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khieeae's review
4.0
‘A Convenient Arrangement’ by Jamie Clevenger and Aurora Rey follows the story of journalist, Jess Archer and hot butch professor, Cody Dawson, as they partake in ‘cuffing’. Cuffing, as described by Jess, is the hot new lesbian trend where you jump into a relationship by fall and break up by spring. I’m not sure why but the whole basis is not having the intention of a full long term relationship.
I liked this book, Cody and Jess had a strong chemistry and I loved their dialogues together. Jess was my favorite character here, just so hard to not like. Even scenes with Ben, Cody’s son, were delightful to read and I enjoyed them! I don’t have much thoughts on this book to be honest. Was a cute simple read, maybe potential for more entertainment in some smaller plot detailed, like Cody’s ex wife. The predictable nature of this book was a bit lame. From page one you know what’s gonna happen so that’s the reason for my one minus star.
I recommend for a casual read!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for a honest review.
randomnotes's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
sandybobby's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
letsgetbrunchandbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this book!
3.5/5 rounded up. I really enjoyed this fun book! Jess is a writer looking for a date for her assigned piece about cuffing season. Cody is a professor seeking tenure, but worries that she'll need a partner to convince the university that she's here to stay. The solution: a convenient arrangement. Jess and Cody agree to date during cuffing season for mutual benefits, but things start to get sticky when they fall for each other and families get involved.
This book was occasionally (and very slightly) cringey, but I really enjoyed it for the most part! My only real critique is that the writing wasn't always *there* for me, though that really comes down to personal preference. Also, non-lesbian queer folks were largely eliminated from the conversation which let me down as a non-lesbiqn queer person. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a cute and sometimes spicy Sapphic read!
3.5/5 rounded up. I really enjoyed this fun book! Jess is a writer looking for a date for her assigned piece about cuffing season. Cody is a professor seeking tenure, but worries that she'll need a partner to convince the university that she's here to stay. The solution: a convenient arrangement. Jess and Cody agree to date during cuffing season for mutual benefits, but things start to get sticky when they fall for each other and families get involved.
This book was occasionally (and very slightly) cringey, but I really enjoyed it for the most part! My only real critique is that the writing wasn't always *there* for me, though that really comes down to personal preference. Also, non-lesbian queer folks were largely eliminated from the conversation which let me down as a non-lesbiqn queer person. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a cute and sometimes spicy Sapphic read!
heyspaghetti's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
professor_reads's review
4.0
A Convenient Arrangement has a typical set up but it also works, particularly with such fun and likeable characters.
I was interested to see if I would be able to tell this was written by two authors and I could not. The narrative was strong throughout and it felt familiar and cozy. As a queer woman, I enjoyed this book so much. I appreciate that many of the tropes and themes I often read in straight romances are so well done, here.
Jess, a columnist at a popular queer magazine/website is assigned to write about the trend of "cuffing" getting into a purposefully (?) short-term relationship in the Fall and breaking up before Valentine's Day. There is a statistic that Valentine's Day is one of the most popular times for break-ups. Cody is the mom of a five-year-old boy, and a college professor, nearing tenure, who needs a date for various campus events, namely a party that the university President is throwing. The two meet at a Fall festival through mutual friends. I love this meet-cute because Jess is dressed as a pineapple for Halloween and this leads to flirting and teasing and a connection that Jess has with Cody's son, Ben.
There's some instant chemistry between Jess and Cody which is nice and I absolutely love the way they flirt and talk to one another. It felt authentic. As a professor, I enjoyed the times we were on campus with Cody, seeing a few students and events.
The boy, Ben stole my heart. And the authors ground Cody's worries about dating in a relatable way even though I don't have children. I understood Cody's concerns, especially considering her past relationships. In fact, I think the authors create an understanding of how our dating past ekes its way into our present. I liked that this played a role in both characters’ perspectives and misunderstandings throughout the novel.
This is a sweet but also quite steamy romance. I was engaged immediately in the characters and the world they inhabit. I'm glad this is the first in a series because I can't wait to read more. Romance fans, especially of single parent romances would love this book.
I was interested to see if I would be able to tell this was written by two authors and I could not. The narrative was strong throughout and it felt familiar and cozy. As a queer woman, I enjoyed this book so much. I appreciate that many of the tropes and themes I often read in straight romances are so well done, here.
Jess, a columnist at a popular queer magazine/website is assigned to write about the trend of "cuffing" getting into a purposefully (?) short-term relationship in the Fall and breaking up before Valentine's Day. There is a statistic that Valentine's Day is one of the most popular times for break-ups. Cody is the mom of a five-year-old boy, and a college professor, nearing tenure, who needs a date for various campus events, namely a party that the university President is throwing. The two meet at a Fall festival through mutual friends. I love this meet-cute because Jess is dressed as a pineapple for Halloween and this leads to flirting and teasing and a connection that Jess has with Cody's son, Ben.
There's some instant chemistry between Jess and Cody which is nice and I absolutely love the way they flirt and talk to one another. It felt authentic. As a professor, I enjoyed the times we were on campus with Cody, seeing a few students and events.
The boy, Ben stole my heart. And the authors ground Cody's worries about dating in a relatable way even though I don't have children. I understood Cody's concerns, especially considering her past relationships. In fact, I think the authors create an understanding of how our dating past ekes its way into our present. I liked that this played a role in both characters’ perspectives and misunderstandings throughout the novel.
This is a sweet but also quite steamy romance. I was engaged immediately in the characters and the world they inhabit. I'm glad this is the first in a series because I can't wait to read more. Romance fans, especially of single parent romances would love this book.
foreverinastory's review
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I came for the lesbian romance and I can't say I was disappointed one bit. I hope this becomes a series with new characters!
Rep: white lesbian single mother MC, white lesbian female MC, queer Black female side character, many white lesbian female side characters, queer Latine Senator side character, Black female side character.
CWs: Abandonment, emotional abuse (past mentions and current trauma), injury/injury detail, sexual content.
I came for the lesbian romance and I can't say I was disappointed one bit. I hope this becomes a series with new characters!
Rep: white lesbian single mother MC, white lesbian female MC, queer Black female side character, many white lesbian female side characters, queer Latine Senator side character, Black female side character.
CWs: Abandonment, emotional abuse (past mentions and current trauma), injury/injury detail, sexual content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Received an ARC from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is a fun and lighthearted, but emotional and times, rom-com. It's a unique concept, somewhat similar to the fake dating trope. The 'cuffing' concept is something I hadn't heard of before.
Jess and Cody are both well fleshed out characters as are the secondary characters. It's great to see one of the leads being a mother, as we don't get much of that in sapphic romance.
The pacing did feel a bit slow at times, but looking forward to reading the next book in the series nonetheless.
This is a fun and lighthearted, but emotional and times, rom-com. It's a unique concept, somewhat similar to the fake dating trope. The 'cuffing' concept is something I hadn't heard of before.
Jess and Cody are both well fleshed out characters as are the secondary characters. It's great to see one of the leads being a mother, as we don't get much of that in sapphic romance.
The pacing did feel a bit slow at times, but looking forward to reading the next book in the series nonetheless.