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cleansetolovers's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: discussions of Real-life aviation disasters resulting in death, Autistic character faces unkindness for being autistic, Referenced ace-phobia
“I like that you’re here. And I like who I am when we spend time together. I… feel safe with you.”
The Heartbreak Handshake by @jrhartauthor just made me cry with how lovely it was to watch these two humans come together. This no-spice romance takes place in the lovely Clover Hill universe, the small queer town of your dreams. Our couple in this book is a M/NB pairing, both of whom are neurodivergent and with both being on the Ace spectrum.
The story goes like this, Paxton, Clover Hill’s local ride-share driver/handyman is constantly getting badgered by Mrs. Sawyer to find a partner. Remi, Mrs. Sawyer’s child, has also been dealing with their mother’s constant match-making and gentle pushes to move back to Clover Hill. Seeking a solution, Remi and Paxton agree to fake date to get Mrs. Sawyer of their backs and give themselves a chance to get to know one other before Remi leaves town. Over apple picking and watching videos about plane disasters, Paxton and Remi start to open up to each other in ways that neither had expected to, and begin to see if their is a way to grow their partnership that works for them.
Paxton and Remi’s fake dating story is just such a trip! This is the first romance I’ve read with one of characters being a sex-repulsed Ace, and getting to learn more how Remi’s experiences navigating their desires and relationships as a sex-repulsed Ace is super cool. Paxton’s experiences as dating as autistic person also really resonated beautifully, and with his declaration that Remi is the first person that Pax has ever felt safe with really just caught me in the feels. As I’ve said about previous Clover Hill books, I just love the way the world operates and it’s always a pleasure to come back in for a spell.
“I like that you’re here. And I like who I am when we spend time together. I… feel safe with you.”
The Heartbreak Handshake by @jrhartauthor just made me cry with how lovely it was to watch these two humans come together. This no-spice romance takes place in the lovely Clover Hill universe, the small queer town of your dreams. Our couple in this book is a M/NB pairing, both of whom are neurodivergent and with both being on the Ace spectrum.
The story goes like this, Paxton, Clover Hill’s local ride-share driver/handyman is constantly getting badgered by Mrs. Sawyer to find a partner. Remi, Mrs. Sawyer’s child, has also been dealing with their mother’s constant match-making and gentle pushes to move back to Clover Hill. Seeking a solution, Remi and Paxton agree to fake date to get Mrs. Sawyer of their backs and give themselves a chance to get to know one other before Remi leaves town. Over apple picking and watching videos about plane disasters, Paxton and Remi start to open up to each other in ways that neither had expected to, and begin to see if their is a way to grow their partnership that works for them.
Paxton and Remi’s fake dating story is just such a trip! This is the first romance I’ve read with one of characters being a sex-repulsed Ace, and getting to learn more how Remi’s experiences navigating their desires and relationships as a sex-repulsed Ace is super cool. Paxton’s experiences as dating as autistic person also really resonated beautifully, and with his declaration that Remi is the first person that Pax has ever felt safe with really just caught me in the feels. As I’ve said about previous Clover Hill books, I just love the way the world operates and it’s always a pleasure to come back in for a spell.
curiosityp's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book spurred on my continuing questioning of my romantic orientation. Therefore, I now identify as quoiromantic because the constant questioning is part of my identity. I wish for a relationship like this.
reader_of_books88's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
smartie_chan's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 / 5 Stars
CW: mentions of off-page past ableism .... and plane crashes (?)
I think, this might be one of my favourit fake-dating books out there. And the reason why is very simple:
There's no forced third-act drama of "Oh no! *tripple gasp* They found out it was all just fake , whatever shall we do! :O"
I guess I never understood why we needed that plot point in an already amazing trope. To everyone their own, but for me, personally, reading about two people who didn't mean to but do end up falling in love anyways is quiet enough.
Bonus points for asexual & neurodiverse (ADHD & Autism) rep. DOUBLE Bonus points for a romance that doesn't require mouth or sex battles to be valid. I have a very soft spot for these kinds of storys because it's something that hits very close to my own feelings on the matter. And finding a partner who has the same needs, well, can be a challange. I could go on and on, spill all of my insides open for the world to see, but let's just not do that. And instead just summarize that this romance story was beautiful, heart-warming and everything I could have hoped for.
I don't think I could name something I didn't like about the book even if I wanted to, so there's that.
Final thoughts:
I loved every second of this.
CW: mentions of off-page past ableism .... and plane crashes (?)
I think, this might be one of my favourit fake-dating books out there. And the reason why is very simple:
There's no forced third-act drama of "Oh no! *tripple gasp* They found out it was all just fake , whatever shall we do! :O"
I guess I never understood why we needed that plot point in an already amazing trope. To everyone their own, but for me, personally, reading about two people who didn't mean to but do end up falling in love anyways is quiet enough.
Bonus points for asexual & neurodiverse (ADHD & Autism) rep. DOUBLE Bonus points for a romance that doesn't require mouth or sex battles to be valid. I have a very soft spot for these kinds of storys because it's something that hits very close to my own feelings on the matter. And finding a partner who has the same needs, well, can be a challange. I could go on and on, spill all of my insides open for the world to see, but let's just not do that. And instead just summarize that this romance story was beautiful, heart-warming and everything I could have hoped for.
I don't think I could name something I didn't like about the book even if I wanted to, so there's that.
Final thoughts:
I loved every second of this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
buecherbelle's review
4.0
I feel seen. Einzige Mankos: Kommunikation teilweise borderline übergriffig (für mein Gefühl) und hatte das Gefühl, dass die Pronomen teilweise nicht passten.
eicart_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
endemictoearth's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
I really really liked this! It could have been five stars, but the story ends sort of abruptly. But as it is, it's a solid four. One of my favorite parts is Pax going to the library to read a book about apple picking before their date in an orchard. (Even though he's been apple picking before, aww.) I like this series for unconventional HEAs, and while I didn't need a whole years later epilogue, I would've liked another chapter maybe.
becjonz's review
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
I liked this book for embracing unapologetically unique characters. Being asexual, it's great to find books with representation and without judgement. This was sweet.
My only complaint is how jarring the second half was at times because it was riddled with errors in pronouns. The first half had been so sharp and accurate and a great example of how respectful pronoun use could be done. But then I kept getting thrown out of the story by he/him used in reference to Remi. It would make me reread because it threw me off thinking I had messed up my understanding of who it was discussing. It really dimmed my enjoyment of the last half because their unique identities were so key to the making thos story great.
My only complaint is how jarring the second half was at times because it was riddled with errors in pronouns. The first half had been so sharp and accurate and a great example of how respectful pronoun use could be done. But then I kept getting thrown out of the story by he/him used in reference to Remi. It would make me reread because it threw me off thinking I had messed up my understanding of who it was discussing. It really dimmed my enjoyment of the last half because their unique identities were so key to the making thos story great.
mslanna's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
I love books with protagonists that are freely and unapologetically queer and neurodiverse.
I read this book, I feel seen.
I read this book, I feel seen.