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slinker10's review
0.25
I loved Amy Lea’s Set On You & was excited to see another romance novel with a gym setting. I was rooting for this book (as I am with all works of creativity), so it’s disappointing to say that I am angry after reading it.
I was all in first half of this book! I love reading about women with agency & found family is my jam.
But eventually Jake/Chris’ flirting felt juvenile and made me uncomfortable.
And much worse, the trauma that Rayah faced before the novel (but was referenced on page in detail) was not handled well at all.
To begin, the content warning is not part of the book - you have to go to a website (also I think the way this trauma is “labeled” is incorrect & downplays what actually occurred). I know the conversation about trigger warnings is being debated right now & that not all will agree this should have been stated upfront…but I think the way this particular trauma was handled suggests a lack of misunderstanding and, as a result, insensitivity to the trauma. Maybe the author (or someone she knows) has experienced something similar & the way the main FMC healed (literally overnight) is based on real world experience - but it’s hard for me to buy that.
Additionally - Rayah’s trauma feels plucked from real world events that I’m not sure the author represented well. Does she have permission to share this story? Of course, many people have gone through this trauma, but these specific athletes? It doesn’t seem right that she’s using their story as a plot driver in Work It Out.
I do think this topic could have been handled much more delicately and with more depth of understanding… and that could have been a really beautiful thing. But, it wasn’t and I’m angry on behalf of those whose story I feel she appropriated.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
I was all in first half of this book! I love reading about women with agency & found family is my jam.
But eventually Jake/Chris’ flirting felt juvenile and made me uncomfortable.
And much worse, the trauma that Rayah faced before the novel (but was referenced on page in detail) was not handled well at all.
To begin, the content warning is not part of the book - you have to go to a website (also I think the way this trauma is “labeled” is incorrect & downplays what actually occurred). I know the conversation about trigger warnings is being debated right now & that not all will agree this should have been stated upfront…but I think the way this particular trauma was handled suggests a lack of misunderstanding and, as a result, insensitivity to the trauma. Maybe the author (or someone she knows) has experienced something similar & the way the main FMC healed (literally overnight) is based on real world experience - but it’s hard for me to buy that.
Additionally - Rayah’s trauma feels plucked from real world events that I’m not sure the author represented well. Does she have permission to share this story? Of course, many people have gone through this trauma, but these specific athletes? It doesn’t seem right that she’s using their story as a plot driver in Work It Out.
I do think this topic could have been handled much more delicately and with more depth of understanding… and that could have been a really beautiful thing. But, it wasn’t and I’m angry on behalf of those whose story I feel she appropriated.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
excessivenarwhal's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
witandsin's review
3.0
Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Jake Newman needs to get in shape quickly if he hopes to land the next big superhero role. Rayah Summers owns a full-service fitness resort in his hometown. It’s a match made in heaven. Or it would be, if Jake wasn’t hiding a secret that could cost them both everything.
I had mixed feelings about Work It Out . Jake is an actor with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder he wants to keep a secret – especially considering he wants to land a superhero role. The problem isn’t his medical condition – it’s that he keeps it a secret from Rayah when starting an extreme diet and exercise regime. Jake lacks some maturity which made me kinda “meh” on him as a character. He does have some cheesy charm, however, and his adorkableness could be cute. Rayah is a former gymnast who is determined to make her resort a success not only for herself but the found family she has working with her. I liked Rayah’s determination and wished we’d gotten more into her backstory and personality outside of Explosion business and her burgeoning relationship with Jake. Their romance is cute, but may be a bit campy for some readers.
Work It Out follows a fairly predictable path and it did leave me wanting a bit more. Eva Siedler wrote in some secondary characters that had a lot of potential and made me want to dive deeper into them. About three-quarters of the way through the book it really picked up the pace and that’s when I truly became invested in Rayah and Jake’s story. It’s a pity the book took so long to capture my attention because when it did I was glued to the pages. So while overall I thought Work It Out was just OK, there’s enough there that I liked that I would absolutely pick up another one of Siedler’s books.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Jake Newman needs to get in shape quickly if he hopes to land the next big superhero role. Rayah Summers owns a full-service fitness resort in his hometown. It’s a match made in heaven. Or it would be, if Jake wasn’t hiding a secret that could cost them both everything.
I had mixed feelings about Work It Out . Jake is an actor with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder he wants to keep a secret – especially considering he wants to land a superhero role. The problem isn’t his medical condition – it’s that he keeps it a secret from Rayah when starting an extreme diet and exercise regime. Jake lacks some maturity which made me kinda “meh” on him as a character. He does have some cheesy charm, however, and his adorkableness could be cute. Rayah is a former gymnast who is determined to make her resort a success not only for herself but the found family she has working with her. I liked Rayah’s determination and wished we’d gotten more into her backstory and personality outside of Explosion business and her burgeoning relationship with Jake. Their romance is cute, but may be a bit campy for some readers.
Work It Out follows a fairly predictable path and it did leave me wanting a bit more. Eva Siedler wrote in some secondary characters that had a lot of potential and made me want to dive deeper into them. About three-quarters of the way through the book it really picked up the pace and that’s when I truly became invested in Rayah and Jake’s story. It’s a pity the book took so long to capture my attention because when it did I was glued to the pages. So while overall I thought Work It Out was just OK, there’s enough there that I liked that I would absolutely pick up another one of Siedler’s books.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
lethaltea's review
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book started off really strong - the first 25% was witty, cute, and definitely had rom-com potential.
Then it all started to fall apart. There were so many side characters and side plots that it was hard to understand what was happening in the story. I got the vibe that the author was going for a Gilmore Girls style town - with all these cooky neighbours and a festival devoted to hunting aliens. However, it just bloated and it was hard to follow the narrative or really invest in the main characters.
I did really like the disability representation of a MMC with POTS but it kind of got buried beneath all the other things happening in the book. Similar to the FMCs plot line about gymnastics - it didn’t have the resonance it really deserved because so much other kept happening.
Overall, I would be willing to read other books by this author. The humour was great and i think this sort really had potential - it just needed some thinning.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Entangled for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Bullying, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
thecontinuitybibliophile's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Work It Out is a swoony slow burn romance set in the mountains of Arizona between a strong, independent FMC and a protective MMC. Really enjoyed the way this book showed the softer, sensitive side of men and women who own their bossiness and resting bitch face.
Dual POV, Spicy, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Found Family, Celebrity Romance, Small Town
Dual POV, Spicy, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Found Family, Celebrity Romance, Small Town
chelsss_ann's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
TLDR: Recommend! But check TW.
The cover and title gives off easy going vibes, but this book packs a punch with some heavy topics. The author easily takes you from battling with the limitations of a disability when you expect more of yourself to steamy scenes to PTSD from sexual abuse with ease. Not to mention that there were definitely times I was laughing out loud.
Sometimes this book felt a bit long, but I think you really needed the extra pages to give these characters the development they deserved. There are a lot of characters, but they all play an important part in the story and in Jake and Rayah's lives. And the little sidekick that shows up later on - I can just picture it when it's first introduced! So freaking cute!
If you're looking for a lighthearted romance, I'd say save this book for another day so you can give it the attention it deserves.
TW: There are scenes of sexual and physical abuse.
The cover and title gives off easy going vibes, but this book packs a punch with some heavy topics. The author easily takes you from battling with the limitations of a disability when you expect more of yourself to steamy scenes to PTSD from sexual abuse with ease. Not to mention that there were definitely times I was laughing out loud.
Sometimes this book felt a bit long, but I think you really needed the extra pages to give these characters the development they deserved. There are a lot of characters, but they all play an important part in the story and in Jake and Rayah's lives. And the little sidekick that shows up later on - I can just picture it when it's first introduced! So freaking cute!
If you're looking for a lighthearted romance, I'd say save this book for another day so you can give it the attention it deserves.
TW: There are scenes of sexual and physical abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Physical abuse
jessicanoel's review
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lauren_soderberg's review
3.0
3.25 stars
Work it Out has witty banter, disability rep, and a whole lot of heart. It also has a bit of a pacing issue (primarily in the back third), which is reflected in my rating.
The writing is sharp and the main characters definitely have chemistry, and they both are dealing with real-life problems. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times; others, I teared up. And the small-town elements will delight anyone who likes a small-town romance.
Overall, I’m happy I read it and appreciated the witty dialogue. And I’d be delighted to revisit this world to read about other characters this author has created.
Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for the ARC.
Work it Out has witty banter, disability rep, and a whole lot of heart. It also has a bit of a pacing issue (primarily in the back third), which is reflected in my rating.
The writing is sharp and the main characters definitely have chemistry, and they both are dealing with real-life problems. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times; others, I teared up. And the small-town elements will delight anyone who likes a small-town romance.
Overall, I’m happy I read it and appreciated the witty dialogue. And I’d be delighted to revisit this world to read about other characters this author has created.
Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for the ARC.
mamas_gotta_read's review
3.0
his story provides some pretty awesome chronic illness and childhood trauma representation. The romance was sweet and the MMC was ADORABLE, but while cute, the story dragged a bit too much for my liking. I honestly felt like the story went on forever and I kept waiting for it to get to the point.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
annsbibliotherapy's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I found myself thinking about my life a lot reading this book, as someone that's living with multiple forms of heart disease it hit home in so many ways, and maybe that clouded my vision reading this or maybe it made it clearer I'm still not sure.
As a whole this is a good story, one that you go into thinkking it's just going to be a fluffy rom-com with some life lessons about overcoming limitations, it is that but it's also so much more, it's inspirational, it's heartbreaking, and it makes you believe in redemption on top of being that fluffy rom-com I was expecting it to be.
Overall all if you're looking for a story with characters that are real, that have trauma based baggage, and who are trying to be the best version of themselves in spite of it then this is the book for you.
On a very personal note, to Eva Seidler for bringing attention to different forms of heart disease, it can affect anyone and in so many ways, thank you for writing a book where it's there and part of a life but not the only part of life.
Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a whole this is a good story, one that you go into thinkking it's just going to be a fluffy rom-com with some life lessons about overcoming limitations, it is that but it's also so much more, it's inspirational, it's heartbreaking, and it makes you believe in redemption on top of being that fluffy rom-com I was expecting it to be.
Overall all if you're looking for a story with characters that are real, that have trauma based baggage, and who are trying to be the best version of themselves in spite of it then this is the book for you.
On a very personal note, to Eva Seidler for bringing attention to different forms of heart disease, it can affect anyone and in so many ways, thank you for writing a book where it's there and part of a life but not the only part of life.
Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.