile, cry, and even get frustrated at times. More than anything, it made me wish I had experienced a summer like the one Lu Xixiao and Zhou Wan shared.
Their story was so beautiful and heartfelt that I couldn't help but get attached to them. The cast did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. They're still young actors, but their performances proved they're more than just pretty faces, they have real talent.
The chemistry between the leads was absolutely insane, and even the second couple was so lovable that I never felt the urge to skip their scenes.
I'm beyond satisfied with Never Ending Summer. It's no surprise that it stayed at No. 1 on iQIYI throughout its run, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it continues to be one of the platform's most-loved dramas.
To L and Wan, thank you for letting us be part of your story. Through every setback and every heartbreak, you still found your way back to each other. Thank you for giving us a love story that will stay with me long after this summer ends. 💙☀️
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A Love Worth Waiting For
Never-Ending Summer (炽夏) – ReviewOverall Rating: 9.4/10
Overview
Watched: Youtube
Never-Ending Summer is one of the best Chinese dramas I've watched in a long time. It perfectly balances romance, heartbreak, healing, and coming-of-age themes without feeling overly dramatic. The story captures the feeling of a realistic high school romance while also highlighting the struggles of poverty, family responsibilities, and growing up. The emotional moments hit hard, but the lighter, romantic scenes keep the drama engaging throughout.
Plot
The story follows Zhou Wan (Bao Shang'en) and Lu Xixiao (Daniel Zhou/Zhou Keyu). Their relationship develops naturally from complicated circumstances into a deep, emotional love story. What makes the plot stand out is that the romance never feels rushed, it takes time for both characters to trust each other and grow together. The drama also does a great job portraying the realities of financial hardship and how those struggles affect relationships and life choices.
Characters
Zhou Wan (Bao Shang'en)
Bao Shang'en delivered a strong performance as Zhou Wan. She portrayed her character's resilience, kindness, and emotional burdens very well. While I understood why Zhou Wan kept so many secrets because of her difficult circumstances, it became frustrating that she constantly chose to hide the truth instead of communicating. Many of the conflicts could have been avoided if she had simply been honest.
Lu Xixiao (Daniel Zhou / Zhou Keyu)
Daniel Zhou was definitely one of the highlights of the drama. His acting felt incredibly natural, and he portrayed Lu Xixiao's devotion and emotional vulnerability so well. I especially loved how much he yearned for Zhou Wan without it ever feeling forced or over-the-top. His chemistry with Bao Shang'en was outstanding, and their relationship felt believable from beginning to end.
What I Loved
• The chemistry between the two leads was amazing. Their interactions felt genuine, funny, romantic, and full of tension.
•The romance developed naturally instead of relying on instant love.
• The balance between sweet moments and emotional heartbreak kept the story engaging.
• The drama realistically portrayed poverty, family pressure, and personal sacrifice.
• The emotional scenes were powerful without becoming overly melodramatic.
• Daniel Zhou's performance was excellent and made Lu Xixiao incredibly easy to root for.
What Could Have Been Better
My biggest issue with the drama was the number of misunderstandings. Zhou Wan repeatedly kept important secrets, lied by omission, and pushed Lu Xixiao away. While I understood her motivations, it became repetitive and sometimes felt like the drama created conflict simply to extend the story.
I also wish Lu Xixiao had stood by the boundaries he set. After everything that happened, he forgave Zhou Wan fairly quickly. Considering how deeply hurt he was, I expected a longer period of rebuilding trust. A slower reconciliation would have felt more realistic and made their reunion even more satisfying.
A few of the misunderstandings could have been resolved through simple conversations, making some conflicts feel slightly forced. Though I understand the reason she lied, he said to promise to her that they will share everything and she said yes, then continued to lie, they could have fought evil together, i understand they are young and this becomes more plausible actions but idk. I also hate in general when shows add kidnapping scenes. ( i never dated a rich guy and his family is keeping us apart and never got into it with debt collectors lol). I feel this trope is overly used and find it hard to believe it happens this often. Also unrealistic how a 17-18 year old boy can fight off most of these guys.
Final Thoughts
Despite my frustrations with the repeated misunderstandings and the quick forgiveness, Never-Ending Summer is an incredibly enjoyable romance. The chemistry between Bao Shang'en and Daniel Zhou carries the entire drama, and their performances make every emotional moment feel authentic. The romance feels mature, heartfelt, and beautifully developed, making it easy to become invested in their journey.
If you enjoy coming-of-age romances with strong emotional storytelling, realistic struggles, slow-burn chemistry, and unforgettable lead performances, this drama is absolutely worth watching. It's easily one of my favorite Chinese dramas released this year and overall.
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OBSESSED!!!
This is the first drama this summer that had me in a real chokehold. The chemistry between the lead actors Zhou Keyu and Bao Shangen is absolutely electric, from their easy banter when they start (and re-start) as enemies, to the literal diabetes they exude during their sweet moments, to the heartbreak they convey when circumstances drive them apart. THE YEARNING is 100000/100 in this one.From their youth to adulthood there was never a moment I felt bored of their relationship and I felt that every plot device served to show us just how significant, impactful, and "destined" their love was. I truly believed they were made for each other. Often times I find it problematic when youthful (high school) love is portrayed so all-consuming that they'd willingly throw away their lives for each other (because it's just not realistic). I also would not think that someone can't possibly move on after a 10 year gap. But in this show, it not only makes sense, you can truly feel the magnitude of what they feel for each other. Zhou Keyu and Bao Shangen did an incredible job of bringing life to these characters.
