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agmaynard's review
emotional
funny
- 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
Enjoyable, often funny of two who quickly fall in lust, act on it, and figure out if there can be more. Also excellent portrayal of a hard-working, caring, and responsible teacher that includes a meaningful subplot. Looking forward to starting another in Ripper’s loosely connected series.
tanouska's review against another edition
was reading on kobo plus, and my subscription ran out. I'll pick it up later again :)
leahkarge's review against another edition
1.0
This book gave me a headache and turned my brain to mush, so I'm not even going to try writing a coherent review.
See below for trigger warnings for the novel:
- biphobia/panphobia
- multiple uses of the word "slut" when speaking of the MC's sexual history
- homophobia
- homophobia apologism
- ableism (the words "crazy," "insane," and "batshit" is tossed about quite a bit)
- there's a briefly mentioned character who has a thick accent so the MC doesn't bother listening
- transphobia
- racism
- multiple characters are outted by the MC (their teacher) to other adults
- fatphobia
- unconfirmed but heavily implied child abuse
These are all things I saw in actually reading the first ~50 pages and skimming the rest after deciding not to DNF, so there may be even more I missed.
See below for trigger warnings for the novel:
- biphobia/panphobia
- multiple uses of the word "slut" when speaking of the MC's sexual history
- homophobia
- homophobia apologism
- ableism (the words "crazy," "insane," and "batshit" is tossed about quite a bit)
- there's a briefly mentioned character who has a thick accent so the MC doesn't bother listening
- transphobia
- racism
- multiple characters are outted by the MC (their teacher) to other adults
- fatphobia
- unconfirmed but heavily implied child abuse
These are all things I saw in actually reading the first ~50 pages and skimming the rest after deciding not to DNF, so there may be even more I missed.
eemms's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable! Book flew by, which is always a good sign. I did want to shake Jaq by the shoulders a few times and tell her YOU ARE ASSUMING OTHER PEOPLE'S MOTIVATIONS AND REACTING POORLY BECAUSE OF THAT but she got there in the end and it was very realistic deluded self sabotage. I actually really liked how Hannah looked through Jaq's eyes (we never get her POV). It's all hearsay at first and as Jaq gets closer to Hannah, we learn along with her what's rumor and what's really Hannah. It was really effective for me, and kept me really into the romance. Meanwhile, the B plot of Jaq's high school students is also compelling. All around, real good read!
teaquinn_writes's review
3.0
This book took me far too long to read than any 200 page book has the right to.
The thing about it was that it's only okay. The writing style was fine, it had its funny moments, i enjoyed the representation of various identities (mostly in the side characters as the leads are both cis, white lesbians) and I was quite invested in the sideplot about the queer teenagers and i mostly liked the MC (at least before the 86% when she suddenly started acting like jackass, because the plot demanded her to. she made up for it, sort of, but. that moment left a bitter taste in my mouth.)
The romance I felt was by far the weakest part.
There's not enough development, the chemistry never felt quite right and the characters meet and bang almost right away which takes away from the anticipation, but also the sexual dynamic itself is not that interesting. For one, there's loads of bantering right as things are getting heated, but more importantly it's a near perfect reproduction of who these women are outside of the relationship. Hannah, the high-powered, rich lawyer, who rarely shows emotional vulnerability is of course the dominant one, and Jaq, the always-scrambling-for-money teacher who is more emotionally needy, is the submissive one. It's subverssive because you have the femme be seually assertive and the butch be sexually submissive, but that feels like a surface-level subversion that doesn't really take into account who these people are in their everyday lives and their relationship.
The thing about it was that it's only okay. The writing style was fine, it had its funny moments, i enjoyed the representation of various identities (mostly in the side characters as the leads are both cis, white lesbians) and I was quite invested in the sideplot about the queer teenagers and i mostly liked the MC (at least before the 86% when she suddenly started acting like jackass, because the plot demanded her to. she made up for it, sort of, but. that moment left a bitter taste in my mouth.)
The romance I felt was by far the weakest part.
There's not enough development, the chemistry never felt quite right and the characters meet and bang almost right away which takes away from the anticipation, but also the sexual dynamic itself is not that interesting. For one, there's loads of bantering right as things are getting heated, but more importantly it's a near perfect reproduction of who these women are outside of the relationship. Hannah, the high-powered, rich lawyer, who rarely shows emotional vulnerability is of course the dominant one, and Jaq, the always-scrambling-for-money teacher who is more emotionally needy, is the submissive one. It's subverssive because you have the femme be seually assertive and the butch be sexually submissive, but that feels like a surface-level subversion that doesn't really take into account who these people are in their everyday lives and their relationship.
nikkihastings67's review
4.0
It didn't have a very strong climax and resolution to the story, more a point where the two main characters agreed that they were series.
It does feel more like a part in an ongoing series (saga?) than the last book sis, and I am keen to see how this series resolves.
It does feel more like a part in an ongoing series (saga?) than the last book sis, and I am keen to see how this series resolves.
munleigh's review
3.0
Jaq Cummings is a high school teacher and tends to run from relationships when it begins to get more complicated or at the slightest hiccup. Jaq and Hannah meet at their respective exes wedding. One hookup becomes more and Jaq can't seem to stay away from Hannah even if there are signs that says to. For instance, Hannah is a recent divorcée, in the process of moving across the state.
Hannah was a difficult character to like, mostly because all the knowledge we had of her were the opinions of Jaq's friends and of Jaq's own opinion. However, by the end of the book, I warmed up to Hannah.
The Butch and the Beautiful is part of the Queers of La Vista series but can be read as a standalone, I had no trouble following the story at all.
Overall, an interesting book by Kris Ripper.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-sy
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah was a difficult character to like, mostly because all the knowledge we had of her were the opinions of Jaq's friends and of Jaq's own opinion. However, by the end of the book, I warmed up to Hannah.
The Butch and the Beautiful is part of the Queers of La Vista series but can be read as a standalone, I had no trouble following the story at all.
Overall, an interesting book by Kris Ripper.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-sy
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ofbooksandbone's review
5.0
Jaq, a butch dyke and high school teacher, is happy with the way her life has turned out. Despite having a close nit circle of friends, attending church with her dad every Sunday and leading the gay straight alliance for her high school kids; Jaq would love a committed relationship. However, every time Jaq gets close to a woman she runs away, scared of being hurt. When her best friend lays out the facts, Jaq can’t help but notice her pattern of fleeing from potential love. After a steamy, post-wedding hookup with Hannah, Jaq is afraid that she’s reading more into the situation than she should. Of course Hannah isn’t looking for commitment; not after a recent (and ugly) divorce. While contemplating whether to risk being hurt or walk away, two of Jaq’s students show her that risking it all might be the only way to get what she is looking for.
I have not been this excited for a queer book in a long time. Although this is book two in the Queers of La Vista, it’s the first one I’ve read. The title is extremely inviting and I was not disappointed. I love how relatable the main character is. Jaq is a butch queer woman who defies the stereotype. She’s still soft and doesn’t always want to be in control. Enter Hannah, Jaq’s love interest. She is a bold, beautiful woman with, dare I say it? CURVES! Hallelujah! A sexy woman who isn’t a twig.
A big shout out to Kris Ripper who knows how to write a good story, loveable and real characters as well as hot, steamy, lesbian sex scenes that are NOT geared for men. I waited and waited for the author to drop a bombshell in the passages that you almost always find when two women are involved; a penis shaped toy. However, much to my pleasant surprise, this never showed up! Finally, a queer story that is geared for women and is not a coming out story! I could not have loved this story anymore.
Even though I’m generally not a smut reader, The Butch and the Beautiful is so much more than that. There is an actual story line and the smut just fits in so beautifully. If you’re looking for something original and thought provoking while at the same time sexy and fun; this book is definitely for you.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.
I have not been this excited for a queer book in a long time. Although this is book two in the Queers of La Vista, it’s the first one I’ve read. The title is extremely inviting and I was not disappointed. I love how relatable the main character is. Jaq is a butch queer woman who defies the stereotype. She’s still soft and doesn’t always want to be in control. Enter Hannah, Jaq’s love interest. She is a bold, beautiful woman with, dare I say it? CURVES! Hallelujah! A sexy woman who isn’t a twig.
A big shout out to Kris Ripper who knows how to write a good story, loveable and real characters as well as hot, steamy, lesbian sex scenes that are NOT geared for men. I waited and waited for the author to drop a bombshell in the passages that you almost always find when two women are involved; a penis shaped toy. However, much to my pleasant surprise, this never showed up! Finally, a queer story that is geared for women and is not a coming out story! I could not have loved this story anymore.
Even though I’m generally not a smut reader, The Butch and the Beautiful is so much more than that. There is an actual story line and the smut just fits in so beautifully. If you’re looking for something original and thought provoking while at the same time sexy and fun; this book is definitely for you.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.
rhodered's review
3.0
Found myself far more interested in her role as a teacher, interacting with the teens and the kids in the GSA than the official romance story arc of the book. Also, loved Merin. I remember those days when it's cold and your clothing is shitty and you're not sure where you'll be sleeping next.
(So I checked what's available in my own city now for kids, and it's basically nothing beyond fostering. I'll check some more in the morning, it's 1am and a school night.)
Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few LGBT books where the lead has a great relationship with her father. Not to mention, a parent who is alive, healthy, sane, local and not needy. It's sad how unusual this is.
Looking forward to the next book in this series, as well as the last book about the best friend with awesomely bad, unselfconscious dancing skills. Yes!
(So I checked what's available in my own city now for kids, and it's basically nothing beyond fostering. I'll check some more in the morning, it's 1am and a school night.)
Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few LGBT books where the lead has a great relationship with her father. Not to mention, a parent who is alive, healthy, sane, local and not needy. It's sad how unusual this is.
Looking forward to the next book in this series, as well as the last book about the best friend with awesomely bad, unselfconscious dancing skills. Yes!
mxmreads's review
I was liking this story and also trying to sit with parts of it to figure out how I felt about it. but at the end of the day the thing that broke it for me was a white teenage character using the n-word to emphasize how awful her parents are. In a book written by a white author this is a thing I cannot accept. There are other ways to show the villainy of a character, having the white girl use the word to highlight a point she is making about her parents is frankly lazy and unwarranted and unacceptable. *shrugs* It is simply not our word to use, especially not like this, and I refuse to get over that and review the rest of the story.