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bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.75
Love love loved this book. I was so up in my feels towards the end that my eyes welled up with many tears. RTC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual content, Grief, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
morganish's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was chatting with someone today about how they hadn't left a review for any books they'd read in months, and I was all, "Ahaha... yeah."
Let's be honest. At this point, I'm never catching up.
But it can't hurt to try anyway! So let's start off with my first completed read of the year, a trope-heavy sapphic contemporary romance about a tattooed big city photographer and a sweet bisexual single mom meeting up as adults in small-town Oregon. A good read, as these things go, though I probably wouldn't have continued on with the series if I wasn't supposed to be buddy-reading it with someone else.
Let's be honest. At this point, I'm never catching up.
But it can't hurt to try anyway! So let's start off with my first completed read of the year, a trope-heavy sapphic contemporary romance about a tattooed big city photographer and a sweet bisexual single mom meeting up as adults in small-town Oregon. A good read, as these things go, though I probably wouldn't have continued on with the series if I wasn't supposed to be buddy-reading it with someone else.
What Worked For Me
The Sapphicness! That probably sounds silly, but reading this made me realize that most of the sapphic books I've read have been speculative (sff) and/or YA. It was nice to read something grounded in adulthood (late 20s) and real-life (the single-mother love interest/POV angle was really refreshing).
The Depiction of Sex: Yes, I know I usually don't love when books heavily feature this much on-page sex. But I think I'll give this one a pass, since it felt really rooted in real-world dynamics, and I haven't come across that many contemporary sapphic stories that do that, period, much less ones which still ground most of the tension in the romance between the two. Also, the way the relationship started off as tentative and casual but built to something more, rather than using sex as payoff for the romance is a dynamic I always appreciate seeing depicted in fiction.
The Main Conflict: While the main romantic relationship is the centerpiece of the story and features both characters equally, the biggest struggle the two MCs have with one another is mostly just whether or not they can have a future together (caveat for other stuff that happens in the very last leg of the book). But most of the story's conflict comes from other familial relationships (and not because of their queerness, yay!). Delilah and sister Astrid are oozing with tons of unresolved hurt and resentment. Claire struggles to balance being a good mom to a child with an unreliable father, while figuring out how to process her daughter becoming a tween and what that means for both of them. The story takes place over the span of a few weeks, and balances emotional complexity with narrative simplicity in a satisfying way.
The Depiction of Sex: Yes, I know I usually don't love when books heavily feature this much on-page sex. But I think I'll give this one a pass, since it felt really rooted in real-world dynamics, and I haven't come across that many contemporary sapphic stories that do that, period, much less ones which still ground most of the tension in the romance between the two. Also, the way the relationship started off as tentative and casual but built to something more, rather than using sex as payoff for the romance is a dynamic I always appreciate seeing depicted in fiction.
The Main Conflict: While the main romantic relationship is the centerpiece of the story and features both characters equally, the biggest struggle the two MCs have with one another is mostly just whether or not they can have a future together (caveat for other stuff that happens in the very last leg of the book). But most of the story's conflict comes from other familial relationships (and not because of their queerness, yay!). Delilah and sister Astrid are oozing with tons of unresolved hurt and resentment. Claire struggles to balance being a good mom to a child with an unreliable father, while figuring out how to process her daughter becoming a tween and what that means for both of them. The story takes place over the span of a few weeks, and balances emotional complexity with narrative simplicity in a satisfying way.
What Wasn't My Thing
The Tropy-ness: Despite reading romance and romance-adjacent stories for decades, somehow this feels like the first time I've actually come across the "There was only one bed!" trope in the wild. That, or whenever I've come across it before, it seemed so natural I didn't really notice or mark it as unusual. Here, it was like a glaring neon sign, and while it didn't ruin the story, it was a little distracting. There was also a whole deal with a Third Act Breakup and A Bet. No shade to readers who liked this (or the writer if they genuinely enjoyed writing these tropes). But I just felt so jarred by the inclusion and handling of both. They just didn't feel necessary to the story, and really felt like just box-checking for the marketers to say they included certain tropes. The plot and character dynamics held up plenty well without them, imo, so it just kind of minimized what was an otherwise nice story.
