Reviews

Bitter Fruit by Lois Cloarec Hart

Only show reviews with written explanations

stacy837's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

jcurry447's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lezreadalot's review

Go to review page

3.0

You, my friend, you’ve got magic in your pockets too.

3.5 stars. I always feel so disappointed when I end up rating a book lower than I expected to. Because in the beginning, this was so charming, so fun, and I really adored both characters and I thought I would love this. I still really liked it, but I just think the last quarter or so is so much weaker than the start. The plot isn't very original, but it doesn't need to be. A confident womaniser accepts a bet from her best friend to seduce a straight engaged woman whom she's never met. In the process, of course, they actually fall in love, and then have to deal with the fallout when everything comes to light. There's also the added complication of the fact that the best friend harbours feelings of her own. I really loved everything about how Jac and Lauren came to know each other and become friends. It was so natural, so full of warmth and chemistry, and even though this book is pretty short, it really didn't take long before I was fully invested in their relationship. Jac is continuously doing little things to seduce Lauren, of course, but at the same time, she's falling really hard herself. She's so charming and kind, and I really felt for her when she began to realise how much of a mistake she'd made in accepting the bet. They were both really well-rounded characters, and I loved all of their outings, and the time they spent with their family. The romance is just the kind of slow burn that I love.

But when it was time for all of that to come full-circle, for the attraction to come to fruition, it just didn't live up to the promise that it had in the beginning.

Spoiler

Lauren turning into a dominatrix after five minutes... Fine. I mean okay, sure. I really wish that had been written in a more natural way, to show that she's so new to all of this, as well as being new to women in general. We do learn after the fact that she was a bit nervous, but it didn't read as completely natural to me? But I guess I could buy it. What really disappointed me was just how little pay off there was to the slow burn, if that makes any sense. Their first kiss was over and done in a sentence; it felt like there was no weight behind the moment, nothing special about it. And I do get the point that Lauren was trying to make, and I completely understand her feelings about it, and how she needed to be sure that Jack could relinquish control. But that last quarter did not feel anywhere near as romantic as the first parts of the book did. It felt like ticking boxes.

I don't know. I was so giddy about their romance at first but I ended the book just sort of feeling okay about it. I also don't really know if the side-plot with the best friend was needed, and some of the language used was unnecessary.

Listened to the audiobook as read by Anastasia Watley, who is becoming one of my new favourite narrators. This is definitely another case of a narrator adding a little something special to a book. I really love everything she did with the voices for these characters. This is my first read by this author, and I liked this so much that I know it won't be my last. But I'm hoping I'll have some more success with whatever I read from her next.

“You’re obviously not averse to wagering. Are you willing to bet on us?”

yepdatjj's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

This one was tough. Just based on the description you know the secret bet is going to come out at some point. It's the buildup to the breakup that stayed in the back of my head the whole time. Couple that with a heart of gold main character in an abusive relationship that I want the best for and extra emotions mingle in. Not going to ruin anything, but this is well written and gets you in your feels.

Content Warnings

jaciacarlile's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I did not enjoy so much the way the book was written— it was in audible format so take that with a grain of salt. However, the second I realized it was a straight married woman who wants to be with her lesbian BFF I was instantly uninterested. The characters were already boring me and I’m totally not looking for this route. Hopefully those of you who enjoy this kind of story like it more, but DNF.

More...