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addiesbookshelf_'s review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
abbrosy's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
rlee5987's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Ok, this book was.... not great.
I love the nb rep and the wild west vibes.
The fact that Lou talked with that horrible accent the whole time.... bad. Plus their dialect was mixed in with so many modern quips and fuck yous and middle fingers and jokes. The word "proper" was used over 50 times in the book.... which it's in the title but I didn't need to be bludgeoned to death with it. The plot was full of lots of minor somewhat (but not really) connected conflicts. Clementine was always jealous and it added so many unnecessary problems 😒
We need more queer westerns but this was tough. I really wanted to love it.
I love the nb rep and the wild west vibes.
The fact that Lou talked with that horrible accent the whole time.... bad. Plus their dialect was mixed in with so many modern quips and fuck yous and middle fingers and jokes. The word "proper" was used over 50 times in the book.... which it's in the title but I didn't need to be bludgeoned to death with it. The plot was full of lots of minor somewhat (but not really) connected conflicts. Clementine was always jealous and it added so many unnecessary problems 😒
We need more queer westerns but this was tough. I really wanted to love it.
breeisreading_'s review
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was a cute and easy read, and I loved having a non-binary protagonist, especially set in the Wild West.
However, I wished I liked this more. It took me a long time to get through it; I wasn’t fully invested, and some of the writing came off a bit too simple. I did love the characters though, Lou absolutely has my heart.
This was a cute and easy read, and I loved having a non-binary protagonist, especially set in the Wild West.
However, I wished I liked this more. It took me a long time to get through it; I wasn’t fully invested, and some of the writing came off a bit too simple. I did love the characters though, Lou absolutely has my heart.
mstaples98's review
emotional
tense
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
kharlan3's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
In this book, Clementine Castellanos is ordered as a mail-order bride by a brute, and ends up accidentally delivered to a non-binary cowboy outlaw, Lou Ramirez. Despite Lou's determination to keep things proper between them, they fall in love in this slow burn historical western romance. Overall, this book was a mid-tier read for me. I was SO EXCITED by the premise- there are so few queer historical western romances, and so few romances with nonbinary leads in general, but this one fell just short. Clementine is brash and determined, and Lou is reserved and sure of themself, but I wanted just a bit more character development and internal conflict, instead of the book repeatedly throwing external plot at them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Death of parent, Blood, Outing, Violence, Transphobia, and Infidelity
minisupernovax's review against another edition
Not a true dnf. Library loan ended and I wasn't feeling the writing style at this time
isle_of_alexis's review
4.0
I was enthralled by this book. I read it in one sitting and will be rereading it. The character of Clementine is endearing and relatable while Lou is adorably stubborn. Their shifting points of view throughout the novel gives the read glimpses into past and emotions that are addictive. The storyline for each character is really interesting and kept me in my toes.
irl_bookworms's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Gay westerns will always have my heart. The moment I saw this, I smashed the download button so fast and I got exactly what I wanted.
Lou lives a solitary life outside of an outlaw town. A town where everyone has secrets and nobody asks questions. This is the way they like their life. But one day, a delivery error drops a mail-order-bride on their doorstep - Clementine Castellanos. She’s not meant for Lou, but that doesn’t stop the plot from a-rolling - if you catch my drift.
Clementine and Lou are the sweetest of pairings. And while Lou is running from their past to set up a stable life for themselves, Clementine is running towards the secrets from her past for her own reasons. Clem also might be a softy, but she’s still a pansexual icon who takes no shit. And while it takes them a hot minute to admit the depth of their feelings for each other, when they do - oh it is so very worth it.
The only thing I wish would have been developed more was the setting. Instead of feeling like a specific western town with a historical time and place, it felt more like it could have been dropped down just about anywhere and set in almost any late 1800s decade. I think if the author had chosen a specific town or even a fictional town near a known location and used that location to enrich the story, it would have been: *chef’s kiss* perfection.
But don’t let that generic western setting put you off, the characters more than make up for it and I would read all the more about Lou and Clementine’s relationship every day of the week.
*I received an eARC from Bella Books & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
alexfromistemor's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Bella Books and Netgalley for this eARC!
This was a great concept. I mean, a western where one of the two protagonists is non-binary? Gimme more! And M.B. Guel has so much greatness here. Both Lou and Clem are complex, in depth characters. They've lived through a lot and have the scars (physical or otherwise) to prove it. I really felt for Lou just wanted to exist on their land, simple and free of complicates, free to be themself. I also liked Clem's desires to be out from the situation she'd found herself in since childhood, and to get answers for what happened to her family. The supporting cast was also great, in particular Juanita, the one most willing to give these two stubborn people the kick in the ass they so often need.
Unfortunately, the execution of this story needed a bit of work. Maybe another revision before publishing? The book jumps back and forth between Lou and Clem's POV, which is all fine and good, but several times it kind of jumps from one character to the other between one paragraph and the next, without much indication (other times they use a '***' to show the divide), which can lead to a bit of POV whiplash, especially when it seems like it's something short just so we know the other protag is doing something, when it's safe to assume they're doing something.
The other issue I had was Guel packs their characters with so many things they need sorting out, all while Lou and Clem are also busy falling for one another, and it might have helped to lose a couple subplots because when some are resolved, the payoff is a bit weaker than it could have been if there were less to juggle. I mean, there's the mystery of Lou's past, the looming shadow of Lefty, the bounty hunter after Lou, Clem trying to sort out who sold out her family, Clem's missing older sister and Lou's history (and potential future) with Inez. Probably more that I'm forgetting. And yes, some of those plot threads are tied together (no spoilers), but still they felt like a lot, all while we're supposed to be rooting for these two characters who won't properly communicate with one another to fall in love.
Long story short, great concept marred by execution that needs a little help. 3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a great concept. I mean, a western where one of the two protagonists is non-binary? Gimme more! And M.B. Guel has so much greatness here. Both Lou and Clem are complex, in depth characters. They've lived through a lot and have the scars (physical or otherwise) to prove it. I really felt for Lou just wanted to exist on their land, simple and free of complicates, free to be themself. I also liked Clem's desires to be out from the situation she'd found herself in since childhood, and to get answers for what happened to her family. The supporting cast was also great, in particular Juanita, the one most willing to give these two stubborn people the kick in the ass they so often need.
Unfortunately, the execution of this story needed a bit of work. Maybe another revision before publishing? The book jumps back and forth between Lou and Clem's POV, which is all fine and good, but several times it kind of jumps from one character to the other between one paragraph and the next, without much indication (other times they use a '***' to show the divide), which can lead to a bit of POV whiplash, especially when it seems like it's something short just so we know the other protag is doing something, when it's safe to assume they're doing something.
The other issue I had was Guel packs their characters with so many things they need sorting out, all while Lou and Clem are also busy falling for one another, and it might have helped to lose a couple subplots because when some are resolved, the payoff is a bit weaker than it could have been if there were less to juggle. I mean, there's the mystery of Lou's past, the looming shadow of Lefty, the bounty hunter after Lou, Clem trying to sort out who sold out her family, Clem's missing older sister and Lou's history (and potential future) with Inez. Probably more that I'm forgetting. And yes, some of those plot threads are tied together (no spoilers), but still they felt like a lot, all while we're supposed to be rooting for these two characters who won't properly communicate with one another to fall in love.
Long story short, great concept marred by execution that needs a little help. 3.5 stars rounded up.