Scan barcode
mschupsyallthingsaudiobook's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely could not stand Imani. For her to be an established doctor of 35, 36 years of age, she was the most childish woman in the book. She never sat with her mother and had an adult conversation. She automatically assumed her mother was not capable of making a decision.
I also couldn't understand why she didn't go ahead with the background check if she was truly so concerned about Preston. That's something that should be done on GP.
I liked Cyril. I wasn't sure about the significance of the fedora. I kept getting a picture of him in my head looking a little goofy. Not sure what he wanted with Imani. She was very unpleasant through most of this book. I liked Preston. I didn't agree with his decision, but he seemed to be a good person.
The whole discussion being had between Cyril and Imani about why they couldn't be together was ridiculous. They were both too old to be sneaking around like teenagers. It was not a cute look. This book almost became a DNF for me because of that, and Imani in general.
I liked the narrator. I thought she did a good job. I would have liked it had there had been an update on Caden. By the time the book ended, the baby should have been born.
I would recommend that you read this book and judge for yourself. Just because I really disliked the FMC and the book went on too long to me does not mean someone else would not enjoy it. This was not my favorite by this author.
I was originally going with 2 stars, but decided on 3 because of the narration.
I also couldn't understand why she didn't go ahead with the background check if she was truly so concerned about Preston. That's something that should be done on GP.
I liked Cyril. I wasn't sure about the significance of the fedora. I kept getting a picture of him in my head looking a little goofy. Not sure what he wanted with Imani. She was very unpleasant through most of this book. I liked Preston. I didn't agree with his decision, but he seemed to be a good person.
The whole discussion being had between Cyril and Imani about why they couldn't be together was ridiculous. They were both too old to be sneaking around like teenagers. It was not a cute look. This book almost became a DNF for me because of that, and Imani in general.
I liked the narrator. I thought she did a good job. I would have liked it had there had been an update on Caden. By the time the book ended, the baby should have been born.
I would recommend that you read this book and judge for yourself. Just because I really disliked the FMC and the book went on too long to me does not mean someone else would not enjoy it. This was not my favorite by this author.
I was originally going with 2 stars, but decided on 3 because of the narration.
berethnara's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was just ok idk. “Step-sibling” stuff makes me a lil uncomfortable. We didnt unpack a lot of Imani’s trauma and how her mom affected her. The romance was ok ig. The plot was eh. The town was a lil cringy at the end when a plot point was revealed idk. Was a fast and kinda entertaining read though
raindrops333's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brownskinblue's review
funny
sad
slow-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? No
4.5
I really enjoyed this story (and because I listened to the audiobook I dig the Bonus story that was included also!). I did felt like the book could be slightly better written (more use of pronouns vs. excess word repetition in sentences), there were a couple parts of this where miscommunication was used to progress the plot (which I hate), and I thought it was a little heavy-handed with the social justice themes (like, I appreciate the diversity; however, it was really hard to believe how magically progressive most of the small town’s citizens were); as a whole though, I thought the book had enough intrigue to keep me interested! Hoping this will be a series, because several potential follow-up stories were discussed!
bubblewombat's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was a fun listen, but I can't for the life of me recommend the audiobook because of the way the narrator did the male voices (most notably Cyril's). She did a good job with the rest, just not that.
It was a little Hallmarky, except I can't recall if Hallmark ever had future step siblings falling in love? Anyway, the slight issue I had here was the pacing (+ the length by extension) and the immaturity of some of the characters.
Imani and Cyril could act like teenagers when they were both 35+, it got old after a while. I much preferred their parents' romance to their own.
One really good thing was the trans side character rep which I totally wasn't expecting, but love that it was included.
By the way, the audiobook is 13h long, but around 10 and a half is actually this book, and the rest a novella. I haven't listened to that yet, but I might as well since it's there right? Who knows, I might even like it better than this.
3.5
It was a little Hallmarky, except I can't recall if Hallmark ever had future step siblings falling in love? Anyway, the slight issue I had here was the pacing (+ the length by extension) and the immaturity of some of the characters.
Imani and Cyril could act like teenagers when they were both 35+, it got old after a while. I much preferred their parents' romance to their own.
One really good thing was the trans side character rep which I totally wasn't expecting, but love that it was included.
By the way, the audiobook is 13h long, but around 10 and a half is actually this book, and the rest a novella. I haven't listened to that yet, but I might as well since it's there right? Who knows, I might even like it better than this.
3.5
dlbeatty's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a heartfelt and FUNNY Southern romance full of family drama that sees a successful Black OBGYN's mother getting re-married to a new man with a swoony older son who her daughter can't help falling for.
I REALLY loved that this forbidden, small town romance featured a storyline about a pregnant trans man and his struggles to find an OB who would treat him as a person. Not only do people of color have higher mortality rates giving birth but trans people especially have a hard time finding respectful medical care - even more so in the South! Huge props to the author for writing about this in a romance!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Beverly Jenkins or Preslaysa Williams. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Synithia Williams and I was not disappointed! I will definitely be reading more of what she writes!!
CW: domestic violence/gun violence (off page in the past)
I REALLY loved that this forbidden, small town romance featured a storyline about a pregnant trans man and his struggles to find an OB who would treat him as a person. Not only do people of color have higher mortality rates giving birth but trans people especially have a hard time finding respectful medical care - even more so in the South! Huge props to the author for writing about this in a romance!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Beverly Jenkins or Preslaysa Williams. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Synithia Williams and I was not disappointed! I will definitely be reading more of what she writes!!
CW: domestic violence/gun violence (off page in the past)
miss617's review
3.0
Not gonna lie, Imani annoyed me for most of the book. For someone who was darn near 40 years old, she acted like a child. I'm not denying that what her mother went through was messed up, but was it really so hard to believe that she could come out happy on the other side? It just frustrated me how dismissive she was of her mother's feelings as if she weren't a grown woman.
The story was cute overall, but I felt like things got very repetitive very quickly. I might have groaned when I got to 80% and thought there was more book left, because at that point I was just tired. One thing I absolutely loved was how Imani looked out for Kaden; the fact that she really did want to make a difference was probably her most endearing quality to me, and I wish the book had explored that more.
The story was cute overall, but I felt like things got very repetitive very quickly. I might have groaned when I got to 80% and thought there was more book left, because at that point I was just tired. One thing I absolutely loved was how Imani looked out for Kaden; the fact that she really did want to make a difference was probably her most endearing quality to me, and I wish the book had explored that more.
readbystef's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute book! I really enjoyed the audiobook! Loved all the characters. I would listen to it whenever I had to drive anywhere and it was just a wholesome feel good story.