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itskenzcarter's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fairly good book and an easy read. The story had slow moments, and one of the main characters (Rosie) was difficult to like at times. It’s nice to read a queer romance. This book had its flaws, but ultimately, I think it was cute. Don’t expect the queer novel of the year out of this book. Just read to enjoy. It could’ve been better and could’ve been condensed in areas, but it was still enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, and Cursing
mamanerd's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Terminal illness and Sexism
bookswithmaia's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism and Death of parent
embee09's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
the_vegan_bookworm's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked the premise of this story, but the execution was really lackluster for me. The conflict felt overly drawn out and like it would keep being resolved and then a problem again, which made it hard to feel invested as the story went on. There were also several smaller conflicts always going on, so it was tough to feel invested in each of them throughout the story.
The sex scenes were also boring, from my perspective. Some of the choices (like blacking out or the scene fading to black) felt like the author trying to get out of writing the racy content.
- "Brie" with no last name feels like a really odd choice for a pen name. I feel skeptical that a publisher would say okay to that.
- I hate landlords and gentrification, so I was into the idea of a person recognizing the immorality of that kind of work and pursuing different avenues of labour. But it felt like the author wanted to say "oh but they're just doing their job", despite making the negative impacts of those professions a central conflict. Even Amy effectively says "we only renovate buildings and honestly, if that upsets Rosie, don't date her". After we spend an entire book looking at how those renovations price people out of their city, cut families off from the neighborhoods they've lived in all their lives, and threaten small businesses???? What about that is morally neutral?? Why is Rosie suddenly okay with that??
- The George thing comes completely out of left field in a bad way. I think if the conflict was better planned earlier in the story, you wouldn't need this additional villain to make the point clear.
- Brie quits her job, because she wants Rosie to like her and not because the things she does for work hurt people. That feels like a really problematic approach. Brie also doesn't like her work, but it feels obvious that the actual thing driving her to quit is wanting this relationship with Rosie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, and Sexism
athenathestorier's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It was a simple cozy lesbian romance with protagonists in their 30s. And dare I say that it felt like it? The way that they handled their needs and emotions were so mature. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was prevalent but understated - with an awareness that circumstances made them enemies, not each other.
It also had a potent since of relatability - as a book lover, as a writer, and as someone who's just trying to make their way in the workforce. In fact, the book both served as a lovely romantic escape, and a subtle motivator for my life after closing the book. A rather meta reminder that there's life to tackle once you close the book.
Something else that stood out was the fact that one of our protagonists, an extremely avid book lover, was an extrovert. I, myself, am deeply introverted but I am all too aware that there's a common assumption that extroverts aren't big readers. That they have other things to do. So this was quite refreshing and appreciated.
It also had a potent since of relatability - as a book lover, as a writer, and as someone who's just trying to make their way in the workforce. In fact, the book both served as a lovely romantic escape, and a subtle motivator for my life after closing the book. A rather meta reminder that there's life to tackle once you close the book.
Something else that stood out was the fact that one of our protagonists, an extremely avid book lover, was an extrovert. I, myself, am deeply introverted but I am all too aware that there's a common assumption that extroverts aren't big readers. That they have other things to do. So this was quite refreshing and appreciated.
Possibly inspired by "You've Got Mail" (if I'm understanding that acknowledgements page correctly), I was also reminded in style of the Fandom Hearts series by Cathy Yardley (which is one of my favorite romance series).
Favorite Quotes:
"Books spoke to her on a soul-deep level. They had the power to change lives when someone saw themselves represented on the page for the first time, and nothing made her happier than helping a customer find that connection."
"Sometimes I feel more comfortable with myself behind a keyboard than in person."
"But when she finished the book and put it back on her shelf, she was all alone in her bedroom."
"Her online crush, her real-life crush, and the woman who'd crushed her dreams were all the same person, and her mind was still struggling to snap all the pieces into place."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Sexism, and Alcohol
libraryghost's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
librariangeorgia's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the concept of this book and while I did enjoy reading it, there were some things that annoyed me too much to enjoy it fully.
I found it quite fast paced - too much so in some places, especially when it jumped between time periods and it felt like you'd missed a chunk of the story. The writing wasn't great in the sense of that there wasn't a lot of exploring emotions, the sex scenes weren't great (it was basically 2 paragraphs and then it moved on to something else), the reactions were either underwhelming or over the top.
It really niggled at me when romance books were called 'sexy books' - to me it was as if they were talking about a mills and boon novel (a stereotype, i know, but they are known for their 'filthiness'). There were other things that the wording just wasn't quite right and it came off as either super cringy or just not realistic at all.
I hated how much of the storyline the demolition took up - I know it's a key part of linking the main characters but it was very repetitive with how often it was mentioned. Especially with how much it negatively impacted Jane and Rosie's relationship. And the fact that Jane was painted as the heroine, yet the whole situation is her fault in the first place - why?!
However, I loved Jane and Rosie as a whole (despite all their imperfections)! They are both absolute disasters and i'm living for it. Jane was very businesslike with the hint of niceness at the beginning so it was really nice to see her loosen up by the end of the book. Their relationship was quite the rollercoaster with all the conflict (too much at times) but i'm really happy with how the book ended.
I can see why this isn't everyones cup of tea - I feel like the concept of author/bookstore owner relationship made me enjoy it that little bit more. I'm also slightly bias when it comes to sapphic romance novels ...
I found it quite fast paced - too much so in some places, especially when it jumped between time periods and it felt like you'd missed a chunk of the story. The writing wasn't great in the sense of that there wasn't a lot of exploring emotions, the sex scenes weren't great (it was basically 2 paragraphs and then it moved on to something else), the reactions were either underwhelming or over the top.
It really niggled at me when romance books were called 'sexy books' - to me it was as if they were talking about a mills and boon novel (a stereotype, i know, but they are known for their 'filthiness'). There were other things that the wording just wasn't quite right and it came off as either super cringy or just not realistic at all.
I hated how much of the storyline the demolition took up - I know it's a key part of linking the main characters but it was very repetitive with how often it was mentioned. Especially with how much it negatively impacted Jane and Rosie's relationship. And the fact that Jane was painted as the heroine, yet the whole situation is her fault in the first place - why?!
However, I loved Jane and Rosie as a whole (despite all their imperfections)! They are both absolute disasters and i'm living for it. Jane was very businesslike with the hint of niceness at the beginning so it was really nice to see her loosen up by the end of the book. Their relationship was quite the rollercoaster with all the conflict (too much at times) but i'm really happy with how the book ended.
I can see why this isn't everyones cup of tea - I feel like the concept of author/bookstore owner relationship made me enjoy it that little bit more. I'm also slightly bias when it comes to sapphic romance novels ...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Sexual content, Cancer, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexism
hellowildflower's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
stephaniezd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2 stars because I finally finished. Pretty slow going, some unbelievable plot points. Not my favorite book I've ever read but surly not the worst.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia and Sexism