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atlas_shruggs's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
This was a nice, cute, extremely slow burn romance. Like wow, I didn't really expect the burn to be quite this slow, but it was still nice. The writing was pretty good, and it didn't feel particularly drawn out, though it also wasn't particularly exciting. A nice sapphic read over all, one I would recommend as long as you don't mind a lot of Hollywood stuff and a very, very slow burn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
riella_reads's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.0
This was a really sweet read! I was worried with some of the more negative reviews that I wouldn't like this one but I really liked this. It was very slow, so I can definitely see why some people couldn't get into this. I love a slow burn romance, especially when it's LGBTQ, I just feel like you really get to know the characters and their feelings before any romance begins. I also love the longing that slow burns provide and how every touch means something. I do wish there was a bit more chemistry between them earlier on but other than that this was really sweet. I really liked Jo and the topics about women in the workplace. I also see this as more of a workplace drama fiction with a touch of romance than just a romance. So don't go into this thinking it will be a rom com.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Biphobia, Outing, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
storykath's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
When rumours begin to fly about the relationship between child-actress-turned-showrunner Jo and her assistant Emma, the two women begin to find it harder to navigate their professional and personal lives with each other.
First of all, it was super refreshing to read a queer romance where the queerness is (almost) never the focus. Taking away the queer aspect would change the story significantly, but there's next to no conflict regarding coming out, homophobia, etc. Wilsner did a great job balancing a distinctly WLW story with the necessary lightheartedness of a romance novel.
The alternating perspectives provided an effective insight into the protagonists' inner thoughts and feelings, while also amping up the frustration with every miscommunication and missed opportunity. Their inner monologues were realistic and relatable, if a bit repetitive. Then again, who doesn't mull over the same worries over and over in their mind? Jo and Emma were equal parts endearing, sympathetic, and agonizingly frustrating as they tried to understand themselves and each other - that is to say, they're typical romance novel characters and typical human beings.
The focus of the story was absolutely on the characters and their growth, which left the setting as more of an afterthought. Descriptions of the award shows, business trips, and day-to-day demands of the television industry fell flat, and it was hard to tell if they were unrealistic or just poorly fleshed out. While Jo and Emma's relationship is, of course, top priority, it would have been a nice touch to have more details about the characters' workplaces and homes to round out the story.
Altogether, as a general avoider of romance novels, I came for the queer representation, I stayed for the sympathetic characters, and I only sometimes wished for a more literary experience.
First of all, it was super refreshing to read a queer romance where the queerness is (almost) never the focus. Taking away the queer aspect would change the story significantly, but there's next to no conflict regarding coming out, homophobia, etc. Wilsner did a great job balancing a distinctly WLW story with the necessary lightheartedness of a romance novel.
The alternating perspectives provided an effective insight into the protagonists' inner thoughts and feelings, while also amping up the frustration with every miscommunication and missed opportunity. Their inner monologues were realistic and relatable, if a bit repetitive. Then again, who doesn't mull over the same worries over and over in their mind? Jo and Emma were equal parts endearing, sympathetic, and agonizingly frustrating as they tried to understand themselves and each other - that is to say, they're typical romance novel characters and typical human beings.
The focus of the story was absolutely on the characters and their growth, which left the setting as more of an afterthought. Descriptions of the award shows, business trips, and day-to-day demands of the television industry fell flat, and it was hard to tell if they were unrealistic or just poorly fleshed out. While Jo and Emma's relationship is, of course, top priority, it would have been a nice touch to have more details about the characters' workplaces and homes to round out the story.
Altogether, as a general avoider of romance novels, I came for the queer representation, I stayed for the sympathetic characters, and I only sometimes wished for a more literary experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Alcohol, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent, Outing, Cancer, Cursing, Lesbophobia, and Medical content
amivireads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
CW: (Harry Potter mentioned)
I love this book so much and I wish I had read it sooner.
Boss and employee relationships are usually never written well, but this was done perfectly and I didn’t even hate it being a slow burn. Emma and Jo are amazing characters and I just love how their relationship grew throughout the book. Read this book now!
CW: (Harry Potter mentioned)
I love this book so much and I wish I had read it sooner.
Boss and employee relationships are usually never written well, but this was done perfectly and I didn’t even hate it being a slow burn. Emma and Jo are amazing characters and I just love how their relationship grew throughout the book. Read this book now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Racism, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
and_abelard_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I need to know Wilsner's A03 handle *right now*
Points for:
- fanficcy fluffy goodness
- Hollywood creeps getting wrecked wish-fulfillment
- slowest of burns on the colleagues-to-friends-to-lovers
- Top tier Pining
- Actual Character Reasons for the miscommunication plot stuff
- Hot-Older-Millionaire determined to be the Anti-Mr.Rochester. Nice
Overall - Fluff with depth. Very domestic despite the glamorous setting. I might drag myself out of YA and this book slump yet.
Points for:
- fanficcy fluffy goodness
- Hollywood creeps getting wrecked wish-fulfillment
- slowest of burns on the colleagues-to-friends-to-lovers
- Top tier Pining
- Actual Character Reasons for the miscommunication plot stuff
- Hot-Older-Millionaire determined to be the Anti-Mr.Rochester. Nice
Overall - Fluff with depth. Very domestic despite the glamorous setting. I might drag myself out of YA and this book slump yet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Xenophobia, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, and Alcohol
- Character experiences an asthma attack - Child characters are mentioned (briefly) as being injured in sports - Most warnings are for things characters experience or are concerned about and deliberately avoided.gabbadabbadoo's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
eamily's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexism, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, and Medical content
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