Reviews with content warning for Religious bigotry - D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

34 reviews

arkwen452's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-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

5.0

I loved this book! D'Vaughn & Kris Plan a Wedding is sweet, funny, emotional and offers readers the classical twist of love-based reality shows--only we get to watch our couple actually fall in love! I have not read a lot of Sapphic romance books because of the male-gaze and patriarchal stereotypes that I've grown up seeing. Now, I cannot wait to find more books like this one.

Even with the lite tone and vie of the this book, there are some serious topics that our characters bring to the table; such as D'Vaughn using the show to come-out to her family and Kris, who is attractive, has a huge social media following and very comfortable in her skin wanting to find real love while using the show as her starting point. Of the pair, I connected with D'Vaughn the most. Like her I am generally shy and while I announced my Bi-sexuality in the presence of my family, it was not planned or a conscious choice. Instead in response to something completely unrelated in the mist of a heated discussion about someone else. So her choice to use the show to help her take such a huge step, I could understand.

The little Jitter Cam snibbits were my fave parts between the chapters. In my opinion as a mood reader, it's rare to find a book you want to keep on your permanent re-read list.

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thissagreads's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Let me start by saying, I REALLY don’t like romance books. That’s no mystery , no thrill, no “gasp” moments so it’s kind of boring in my opinion. Plus, there were things that felt cringey as I read, like the constant pet names that Kris would use (it drove me bonkers) and the fact that

D’Vaughn was using the reality tv show as a way to come out to her mom

it was so lame and predictable. And I really hate the trope of someone

who’s closeted, telling their parents and then they have this whole sad and/or angry vibe throughout most of the damn story. It’s overdone!!! Can we get more ladies loving ladies who are already out PLEASE?

Unfortunately there we’re many times this book felt like it was panning to passive aggressively stand up and lobby for LGBTQIA rights and it felt like common sense (I’m speaking from personal, VERY GAY experience).

I gave this book 2 stars for the concept of the story, and for the spicy scenes between the two main characters Kris and D’Vaughn.

And I’m not sure if it was for that reason, plus the cheesy romance that made me STRUGGLE to finish this book, but it definitely reminded me why I don’t care for romance books.

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kyeruhh's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I misunderstood the premise of this book (I thought the MCs were already friends) so admittedly I was a bit confused in the beginning. The plot moved very quickly and the relationship between the characters wasn’t quite insta-love but definitely close to it, which I tend not to be a fan of. I also expected it to be more angsty but it just wasn’t. The characters were pretty emotionally intelligent which, while refreshing, wasn’t the reality TV messiness I was hoping for. That’s said, I liked all of the characters in the book including the extended cast and thought the familial relationships and friendships between them were really sweet.

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teniamonet's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

5.0

Wow just wow, I absolutely loved this!! As an avid Love Island watcher the fact that this book had a reality TV aspect and was queer is what drew me in. This book had me laughing out loud while listening and even had my eyes watering during certain moments.

The beating in my chest sped up and I could feel the anxiety creeping in on me again. Was I really going to do this? Was I about to lay myself bare for the entire congregation to see and judge me? Was I going to give my mama, my family, an opportunity to turn their backs on me?

There was no way my bible thumping, prayer warrior and church mother in training mama would accept that her oldest daughter was a lesbian. Without a doubt this was about to be the last time I likely see my family on a good note and fissures were slowly shooting throughout my being ready to split and separate at the first sign of disgust in their eyes.

As someone who also grew up in the church and hid their queerness, I see myself in D’Vaughn.

To see her mother actively try to be understanding and willing to change though was something bittersweet but touching.

She trailed off and it felt like the world switched to slow motion as i watched her eyes skirt down my body until she reached mine and Kris’ joined hands. Everything sped up again as her questioning gaze jumped back up to mine. Her lips first parting to ask a question and then snapping shut when she likely realized the answer.
.
.
.
Instead of then meeting my eyes again mama dropped her gaze, taking with it the sliver of hope that I’d clung to. My heart plummeted into my shoes as mama extended her arm towards the pew.
.
.
.

My breathe hitched and I dropped my head, closing my eyes as I faced my lap. How was it possible that I hurt this much when she hadn’t said one word to me? Wasn’t her silence better than condemnation?
.
.
.
I wanted my mama and she wouldn’t even look at me. The doom and gloom returned with a vengeance and I began to wonder how I was supposed to go on with things the way that they were. My mama was such a big part of my life, but if all she saw when she looked at me was a sinner, nothing of our relationship would be the same.

The author handled the sensitivity of D’Vaughn’s coming out excellently in my opinion and the story was able to continue to be lighthearted.

On a happier note I loved getting to see the personalities of D’Vaughn and Kris’ friends and families, they added something special to the story. Cinta was so loveable and made me think of my own best friend that I’ve had since 3rd grade.

“What have I always told you?”

“That I’m the great non romantic love of your life and whoever I marry has to understand that they are obligated to share me.”

The chemistry and the banter between D’Vaughn and Kris was enjoyable and although they were on a short timeline and this is fake dating none of their relationship development felt over the top or cringey. I do wish we got to see more of the moments of D’Vaughn and Kris hanging out when the cameras weren’t rolling.

My eyes zeroed in on the entrance. D’Vaughn appeared in the doorway and my bottom lip began to tremble. She was a vision that I would never forget as long as I lived.

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much I enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing.

2 spice (🌶🌶) = less detailed love scenes and the love scenes would probably be very short, there would probably only be like one in like a standard length book. flowery language (or euphemisms) like ""member"", ""cavern"""

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jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

The gasp that was gusped at the end yall!!! I throughly enjoyed this one for what it was. I’m a sucker for a TV competition plot and Instant I Do was just the right amount of outrageous and fun.

D’Vaughn coming out on the TV show after a life time of hiding her sexuality from her mom was a gut punch. I enjoyed the conversation regarding a parent not wanting to acknowledge a part of who their kid is while also admitting that they know they have to learn what loving their child looks like now. It’s a coming out story that makes me feel so seen as an adult who still hasn’t come out to their parents. Kris is a flirty, social media influencer who makes it known from the first episode that she is looking for love. D’Vaughn + Kris may not have seemed like the couple the show would root for, but they ended up being so much more than the show.

I loved their relationship. It had all the fun of fake dating (er engagement) with the growth to show just how deeply they cared for each other. They both had to acknowledge if what they felt was enough to last after I do. It was magnificent!

The audiobook is the way to go imho. Rebecca Lee saying preciosa as Kris unlocked something deep inside me. She did a phenomenal job with differentiating their voices. I never felt lost in finding out whose chapter it was. It was also just so fun!

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happyblkhippie's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

OMG! Love love love this one! 😍 A cute Black lesbian love story with a fake dating trope, curvy girl rep, lots of comedy, family dynamics, emotional dialogue and hella spicey 🥵 Leans into some common lesbian stereotypes but does so playfully.

I love that FINALLY there's more Black lesbian love story representation and that this is a fluffy, low drama romance.

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cjwitch's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is an absolute great time! The two main characters are swoon-worthy and, for the most part, their families are an absolute delight. Kris' siblings often had me full on cackling! Everyone is so well fleshed out and well-written.

D'Vaughn's worries about coming out to her religious family are relatable and seeing her face them with Kris by her side was heartwarming. I loved that it wasn't glossed over or easy, but wasn't horrendous and heartbreaking either. Her mom's reaction and D'Vaughn's reaction to that all felt very real.

The only place I wish had gone a bit different was D'Vaugn and Kris' growing feelings for each other. It didn't feel like they truly spent enough off camera time together (at least that we saw) outside of sex scenes. I wish we had gotten a few off camera dates between them to support the developing feelings. I do love how they pushed to communicate with each other and build their relationship though. They were honestly trying so hard and really wanted to fall for each other, which helped suspend some of the disbelief at the speed of it.

Overall, this was a sweet and hilarious book that had me kicking my feet and giggling.

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beangirl7785's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring 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? No

4.25

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tinysierra's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Kris and D’vaughn had so much chemistry. Their relationship was really sweet. They really showed up to support each other and work out any misunderstandings.

I loved the families and their different dynamics.

There was a little bit of homophobia and racism, but overall it was a fun and lighthearted read.

Good for fans of Insta-love and reality TV.

I wished that we got to see them hang out more outside of the context of the show. They do mention hanging out, but the reader does not get to see that.

Open door sex scenes

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unsuccessfulbookclub's review

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emotional funny 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

4.0

Super lighthearted and fun, but with some deep exploration of coming out to your family, standing by your person and accepting love when it is offered to you. Bursting with queer joy.

Heavy on the insta-love for my taste but if that works for you this book will really sing. I super super loved both MCs journeys in this book and the scene when D’Vaughn came out to her mom had me WEEPING.

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