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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
snowydaze's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an audiobook copy of D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book that turned the fake dating/engagement trope on its head. The main characters were fleshed out and continued to communicate with each other throughout the book. Which was a refreshing change from the usual aspects of the trope. Additionally, they both actually felt remorse for their lies which rarely happens in books with a similar premise. Overall, this book was refreshing and unique in its plot and I highly recommend reading it!
Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book that turned the fake dating/engagement trope on its head. The main characters were fleshed out and continued to communicate with each other throughout the book. Which was a refreshing change from the usual aspects of the trope. Additionally, they both actually felt remorse for their lies which rarely happens in books with a similar premise. Overall, this book was refreshing and unique in its plot and I highly recommend reading it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Outing, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Cursing
shector1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought the book would be spicier. Two beautiful people falling in love. I definitely need to reread this book. And no third act break up❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
trigger warnings: religious trauma, homophobia, emotional manipulation, pregnancy, fatphobia, racist microaggressions
I am STUNNED by thing book. How do you have me wrapped around these characters' fingers so quicklyyyyy? Kris's incessant and shameless flirting, D'Vaughn's charming shyness and smartass quips, the entire extended family dynamic, all of it was just so precious. I am delighted by how authentically these characters fell in love over a six week period. And the fact that all their struggles were on how to support each other and improve themselves to be better partners rather than wallowing in their own hurt....perfection. Sad there wasn't more smut but that's my constant complaint so don't worry about it.
I am STUNNED by thing book. How do you have me wrapped around these characters' fingers so quicklyyyyy? Kris's incessant and shameless flirting, D'Vaughn's charming shyness and smartass quips, the entire extended family dynamic, all of it was just so precious. I am delighted by how authentically these characters fell in love over a six week period. And the fact that all their struggles were on how to support each other and improve themselves to be better partners rather than wallowing in their own hurt....perfection. Sad there wasn't more smut but that's my constant complaint so don't worry about it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, and Racism
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
I loved how unapologetically queer this book was and the new take on a reality show was awesome. The intersectionality between being black and a lesbian isn’t something that is usually discussed in books and seeing two black women (plus sized too!) being the love interests in each others lives was refreshing. Discussions of colorism, Afro-latinx discussions and lesbopobia were also brought up which I thought was important. I think my only concern was the fickle confusion D’Vaughan presented to the audience. It felt a tiny bit like whiplash and Kris did her best to navigate it in a mature way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
toffishay's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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
4.0
What a fun sexy read! I normally don't like books where there is an element of reality TV, celebrity, or social media, but the characters are so charming that I loved it anyway. Kris and D'Vaughn are so sexy and fun. There connection is well established and believable and you root for them the whole time. This book is well written and everyone feels real. This is definitely a book that I see myself revisiting when I need a comfort read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Racism, Pregnancy, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
unwise_samwise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
A truly wonderful book, there wasn't even the standard 3rd act conflict or if there was it was so minor and done so well I didn't even get stressed. I love these characters and watching them fall in love was a treat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
lolajh's review against another edition
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
4.75
Features two black lesbians who comfortably call themselves lesbians! Absolutely adored these two characters and their relationship (apart from the miscommunication trope that happened a lot). Something about full grown adults getting flustered over their partner gets me every time.
Kris, my beloved butch lesbian, is such a gym bro, which always comes off to me every single time as kinda problematic in a disordered eating way, especially her talking about her weight loss story and being kinda fatphobic and that she was only “healthy” once eating less and losing weight. Quick weight changes just always seem a bit iffy, especially since she doesn’t see D’Vaughn’s fatness that way, so it seems to be something that she’s internalised that I think didn’t get a lot of attention. Other than that, though, Kris has had issues with past relationships only being short-term and she wants to settle down and find a real romance for herself, which is admirable and seeing her character overcome her toxic behaviours with other people and really learning to love with D’Vaughn.
D’Vaughn is a plus-size closeted femme lesbian, who had a coming-out arc with her family that was very emotional. D’Vaughn’s body type really meant everything to me. She is explicitly described as fat, yet she has genuine love and appreciation for her body that I really respect and admire. Not once is weight loss ever a goal for her, which is just so different to the majority of media that has fat people in it, and I just really, really loved how her body wasn’t something she wanted to fix. That’s just who she is, how her body was when she ate enough and was healthy, because skinny absolutely does not equate to being healthy. God I just really loved her,and loved being surprised at her being the dom and Kris the sub when they have sex. Kris is always this cocky and flirty character so her getting flustered for the first time and getting railed by D’Vaughn was such a masc lesbian experience, I loved it.
And their relationship, although having far too much miscommunication between them, was ultimately quite wholesome (and a happy ending) where the pair absolutely make each other better people. Not usually a fan of marriage tropes in books, but this one proved that they can be tolerable.
Also, the very mild descriptions of the trans characters seemed off, unnecessary, and quite stereotypical and they had no plot lines and just seemed to be there for trans rep and may as well not have been in there. Also, there are talks of queer sex between Kris and a gay guy, and the convo is not at all trans-exclusive, with the guy saying he needs his “meat hard and throbbing”, perpetuating guy equals penis and girl equals vagina and excluding the vast amount of trans people in queer relationships. Being cis and in relationships with cis people is fine, just don’t automatically assume everyone else is like that. This kind of language is very normalised, excluding trans people from everyday conversations is normalised, but I’m sure that this was not intentional and that with education it can definitely improve.
Kris, my beloved butch lesbian, is such a gym bro, which always comes off to me every single time as kinda problematic in a disordered eating way, especially her talking about her weight loss story and being kinda fatphobic and that she was only “healthy” once eating less and losing weight. Quick weight changes just always seem a bit iffy, especially since she doesn’t see D’Vaughn’s fatness that way, so it seems to be something that she’s internalised that I think didn’t get a lot of attention. Other than that, though, Kris has had issues with past relationships only being short-term and she wants to settle down and find a real romance for herself, which is admirable and seeing her character overcome her toxic behaviours with other people and really learning to love with D’Vaughn.
D’Vaughn is a plus-size closeted femme lesbian, who had a coming-out arc with her family that was very emotional. D’Vaughn’s body type really meant everything to me. She is explicitly described as fat, yet she has genuine love and appreciation for her body that I really respect and admire. Not once is weight loss ever a goal for her, which is just so different to the majority of media that has fat people in it, and I just really, really loved how her body wasn’t something she wanted to fix. That’s just who she is, how her body was when she ate enough and was healthy, because skinny absolutely does not equate to being healthy. God I just really loved her,
And their relationship, although having far too much miscommunication between them, was ultimately quite wholesome (and a happy ending) where the pair absolutely make each other better people. Not usually a fan of marriage tropes in books, but this one proved that they can be tolerable.
Also, the very mild descriptions of the trans characters seemed off, unnecessary, and quite stereotypical and they had no plot lines and just seemed to be there for trans rep and may as well not have been in there. Also, there are talks of queer sex between Kris and a gay guy, and the convo is not at all trans-exclusive, with the guy saying he needs his “meat hard and throbbing”, perpetuating guy equals penis and girl equals vagina and excluding the vast amount of trans people in queer relationships. Being cis and in relationships with cis people is fine, just don’t automatically assume everyone else is like that. This kind of language is very normalised, excluding trans people from everyday conversations is normalised, but I’m sure that this was not intentional and that with education it can definitely improve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism and Cursing
dogbuttsandbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism