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sarahna's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For the most part I really enjoyed this sapphic romance and loved all the rep we got with Claire being bisexual, a young mother and described as curvy albeit that not being clear by the cover. Delilah's described as butch, has tattoos and uses the word lesbian to describe her identity which is super refreshing since I rarely see it used anywhere really. Lesbian isn't a dirty word though!
The plot was fairly simple and I loved the chemistry Claire and Delilah had right off the bat. The flirting and sex scenes were really realistic and steamy. It probably was the most graphic sapphic sex scene I've read so far and I loved it. Most sapphic stories I've read were historical fiction and tend to be either too poetic or would fade to black so I really appreciated it.
The comedy aspect of the story could've been ampted up in my opinion. It was very heavy on the childhood trauma Delilah and Astrid shared. It hit home too and I couldn't help but painfully relate to Delilah which lowered my enjoyment overall but of course that's a very subjective reason as to why I didn't rate this book higher.
Overall I really liked this romance and the chemistry both of the MC had but I wish it was a bit lighter comedy wise and more mature overall. The cast of characters didn't feel like 30+ year olds to me but that's a knit pick. I can't wait for more sapphic romances to hit the shelves! Hopefully soon.
The plot was fairly simple and I loved the chemistry Claire and Delilah had right off the bat. The flirting and sex scenes were really realistic and steamy. It probably was the most graphic sapphic sex scene I've read so far and I loved it. Most sapphic stories I've read were historical fiction and tend to be either too poetic or would fade to black so I really appreciated it.
The comedy aspect of the story could've been ampted up in my opinion. It was very heavy on the childhood trauma Delilah and Astrid shared. It hit home too and I couldn't help but painfully relate to Delilah which lowered my enjoyment overall but of course that's a very subjective reason as to why I didn't rate this book higher.
Overall I really liked this romance and the chemistry both of the MC had but I wish it was a bit lighter comedy wise and more mature overall. The cast of characters didn't feel like 30+ year olds to me but that's a knit pick. I can't wait for more sapphic romances to hit the shelves! Hopefully soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, and Abandonment
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Violence
perpetualpages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
CWs: some explorations of parental death, childhood trauma, abandonment, parental neglect; depression, and grief; mention of a past partner's infidelity; mention of cancer; brief reference to blood; and some explicit sexual content.
Let me start by saying that I have loved pretty much everything I've read by Ashley Herring Blake. Her sapphic middle grade books, especially, hold a very special place in my heart, and when this book was first announced I knew I would probably love it too. And I absolutely did!
Delilah Green Doesn't Care succeeds as a romance, for me, because it presents a deeply complex cast of characters who are grappling with so much more *beyond* just romance. While this story is not at all a second chance romance (well, maybe a little bit) I personally believe that it's absolutely about second chance friendship and sisterhood, which is such a worthwhile dynamic I didn't even know I needed in my life.
As a child, Delilah lost her father, and her step-family didn't give her the proper space to grieve that loss in the way that she truly needed, which has left some very deep scars on all of them. That emotional disconnect is what ultimately drove Delilah away from her family and her hometown in the first place, because she felt that she wasn't truly understood or even wanted there. Most notoriously, her step-sister, Astrid, made Delilah feel alienated simply because her grief was "inconvenient" and didn't manifest in ways that were easy to understand.
There's a sense of catharsis to the story, because Delilah is returning to this site of trauma, essentially, but she is not the same person as she was when she left. As an adult, she is much more confident in herself as a badass queer woman and artist. She has done a lot of work to recover her own voice and point of view, and she is not about to be silenced again by anyone for any reason.
This is a chance for her to have those difficult, messy conversations with Astrid about how they could have treated each other better as kids, and it's also a chance for her to prove to Astrid's friends that she's not the "weird," "creepy" kid they made her out to be. Through a bit of forced proximity and some really zany wedding sabotage shenanigans (which are much more entertaining than you would think) Delilah finds herself getting closer and closer with these people she used to be at odds with, and she's unknowingly making those genuine connections as they all conspire together. Ultimately, the story shows her getting that feeling of being wanted and included in a way that she never got to experience as a child.
To see Delilah come back to Bright Falls to confront her family and her past grief is incredibly satisfying, and I think having that journey underlying the main romance makes the focal relationship between Delilah and Claire that much more rewarding to read about. The romance itself was incredibly delightful. I appreciate how Claire is also on her own journey of working through her trust issues, finding ways to successfully co-parent (and co-exist) with her ex, and reminding herself that she is both a parent *and* someone who is desirable and worthy of love.
What kept this from being a five-star book (for me) is that I found myself myself wanting even more of a reckoning with Delilah's family. Astrid is incredibly avoidant when it comes to addressing the emotional void between her and Delilah, and while that that tension between them eventually goes reach a breaking point, I wanted to see even more from their reconciliation. Delilah's step-mom was also a major factor when it came to Delilah's childhood trauma, and I didn't see that relationship being as directly addressed as the relationship between step-sisters. Granted, maybe that's to come in future installments, but I think that would've only added to Delilah's "full circle" storyline.
