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bookski22's review
5.0
Great read
With everything going on this read was much needed. Loved the grocery store run and how they made it. Can’t wait for the next read.
With everything going on this read was much needed. Loved the grocery store run and how they made it. Can’t wait for the next read.
vanessarreads's review against another edition
_literaryaura_'s review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. A quick cute and fun read. The pictures were a unexpected and delightful bonus.
shealea's review against another edition
1.0
I went into Quarantine and Chill with the hope of finding wish fulfillment. And for me, wish fulfillment would've been two delightfully compatible people going at it like bunnies while staying socially distant from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this novel was not that.
- Spoilers ahead! -
Despite the instant lust/attraction between Kamal and Jade, the story took its time in moving their relationship along. There was a lot of teasing and flirting. And while I enjoyed the banter (and witnessing these two hooligans pull off a heist for toilet paper), the smut took too long to arrive. The first sex scene was about 55% into the book, which was literally the opposite of what I was hoping for. And to make matters worse, I was served uninspired, penetration-centric sex with awkward dialogue.
The succeeding sex scenes were even less impressive. At some point, I had to put down the book and ask aloud, "How can an author make balcony sex sound so underwhelming?" Because the quality of the smut was consistently disproportional to the level of emotional buildup - and that's truly a shame.
However, bad sex scenes aside, what truly turned me off was the weird murder/suicide subplot in this book. I am extremely uncomfortable that Amber, Kamal's ex-girlfriend, was villainized for being mentally ill. Being mentally ill fractured her relationship with Kamal (with cheating as the proverbial straw), being mentally ill turned her into an obsessive stalker, and being mentally ill led to her brandishing a gun towards Jade. Although the toxic ex-girlfriend trope is fair game, this poor portrayal of mental illness is insensitive and irresponsible as it contributes to the prevalent stigma surrounding depression and addiction. On top of that, her violent suicide was used as the "obstacle" between Kamal and Jade that they had to overcome to stay together. The whole thing was exceedingly gross and destroyed whatever little enjoyment that I got from this book.
Other red flags:
- Kamal using sex to manipulate Jade into moving in with him
- Kamal having unprotected sex with Jade without her consent
- Mention of Israel (#FreePalestine)
Not recommended.
[ Trigger/Content warnings: ]
- Spoilers ahead! -
Despite the instant lust/attraction between Kamal and Jade, the story took its time in moving their relationship along. There was a lot of teasing and flirting. And while I enjoyed the banter (and witnessing these two hooligans pull off a heist for toilet paper), the smut took too long to arrive. The first sex scene was about 55% into the book, which was literally the opposite of what I was hoping for. And to make matters worse, I was served uninspired, penetration-centric sex with awkward dialogue.
The succeeding sex scenes were even less impressive. At some point, I had to put down the book and ask aloud, "How can an author make balcony sex sound so underwhelming?" Because the quality of the smut was consistently disproportional to the level of emotional buildup - and that's truly a shame.
However, bad sex scenes aside, what truly turned me off was the weird murder/suicide subplot in this book. I am extremely uncomfortable that Amber, Kamal's ex-girlfriend, was villainized for being mentally ill. Being mentally ill fractured her relationship with Kamal (with cheating as the proverbial straw), being mentally ill turned her into an obsessive stalker, and being mentally ill led to her brandishing a gun towards Jade. Although the toxic ex-girlfriend trope is fair game, this poor portrayal of mental illness is insensitive and irresponsible as it contributes to the prevalent stigma surrounding depression and addiction. On top of that, her violent suicide was used as the "obstacle" between Kamal and Jade that they had to overcome to stay together. The whole thing was exceedingly gross and destroyed whatever little enjoyment that I got from this book.
Other red flags:
- Kamal using sex to manipulate Jade into moving in with him
- Kamal having unprotected sex with Jade without her consent
- Mention of Israel (#FreePalestine)
Not recommended.
[ Trigger/Content warnings:
Spoiler
adultery / infidelity; self-harm / suicide (graphic); death; attempted murder; animal mistreatment (a dog was shot); stalking; substance addiction; mental illness (depiction of depression); loved one falling ill (COVID-19); pregnancy; manipulationeurydiceh's review against another edition
4.0
Boy That Twist
I came here to read a cute Corona Romance, and got myself an entirely unexpected twist. I loved it. I absolutely recommend it. Kamal and Jade were definitely good for each other.
I came here to read a cute Corona Romance, and got myself an entirely unexpected twist. I loved it. I absolutely recommend it. Kamal and Jade were definitely good for each other.
cait_234's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
ladylaurenexplorer's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
Love the chemistry between our two characters and how real the love was!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide and Drug use