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kyeruhh's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
teniamonet's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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"""
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Religious bigotry
happyblkhippie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love that FINALLY there's more Black lesbian love story representation and that this is a fluffy, low drama romance.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, and Cursing
Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
turtlebrainlibrarian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
This was a fun romance read with the main focus on a supportive, growing relationship and lovable side characters!
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
bookishkellyn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Xenophobia, and Lesbophobia
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
- 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
Kris Zavala sees the show as an opportunity to find her happily ever after, while D'Vaughn uses it as an opportunity to do the thing that has given her so much trouble for so long; coming out to her family.
One of the things I liked the most about this story was that it showed that gay and lesbian people don't always have families who react negatively to them coming out. Kris' family was overwhelmingly positive after she came out in her younger years, and D'Vaughn's family,
This was a very cute and funny love story. I loved seeing both D'Vaughn and Kris' personalities, alongside the personalities of their respected families. What I would've liked to see more of, however, were Kris' flaws. D'Vaughn's were on display most of the time, while Kris was made to seem perfect at times. Otherwise, this is a very comforting novel, and I look forward to reading more from the author.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
- 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
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.
Moderate: Racism, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
dwoht's review
- 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
5.0
i just want to say that this book is so underrated and deserves more attention from the sapphics who read books community! it has pretty much everything that i love in a romance book.
this is the second book that i read where it is set in a reality show and i loved both of them. it has little to no angst that you would usually expect in a reality show but i still loved it. d'vaughn's story hits too close to home but i'm glad they did it justice. i think...
there's no third act break up or miscommunication trope and i love that. it's unapologetically sweet and gay and funny, and i just love every single minute of reading this book.
the characters are so!!! god. they invented chemistry. their dynamic!!! the TENSION!!! it's so tender and i found myself grinning and kicking my feet up in the air while reading this book. it's also very funny!!! their family are hilarious and i love their bond so much. it has very diverse characters and it's so refreshing to read.
i think everything played out well in the end. i really love it. i'm glad i read this book. the only bad thing about this book is that it ends!!! i really wish it was longer :(
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Religious bigotry
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
wilybooklover's review
3.5
Unfortunately though, I just wasn’t sold on the whole reality TV premise. It seemed really cruel and out of character for our two heroines to lie to their families and make them plan a fake wedding (and honestly, their families are way nicer than me because I would’ve been mad to find out it was all lies after genuinely welcoming someone into the family and putting all that work into the planning). I was also completely baffled by
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Pregnancy