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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings for book: Past IPV and abuse, anxiety, panic attacks
Kink: Age play, D/s dynamics, orgies, group sex, toys, fisting
Emily Alter creates real people. By that I mean — they weave together narratives and characters who are multifaceted, flawed, and lovable. I could tell from the first chapter when Kara reflects on the past with Cam and her ex. There is angst in this, of how to slowly heal from wounds of the past but recognize nothing will magically go away from it. However, they’re well-earned moments and ends that give hope things will continue on happily between the couple.
There is sex with others on page (group scenes, kink abound) if that bothers someone.
Mònica and Kara’s relationship is very sweet. It was a slow burn which I don’t usually read, but it makes a lot of sense. Their sex scenes were well-written and I love how their dynamic plays out when navigating their differences in kinks. It may not be the perfect “little finds her mommy”, but it doesn’t need to be. People are fluid and flexible.
I also loved the sweet found family! I can’t wait for Sergio to find his person, and learn about everyone else. I also hope Tony gets kicked out because ew behavior. The angst in this is usually more than I read too, lol, but this was a book where I trusted the author and am glad for the journey. Even if I cried.
Overall if you want a sweet, kinky sapphic read I highly suggest picking this up!
Kink: Age play, D/s dynamics, orgies, group sex, toys, fisting
Emily Alter creates real people. By that I mean — they weave together narratives and characters who are multifaceted, flawed, and lovable. I could tell from the first chapter when Kara reflects on the past with Cam and her ex. There is angst in this, of how to slowly heal from wounds of the past but recognize nothing will magically go away from it. However, they’re well-earned moments and ends that give hope things will continue on happily between the couple.
There is sex with others on page (group scenes, kink abound) if that bothers someone.
Mònica and Kara’s relationship is very sweet. It was a slow burn which I don’t usually read, but it makes a lot of sense. Their sex scenes were well-written and I love how their dynamic plays out when navigating their differences in kinks. It may not be the perfect “little finds her mommy”, but it doesn’t need to be. People are fluid and flexible.
I also loved the sweet found family! I can’t wait for Sergio to find his person, and learn about everyone else. I also hope Tony gets kicked out because ew behavior. The angst in this is usually more than I read too, lol, but this was a book where I trusted the author and am glad for the journey. Even if I cried.
Overall if you want a sweet, kinky sapphic read I highly suggest picking this up!
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
lighthearted
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
really helped kickstart my reading after having fallen off for a while. i read it in two days and was thinking about it when i wasn’t reading it
DNF ...the 2 main characters just didn't speak to me....the side characters seemed to have more personality
Sweet Story, Queer Cast, Surprisingly Tame.
After Reading [b:Gift for a Demon|182519132|Gift for a Demon (Possessive Love)|Emily Alter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691501048l/182519132._SY75_.jpg|187031108] I expected this book to be a little more intense since that was all I knew of Emily Alter's work. That being said I am not disappointed in what Play Pretend gave us.
Sapphic Boss x Secretary but slightly kinky and trauma aware would be the best description for the book. The honest depictions of working through the CPTSD caused by an abusive ex were refreshing because they so often get candy coated in love bombing by new partners and friends in fiction.
The risk aware approach to kink and open and honest communication of boundaries and limits gives readers a more realistic view of how people in this community truly operate and I love to see that after spending 19 years in the community myself.
My only criticism was the disjointed and unresolved tension between Moníca and her family and the many loose threads of secondary characters. While I know many of those loose threads may be tied off in future additions to the series, I don't see how Moníca's family tension will be resolved unless there is a direct sequel. (Still ABSOLUTELY going to read [b:Hopes and Dreams|214370332|Hopes and Dreams (Plumas Universe)|Emily Alter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1722097218l/214370332._SY75_.jpg|220642196] to see Sergio's HEA)
After Reading [b:Gift for a Demon|182519132|Gift for a Demon (Possessive Love)|Emily Alter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691501048l/182519132._SY75_.jpg|187031108] I expected this book to be a little more intense since that was all I knew of Emily Alter's work. That being said I am not disappointed in what Play Pretend gave us.
Sapphic Boss x Secretary but slightly kinky and trauma aware would be the best description for the book. The honest depictions of working through the CPTSD caused by an abusive ex were refreshing because they so often get candy coated in love bombing by new partners and friends in fiction.
The risk aware approach to kink and open and honest communication of boundaries and limits gives readers a more realistic view of how people in this community truly operate and I love to see that after spending 19 years in the community myself.
My only criticism was the disjointed and unresolved tension between Moníca and her family and the many loose threads of secondary characters. While I know many of those loose threads may be tied off in future additions to the series, I don't see how Moníca's family tension will be resolved unless there is a direct sequel. (Still ABSOLUTELY going to read [b:Hopes and Dreams|214370332|Hopes and Dreams (Plumas Universe)|Emily Alter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1722097218l/214370332._SY75_.jpg|220642196] to see Sergio's HEA)
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes