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literarylycan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
This book was SO GOOD! I wish it was longer because I could read about the main characters forever and ever. It was the best romance I’ve ever read despite being so short. I am madly in love, I can’t get enough.
bruisedtigers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Absolutely charmed and enamoured with this. There's an enchanting world of magic developed in such few words. I love the descriptions of Cecily's work and the life she's built; it's easy to fall in love with her, the same way Roy does. Both protagonists are rounded, endearing, and watching them fall in love feels tender and warm. What a comforting and romantic read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
mandkips's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Transphobia
codalion's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm. To be honest this was essentially 1/3 of a book, but it was 1/3 I liked of an imaginary book I also would have liked - I've never read a romantic story with such a graceful prose style and such a compelling premise and so little development, honestly. I'm not sure why something so specific and bittersweet got crushed into novella form, but it really suffered for it.
I was mystified by how little connection the characters formed - I felt that I was in the opening 1/4 of a romantic arc for the entire thing, and then at the end it attempted to catapult itself to the ending 1/5th. There's stories where people "barely know each other" and fall in love that readers complain about, but I can't even say this goes that far; I'd say they barely know each other and by the end, they still barely know each other. It's very strange.
But the situation is so interesting that I really want to unreasonably forgive it? And there was something very memorable about Cecily, even if Roy felt like sort of a placeholder boyfriend for Cecily's story. (An inoffensive one, but one wants for more than 'inoffensive' in a man.) And I still like Austin Chant's writing. What a weird thing to exist. I hope someday there's a full-length version of it.
I was mystified by how little connection the characters formed - I felt that I was in the opening 1/4 of a romantic arc for the entire thing, and then at the end it attempted to catapult itself to the ending 1/5th. There's stories where people "barely know each other" and fall in love that readers complain about, but I can't even say this goes that far; I'd say they barely know each other and by the end, they still barely know each other. It's very strange.
But the situation is so interesting that I really want to unreasonably forgive it? And there was something very memorable about Cecily, even if Roy felt like sort of a placeholder boyfriend for Cecily's story. (An inoffensive one, but one wants for more than 'inoffensive' in a man.) And I still like Austin Chant's writing. What a weird thing to exist. I hope someday there's a full-length version of it.
lennie_reads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia, Death, and Homophobia
bookswithbri's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
cas_the_second's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
onceupon_a_bookdream's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet, witchy, queer novella.
Rep: Trans MCs
Rep: Trans MCs
nachokid's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
hadas's review against another edition
3.0
This was a short and sweet book. I especially like the style of the story, old-west with beautiful descriptions of magic. I can definitely read more stories in the same settings.
Definitely recommended to those interested in LGBTQ stories.
Definitely recommended to those interested in LGBTQ stories.