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cakt1991's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While the core three books of Emma Barry’s now re-released Political Persuasions series largely reflect the optimism and naïveté of what feels like a bygone era (despite being just under a decade ago), the shorts that make up this collection are slightly more recent, and for the most part, reflective of the complex, dark emotions associated with navigating the increasingly divisive political climate of the last several years. But the fact that romance still flourishes among the couples in these pages is a testament to the underlying hope Barry, and many of us, have had amid the fear, exhaustion, and anger.
“Aspiring” is the one original piece to this collection, while the rest were previously released in other anthologies. Molly first appeared in one of the prior books, and I was glad to see her get some happiness after receiving the short end of the stick. Her struggles with anxiety around her professional position in the wake of her senator boss’s scandal felt so relatable, as were her insecurities as to what an aspiring rock star would want from her.
“Kissing and Other Forms of Sedition” is a lovely bite-sized delight. Political scandal is rife in this one, and I loved seeing the two lovers, Graham and Cadence, navigating their feelings for each other, while also navigating the crisis.
“The Fourth Estate” is also a lot of fun, following rival reporters. There’s attempts at sabotage and one-upmanship that do not go the way they expect, and the tension here is top-tier.
But the standout for me was “Run.” The basic premise is great: they’re high school enemies, but he becomes her campaign manager when she runs for state senate. The political insights in this one also hit the hardest, perhaps even rivaling the growth in The One You Hate.
This is a fabulous collection, whether you’ve read the three novels or not. If you like well-thought out, compassionate political romance, I recommend picking this up.
While the core three books of Emma Barry’s now re-released Political Persuasions series largely reflect the optimism and naïveté of what feels like a bygone era (despite being just under a decade ago), the shorts that make up this collection are slightly more recent, and for the most part, reflective of the complex, dark emotions associated with navigating the increasingly divisive political climate of the last several years. But the fact that romance still flourishes among the couples in these pages is a testament to the underlying hope Barry, and many of us, have had amid the fear, exhaustion, and anger.
“Aspiring” is the one original piece to this collection, while the rest were previously released in other anthologies. Molly first appeared in one of the prior books, and I was glad to see her get some happiness after receiving the short end of the stick. Her struggles with anxiety around her professional position in the wake of her senator boss’s scandal felt so relatable, as were her insecurities as to what an aspiring rock star would want from her.
“Kissing and Other Forms of Sedition” is a lovely bite-sized delight. Political scandal is rife in this one, and I loved seeing the two lovers, Graham and Cadence, navigating their feelings for each other, while also navigating the crisis.
“The Fourth Estate” is also a lot of fun, following rival reporters. There’s attempts at sabotage and one-upmanship that do not go the way they expect, and the tension here is top-tier.
But the standout for me was “Run.” The basic premise is great: they’re high school enemies, but he becomes her campaign manager when she runs for state senate. The political insights in this one also hit the hardest, perhaps even rivaling the growth in The One You Hate.
This is a fabulous collection, whether you’ve read the three novels or not. If you like well-thought out, compassionate political romance, I recommend picking this up.
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