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A review by hsinjulit
Worthy of Love by Quinn Ivins
5.0
Content warnings: manipulation, sexual assault, blood, bullying, racism, drugs, alcohol (recreational), graphic sex
You know the kind of romance that is so cute and beautiful that you could weep reading about it? That you just smile the whole way through while trying not to tear up? Nadine and Bella have that.
Ex-lawyer Nadine Bayani (40, Filipino) was involved in a political scandal during the US presidential election that left her a public enemy even after serving her two-year term in prison. Struggling to find a job, she cannot afford to lose the one she just got at Overstock Oasis, no matter how terrible the managers treat her. Bella Clarke (30, lesbian, fat) has been stuck working at the same store for ten years ever since failing her first year of college. When Nadine starts her job at the store, she recognizes her immediately. Though she hated Nadine two years ago, there is something different about seeing the woman in person, and she realizes that she just might be the only friend Nadine can possibly have.
Nadine and Bella are better with each other, and it is always beautiful to see that in a romantic relationship. They both have their insecurities, with Nadine being an ex-con and having a complicated life under the public eye and Bella, having failed college and struggles to keep little things in her life together, considers herself unattractive and not smart. It takes the other person for them to see their own kind heart, beauty, and potential.
Nadine couldn’t figure out why the honest, friendly, and talented Bella would want to do with an ex-con like herself, and Bella doesn’t think a law school graduate like Nadine would love a high school graduate like her. But there is more to a person’s value than what the society imposed on them. There is also more to Nadine’s crime than what meets the eye.
Ivins addressed a lot of social issues in Worthy of Love, mainly racism, including immigration. And since Nadine is an ex-con, there are also mentions of how the system works against formerly incarcerated people who just want to find a job, that they often serve an eternal sentence in the society after finishing their prison sentence. Another important thing in Worthy of Love is how undiagnosed ADHD strongly impacts a person’s life, how inattentive ADHD is often overlooked and that some resources are not available for people who need it.
Worth of Love is a wonderful romance intrigue. I love the chemistry between Nadine and Bella as well as the commentaries on many social issues. That Ivins brought Nadine’s Filipino culture and family into the story is well done, too. The gradual reveal of the political scandal also had me on the edge of my seat (I read the book in one sitting). After loving Ivins debut Love Factor (my review) last year, I’ve been waiting for more stories from her, and this amazing sophomore novel has secured her as one of my favorite lesfic/wlw/sapphic romance authors. I am already excited for her next book and hopefully many more in the future.
I received a digital review copy from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
You know the kind of romance that is so cute and beautiful that you could weep reading about it? That you just smile the whole way through while trying not to tear up? Nadine and Bella have that.
Ex-lawyer Nadine Bayani (40, Filipino) was involved in a political scandal during the US presidential election that left her a public enemy even after serving her two-year term in prison. Struggling to find a job, she cannot afford to lose the one she just got at Overstock Oasis, no matter how terrible the managers treat her. Bella Clarke (30, lesbian, fat) has been stuck working at the same store for ten years ever since failing her first year of college. When Nadine starts her job at the store, she recognizes her immediately. Though she hated Nadine two years ago, there is something different about seeing the woman in person, and she realizes that she just might be the only friend Nadine can possibly have.
Nadine and Bella are better with each other, and it is always beautiful to see that in a romantic relationship. They both have their insecurities, with Nadine being an ex-con and having a complicated life under the public eye and Bella, having failed college and struggles to keep little things in her life together, considers herself unattractive and not smart. It takes the other person for them to see their own kind heart, beauty, and potential.
Nadine couldn’t figure out why the honest, friendly, and talented Bella would want to do with an ex-con like herself, and Bella doesn’t think a law school graduate like Nadine would love a high school graduate like her. But there is more to a person’s value than what the society imposed on them. There is also more to Nadine’s crime than what meets the eye.
Ivins addressed a lot of social issues in Worthy of Love, mainly racism, including immigration. And since Nadine is an ex-con, there are also mentions of how the system works against formerly incarcerated people who just want to find a job, that they often serve an eternal sentence in the society after finishing their prison sentence. Another important thing in Worthy of Love is how undiagnosed ADHD strongly impacts a person’s life, how inattentive ADHD is often overlooked and that some resources are not available for people who need it.
Worth of Love is a wonderful romance intrigue. I love the chemistry between Nadine and Bella as well as the commentaries on many social issues. That Ivins brought Nadine’s Filipino culture and family into the story is well done, too. The gradual reveal of the political scandal also had me on the edge of my seat (I read the book in one sitting). After loving Ivins debut Love Factor (my review) last year, I’ve been waiting for more stories from her, and this amazing sophomore novel has secured her as one of my favorite lesfic/wlw/sapphic romance authors. I am already excited for her next book and hopefully many more in the future.
I received a digital review copy from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.