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midnacine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
I usually don't read contemporary fiction but this was such a light and fun read, it's easily one of my favorite books of the year. I literally didn't play Tears of the Kingdom all day yesterday to finish this because it was that good. If you're contemplating, don't, just go read it right now.
Also can we talk about how perfect Kris is? A buff Afro-Latinx butch with tattoos and piercings who loves thick, curvy women?? Sign me the fuck up.
Also can we talk about how perfect Kris is? A buff Afro-Latinx butch with tattoos and piercings who loves thick, curvy women?? Sign me the fuck up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry
notsobinaryart'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Racism, and Outing
tabbed_reads2much's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Lesbophobia and Racism
booksjessreads's review against another edition
funny
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? No
3.75
I really enjoyed this book!! It was such a wholesome romance between D'Vaughn and Kris and they are both such great characters. I loved listening to both of their perspectives, getting to know their families and their friends. I also loved the premise for the show and how there was a really diverse range of contestants. It was super joyful and lighthearted and just the kind of queer joy I needed to hear.
I am in partial agreement with the other reviews in that this could have benefitted from some more drama. But also f*** the drama, let the characters have their queer joy!! Romance is not my genre generally, but I know that there is often a point of contention that comes up as a plot point throughout the book. Whilst I think in ways, it definitely could have benefited from that, it was also great on its own and our MC's were just having a great time.
One thing that I also did find could have made it better is if the 'miscommunication' trope wasn't used consistently throughout the whole book. When any of the characters had an issue with something, they just didn't speak to one another until a lot later. I found this incredibly annoying and perhaps they could have had some more juicy conversations had they spoken to one another. The game show premise also could have been explored slightly more with relation to the other contestants, they were left out a lot. Furthermore, the game show felt a bit rushed at the end. We get to Week 4 by like 70-80% of the way through the book. I did feel as though this could have been more balanced.
Overall, I really enjoyed this!! I felt it was super wholesome and I loved all of the characters, the idea of the gameshow and the direction in which the storyline went. I would recommend and definitely listen to the audio, because it had me fully laughing on the train in a way I don't think the print would have!
I am in partial agreement with the other reviews in that this could have benefitted from some more drama. But also f*** the drama, let the characters have their queer joy!! Romance is not my genre generally, but I know that there is often a point of contention that comes up as a plot point throughout the book. Whilst I think in ways, it definitely could have benefited from that, it was also great on its own and our MC's were just having a great time.
One thing that I also did find could have made it better is if the 'miscommunication' trope wasn't used consistently throughout the whole book. When any of the characters had an issue with something, they just didn't speak to one another until a lot later. I found this incredibly annoying and perhaps they could have had some more juicy conversations had they spoken to one another. The game show premise also could have been explored slightly more with relation to the other contestants, they were left out a lot. Furthermore, the game show felt a bit rushed at the end. We get to Week 4 by like 70-80% of the way through the book. I did feel as though this could have been more balanced.
Overall, I really enjoyed this!! I felt it was super wholesome and I loved all of the characters, the idea of the gameshow and the direction in which the storyline went. I would recommend and definitely listen to the audio, because it had me fully laughing on the train in a way I don't think the print would have!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
boobs should not be called ‘round globes’ and eyes should not be called ‘orbs’. anyway.
I did love the representation in this and I’m guessing this is a large contributing factor to why this has such a high rating.
I was super intrigued by the reality TV aspect but it ended up hardly even mattering or contributing to the plot. Even at the end when it’s revealed at the wedding we never get to see people’s reactions, and I feel there would be at least some negative reactions to that! I would also have loved to see some of the other couples and had some actual proper reality TV style drama.
D’Vaughn and Kris’s narrative voices were too similar for me, leading to me hardly even bothering to read whose POV each chapter was. Their insta love was cute but more tension, drama or conflict would have really been a benefit here. The book somehow ends up feeling incredibly plot light. It was overall enjoyable and cute to read but I’ve ended up feeling disappointed by this.
A lot of the Spanish wasn’t even correct lol – how hard is it to find a Spanish-speaking proof reader??
One last thing is that I found everyone’s family members to be very weird. At one point one of their sisters comes across them snogging in the hallway and says “you look like you’re going to whip out your strap and fuck her in the hallway”!!??! Who talks like that to their SISTER???
I did love the representation in this and I’m guessing this is a large contributing factor to why this has such a high rating.
I was super intrigued by the reality TV aspect but it ended up hardly even mattering or contributing to the plot.
D’Vaughn and Kris’s narrative voices were too similar for me, leading to me hardly even bothering to read whose POV each chapter was. Their insta love was cute but more tension, drama or conflict would have really been a benefit here. The book somehow ends up feeling incredibly plot light. It was overall enjoyable and cute to read but I’ve ended up feeling disappointed by this.
A lot of the Spanish wasn’t even correct lol – how hard is it to find a Spanish-speaking proof reader??
One last thing is that I found everyone’s family members to be very weird.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Pregnancy
Minor: Lesbophobia
onlyonebookshelf'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
rickireadss's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVE IT. I LOVE THEM. I WANT THEM BOTH. that’s it, that’s the review. lol jkjk, but i really did love every second of this. i enjoy reality tv show settings and this one did not miss! i fell in love with both d’vaughn and kris from the JUMP - like i would gladly be their gf 🤭 loved the afro-latino rep!! loved the spice - HOLY. SHIT. it was soooo very hot and had me crying btwn my legs fr. bahah that’s so out of pocket but i seriously loved this one!! now on to read more of chencia bc whew, homegirl knows how to write an amazing sapphic romance!!
⚠️: homophobia, religious bigotry, racism, lesbophobia, toxic relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Toxic relationship
yadira315's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a nice quick read! All about two Black women falling in love with likeable and relatable characters that have amazing chemistry. This book is also so funny! It was also so lighthearted with no big conflict towards the end due to the characters being mature and having great communication throughout the book as they learn trust and love each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Xenophobia
kbairbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Are you f*cking kidding me?! Billion stars. The diversity the inclusivity the pronoun check the Afro Latina check the queer check the black female lead check the tropes the hilarity the side characters the emotional depth oh my God I fucking love this
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Religious bigotry
Minor: Misogyny and Lesbophobia
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fans of The Charm Offensive will love this sapphic, reality show romance!
Though the premise of Instant Do was completely confusing to me, I really liked Kris and D'Vaughn. There relationship was superficial in a lot of ways which fit the premise of falling in love in 6 weeks, though it felt very evident that Kris has a lot more emotional maturity than D'Vaughn.
It was a fun read and highly recommend for a lighthearted romance pick!
Though the premise of Instant Do was completely confusing to me, I really liked Kris and D'Vaughn. There relationship was superficial in a lot of ways which fit the premise of falling in love in 6 weeks, though it felt very evident that Kris has a lot more emotional maturity than D'Vaughn.
It was a fun read and highly recommend for a lighthearted romance pick!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Racism