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bookjunkie1975's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tellingetienne's review
5.0
I have had Burnt Toast B&B on order for several months. When it popped up on NetGalley I clicked request as fast as my little fingers could move on the mouse. A trans romance written by two authors I enjoy? Sign me up, especially as I saw Belleau on social media working hard to research in a respectful way.
First, to the people who are worried about reading a romance with a trans character because they fear fetishization and objectification, this book does an excellent job avoiding that. Not only does it avoid going in that direction, Belleau and Haimowitz actively address that within the narrative in a way that makes sense and never comes off as too heavy-handed. Ginsburg being trans isn’t the issue at hand in this novel, although I do feel it affectively plays into the plot line (which I’ll address in a little bit).
Second, to the people who look at the authors writing together, look at their back catalog, and get nervous, this was a very sweet romance.
This novel was a lot of the things I love about romance wrapped up in a sexy little package. Lumberjacks! Amusing plotting to attempt to make problems go away! AMAZING CHARACTER GROWTH.
At its core, Burnt Toast B&B is about overcoming and coping with that nasty voice inside your head that tells you that you aren’t “x enough.” In this case, it’s Derrick’s ingrained sense of masculinity and what he should be like as a man. It’s also, to me, about making a space for yourself where you’re comfortable.
Running the B&B Derrick inherited is not working for him, and when Ginsburg shows up on his doorstep, Derrick’s life is thrown for a major loop. Not only does he end up with a successful business that he never wanted in his lap, he has to tackle his own sense of self in order to keep the man he loves in his life.
First, to the people who are worried about reading a romance with a trans character because they fear fetishization and objectification, this book does an excellent job avoiding that. Not only does it avoid going in that direction, Belleau and Haimowitz actively address that within the narrative in a way that makes sense and never comes off as too heavy-handed. Ginsburg being trans isn’t the issue at hand in this novel, although I do feel it affectively plays into the plot line (which I’ll address in a little bit).
Second, to the people who look at the authors writing together, look at their back catalog, and get nervous, this was a very sweet romance.
This novel was a lot of the things I love about romance wrapped up in a sexy little package. Lumberjacks! Amusing plotting to attempt to make problems go away! AMAZING CHARACTER GROWTH.
At its core, Burnt Toast B&B is about overcoming and coping with that nasty voice inside your head that tells you that you aren’t “x enough.” In this case, it’s Derrick’s ingrained sense of masculinity and what he should be like as a man. It’s also, to me, about making a space for yourself where you’re comfortable.
Running the B&B Derrick inherited is not working for him, and when Ginsburg shows up on his doorstep, Derrick’s life is thrown for a major loop. Not only does he end up with a successful business that he never wanted in his lap, he has to tackle his own sense of self in order to keep the man he loves in his life.
lilyantigone's review
4.0
Do not get the audiobook! I couldn't get past the second chapter because the narrator's voice was so grating.
The book has a trans man as one of the main characters, which was refreshing. Definitely made it a more enjoyable read for me.
The book has a trans man as one of the main characters, which was refreshing. Definitely made it a more enjoyable read for me.
dreamerfreak's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Cursing
book_loser's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bookish_infusion's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐
Not sure how I feel about it...I liked some parts and some were extremely frustrating, it was overall ok
Not sure how I feel about it...I liked some parts and some were extremely frustrating, it was overall ok
hamalee's review against another edition
2.0
This was bizarrely homophobic for a m/m romance and transphobic to boot. Wtf?
jess_segraves's review
3.0
Solid 3 stars - loved the premise, but some of the character development and conflict felt off.