Though the plot elements in the 2026 timeline could make a littleeeee more sense, i appreciated that they served to quickly bring our two leads back together (they know what we want hihihi).
Bottom line is, I'm OBSESSED. Never-ending summer has completely taken over my algorithm on all platforms and I'm not mad about it.
This is your sign to WATCH IT NOW! (and have tissues ready)
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This review may contain spoilers
The chemistry was off the charts and the actor gave a stellar performance
Things I adored1 The ML. I've never seen apart for Hidden Love an actor play his part in such a natural way. If you ask me he must be one of the greatest actor out there and I've seen thousands of movies and series n my life. He's not only handsome, he embodies his role like no one else. It was such a joyful experience to see him fall in love, fall in despair and get back from hell. I haven't read the novel and I have no idea if the differences are big between the novel and the drama. What I do know is that his character is perfection. The right amount of rebellious attitude, the right amount of arrogance, of kindness, of everything. I don't know what else can one ask from a character. I'll follow his career and I hope he does many modern dramas and has a successful trajectory. He was just perfect in this drama.
2 The chemistry between the main couple. They were wonderful together. I'll rewatch for sure their romantic swooning moments and fortunately there were so many. He did a great job playing the head over heels for her guy and she matched his talent although I'll admit I think he was stellar and she was great. Some scenes were breathtaking. I cried, I laughed, I wished I could live such a relationship. The dancing scene was so absurd yet so moving. I can't get it out of my mind.
3 The song. It was one of the rare songs I listened to without ever get tired of it. Perfection.
Things I loved
1 The FL. She was a great character and not once I didn't get why she did what she did. She did what she had to do to survive and she thought she did the right thing when she left. I have no complaints about her character and the actress did a great job. It's my first drama with her and I loved her acting. I preferred her looks when she was an adult. I think she was more beautiful and I liked her aura more.
2 The grandmother. The actress did a good job and the relationship between the grandmother and the FL was beautiful. I wish she was there for a longer period.
3 The kisses. There weren't enough, but at least they were decent and they showed us that they had a mature believable relationship. I adored the way they were comfortable with each other, the teasing, the closeness, the gestures.
Things I liked
1 The 2ML. Unlike others I didn't dislike him. Yes he did something that cost our couple dearly but as the FL said, he didn't do it on purpose, and even if he did, who can blame him? he had a stupid mother and a horrible father and no one to lean on. The ML and the FL had at least each other. He literally had no one, so as an adult I get why he did what he did and he redeemed himself so I'm quite happy with his character development. I just wish he remained friends with the FL and built a relationship with the ML. My heart went to him when we last saw him. He was a lonely child who had to figure things out alone.
2 The second couple. I liked them but I didn't love them. Yes their arc was believable and realistic, but I was put off by the looks of the actor. I've seen him recently in my Little Happiness and he was my favorite character. Here he had a weird haircut and he seemed so awkward. In the high school years he was good, but then he was weird so I didn't care much about his arc. Anyway, I was happy they stayed friends with the main couple and I was happy they had their happy ending.
3 The aunt of the ML. I wish she had a bigger part and a closer relationship to her nephew. They probably were close but we didn't see that enough.
Things I disliked
1 The outfits. I read that many praised the way the FL was dressed but I thought she was awfully dressed most of the times. The outfits weren't a good fit for her and same goes for the ML. He had some good outfits but he had also some quite awful. Did I hate all of them? No, she had a few good ones and same goes for him, but all in all I can't say I liked the bad fitted items they wore. An example: the white dress and the awful flower. What the heck was that? There were others equally bad and even worse, but that is what came to mind right now.
2 That we didn't have enough episodes with them as adults. I'd like to see them more in their adult life. I didn't like that the forgive her period lasted so little. I wanted him to be distant and try to make her pay for longer. Somehow it felt rushed and not strong enough a reaction for what he went through. Yes, I get that he loved her, but I needed a better outcome. I wanted to see more of him keeping his distance even though I was craving for him to forgive her. Weird I know, but I needed more time with them dealing with their past.
Things I hated
1 The father of the ML. What can I say other than he should go to jail and have a terrible, horrible life from then on. What a despicable, horrible excuse of a father. No excuse for any of his actions. He deserved nothing than the worst. He didn't suffer enough if you ask me.
2 The mother of the FL. It's crazy that they tried to find her some excuses for abandoning her child. Do I think parents have sometimes to make hard decisions go give their children a better future? Absolutely and it's heartbreaking. Do I think this was the case here? Definitely not. It's not only what she did when the FL was a child. It was how she behaved when they met again. She was a horrible human being and I was happy she paid a price, albeit not big enough for me. Unlike others I didn't find the actress beautiful at all, but maybe that's because she did a great job to make me hate her and I could only see her as an ugly villain.
3 The grandfather. I'm not sure why they tried to sell him to us as a good person. He wasn't. He didn't care abut his grandson, he only cared about what he wanted for him. He had no reason whatsoever to behave he way he did with the FL and I blame him for his despicable son. I wasn't happy that the ML still had a close relationship with him. He shouldn't have forgiven him. Period.
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