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readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Vomit, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Terminal illness, Violence, Excrement, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
browningwithabook's review
funny
informative
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
Oh what a tangled web of lies we weave... and Ember did just that in this story.
I have seen much mention of Danica Nava being the first traditionally published indigenous woman in the romance genre which peaked my interest and simultaneously caused me to shake my head because in the 21st century, this type of "first" should've happened a long time ago. I think Nava represented this first well as this was a very enjoyable debut.
The premise of the story-Ember's lying and the reason she does it- is set up early in a way that most people can likely relate to i.e. lying to protect a loved one's feelings, omitting parts of the truth in situations that tend to impact certain groups more than others. I was vested from early on. Coupled with the layering/reveal of the challenges Ember has been faced with as the story progresses, I found myself both anxious at how the lies would catch up with her and empathetic toward her and her reasoning for why the lying was necessary (notwithstanding, some of it was unnecessary but if everything was completely logical in stories we wouldn't have the sauce for the drama now would we?).
I liked how Nava included insights into the challenges Indigenous people face in the workplace and in everyday life. This provided a welcome complement to both Ember and Danuwoa's (the MMC) backstory. This is one of the qualities I especially appreciate about the romance genre- that unique ability to deliver insight into a lived experience wrapped up in swoon, banter and butterflies. The "supporting cast" of characters were developed in a way that allowed for me to glean a better understanding of who Ember was and by extension Danuwoa, outside of their relationship with each other, along with making me want to dig a little more into their own lives (especially Ember's best friend, Joanna).
I did find myself hoping for a chapter or two from Danuwoa's perspective but that was more due to my ideal preference for a dual POV in the romances I read. Also, while I appreciate a textbook specimen of a MMC as much as the next girl, I did chuckle and shake my head a bit at the eight-pack abs and hint at the large "package".
Additionally, on reflection of the timeline, I would've welcomed a bit more development of their relationship post-their initial hookup especially given Ember noting that she had not been in a meaningful romantic relationship (but I am mindful that the author was already carrying a lot with the other plot points).
That being said, I thought this was solid debut and I am certainly looking forward to seeing what Danica Nava does next!
Special thanks to Berkley for facilitating an ARC of this story (and I hope you will continue to meaningfully facilitate diversity in the romances published).
I have seen much mention of Danica Nava being the first traditionally published indigenous woman in the romance genre which peaked my interest and simultaneously caused me to shake my head because in the 21st century, this type of "first" should've happened a long time ago. I think Nava represented this first well as this was a very enjoyable debut.
The premise of the story-Ember's lying and the reason she does it- is set up early in a way that most people can likely relate to i.e. lying to protect a loved one's feelings, omitting parts of the truth in situations that tend to impact certain groups more than others. I was vested from early on. Coupled with the layering/reveal of the challenges Ember has been faced with as the story progresses, I found myself both anxious at how the lies would catch up with her and empathetic toward her and her reasoning for why the lying was necessary (notwithstanding, some of it was unnecessary but if everything was completely logical in stories we wouldn't have the sauce for the drama now would we?).
I liked how Nava included insights into the challenges Indigenous people face in the workplace and in everyday life. This provided a welcome complement to both Ember and Danuwoa's (the MMC) backstory. This is one of the qualities I especially appreciate about the romance genre- that unique ability to deliver insight into a lived experience wrapped up in swoon, banter and butterflies. The "supporting cast" of characters were developed in a way that allowed for me to glean a better understanding of who Ember was and by extension Danuwoa, outside of their relationship with each other, along with making me want to dig a little more into their own lives (especially Ember's best friend, Joanna).
I did find myself hoping for a chapter or two from Danuwoa's perspective but that was more due to my ideal preference for a dual POV in the romances I read. Also, while I appreciate a textbook specimen of a MMC as much as the next girl, I did chuckle and shake my head a bit at the eight-pack abs and hint at the large "package".
