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anabookadventures's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Let me just say first . . . Danuwoa Colson is one of my favorite male love interests to date!
I really enjoyed the characters in this one, and the tension between Ember and Danuwoa was chef’s kiss! This was funny and swoony, but also handled some very real topics especially around how indigenous people are treated and the state of racist ass corporate America. The representation of indigenous characters is something we need more of in the rom com space so I can’t wait to see what else this author comes out with next!
The only thing keeping me from a 5 star is the premise of the story, which is lies snowballing. Genuinely so stress inducing; but I do feel like I would have enjoyed this more if the lying was only specific in the workplace, and not also between our love interests because it takes away from the connection for me.
Outside of that preference, this story really worked for me and I will be thinking about Danuwoa for a minute!
Also I really loved that the author included a dictionary at the end to give definitions and pronunciations for the indigenous words used throughout the story.
I really enjoyed the characters in this one, and the tension between Ember and Danuwoa was chef’s kiss! This was funny and swoony, but also handled some very real topics especially around how indigenous people are treated and the state of racist ass corporate America. The representation of indigenous characters is something we need more of in the rom com space so I can’t wait to see what else this author comes out with next!
The only thing keeping me from a 5 star is the premise of the story, which is lies snowballing. Genuinely so stress inducing; but I do feel like I would have enjoyed this more if the lying was only specific in the workplace, and not also between our love interests because it takes away from the connection for me.
Outside of that preference, this story really worked for me and I will be thinking about Danuwoa for a minute!
Also I really loved that the author included a dictionary at the end to give definitions and pronunciations for the indigenous words used throughout the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, and Abandonment
cozysawa's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Drug use
paigesonpages's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Three cheers for the first Indigenous romance from a major publisher! Thank you Berkley for sending a copy my way.
Read if you 🩷:
• 💻 Workplace Romances
• 🌳 Found Family and Community
• 💜 Native American Representation
• 🦎 Lucky (But Ugly) Lizards
Unlike Ember, I have to be honest and admit that I have mixed feelings about this one. Danuwoa is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend. He’s a cat parent, his younger sister’s caretaker, and he’s flirtatious to no end. Plus, the man has a spine when it comes to the major conflict of the story! All in all, he’s the total package, and I would never want to get on his bad side. 💕
What I didn’t love so much was Ember and her constant lying. It got to the point that all of her fibs gave me anxiety the entire time I was reading! I went in thinking the only lie would be that she wasn’t mentioning her Native heritage on her job applications, but without spoiling too much, it’s a lot more than just that omission. If you like tension and the fear of getting caught, these scenes will be more for you than for me, but my little nervous heart could barely take it! 😅
💜 What kept me going was Danica Nava’s down-to-earth and detailed writing style. It truly feels like being in Ember’s head the entire time! Even without the author’s note near the end, it’s clear she pulled from her own personal experiences.
The truth, according to this reader, is that even with destructive pathological lying, there’s a lot of love, community, and passion in Nava’s debut novel. I hope this is just the first of many more romance novels from major publishers featuring Indigenous leads! 🥰
Read if you 🩷:
• 💻 Workplace Romances
• 🌳 Found Family and Community
• 💜 Native American Representation
• 🦎 Lucky (But Ugly) Lizards
Unlike Ember, I have to be honest and admit that I have mixed feelings about this one. Danuwoa is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend. He’s a cat parent, his younger sister’s caretaker, and he’s flirtatious to no end. Plus, the man has a spine when it comes to the major conflict of the story! All in all, he’s the total package, and I would never want to get on his bad side. 💕
What I didn’t love so much was Ember and her constant lying. It got to the point that all of her fibs gave me anxiety the entire time I was reading! I went in thinking the only lie would be that she wasn’t mentioning her Native heritage on her job applications, but without spoiling too much, it’s a lot more than just that omission. If you like tension and the fear of getting caught, these scenes will be more for you than for me, but my little nervous heart could barely take it! 😅
💜 What kept me going was Danica Nava’s down-to-earth and detailed writing style. It truly feels like being in Ember’s head the entire time! Even without the author’s note near the end, it’s clear she pulled from her own personal experiences.
The truth, according to this reader, is that even with destructive pathological lying, there’s a lot of love, community, and passion in Nava’s debut novel. I hope this is just the first of many more romance novels from major publishers featuring Indigenous leads! 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol