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strawberrytheauthor's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
This book starts off with a drunken marriage in vegas. That alone was enough to pull me in, especially because it was with two women.
I enjoyed the book and I’m very happy that Grace (the main character) was able to work through her problems with a therapist. However, by the end of the book she still hadn’t told her father about her wife. Wack!
I enjoyed the book and I’m very happy that Grace (the main character) was able to work through her problems with a therapist. However, by the end of the book she still hadn’t told her father about her wife. Wack!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Mental illness, Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Cursing, Terminal illness, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and War
deckleeditproof's review
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Lesbophobia and Racism
_rhea_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Grace Porter has always had a plan and now she has accomplished it. PhD in hand, she’s ready to take on the next part of her journey. But what will that part look like? And how hard will she have to work to earn her father’s pride and respect from her white coworkers? When she celebrates in Las Vegas with her closest friends, ending up married to a stranger was definitely not part of the plan. But can it be?
This heartfelt novel was tender and full of yearning. I fell head over heels for Grace and her found family. True, I sometimes thought “having so many endearing characters is not like real life”. But none of these characters is without flaws - they are all painfully human. Grace Porter’s journey struck a chord deep within me. Of course, I cannot compare to the hardships she has to face as a Black, queer woman in a scientific environment filled with white men. But I know something of feeling lonely and lost, almost done with a PhD at 29 and with the gnawing feeling that people have had time to figure things out and get started with life while you’re deep in theoretical work.
The poetry within Morgan Rogers’s prose utterly charmed me. As a reader who tends to stay as far away from romances as possible, this one felt both messy and sweet, and the willingness of those two girls to make this marriage work somehow touched me. Who knew a contemporary romance would end up as one of my favourite books of the year?
Rep: queer, lesbian MC. Asian, lesbian love interest. Diverse & queer cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Self harm
beebeewin's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
This is sapphic love story and a story of finding yourself, that is moving, funny, cute, and poignant. While I can't identify with everything Grace is going through, I can deeply relate to her emotional and mental journey in this book. Being the "perfect" child is impossible and Morgan Rogers captures how painful it is to learn that for yourself. Grace is a well written character, who's flaws are relatable and raw. Rogers writes stunning inner monologues, something you can really appreciate in this novel. I was drawn in by Grace and her friends who are so full-bodied and alive; I stayed for the simmering romance that was incredibly cute. The ending felt so true to the rest of the novel and all loose ends were tied up, if not full resolved. I appreciate how nothing is glossed over or mysteriously resolved, but instead we are left with an ending that feels true to life. It is messy, imperfect, and beautiful. My only critique is Grace's friends got much more attention and care than Yuki's friends, and I want to know Yuki's friends. This is the kind of novel where I almost want a sequel from Yuki's perspective. For the fullness in character for everyone else, it made Yuki's friends seem like props instead of full-fledged characters. I recommend this to anyone wanting a little romance mixed with mental health journey.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Abandonment, Sexism, Mental illness, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
lynsea's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nice read! We love queer representation with diverse backgrounds. Also a good read if you’re feeling lost on your current life path, especially if it’s post grad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Abandonment and Panic attacks/disorders
seekittyread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Racism
kickitupanotch7's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
The narrator has a slight lisp, that initially made it hard for me to get into the book. I stuck with it and the lisp became less noticeable as the story progressed.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
This story is super diverse with characters of many colors, cultures, and sexualities. Though the main character has a somewhat traditional family, she and Yuki also form several found families. The relationships she has with each of them are dynamic and interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Self harm
Minor: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
gotem's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.25
For a contemporary romance it was described to me as, this was much more about mental health, deepening family relationships, and the difficulty of being seen. I think anyone who identifies as a type a person with a complicated family history may feel a little to connected to Grace than they may feel comfortable with at times.
It is a very introspective book disguised as a contemporary romance with an unsurprising plot, with remarkably real interactions between characters.
It is a very introspective book disguised as a contemporary romance with an unsurprising plot, with remarkably real interactions between characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Self harm
Moderate: Racism and Suicide attempt