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pencilspeaker's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
raven9949's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't care how much I like someone, if they tried to tell me my own sexuality? I'd drop them like a hot fucking rock. The assumption that someone will leave you, before you really even know them? Yeah, it's a good sign for some need of THERAPY and some self-assessment.
Also, the fact that Charley was more bent out of shape about Ava sleeping with Eric as an insecurity thing, and not a freaking health concern is what bugs me.... I don't understand why Ava pursued Charley so much either, there really wasn't the chemistry nor were we show Ava's motivation. I personally wouldn't spend as much time pursuing someone who seems hell bent on defining me and my entire way of life.
I personally wouldn't give this book higher than a three.... but I did enjoy the subtle power dynamics in the sex scenes, without that, and even with Charley's small growth and development I would have written this off as a 1 star at best. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for me with Ms. Bliss's books, we just don't see eye to eye. Some of her spicy content is really good, but for the most part she comes off as a much older generation of gay, and therefore sticks with some really stereotypes and doesn't even seem to mind that. I really think that writing a book in 2016 about a MC having an obsession with be a gold star lesbian, is gross... couldn't there have been a different want to write this story line than this?
Also, the fact that Charley was more bent out of shape about Ava sleeping with Eric as an insecurity thing, and not a freaking health concern is what bugs me.... I don't understand why Ava pursued Charley so much either, there really wasn't the chemistry nor were we show Ava's motivation. I personally wouldn't spend as much time pursuing someone who seems hell bent on defining me and my entire way of life.
I personally wouldn't give this book higher than a three.... but I did enjoy the subtle power dynamics in the sex scenes, without that, and even with Charley's small growth and development I would have written this off as a 1 star at best. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for me with Ms. Bliss's books, we just don't see eye to eye. Some of her spicy content is really good, but for the most part she comes off as a much older generation of gay, and therefore sticks with some really stereotypes and doesn't even seem to mind that. I really think that writing a book in 2016 about a MC having an obsession with be a gold star lesbian, is gross... couldn't there have been a different want to write this story line than this?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Gaslighting
becloseau's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
imzadirose's review against another edition
4.0
Cute book and story. I REALLY disliked Charlie though, like a lot. I'm glad things worked out but I almost wish they hadn't, she really didn't deserve a good ending. If she wasn't so her, this book would have been 5 stars. Really enjoyable and cute otherwise.
lily7'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
3.0
noescapelikeabook's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an amazing love story. The vulnerability and honesty of the characters was incredible to read.
elvang's review against another edition
4.0
How would you behave if the woman you have lived with for seven years dumps you for a man?
In Charlie's case, not so great. She's reeling from the betrayal. Good thing she has a couple of solid friends who refuse to let her wallow in her misery. Over (many) drinks she rationalizes her convictions that she will from now on only date gold star lesbians. She's learned her lesson.
When she is introduced to celebrity chef Ava at a party, a woman she has had a crush on for years, she is enchanted and conflicted. What to do, what to do?
Bliss does a great job of giving us a grumpy Charlie confronted with the irresistible Ava who may or may not be straight. Instead of the usual formula of conflict at the 75% mark which breaks up the couple, Charlie struggles with her feelings and attraction towards Ava right from the start. Ava in her role as femme fatale doesn't make Charlie's emotional battles any easier. It is hard not to fall for Ava. I know I did.
I like how the author resolved the conflict and had fun with the cast of characters as a whole.
One word of caution. Don't try to match drink for drink with our leading ladies as you read this novel. There are not enough livers available for transplant and you'll need one.
In Charlie's case, not so great. She's reeling from the betrayal. Good thing she has a couple of solid friends who refuse to let her wallow in her misery. Over (many) drinks she rationalizes her convictions that she will from now on only date gold star lesbians. She's learned her lesson.
When she is introduced to celebrity chef Ava at a party, a woman she has had a crush on for years, she is enchanted and conflicted. What to do, what to do?
Bliss does a great job of giving us a grumpy Charlie confronted with the irresistible Ava who may or may not be straight. Instead of the usual formula of conflict at the 75% mark which breaks up the couple, Charlie struggles with her feelings and attraction towards Ava right from the start. Ava in her role as femme fatale doesn't make Charlie's emotional battles any easier. It is hard not to fall for Ava. I know I did.
I like how the author resolved the conflict and had fun with the cast of characters as a whole.
One word of caution. Don't try to match drink for drink with our leading ladies as you read this novel. There are not enough livers available for transplant and you'll need one.
queerwword's review against another edition
5.0
This book may not everyone and one of characters may get on your news but i understood her far to well so much i cried last two hours while listening audiobook i never felt so seen
woodlandbooklover's review against another edition
1.0
A book about a biphobic lesbian falling in love with a bisexual woman should address biphobia somewhere.... right? The word "bisexual" was in the book maybe once in a "It wouldn't matter if she were lesbian or bisexual you would ruin it" dismissive way. "Homophobia" was in the book, but not "biphobia."
Charlie's crippling insecurity toward and fear and dislike of men is addressed, but not how that makes her treat bisexual women like trash. Knowing this was about a biphobic character, I was hoping for a redemption for her, but by the time the lukewarm redemption came, I hated her so much I couldn't care about her or their love story. Ava deserved so much better.
Even the spicy scenes were unenjoyable because of the biphobia... like being insecure of a toy because maybe it meant her lover really wanted a man. Ugh. I can accept this crap from a biphobic character, but the book itself failed to take a stand and clearly denounce this very common experience of bi+/pan people.
Even if ONE character had directly addressed that Charlie's terrible actions were solely because of hatred of bisexuals (as opposed to doing it backhanded by discussing Charlie's percentage of LESBIAN rule without ever saying the word BISEXUAL), it would have been enough for the book to have taken a stand. And Charlie's epiphany was about how she would be healed if she got back to writing.... which has nothing to do with healing her insecurity toward men nor her prejudice against bisexual women.
People with plural sexualities are the LITERAL MAJORITY of the queer community, and yet, we are shunned, dismissed, erased, and demonized by our own community. The book could have done some good against that, but it gave a tepid wash over the whole problem.
The book is a good catalogue of common biphobic beliefs (bi+ women are really straight, relationships with them can't last, they can't be trusted, lesbians need to protect themselves against them, etc.). If only the book had been brave enough to call a spade and spade and say "biphobia is wrong" in a clear, strong way, without tiptoeing around the issue.
Charlie's crippling insecurity toward and fear and dislike of men is addressed, but not how that makes her treat bisexual women like trash. Knowing this was about a biphobic character, I was hoping for a redemption for her, but by the time the lukewarm redemption came, I hated her so much I couldn't care about her or their love story. Ava deserved so much better.
Even the spicy scenes were unenjoyable because of the biphobia... like being insecure of a toy because maybe it meant her lover really wanted a man. Ugh. I can accept this crap from a biphobic character, but the book itself failed to take a stand and clearly denounce this very common experience of bi+/pan people.
Even if ONE character had directly addressed that Charlie's terrible actions were solely because of hatred of bisexuals (as opposed to doing it backhanded by discussing Charlie's percentage of LESBIAN rule without ever saying the word BISEXUAL), it would have been enough for the book to have taken a stand. And Charlie's epiphany was about how she would be healed if she got back to writing.... which has nothing to do with healing her insecurity toward men nor her prejudice against bisexual women.
People with plural sexualities are the LITERAL MAJORITY of the queer community, and yet, we are shunned, dismissed, erased, and demonized by our own community. The book could have done some good against that, but it gave a tepid wash over the whole problem.
The book is a good catalogue of common biphobic beliefs (bi+ women are really straight, relationships with them can't last, they can't be trusted, lesbians need to protect themselves against them, etc.). If only the book had been brave enough to call a spade and spade and say "biphobia is wrong" in a clear, strong way, without tiptoeing around the issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
andrea_borbely's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Well, this was certainly something.
First, the positive. I liked the writing, it was pretty lovely. I also liked Ava's character, even though she was slightly under-developed, and the side characters were also great.
Now, the negative aspect is the main character, Charlie. She was insufferable, and blatantly biphobic which was treated as some quirk, some funny oddity, and was barely called out by the other characters. Honestly, it was offensive and personally, a bit devastating. I couldn't even enjoy the resolution, because it felt like there wasn't much weight to Charlie's change, she never really acknowledged how deeply hurtful and toxic her behaviour and her little percentage system were.
It was truly a disappointing read.
First, the positive. I liked the writing, it was pretty lovely. I also liked Ava's character, even though she was slightly under-developed, and the side characters were also great.
Now, the negative aspect is the main character, Charlie. She was insufferable, and blatantly biphobic which was treated as some quirk, some funny oddity, and was barely called out by the other characters. Honestly, it was offensive and personally, a bit devastating. I couldn't even enjoy the resolution, because it felt like there wasn't much weight to Charlie's change, she never really acknowledged how deeply hurtful and toxic her behaviour and her little percentage system were.
It was truly a disappointing read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia