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menshevixen's review
3.0
So, I received a copy of Cinnamon and Cigarettes in exchange for review, and I'm glad I volunteered! Samantha Kate's novel debut for Torquere focuses on Sara, a library professional navigating her first 'real' job as well as her sexuality.
As a librarian myself, I found the setting and Sara's work life relatable and amusing. Sara's love interest, intersects Sara's life because of her library job, and so this factor, as well as Sara's coworkers Amir and Andy, provided a good backdrop for the romantic plot.
The development of Sara and Moira's relationship is a bit of a slow burn, partly because of the subplot involving Sara's family, specifically her younger sister Hannah and the pressures their parents place on both sisters. However, the scenes with Moira and Sara strike a good balance of sweet and sexy. I'm always a sucker for family drama, too, so the emphasis on Sara's relationship with her parents and sister didn't bother me. I would've loved to see more of the Estradas, Moira's family, as well!
I was really happy to see a varied and diverse cast of characters; Moira is Latina and a lesbian, Sara is white and bisexual, Andy is trans, Amir is (I believe) Iranian. This, as well as Moira's backstory involving her military career, helped the novel feel grounded and true to life.
The writing throughout is solid, though at times overly descriptive for my taste. I did really enjoy the descriptions of flying during Moira and Sara's first date, and I found those centered on Sara's family and family home really effective in showing her feelings about her parents and childhood experiences. Sara's anxiety over losing Moira is also evocative.
Though there's a good amount of angst, I think the emotional roots of stress on both sides of the relationship are clear. It's a big step for Sara to be herself with her parents; it's a big step for Moira to trust that Sara won't hurt her again; and I was happy to see them happy at the story's end.
As a librarian myself, I found the setting and Sara's work life relatable and amusing. Sara's love interest, intersects Sara's life because of her library job, and so this factor, as well as Sara's coworkers Amir and Andy, provided a good backdrop for the romantic plot.
The development of Sara and Moira's relationship is a bit of a slow burn, partly because of the subplot involving Sara's family, specifically her younger sister Hannah and the pressures their parents place on both sisters. However, the scenes with Moira and Sara strike a good balance of sweet and sexy. I'm always a sucker for family drama, too, so the emphasis on Sara's relationship with her parents and sister didn't bother me. I would've loved to see more of the Estradas, Moira's family, as well!
I was really happy to see a varied and diverse cast of characters; Moira is Latina and a lesbian, Sara is white and bisexual, Andy is trans, Amir is (I believe) Iranian. This, as well as Moira's backstory involving her military career, helped the novel feel grounded and true to life.
The writing throughout is solid, though at times overly descriptive for my taste. I did really enjoy the descriptions of flying during Moira and Sara's first date, and I found those centered on Sara's family and family home really effective in showing her feelings about her parents and childhood experiences. Sara's anxiety over losing Moira is also evocative.
Though there's a good amount of angst, I think the emotional roots of stress on both sides of the relationship are clear. It's a big step for Sara to be herself with her parents; it's a big step for Moira to trust that Sara won't hurt her again; and I was happy to see them happy at the story's end.
tyler_j's review
4.25
The more I think about it, the more I love this book. It did keep my engaged the entire time and needing to know what happened. At first I was annoyed with the main character Sara. Well at first I related to her being shy and trying to please everyone, but eventually she did get on my nerves. However I could sense character development was going to happen, and sure enough it did! And I loved it! First though I went from being annoyed by her (but not hating her or anything) to fully being on her side 100%. I could understand why she was so terrified to tell her parents she is bisexual and in love with a woman. It's the way she was raised, by her strict straight-laced image-conscious parents (who I frankly hate). I could see clearly why she was afraid.
I don't want to spoil the story so i'll just talk about feelings. I could understand some of the other characters feelings towards her in the end (though during it made me angry, but eventually I understood them) though not all exactly. I do still love the other characters. Amir, a black man, and Andy, a trans man. Her co-workers.
I didn't understand everything as it was happening, the characters actions/feelings, but it all ended up coming together. I felt so much for both Sara and Moira, her lesbian love interest who speaks Spanish. I can't recall it saying exactly what she is (but I could have forgot) but she is also a person of color. There is a little Spanish in the book but it's not a lot and easy to understand via context or Sara asking what it means.
This is one of those books that while I came for the F/F romance, and I got that, it gave me so much more. It smacked me in the face with some stuff I needed to hear but didn't want to and gave me food for thought. I love it when a book can do that! It is an adult book, there are some F/F sex scenes, and in my opinion they are beautifully done and well placed. I love the writing through-out the entire book. The love between Moira and Sara is <3 for lack of words.
This book made me angry, made me cry and made me swoon with love. It gave me all the feels and left me thinking of it when I wasn't reading it and even now that i'm done. That is a sign of good book in my eyes. Also the author is also bisexual so it's own voices in that way.
Edit: I forgot to add there is one biphobic comment that bugs me that wasn't addressed. Also I loved Hannah, her little sister! Seriously, Hannah has got to be my favorite character!
I don't want to spoil the story so i'll just talk about feelings. I could understand some of the other characters feelings towards her in the end (though during it made me angry, but eventually I understood them) though not all exactly. I do still love the other characters. Amir, a black man, and Andy, a trans man. Her co-workers.
I didn't understand everything as it was happening, the characters actions/feelings, but it all ended up coming together. I felt so much for both Sara and Moira, her lesbian love interest who speaks Spanish. I can't recall it saying exactly what she is (but I could have forgot) but she is also a person of color. There is a little Spanish in the book but it's not a lot and easy to understand via context or Sara asking what it means.
This is one of those books that while I came for the F/F romance, and I got that, it gave me so much more. It smacked me in the face with some stuff I needed to hear but didn't want to and gave me food for thought. I love it when a book can do that! It is an adult book, there are some F/F sex scenes, and in my opinion they are beautifully done and well placed. I love the writing through-out the entire book. The love between Moira and Sara is <3 for lack of words.
This book made me angry, made me cry and made me swoon with love. It gave me all the feels and left me thinking of it when I wasn't reading it and even now that i'm done. That is a sign of good book in my eyes. Also the author is also bisexual so it's own voices in that way.
Edit: I forgot to add there is one biphobic comment that bugs me that wasn't addressed. Also I loved Hannah, her little sister! Seriously, Hannah has got to be my favorite character!
invaderday's review
3.0
so like the concept for this is my jam: lady librarian and lady pilot fall in love, that's dope and i loved it!! however i just really hate the trope of one half of a couple being out and the other being closested, and the out one making the closeted one feel bad for choosing not to tell their family or whatever like i'm sorry i just honestly hate that and i can't ever see it being justified in a healthy relationship. everyone seemed to kind of demonize sara for not wanting to come out to her parents which was kinda messed up imo like yeah she's an adult and her parents are assholes so who cares what they think but it's also like... even her coworkers seemed to blame her for lying to her family. like damn.
pretty sure moira made a biphobic comment at one point that was just kind of...brushed aside...
like the first half was definitely pretty cute but there was a lot of angst in there which was a little much for me. happy ending tho.
pretty sure moira made a biphobic comment at one point that was just kind of...brushed aside...
like the first half was definitely pretty cute but there was a lot of angst in there which was a little much for me. happy ending tho.
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