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sarzio11's review
4.0
A lovely Summer Rom-Com read with some substance. Just what I needed to get back into my reading groove. The dialogue is funny and very relatable.
mccarrmol's review
5.0
Exactly what you want in this kind of book. Funny, smart, enough plot but no unnecessary complications. A good palate-cleanser if you've just read something heavy or excessively stylized.
gabsy's review
3.0
Ahh, I had such high hopes for this, and so many things do work, but as I was nearing the end I just couldn't ignore the massive issues and my enjoyment was definitely lowered because of it.
I mostly liked Amira and her temper wasn't as bad as she herself said it was, but it's her decision-making that bothered me the most. The most egregious example was:
Amira: I will not burn any bridges, it's important that my reputation stays good in my field.
Amira: *quits while insulting her boss, her mentor in THE most unprofessional way*
Amira: Good thing I didn't burn any bridges!
Me: ???
The ending bothered me as well, as I thought the resolution was not earned or well-explained.
The writing was fun, engaging and I particularly appreciated how the author never showed away from social issues, because our lives ARE full of them, and pretending they don't exist because it's a romance is, in my opinion, a disservice to readers.
However, it could have used some extra editing. If I have to read "my garden gnome" one more time... In fact, it reminded me a lot of a writing crutch you often see in fanfiction, when authors think we'll get confused with pronouns and/or repeated names so they fall on descriptions instead. And it because way too heavy for readers. And annoying.
One extra point for the story to be set in Toronto and to feel like it. It was awesome to recognize so much in a romance novel, that doesn't happen often!
I mostly liked Amira and her temper wasn't as bad as she herself said it was, but it's her decision-making that bothered me the most. The most egregious example was:
Amira: I will not burn any bridges, it's important that my reputation stays good in my field.
Amira: *quits while insulting her boss, her mentor in THE most unprofessional way*
Amira: Good thing I didn't burn any bridges!
Me: ???
The ending bothered me as well, as I thought the resolution was not earned or well-explained.
The writing was fun, engaging and I particularly appreciated how the author never showed away from social issues, because our lives ARE full of them, and pretending they don't exist because it's a romance is, in my opinion, a disservice to readers.
However, it could have used some extra editing. If I have to read "my garden gnome" one more time... In fact, it reminded me a lot of a writing crutch you often see in fanfiction, when authors think we'll get confused with pronouns and/or repeated names so they fall on descriptions instead. And it because way too heavy for readers. And annoying.
One extra point for the story to be set in Toronto and to feel like it. It was awesome to recognize so much in a romance novel, that doesn't happen often!
thebookishmarie's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to like this more but couldn’t get past an ablist comment made by a character early on in the book. This is the authors first book I think and I have read more from her before reading this one and haven’t come across similar comments in her books. It annoyed me at the time of reading it and then kept annoying me because much of the book is about facing homophobia and Islamophobia yet there was a throwaway comment from a character that was ablist and did not need to be there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
peixotodust's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book! I didn’t realize this book took place before Accidentally Engaged but I loved seeing Reema before her own story.
Amira is such a strong character and loved seeing her stand up for own rights. This book deals with bigotry with non POC and also homophobia within the Muslim community.
I wish we had gotten more of the romance but there were so many cute and comedic moments that it made up for it.
This is all fade to black by the way and I wish we could have gotten at least one scene.
Amira is such a strong character and loved seeing her stand up for own rights. This book deals with bigotry with non POC and also homophobia within the Muslim community.
I wish we had gotten more of the romance but there were so many cute and comedic moments that it made up for it.
This is all fade to black by the way and I wish we could have gotten at least one scene.
ta_reynolds12's review
4.0
I loved that this book was more than just a fluffy romance and dove into deeper topics. The main character was pretty badass too as a woman of color excelling in her STEM career. I thought it was a little long but truly enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the next book by this author!
clanyonreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
this ... had potential, and I read it, but again everyone was so over exaggerated in their characterization.
dxr's review
3.0
I appreciate this book but I wasn't that into the relationship dynamic and how much discrimination played a role in it. Like I get that discrimination is real and consequential but I'm just trying to be happy here oops.
Spoiler
I didn't expect the (mild) BDSM.crystal1010's review
5.0
Oh Amira and Duncan, how I loved you! From their meet-not-cute to their co-habitation and so much more! A really great book!