So in the end, this story is about making amends, reconnecting with your home and your family, and finding love—all things I very much enjoy and appreciate! Overall this story is funny, it’s entertaining, it’s sexy, but it also balances those journeys of healing and reconciliation in really memorable and meaningful ways. I am so excited to see where this series goes next with Astrid's story, and I can't wait to read it!
Let me start by saying that I have loved pretty much everything I've read by Ashley Herring Blake. Her sapphic middle grade books, especially, hold a very special place in my heart, and when this book was first announced I knew I would probably love it too. And I absolutely did!
Delilah Green Doesn't Care succeeds as a romance, for me, because it presents a deeply complex cast of characters who are grappling with so much more *beyond* just romance. While this story is not at all a second chance romance (well, maybe a little bit) I personally believe that it's absolutely about second chance friendship and sisterhood, which is such a worthwhile dynamic I didn't even know I needed in my life.
As a child, Delilah lost her father, and her step-family didn't give her the proper space to grieve that loss in the way that she truly needed, which has left some very deep scars on all of them. That emotional disconnect is what ultimately drove Delilah away from her family and her hometown in the first place, because she felt that she wasn't truly understood or even wanted there. Most notoriously, her step-sister, Astrid, made Delilah feel alienated simply because her grief was "inconvenient" and didn't manifest in ways that were easy to understand.
There's a sense of catharsis to the story, because Delilah is returning to this site of trauma, essentially, but she is not the same person as she was when she left. As an adult, she is much more confident in herself as a badass queer woman and artist. She has done a lot of work to recover her own voice and point of view, and she is not about to be silenced again by anyone for any reason.
This is a chance for her to have those difficult, messy conversations with Astrid about how they could have treated each other better as kids, and it's also a chance for her to prove to Astrid's friends that she's not the "weird," "creepy" kid they made her out to be. Through a bit of forced proximity and some really zany wedding sabotage shenanigans (which are much more entertaining than you would think) Delilah finds herself getting closer and closer with these people she used to be at odds with, and she's unknowingly making those genuine connections as they all conspire together. Ultimately, the story shows her getting that feeling of being wanted and included in a way that she never got to experience as a child.
To see Delilah come back to Bright Falls to confront her family and her past grief is incredibly satisfying, and I think having that journey underlying the main romance makes the focal relationship between Delilah and Claire that much more rewarding to read about. The romance itself was incredibly delightful. I appreciate how Claire is also on her own journey of working through her trust issues, finding ways to successfully co-parent (and co-exist) with her ex, and reminding herself that she is both a parent *and* someone who is desirable and worthy of love.
What kept this from being a five-star book (for me) is that I found myself myself wanting even more of a reckoning with Delilah's family. Astrid is incredibly avoidant when it comes to addressing the emotional void between her and Delilah, and while that that tension between them eventually goes reach a breaking point, I wanted to see even more from their reconciliation. Delilah's step-mom was also a major factor when it came to Delilah's childhood trauma, and I didn't see that relationship being as directly addressed as the relationship between step-sisters. Granted, maybe that's to come in future installments, but I think that would've only added to Delilah's "full circle" storyline.
So in the end, this story is about making amends, reconnecting with your home and your family, and finding love—all things I very much enjoy and appreciate! Overall this story is funny, it’s entertaining, it’s sexy, but it also balances those journeys of healing and reconciliation in really memorable and meaningful ways. I am so excited to see where this series goes next with Astrid's story, and I can't wait to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Cancer, and Infidelity
giulsfloris's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was amazing. A queer love story with a pinch of spice and beautiful characters! I found myself amazed by Delilah and Claire and how they slowly became friends. I love Delilah as a main character, which is something that rarely happens in my case. I usually find main characters annoying, but Delilah was wonderfully written and her mind was just as beautiful to discover through every page and through Claire’s eyes.
This story was realistic, truthful, easy to love and think about. I found myself wanting to read more and more of Delilah’s life and everyone around her.
Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and to the amazing author Ashley Herring Blake for letting me read this book and appreciate it. I’ll make sure to buy a copy as soon as this amazing novel hits the shelves!
This story was realistic, truthful, easy to love and think about. I found myself wanting to read more and more of Delilah’s life and everyone around her.
Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and to the amazing author Ashley Herring Blake for letting me read this book and appreciate it. I’ll make sure to buy a copy as soon as this amazing novel hits the shelves!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
one bed tropecaseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE is everything a romance novel should be. Funny, full of vibrant characters, fast paced, and whew, spicy. On top of all that, it's got a meaty plot that explores hard and important life experiences.
- I loved that it was not quite friends to lovers and not quite second chance, but also not NOT those things. It was messy, but always clear that Delilah and Claire were good together.
- There's a lot going on in this book but it never feels to crowded: instead the characters feel like real people living real, complicated lives, and discovering new things about themselves and the others in their lives along the way.
- I loved that it was not quite friends to lovers and not quite second chance, but also not NOT those things. It was messy, but always clear that Delilah and Claire were good together.
- There's a lot going on in this book but it never feels to crowded: instead the characters feel like real people living real, complicated lives, and discovering new things about themselves and the others in their lives along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Grief, and Infidelity
beforeviolets's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
TW: sexual content (onscreen), death of parent (both parents, offscreen, past), grief (heavy theme), trauma, heavy alcohol consumption (arguably dependent), toxic relationship (emotionally abusive, gaslighting), cancer (death, mention, offscreen), parental abandonment (minor), infidelity (past, mention), blood (mention)
Things I liked:
-The chemistry between the characters. The romance between them is wildly compelling from the very beginning and is at the center of what drives this story. It is exactly as it should be for a romance book.
-The Parent Trap inspired camping trip? Brilliant. Has my whole heart. I was laughing out loud the whole time.
-The healing that is approached in the book. Be warned, this is not as light-hearted as it may suggest. We begin the story meeting all of the characters with all of their walls up, filled with fear and putting up a front in the world around them. As the story unravels, we begin to see the cracks in their defenses, and the vulnerability and the growth that is made to overcome their pain and to become better communicators, better friends, better lovers, and better people is astounding and beautiful to watch.
-The overall love in this book. These characters are more than just a friend group, they’re a family. This is shown through tenderness and sacrifice, but also shown through accountability and boundaries. Every single character has something to learn in the way they express love, even the side characters, which I find rare in romance novels. It was nice to see other characters as more than just backdrop or comedic effect.
Things I disliked:
-Despite the fact that Delilah is a lesbian, the word “lesbian” was not used even once. Always something that really bugs me, like as if the word is dirty.
-There is a constant display of dependency on alcohol that went unchecked and undiscussed. There was a drink in almost every character’s hands in nearly every scene, and in the rare moments that there wasn’t, they would say something like “I need a drink” or “I need something stronger” and had a drink in their hand within a matter of sentences. Considering how intense and constant their need for alcohol was, it seemed bizarre and frankly harmful for it to not be commented on AT ALL.
-I didn’t feel like Claire, Astrid, or Iris’s opinion on Delilah as a kid made sense at all. Delilah had literally lost a parent and was obviously deeply depressed and so they viewed her not only as weird, but thought she was a jerk for isolating herself in her own fear and grief? And blamed her for hurting Astrid’s feelings by not hanging out with her? It was just never believable to me and honestly made me think that the three of them were really awful.
- The photograph being used in the gallery show without Claire’s consent. Especially after there was a whole scene making a huge deal about how Delilah knew it was a huge invasion of privacy and would never share it without Claire’s permission, this felt REALLY gross. It wouldn’t have been that hard to insert a line somewhere in which Claire sees it and says something about it like “I wish you had shown it off” or “This is beautiful, it should be in a gallery,” etc. And if the issue was having the “reveal” of the picture later on, we could’ve not had it described to us, the audience, until the end, but Claire still deserved to be talked to about that.
- The choices made for the 3rd Act Breakup and the Get Back Together. Delilah just taking off without any communication feels directly disrespectful to Claire’s trauma and character growth. She is literally currently struggling with setting boundaries about people abandoning her or not communicating with her and for Delilah to do exactly that and then just expect to be taken back (and then be taken back) was so dismissive of Claire’s storyline. It gave Claire an unsatisfying and low-key upsetting conclusion to her story, with her growth being compromised for the sake of Delilah's - which was pretty ironic considering she gives a whole spiel about how she can’t and won’t compromise herself for anyone.
Things I liked:
-The chemistry between the characters. The romance between them is wildly compelling from the very beginning and is at the center of what drives this story. It is exactly as it should be for a romance book.
-The Parent Trap inspired camping trip? Brilliant. Has my whole heart. I was laughing out loud the whole time.
-The healing that is approached in the book. Be warned, this is not as light-hearted as it may suggest. We begin the story meeting all of the characters with all of their walls up, filled with fear and putting up a front in the world around them. As the story unravels, we begin to see the cracks in their defenses, and the vulnerability and the growth that is made to overcome their pain and to become better communicators, better friends, better lovers, and better people is astounding and beautiful to watch.
-The overall love in this book. These characters are more than just a friend group, they’re a family. This is shown through tenderness and sacrifice, but also shown through accountability and boundaries. Every single character has something to learn in the way they express love, even the side characters, which I find rare in romance novels. It was nice to see other characters as more than just backdrop or comedic effect.
Things I disliked:
-Despite the fact that Delilah is a lesbian, the word “lesbian” was not used even once. Always something that really bugs me, like as if the word is dirty.
-There is a constant display of dependency on alcohol that went unchecked and undiscussed. There was a drink in almost every character’s hands in nearly every scene, and in the rare moments that there wasn’t, they would say something like “I need a drink” or “I need something stronger” and had a drink in their hand within a matter of sentences. Considering how intense and constant their need for alcohol was, it seemed bizarre and frankly harmful for it to not be commented on AT ALL.
-I didn’t feel like Claire, Astrid, or Iris’s opinion on Delilah as a kid made sense at all. Delilah had literally lost a parent and was obviously deeply depressed and so they viewed her not only as weird, but thought she was a jerk for isolating herself in her own fear and grief? And blamed her for hurting Astrid’s feelings by not hanging out with her? It was just never believable to me and honestly made me think that the three of them were really awful.
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, and Abandonment
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