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webslingingadam's review
3.0
Some of the writing is a little clunky at times but for the most part this is a sweet, charming and funny romance. The main three characters are well fleshed out and feel like people, enjoyed finding a queer polyamorous story. Could have used more spice but overall a good read and I’d check out more from this author.
katiedermody's review
4.5
I enjoyed this story more than the first in the series, I think because we got all three MC POVs and it focused primarily on their relationships vs higher value concepts that didn't have enough time to really be covered in novella format. As this story is further out of my area of experience and understanding, having the multiple POV helped. Plus, who doesn't love a road trip story!
overallshowman's review
5.0
Rating: 5 stars
Verdict: I now want my own lego people… and my own Allie and Matt.
Review:
Shake Things Up is a love letter to queer people, especially queer people who are comfortable with the idea of open relationships and polyamory (Allie, one of the MCs, stressed the difference between the two!). It centers around long-term couple Allie and Matt, and their road trip with Noelle, a woman the former met in a rather awkward situation involving a cheating ex. Allie and Matt's relationship is open for hookups, and never have they fallen in love with someone else outside each other, so the addition of a charming blonde woman from Chicago started to shake things up indeed. Everyone has their personal dilemma they need to solve, and I do think all of them got proper resolutions in the end.
I read this book as a standalone, which means this is my introduction to the author and that I came in blind. I don't know what I expected, but I am pleasantly surprised with how well I've connected with these characters. At some point, I started to struggle with which among them I was more attracted to, and in the end, I decided I just wanted to be the fourth person in their throuple! Told through three perspectives, their voices all seemed distinct to me as a reader. I grinned and laughed with these characters, and when they reached the angsty part? I found myself physically hurting for them as well, which is weird, considering they knew Noelle for a week! That's another factor I love: There's no talk about “true love” or “the one”. It's all about giving love a chance, no matter how temporary, no matter in what form. Everything is lighthearted and wholesome, which isn't exactly what I always look for in books, but this was a welcome change.
The circumstances in which two of the main characters met and how quickly things escalated seem off for me, surely, but I'm not here to critically criticize a book that felt like a comforting embrace to my queer self. I just think that this is what living in the dream queer world would feel like. The downside, however, is the fact that this book is so white (and the author makes sure you know that they're white). That's not an issue for me even though I'm Asian, but it could be for some people, so it's better you know that before you pick this up.
Overall, I just love how queer this book is. I know this is always said among queer books, but the integration of queerness here felt very natural to me. Noelle has two mothers, Allie has a pansexual sister (who I believe is the main character of Book #1) and her other sister is dating another pansexual man, and Matt is… doing Matt things, which you should know when you read this book. I said when because you will be reading this book! I recommend this if you're queer and looking for a new comfort read. If you're a WLW and you want to read this, I do think it could get annoying if you read this through a strictly lesbian lense because there's a chance you could single out Matt (who is lovely, by the way) and you don't want to do that. When reading this, I hope you keep your mind open about polyamory and bisexuality, and pansexuality! It's also really short; I read it in one sitting, which I probably shouldn't have because I already miss these characters. Give this book a try since you won't be losing anything anyway. Now, excuse me as I check out the other installments.
I received a digital review copy for free through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Verdict: I now want my own lego people… and my own Allie and Matt.
Review:
Shake Things Up is a love letter to queer people, especially queer people who are comfortable with the idea of open relationships and polyamory (Allie, one of the MCs, stressed the difference between the two!). It centers around long-term couple Allie and Matt, and their road trip with Noelle, a woman the former met in a rather awkward situation involving a cheating ex. Allie and Matt's relationship is open for hookups, and never have they fallen in love with someone else outside each other, so the addition of a charming blonde woman from Chicago started to shake things up indeed. Everyone has their personal dilemma they need to solve, and I do think all of them got proper resolutions in the end.
I read this book as a standalone, which means this is my introduction to the author and that I came in blind. I don't know what I expected, but I am pleasantly surprised with how well I've connected with these characters. At some point, I started to struggle with which among them I was more attracted to, and in the end, I decided I just wanted to be the fourth person in their throuple! Told through three perspectives, their voices all seemed distinct to me as a reader. I grinned and laughed with these characters, and when they reached the angsty part? I found myself physically hurting for them as well, which is weird, considering they knew Noelle for a week! That's another factor I love: There's no talk about “true love” or “the one”. It's all about giving love a chance, no matter how temporary, no matter in what form. Everything is lighthearted and wholesome, which isn't exactly what I always look for in books, but this was a welcome change.
The circumstances in which two of the main characters met and how quickly things escalated seem off for me, surely, but I'm not here to critically criticize a book that felt like a comforting embrace to my queer self. I just think that this is what living in the dream queer world would feel like. The downside, however, is the fact that this book is so white (and the author makes sure you know that they're white). That's not an issue for me even though I'm Asian, but it could be for some people, so it's better you know that before you pick this up.
Maybe when you met people who fit with you, it felt like this.
Overall, I just love how queer this book is. I know this is always said among queer books, but the integration of queerness here felt very natural to me. Noelle has two mothers, Allie has a pansexual sister (who I believe is the main character of Book #1) and her other sister is dating another pansexual man, and Matt is… doing Matt things, which you should know when you read this book. I said when because you will be reading this book! I recommend this if you're queer and looking for a new comfort read. If you're a WLW and you want to read this, I do think it could get annoying if you read this through a strictly lesbian lense because there's a chance you could single out Matt (who is lovely, by the way) and you don't want to do that. When reading this, I hope you keep your mind open about polyamory and bisexuality, and pansexuality! It's also really short; I read it in one sitting, which I probably shouldn't have because I already miss these characters. Give this book a try since you won't be losing anything anyway. Now, excuse me as I check out the other installments.
I received a digital review copy for free through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Ko-fi | Carrd
cowmingo's review
5.0
I came across this book on Twitter a while back and said oh I should read that. Well friends, I am here to tell you yes, you should read this. Immediately.
This book brought me so much joy while reading it that I couldn't give it anything but five stars. The discussion about questioning your sexuality was so spot on and the validation was so needed.
Matt and Allie have always had an open relationship where they sleep with other people. When Allie goes to hook up with someone she met on an app, she gets more than she bargained for by meeting Noelle. Feeling like it's the absolute least she can do, Allie brings Noelle home to stay with her and Matt after Noelle's life is upended.
What Allie doesn't expect is to fall for Noelle. Matt doesn't expect it either nor does he expect his feelings for Noelle on top of questioning his sexuality. Take all of this and add in a road trip to a music fest, a cute coffee house that I really wish was real and you have this book.
I can't say enough good things about it. It is a little angsty but not awful. It's sweet and cozy and I need more of these characters in my life. Shake Things Up is available on KU but I think in addition to reading #1, I'm going to need paperbacks of these because I loved it that freaking much. Thank you for this book Skye Kilaen. It was the story I didn't know my heart needed.
This book brought me so much joy while reading it that I couldn't give it anything but five stars. The discussion about questioning your sexuality was so spot on and the validation was so needed.
Matt and Allie have always had an open relationship where they sleep with other people. When Allie goes to hook up with someone she met on an app, she gets more than she bargained for by meeting Noelle. Feeling like it's the absolute least she can do, Allie brings Noelle home to stay with her and Matt after Noelle's life is upended.
What Allie doesn't expect is to fall for Noelle. Matt doesn't expect it either nor does he expect his feelings for Noelle on top of questioning his sexuality. Take all of this and add in a road trip to a music fest, a cute coffee house that I really wish was real and you have this book.
I can't say enough good things about it. It is a little angsty but not awful. It's sweet and cozy and I need more of these characters in my life. Shake Things Up is available on KU but I think in addition to reading #1, I'm going to need paperbacks of these because I loved it that freaking much. Thank you for this book Skye Kilaen. It was the story I didn't know my heart needed.
nicmay's review
4.0
You know those books where every character is like-able and just all around delightful people? This is one of those books. I’m so glad I got an ARC from booksirens for free for this book. I enjoyed the inclusion of almost all members of the LGBTQIA community. It’s a standalone but part of a universe where I will definitely go back and read the first book and will be in line for the next one(s).
lbough's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
roomforbooks's review
3.0
CW: listed at the beginning of the book
Rep: polyam relationship, bi mcs, pan mc
If you’re looking for emotionally mature characters (even too much) who LOVE communicating every single one of their thoughts so that there are no misunderstandings *ever* (GOD forbid), you’ll enjoy this book.
My favorite novel is YDEO by Sarah Hogle so…
Rep: polyam relationship, bi mcs, pan mc
If you’re looking for emotionally mature characters (even too much) who LOVE communicating every single one of their thoughts so that there are no misunderstandings *ever* (GOD forbid), you’ll enjoy this book.
My favorite novel is YDEO by Sarah Hogle so…
nerdydreamer107's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
eniahreads's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
I liked it way more than book 1!
Maybe because it had more pages (around 80 more), I found that the characters were more developed and got more development overall, and it was easier for me to get attached to the MCs and their issues, but mostly with Matt.
The romance is really well done and I loved that this is about an open relationship between Allie and Matt, but also a polyamorous relationship building up slowly. It was really well done, it was open, understanding, based on mutual trust and conversation (which is needed in such relationship) so it was really nice to read all about it.
I only wished to get a bit more of 'after' : how their relationship went after that, without having this in a single epilogue?
Also would have loved more of Matt, mostly on his questionning. I would love to see him try a bit more, if he actually continued, how he was going about this, etc. There's a tiny indirect in the epilogue (well, I *think* it is implied?) but nothing more.
Maybe because it had more pages (around 80 more), I found that the characters were more developed and got more development overall, and it was easier for me to get attached to the MCs and their issues, but mostly with Matt.
The romance is really well done and I loved that this is about an open relationship between Allie and Matt, but also a polyamorous relationship building up slowly. It was really well done, it was open, understanding, based on mutual trust and conversation (which is needed in such relationship) so it was really nice to read all about it.
I only wished to get a bit more of 'after' : how their relationship went after that, without having this in a single epilogue?
Also would have loved more of Matt, mostly on his questionning. I would love to see him try a bit more, if he actually continued, how he was going about this, etc. There's a tiny indirect in the epilogue (well, I *think* it is implied?) but nothing more.
kingaw's review
relaxing
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
3.75