Additionally, on reflection of the timeline, I would've welcomed a bit more development of their relationship post-their initial hookup especially given Ember noting that she had not been in a meaningful romantic relationship (but I am mindful that the author was already carrying a lot with the other plot points).
That being said, I thought this was solid debut and I am certainly looking forward to seeing what Danica Nava does next!
Special thanks to Berkley for facilitating an ARC of this story (and I hope you will continue to meaningfully facilitate diversity in the romances published).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
tmdreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
4.25
When her job search doesn’t go well Ember may have padded her resume with some little lies. Also no one needs to know she’s Native so she checks Caucasian on her application. It works! She starts her new office job with the big paycheque and the hot native IT guy and things are starting to look up! But Ember learns all lies catch up with you eventually…
This is a fun, and steamy rom com! Ember is very endearing but also you will be yelling at the pages for her to make better choices! She is very naive in the corporate world and encounters racism and misogyny.
I really liked the side character of Ember’s best friend and the story line with her brother. This is a great debut and I’m excited for more from Danica Nava!
I received an e-Arc from NetGally, all options are my own
I received an e-Arc from NetGally, all options are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
Moderate: Classism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a workplace / forbidden romance / forced proximity / there's only one bed indigenous romance, set in Oklahoma City. Ember, a Chickasaw woman, has had zero luck in her job search, so she finally changes her ethnicity on job applications to "white," and gets hired for an accounting role! She meets IT guy, Donuwoa (who she later calls "the Native daddy of my dreams" lmao get it girl!!!!), who is 100% off-limits due to the company dating policy. However, their tension continues to build, and they can't deny it any longer.
Beyond the romance, which I felt was a bit awkward and struggled in pacing (their first kiss felt very forced, and almost read as "insta love" to me), I appreciated the commentary on Ember's lived experience as a Chickasaw woman in a white corporate world. Though it may read as a bit heavy-handed to a more well-rounded and/or informed reader/human, I do recognize why authors include the racist, sexist, and classist micro-aggressions they do in their work.
I found the background of Ember's trauma to be written with great care and compassion, and think that is where Danica Nava's writing shone through brightest. I am excited to read more characters from her, as I do think she has got the character arc of her main character down very well.
Overall, this definitely reads to me as a debut novel because the writing felt a bit goofy, awkward, disjointed and relied heavily on exposition, but I think the author has promise and I have faith that Danica Nava's writing will improve with more experience.
With all that said though, I'm really excited to see this author's growth in her writing journey, and will definitely give her another chance.
steam rating: 2.5 out of 5
This is a workplace / forbidden romance / forced proximity / there's only one bed indigenous romance, set in Oklahoma City. Ember, a Chickasaw woman, has had zero luck in her job search, so she finally changes her ethnicity on job applications to "white," and gets hired for an accounting role! She meets IT guy, Donuwoa (who she later calls "the Native daddy of my dreams" lmao get it girl!!!!), who is 100% off-limits due to the company dating policy. However, their tension continues to build, and they can't deny it any longer.
Beyond the romance, which I felt was a bit awkward and struggled in pacing (their first kiss felt very forced, and almost read as "insta love" to me), I appreciated the commentary on Ember's lived experience as a Chickasaw woman in a white corporate world. Though it may read as a bit heavy-handed to a more well-rounded and/or informed reader/human, I do recognize why authors include the racist, sexist, and classist micro-aggressions they do in their work.
I found the background of Ember's trauma to be written with great care and compassion, and think that is where Danica Nava's writing shone through brightest. I am excited to read more characters from her, as I do think she has got the character arc of her main character down very well.
Overall, this definitely reads to me as a debut novel because the writing felt a bit goofy, awkward, disjointed and relied heavily on exposition, but I think the author has promise and I have faith that Danica Nava's writing will improve with more experience.
With all that said though, I'm really excited to see this author's growth in her writing journey, and will definitely give her another chance.
steam rating: 2.5 out of 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
kenrya's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent