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estherk809's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Homophobia
nonidude's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I find no fault with this book!
Queer characters are written beautifully complicated and unique. Fat character's are written well and not derogatory or sad. The sibling relationships are realistic. Glad I gave this one a shot after reading Meryl's other book because I wasn't a fan of that one...
Queer characters are written beautifully complicated and unique. Fat character's are written well and not derogatory or sad. The sibling relationships are realistic. Glad I gave this one a shot after reading Meryl's other book because I wasn't a fan of that one...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Homophobia
Minor: Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Alcohol, and Racism
kylahken's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
goodness gracious the slow burn … i adore it. the slight miscommunication trope, that i usually don’t love, done quite well and tastefully here. 10/10.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
marcylikesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
3.5
3.5 stars. This is a good book, especially for a debut and I’m honestly really impressed with the authors work so far. I picked this one up after reading their other book Mistakes Were Made because I loved their writing so much.
This one was different and I was pleasantly surprised at the authors range within sapphic romance. This one is a very slow burn and for 96% it’s so chaste which is kind of adorable. I liked the slow burn, I liked the characters, the setting, the writing. It’s very easy for me to step into the world they’ve made and that’s one of the things I truly love about reading.
The story has a few things I didn’t like but also didn’t hate, just things that maybe could have been done better (but again, debut book so that makes sense).
I really like slow burn generally but this is too slow, there still needs to be progress. It’s pretty angsty which I also like as long as it goes somewhere but the progression in their relationship stalls or regresses for long periods of time which ends up feeling drawn out which can be little frustrating to read at times.
They also don’t actually get together until right at the very end which it almost feels like a cliffhanger because you don’t get to see them be a couple at all. It’s almost like the book ends when their romance is at the 60 or 70% mark because the book is getting long and too much time was spent drawing things out.
The first real conflict they face felt kind of silly and manufactured to me where a non-issue becomes this source of hurt and the drama that’s generated from it seems incongruent with what actually happened.
The book is also set in Hollywood and one of the plot points explores the systemic sexual predation of women in that culture which I’m conflicted about. On one hand I think it’s really important that more people talk about it and being set in Hollywood it makes sense to and it was handled well. On the other hand I personally don’t like reading about creepy sexual predators in my romance books and it’s possibly the biggest mood killer I can think of.
I really need to learn how to write reviews that don’t just outline the things that could have been better because I did really enjoy it. Honestly this story was a good, enjoyable read with potential to be great and given how much the authors next book improved, I’m really looking forward to what they write next because I’m sure it’s only going to get better and better.
This one was different and I was pleasantly surprised at the authors range within sapphic romance. This one is a very slow burn and for 96% it’s so chaste which is kind of adorable. I liked the slow burn, I liked the characters, the setting, the writing. It’s very easy for me to step into the world they’ve made and that’s one of the things I truly love about reading.
The story has a few things I didn’t like but also didn’t hate, just things that maybe could have been done better (but again, debut book so that makes sense).
I really like slow burn generally but this is too slow, there still needs to be progress. It’s pretty angsty which I also like as long as it goes somewhere but the progression in their relationship stalls or regresses for long periods of time which ends up feeling drawn out which can be little frustrating to read at times.
They also don’t actually get together until right at the very end which it almost feels like a cliffhanger because you don’t get to see them be a couple at all. It’s almost like the book ends when their romance is at the 60 or 70% mark because the book is getting long and too much time was spent drawing things out.
The first real conflict they face felt kind of silly and manufactured to me where a non-issue becomes this source of hurt and the drama that’s generated from it seems incongruent with what actually happened.
The book is also set in Hollywood and one of the plot points explores the systemic sexual predation of women in that culture which I’m conflicted about. On one hand I think it’s really important that more people talk about it and being set in Hollywood it makes sense to and it was handled well. On the other hand I personally don’t like reading about creepy sexual predators in my romance books and it’s possibly the biggest mood killer I can think of.
I really need to learn how to write reviews that don’t just outline the things that could have been better because I did really enjoy it. Honestly this story was a good, enjoyable read with potential to be great and given how much the authors next book improved, I’m really looking forward to what they write next because I’m sure it’s only going to get better and better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Homophobia
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This was a sloooooowwwburn and even with me loving slowburns I did miss a little bit of build up over 90% of the story until finally something happened.
But firstly, this book couple has a 14 year age-gap(28/42 I believe) which I am never a fan of especially also adding the boss/employee dynamic. I appreciate that nothing really happened until Emma no longer worked for her, but this part still made me feel a little bit icky...
Still what I loved was the envolvement of their siblings and also getting to watch these other relationships grow.
Sadly when visiting the awards together we do not get an inside of what happens after the red-carpet incident only them quite a few times mentioning how much fun they had together which I believe could have helped making their connection more facetted as for except for one time the author did not write scenes in which both simply have fun with each other.
Spice: 1.25/5 (only like one scene at the end...the scene was good, but...)
But firstly, this book couple has a 14 year age-gap(28/42 I believe) which I am never a fan of especially also adding the boss/employee dynamic. I appreciate that nothing really happened until Emma no longer worked for her, but this part still made me feel a little bit icky...
Still what I loved was the envolvement of their siblings and also getting to watch these other relationships grow.
Sadly when visiting the awards together we do not get an inside of what happens after the red-carpet incident only them quite a few times mentioning how much fun they had together which I believe could have helped making their connection more facetted as for except for one time the author did not write scenes in which both simply have fun with each other.
Spice: 1.25/5 (only like one scene at the end...the scene was good, but...)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Sexism
vixxy_06's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
stacy837's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Medical content
3frenchtoast's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racism
erica_0000's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
This book was an entertaining read that kept me captivated and was easy to get through. The plot follows the two main characters in dual POV, Jo a famous Hollywood figure, and her assistant Emma. While the book was entertaining enough and did have a few lines that made me chuckle, it was not the best Rom-com I have ever read. I did enjoy the representation, but I definitely think that the chemistry between the characters could have been a little stronger as well as giving them both a bit more depth. That being said, I think both the main characters were interesting, but my favorites were the side characters of Jo’s best friend Evelyn, and Emma’s sister, Avery. I think they added a lot to the plot and made the book flow better. Overall, I did enjoy the read and it kept me captivated but could have been improved on as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia
mjwhitlock18's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5
This sapphic, age-gap, slow burn, forbidden Hollywood romance hooked me from the beginning. When I say this book is slow-burn, it’s slooooooow, and I might’ve appreciated getting to see more of them as an actual couple. I am usually really irked by a miscommunication trope, and while it still bothered me at points here, overall I found it understandable in the situation. I liked the main characters, including their banter and building friendship, and there’s also a good cast of dynamic supporting women side characters. It handles the topic of sexual harassment in Hollywood in a blunt respectful way. Overall, this book is sweet, delightful, and definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, and Homophobia