Aspects of the Romance: These are totally personal nitpicks, which have nothing to do with the overall quality of the story or whether or not I'd recommend it to others. But I felt like a big part of Delilah's emotional storyline hinged on her not having any friends, which just felt a little confusing or not as well explained as I'd like. Also, I'm not a big opposites-attract person, generally; I like to understand how two characters build up a relationship from what they have in common. These two genuinely liked each other, but when I step back I'm not sure what they really share besides a relationship with Astrid, coming from the same small town, or both being attracted to women. Both thinking Claire's kid is cool, maybe? Lastly, the whole romance happens so quickly! Over the span of a few weeks! Okay, okay, I'm done. I'm overthinking what is meant to be a quick, fun, cozy, brain-off kind of read, and for the most part, it delivers on that really well.
One More Thing, Though: This is something that has been a big point of controversy in the queer community, and I know it's very touchy. But there are a couple instances of lowkey "Haha, men are terrible, ew!" moments/offhand remarks in this book, and that's probably the biggest turn-off for me. If I wasn't buddy-reading the next installment, I probably wouldn't continue with the series or this author because of that, no matter how fun the overall book or how nuanced some of their depictions. Before I figured out I was bi, I would have been like "Haha, yeah! Men DO suck!" And just assumed that anyone who had a problem with women saying stuff like that was weaponizing their internalized misogyny. Now, I can see (and feel) how deep the ripple affects of that kind of rhetoric go, and how the people harmed by it aren't cishet men or patriarchal systems, but usually just other women and/or queer people. This isn't the first sapphic book I've read in the last few months that incorporates those kind of subtle oversimplifications, and personally I'm just... tired.
Aspects of the Romance: These are totally personal nitpicks, which have nothing to do with the overall quality of the story or whether or not I'd recommend it to others. But I felt like a big part of Delilah's emotional storyline hinged on her not having any friends, which just felt a little confusing or not as well explained as I'd like. Also, I'm not a big opposites-attract person, generally; I like to understand how two characters build up a relationship from what they have in common. These two genuinely liked each other, but when I step back I'm not sure what they really share besides a relationship with Astrid, coming from the same small town, or both being attracted to women. Both thinking Claire's kid is cool, maybe? Lastly, the whole romance happens so quickly! Over the span of a few weeks! Okay, okay, I'm done. I'm overthinking what is meant to be a quick, fun, cozy, brain-off kind of read, and for the most part, it delivers on that really well.
One More Thing, Though: This is something that has been a big point of controversy in the queer community, and I know it's very touchy. But there are a couple instances of lowkey "Haha, men are terrible, ew!" moments/offhand remarks in this book, and that's probably the biggest turn-off for me. If I wasn't buddy-reading the next installment, I probably wouldn't continue with the series or this author because of that, no matter how fun the overall book or how nuanced some of their depictions. Before I figured out I was bi, I would have been like "Haha, yeah! Men DO suck!" And just assumed that anyone who had a problem with women saying stuff like that was weaponizing their internalized misogyny. Now, I can see (and feel) how deep the ripple affects of that kind of rhetoric go, and how the people harmed by it aren't cishet men or patriarchal systems, but usually just other women and/or queer people. This isn't the first sapphic book I've read in the last few months that incorporates those kind of subtle oversimplifications, and personally I'm just... tired.
Who This Is For
The above issues aside, I do think it's annoying that there aren't more mainstream contemporary sapphic romances featuring adults, and I think this is a solid read, one which does a nice job balancing cuteness and emotional complexity. It doesn't shy away from portraying real-world aspects of being queer: reminiscences to when they realized they were queer, the sheer joy and self-actualization that comes from being a part of a queer community, the differences of queer urban vs small-town life, etc., etc. Without ever getting bogged down in dealing with overt queerphobia or trauma. Hopefully many queer people will be able to connect with some aspect of this book, at least in the abstract. And non-queer readers willing to dip their toes into someone else's story might get a realistic glimpse of queer people just being themselves in complex, authentic ways. Without seeing the thousandth coming out story or stories where people are in same-sex attraction but not notably different in their experiences than straight people. And... it's just a fun, tropey contemporary romance.
Content Warnings
Outside of the "dating men sucks!" aspect mentioned above, I think most of the content people might take issue with comes from the painful, messy familial dynamics all the characters are coping with. The warnings below include one plot spoiler.
Warnings for:
Past parental death/orphaning. Overbearing parents, parental abandonment (physically and emotionally). Single-parenthood. Third parties actively trying to sabotage a wedding; weddings being called off. Mentions of offscreen marital tensions over the decision to have or not have children. Several on-page sex scenes. Misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexism
bluebreex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
This is the first book in ages that I completely flew through! It was funny, lighthearted and relatable.
I highly recommend to anyone in the mood for a easy fun read or a romcom experience filled with drama and revelations!
I highly recommend to anyone in the mood for a easy fun read or a romcom experience filled with drama and revelations!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
novella42'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
elizmoe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
my kingdom for a sapphic romance that doesn’t underwhelm me
there were moments i genuinely liked (main pros: Delilah’s POV, the audiobook narrator’s voice acting for Delilah, generally well-written sex scenes, good portrayal of young single mom with a compelling-not-annoying child character) but overall, this was a disappointing read (main cons: the narrator’s voice acting for Claire, constantly referring to characters by their full names (a specific ick of mine that so many romances these days are doing!!! why!), spencer’s characterization being just an irritating cartoon villain, literal high school bully characters who are theoretically redeemed by the novel’s end but they don’t really do anything to deserve said redemption, random virtue signaling about how the MCs care about/include nonbinary people and nonwhite people while every single character in the novel is cis and white)
but i think my opinion of the book can be summed up in the fact that i listened to the last third of it on a plane and i kept falling asleep—then waking up and tuning in for about 10 minutes before falling back asleep for another 20–and i had no desire to go back and listen to the entire resolution of the novel. because the bits i did get were kind of enough for me. which is kind of sad, but!
there were moments i genuinely liked (main pros: Delilah’s POV, the audiobook narrator’s voice acting for Delilah, generally well-written sex scenes, good portrayal of young single mom with a compelling-not-annoying child character) but overall, this was a disappointing read (main cons: the narrator’s voice acting for Claire, constantly referring to characters by their full names (a specific ick of mine that so many romances these days are doing!!! why!), spencer’s characterization being just an irritating cartoon villain, literal high school bully characters who are theoretically redeemed by the novel’s end but they don’t really do anything to deserve said redemption, random virtue signaling about how the MCs care about/include nonbinary people and nonwhite people while every single character in the novel is cis and white)
but i think my opinion of the book can be summed up in the fact that i listened to the last third of it on a plane and i kept falling asleep—then waking up and tuning in for about 10 minutes before falling back asleep for another 20–and i had no desire to go back and listen to the entire resolution of the novel. because the bits i did get were kind of enough for me. which is kind of sad, but!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Abandonment, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Infidelity
torikate7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, and Sexism
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
THIS BOOK IS SO WONDERFULLY QUEER OMG.
From the get go delilah and Claire had me trapped. The bubbling passion and the hidden glances. To the family bonding and creation of friendships around them. I just want to scream.
I love love love this book so much.
Approaching themes like grief,acceptance, family troubles, queerness and more this was a book of wonder all wrapped into one.
Although the emotions throughout were a rollercoaster I was happy to see such a happy ending both romantically, as well as platonically with both friends and family.
If that sounds interesting and you want queer photographer meets retro teen mom in a town filled with their own traumatic pasts then this is the book for you!
From the get go delilah and Claire had me trapped. The bubbling passion and the hidden glances. To the family bonding and creation of friendships around them. I just want to scream.
I love love love this book so much.
Approaching themes like grief,acceptance, family troubles, queerness and more this was a book of wonder all wrapped into one.
Although the emotions throughout were a rollercoaster I was happy to see such a happy ending both romantically, as well as platonically with both friends and family.
If that sounds interesting and you want queer photographer meets retro teen mom in a town filled with their own traumatic pasts then this is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Misogyny
cassie12_21's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not bad. 🌶🌶. I didn’t like that the author didn’t use the word “lesbian”, when thats what Delilah is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent