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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
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
saveyourtears's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
nirellis's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly if this was a straight romance I wouldn’t have finished it. I really tried but I couldn’t connect with the characters and the writing style left me feeling like I was looking in from the outside. Which is never great.
That said, the story was alright. I didn’t love it but I still wanted to know what would happen with Rosie and the love interest.
The fact that it was wlw (yay) and felt like a hot cup of tea were my main pluses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
decklededgess's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.0
trigger warnings: gentrification, eviction, emotionally distant family, death of parent
This was so tense and so cute. I love when the dual irl enemies digital besties with a crush is done well. This was so spectacular. Their animosity was so valid bc like I too hate gentrifying ass corporate landlords. I liked how the conflict was deeply rooted in morality and appreciated that the resolution wasn't one of "accept your flaws" but "distance yourself from something that is unequivocally bad."
Jane's sister was a bit of a shit though for getting mad that Rosie was hating on corporate landlords??? Like what, you want people to just LET gentrification happen?? Like the helplessness and "it is what it is" attitude towards some really armful corporate practices was really reckless and annoying. If you're going to tackle issues like that you better be on the right side of the argument or the charm of the romance is lost.
Overall a solid story if I ignore the gentrification nonsense.
This was so tense and so cute. I love when the dual irl enemies digital besties with a crush is done well. This was so spectacular. Their animosity was so valid bc like I too hate gentrifying ass corporate landlords. I liked how the conflict was deeply rooted in morality and appreciated that the resolution wasn't one of "accept your flaws" but "distance yourself from something that is unequivocally bad."
Jane's sister was a bit of a shit though for getting mad that Rosie was hating on corporate landlords??? Like what, you want people to just LET gentrification happen?? Like the helplessness and "it is what it is" attitude towards some really armful corporate practices was really reckless and annoying. If you're going to tackle issues like that you better be on the right side of the argument or the charm of the romance is lost.
Overall a solid story if I ignore the gentrification nonsense.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Misogyny
megangour's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
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