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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Classism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
queerloras's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Classism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Biphobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, Infidelity, and Mental illness
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Rosaline’s growth is due to her defiance of what others want for her. Firstly her parents, who’ve been pretty controlling her whole life. Then Alain, whose control is more subtle because it seems like he’s presenting options but really he just ignores the reality of her life and discounts her child as a huge responsibility but also her greatest source of joy. Rosaline starts standing up for herself and it’s a good moment that I think most quiet people secretly want. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as finally saying everything you’ve been thinking and agonizing over. I was also frustrated with Rosaline because she wastes her time on this dude who might as well be saying “I own a Red Flag manufacturing plant and business is booming!” However, I would lay my life down for Harry even though I only understood about 75% of what he was saying.
Finally, it needs to be mentioned that there is a sexual assault scene. When I was looking for more information prior to starting the book, I couldn’t easily find a description of the event. If you’re sensitive to this subject and want to know what happens prior to reading, see my note below with the content warnings.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Cursing, Sexual content, Classism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
The sexual assault scene happened much later in the book than I expected it would. What happens isatamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Classism and Cursing
Moderate: Sexism, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
rockyroadbutch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Biphobia, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
cleot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Classism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming
brokenlightdances's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Biphobia
Minor: Fatphobia
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Okay, admittedly this is more ✨self-discovery✨ than romance but you know your girl latched onto the slow burn, wholesome, friends-to-lovers romance okayyyyyy🥲
I stan Alexis Hall & everything he writes.
I loved SO MUCH about this book. I already know this review will not do it justice. I also recognize I am extremely biased because I:
💓am already a die-hard Alexis Hall fangirly
💜GBBO has been my comfort show foreverrrrr & is what got me into baking in the first place
💙am bisexual & deeeeeply relate to the shit Rosaline has to constantly hear & deal with on a daily mf basis
Despite that, I’m confident you’ll love this little slice of heaven🍰 (see what I did there? Plz don’t unfollow me, corny dad jokes/puns are SO GREAT😅)
As far as the parallels to GBBO: The descriptions of their bakes, the themed weeks, the judges’ banter & feedback, the BTS producer guidance & the challenges.
As far as the interpersonal relationships & Rosaline’s journey, I especially appreciated the discussions of:
-bisexual fetishization (the situations Rosaline was out into rang so damn true & felt authentic. I’ve never felt more seen in regards to sexual orientation💔)
-classism
-feeling good enough for your parents & hoping they could be proud of you & happy for you regardless
-what constitutes as a “full life” (“I want what I’ve got and what I’ve got ✨is✨ enough” 😭😭😭😭😭😭)
-being proud of being a young single mum
-kids not being a burden or just a “responsibility”
-healthy sex lives, consent talk & sex toys
-so much more!!!
I adored how Amelie was so present in the story & showed how amazing kids are. She was fiesty & modeled an open mind so beautifully!
Honorable mention to Rosaline’s ex girlfriend & best friend Lauren, who was hilarious & is the perfect representation of why there’s nothing like found family😭 the support, encouragement & honesty she provided Rosaline with was absolutely lovely. I’m also here for healthy friendships with your exes — sometimes no one is the villain, you’re just not each other’s person.
So grateful for this book & for Alexis Hall🙏🏽
Graphic: Misogyny, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content
tlholmes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, and Lesbophobia
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hall does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline. She's honestly a badass (I will never understand how people have the energy to do anything on top of being a parent, it's such involved and hard work) but she's also so genuine. She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea.
Harry, our burly cinnamon roll love interest, is a man of few words who really goes all out with acts of service for those he cares about. There are so many times in this book that I highlighted and my comment is just "😭😭" because he's such a gentle and kind man.
Also, Amelie is the love of my life, and I hope one day she becomes a marine biologist who focuses on deep sea exploration.
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Cursing, Classism, and Biphobia
Minor: Abortion