Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Xeni

Okay, I needed an X book for the A to Z reading challenge and X titles are few and far between but I figured this would be cute enough. Friends? I was wrong. This was a miss. I was fine with the ridiculous plot of “you have to marry a stranger for your inheritance” but everything else was both too much and also super boring. You can go ahead and pass on this one.

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yourbookishbff's review

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funny lighthearted fast-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? No

4.5

This was a fun, fast-paced read with fantastic bi representation. Both main characters are bi, and there is really authentic on-page dialogue between Mason and Xeni as he shares the biphobia he’s experienced - both generally from family and from intimate partners he had trusted - and it tackles head-on some of the more frustrating misconceptions about bi folks (the biphobic idea that we can’t be monogamous rearing its ugly head in Mason’s prior relationships). You would think a modern-day, marriage-of-convenience story would feel like a stretch, and while, sure, it does, it also brings incredible levity to a story that still handles tough topics like grief, emotional abuse and abandonment, and more.

This is also an incredibly sex-positive story, where our main characters speak openly and honestly about what they like and dislike, about their sexual histories and health and about how they plan to enjoy their (supposedly limited) time together. I loved glimpses of Xeni’s friend group and Mason’s family and am absolutely going back to read Rafe very soon.

And, critically important: I loved this small-town rep. Cranky county clerk who really blows the wedding vibes? Check. Found family among the handful of people of color in an otherwise extremely white town? Check. Everybody in everybody’s business? Check. And my absolute favorite part: big-city girl falls in love with cute boy-in-henley working at the cozy small-town cafe and PLOT TWIST.

Anyways, I won't spoil anything, but if you're looking for a sweet, hot bi4bi read, this is it.

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crystalisreading's review

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lighthearted relaxing

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Xeni is a delightfully cozy and affirming queer interracial romance. There's a lot of emotional angst, but there's just as much sex and food scenes. dogs. a diverse, accepting community (that heavily involves characters from other Weatherspoon romances, although this only adds value for those who've read those books; for readers who haven't read her wider catalog, the story is still easy to understand). Two MCs who are delightfully confident in their own physical attractiveness, and open to their physical attraction to each other. Some unexpected but well-written kink. And the financial stability that comes with an enormous inheritance. I was honestly not sure how the romance would work out, so maybe it was less cozy than I remember, but the ending was satisfying and believable, and the overall story was enjoyable. How could I expect anything else from Rebekah Weatherspoon? #23for23

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traceyanderson's review

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funny lighthearted 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

4.0

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downtown_kb's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

This was kind of too much drama for me. I hated Xeni’s family and the side characters all had very loud personalities and side stories and it was overwhelming, taking away from the romance. There were some cheesy moments weird character traits that seemed like it was trying too hard and weird inconsistencies. It was set in New York and Xeni was from LA but kept saying things only someone from England would say like telling someone they did a “bang up job” for example.

The kinky scene was really the only part I enjoyed. It was realistic with great communication

Maybe this would have been better not on audio. Definitely a weird choice to have a British man read a predominantly female American POV. He couldn’t really add inflection when he read in his American accent.

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bookish_afrolatina's review

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emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

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destynee's review

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emotional funny relaxing sad fast-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? No

5.0

All I can say is that I need me a Mason. Him and Xeni are just perfect. Like even with a surprise marriage their communication and respect for each other was amazing. Like I seriously need a sequel or something for them. Rebekah did her thing and I will definitely be reading more of her books.

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mattylovesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Xeni follows the titular character through her grief of her aunt, Sable. She’s in New York, packing up her aunt’s things and to hear the reading of the will. Family secrets and a crap-ton of money fall into Xeni and Mason’s lap. But before they can get the money, Sable left one condition: they must marry.

I had such a good time reading this. Mason and Xeni were perfect for each other, and Sable knew it. They had an awkward start, but I loved how they took the situation into their own hands and made the best of it. I adored how they took care of each other. Mason was so gentle with Xeni, despite his massive size. They understood each other on a deep level, and they had so much in common.

The intimacy between them was amazing. I think Rebekah Weatherspoon did a great job showing how they each took the time to learn what the other liked. I think with both of the characters being bisexual, it brought a level of comfort, familiarity, and acceptance to their intimacy that truly shined throughout the story.

Mason is such a sweetheart, like he’s perfect. He’s tender, he can cook, he’s funny, and dominant just the way I like it. He put his whole heart into his and Xeni’s unconventional relationship. Xeni needed someone like Mason to help her through her grief and emotions and just love on her. Just the little things made my heart swoon. I love reading about Black women getting loved on!

I liked that the family drama wasn’t dragged out. Xeni was going through it and I saw a lot of myself in her, especially with the way she processed grief and uneasiness. I will break out the jokes whenever I’m uncomfortable, and that’s what Xeni did in order to not to feel the insurmountable pain that was inside her.

Xeni gave me just what I needed. It was hilarious, sexy, and swoony. It made me feel all warm inside. And I love that for me.

SN: All I know is that if I ever come into an absurd amount of money, I would disappear expeditiously.

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