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kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
I could feel the heart of this book and I really loved that. The execution was hit or miss for me and the sex scenes were a big no. I’m excited to see what else this author comes out with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was so funny. I enjoyed the author's voice and look forward to more from her. I've never read any romance novels with non-stereotypical depictions of native romantic leads, and I've only heard of a few others, so I'm glad this exists.
Ember was a little annoying as a character because of all her lies, many of which were completely unnecessary, but I understand that part of her character growth was realizing how unnecessary those lies were. Donoa on the other hand seems to have absolutely no flaws, which is fun to fantasize about, but obviously stretches credulity. Unlike some other romance novels, this book only tells the story from the point of view of one of the romantic leads. I wonder if there would be more character development if the chapters alternated between perspectives.
Ember was a little annoying as a character because of all her lies, many of which were completely unnecessary, but I understand that part of her character growth was realizing how unnecessary those lies were. Donoa on the other hand seems to have absolutely no flaws, which is fun to fantasize about, but obviously stretches credulity. Unlike some other romance novels, this book only tells the story from the point of view of one of the romantic leads. I wonder if there would be more character development if the chapters alternated between perspectives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
mzynda'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
lixypixy's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cute romance, with native american representation written by a native author. the fmc lying so much stressed me out a bit, and the author’s writing still needs some development and improvement, but it’s a solid debut.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
annalisaely's review
3.0
Lying about petty shit is really annoying to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
calamitydane's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Absolutely devoured this book. Got through it in one day because I couldn't put it down. The characters are realistic and loveable. The story was charming. There were a few romance novel tropes but they're my favorite tropes so no harm no foul lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
I don't read romantic comedies that much, so this was out of my comfort zone but I actually ended up liking it. It is about Ember Lee Cardinal and the lies she uses in an attempt to get ahead, such as answering white instead of Native American in a job application to be an accountant. Before the interview she meets Danuwoa Colson, who she's instantly attracted to and turns out to be an IT guy at the place she applies at and ends up. Their work has a no-dating policy so Ember comes up with more lies to hide that she is having sex and dating Danuwoa.
Ember's lies made me so anxious and there were several moments where I had to temporarily put the book down. However I can't blame her for lying due to how hostile the corporate world can be for people for anyone who doesn't fit the norm. Also really appreciated how she has a supportive community who help her just because they believe in uplifting each other.
The things I didn't like in this book though is that the word and phrases "pregnant pause" (used twice), "just friends" and "prude" are used. None of those are necessary even in a romance novel. It would also have been nice to have some chapters with Danuwoa's perspective. Despite these few flaws, this is still a good debut and I will read more from Danica Nava.
Ember's lies made me so anxious and there were several moments where I had to temporarily put the book down. However I can't blame her for lying due to how hostile the corporate world can be for people for anyone who doesn't fit the norm. Also really appreciated how she has a supportive community who help her just because they believe in uplifting each other.
The things I didn't like in this book though is that the word and phrases "pregnant pause" (used twice), "just friends" and "prude" are used. None of those are necessary even in a romance novel. It would also have been nice to have some chapters with Danuwoa's perspective. Despite these few flaws, this is still a good debut and I will read more from Danica Nava.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
swand1ve's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
4.0
I’m not a romance reader and Ember’s decisions stressed me out, but this was overall a fun read and so great for Native representation in a more lighthearted workplace love story context. It didn’t insult my intelligence the way I find so much of the genre does. It felt very real!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cultural appropriation
binevolentbookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
if you don't mind messy, mostly unlikeable women who are just trying to make it in the world (think '01 Bridget Jones in all her glory) then you might just gobble this one up, however if the entire premise of a book relies on bending and breaking truths is not for you, just go ahead and skip this one.
Ember states her lies are not pathological in the beginning of the story, but lemme tell ya, the sheer number of tall tales by 60% is giving pathological! compulsive! and raised my blood pressure, making it extremely difficult to enjoy this book as much as i thought i would.
Ember's personality often reads more like a YA lead than an adult in a contemporary romance. she is supposed to be the one (out of all her family and friends) who is getting her life together, though her immaturity in almost all situations, makes that a hard sell.
that said, why is it that men written by women are just so... *shakes fist* much better! i mostly loved the sexy, hot IT man, Danuwoa, and the fact that he from the get seemed to have caught a whiff of Ember’s bullshit, and still makes an effort to move past the barriers (lies) she's built to get to the real her had me swooning. his compassion mixed with incessant teasing is exactly what was needed to find balance in their story.
finally, i am flabbergasted that there was not a single scene in which D asks “have you tried turning it off and back on again?” followed by E: “no, but you can turn me on” - a true missed opportunity!!!!!!!!
Nava does include a lot of truths in this book (despite Ember’s defining characteristic being deceitful) about Native people, especially women, and their experiences in the U.S. her authors note at the end really sold me on the importance of this story, even if the premise wasn’t entirely for me. i think Nava has established herself as a bright new voice in romance, and i’m excited to read her next release and see how she’s grown.
p.s. biphobia:
i did struggle with the depiction of Ember’s best friend, whose main character traits were being an artist who is overly loud when she’s drunk and overly sexual, having a constant rotation of partners. though not malicious in intent, the delivery was still harmful in its representation of bi characters.
Ember states her lies are not pathological in the beginning of the story, but lemme tell ya, the sheer number of tall tales by 60% is giving pathological! compulsive! and raised my blood pressure, making it extremely difficult to enjoy this book as much as i thought i would.
Ember's personality often reads more like a YA lead than an adult in a contemporary romance. she is supposed to be the one (out of all her family and friends) who is getting her life together, though her immaturity in almost all situations, makes that a hard sell.
that said, why is it that men written by women are just so... *shakes fist* much better! i mostly loved the sexy, hot IT man, Danuwoa, and the fact that he from the get seemed to have caught a whiff of Ember’s bullshit, and still makes an effort to move past the barriers (lies) she's built to get to the real her had me swooning. his compassion mixed with incessant teasing is exactly what was needed to find balance in their story.
finally, i am flabbergasted that there was not a single scene in which D asks “have you tried turning it off and back on again?” followed by E: “no, but you can turn me on” - a true missed opportunity!!!!!!!!
Nava does include a lot of truths in this book (despite Ember’s defining characteristic being deceitful) about Native people, especially women, and their experiences in the U.S. her authors note at the end really sold me on the importance of this story, even if the premise wasn’t entirely for me. i think Nava has established herself as a bright new voice in romance, and i’m excited to read her next release and see how she’s grown.
p.s. biphobia:
i did struggle with the depiction of Ember’s best friend, whose main character traits were being an artist who is overly loud when she’s drunk and overly sexual, having a constant rotation of partners. though not malicious in intent, the delivery was still harmful in its representation of bi characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
Minor: Biphobia and Death of parent
metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol