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lewnie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Delilah Green only came back to her small hometown of Bright Falls, Oregon to photograph her stepsister Astrid’s wedding and head back to Brooklyn $15,000 richer. She’s not interested in re-living any of the bad memories here or playing nice with Astrid and her two best friends, Claire and Iris. But when the focus turns from bridesmaid's activities to sabotaging Astrid’s relationship with her terrible fiancé, Claire and Delilah realize there might be something sparking between them. As their tension-filled flirting turns into more, Claire and Delilah have to face the reality of their situation: single-mother Claire isn’t interested in casual relationships but Delilah has a blossoming photography career waiting for her in New York.
The good: I was excited about the prospect of a f/f rom-com, particularly with such strong bisexual representation. I think that Blake really shines in her portrayal of bisexual women, and I personally felt very connected to her characters. I also appreciated the growth that both Astrid and Delilah show throughout the course of the book. They have each suffered their own childhood traumas that they are clearly continuing to work through and I enjoyed the way that Blake develops that growth without trying to jump to an immediate conclusion.
The female relationships, good and bad, are front and center here. I loved the exploration of female friendship, sisterhood, and the different iterations of mother-daughter relationships. While there is pain and toxicity in some of these relationships, there is also beauty, growth, empowerment, and love.
The female relationships, good and bad, are front and center here. I loved the exploration of female friendship, sisterhood, and the different iterations of mother-daughter relationships. While there is pain and toxicity in some of these relationships, there is also beauty, growth, empowerment, and love.
The bad: Astrid, Claire, and Iris clearly filled the role of the high school mean girls. However, Blake’s attempt to rehabilitate them fell a little flat for me. Claire’s obvious guilt for her role in bullying Delilah felt forced in her flashbacks, and I think Delilah let it go too quickly for how deeply it affected her life.
(For me personally, I couldn’t get past the setting. Being from this area of Oregon myself, I want to believe that this quaint little town could exist. However the reality of it really drew me out of the story. For anyone else, I am sure that this would not be an issue but I really struggled with it.)
Overall: This checks all of my rom-com boxes. I loved the relationships and the representations of the queer characters. I think the relationship between Delilah and Claire’s daughter Ruby was very sweet and an excellent addition. I enjoyed the growth of Delilah and Claire’s relationship as well as the relationship between Delilah and Astrid. I also think the healing process Delilah grows through is powerful and lends the overall story a little more heft than a typical rom-com. While I may harbor some resentment for the past actions of Astrid’s mean-girl clique, I don’t think it detracts from the story in a negative way. Overall, I think this is a heartwarming comfort-read. While I probably won’t read this again, I absolutely see its value in the romance canon and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great Sapphic rom-com.
For fans of Alexandra Bellefleur, Casey McQuiston, and Tessa Bailey.
Rep.: f/f relationship; lesbian mc; bi mc; bi sc.
CW: sexual content, death of a parent, grief, toxic relationship, abandonment, alcohol, bullying, misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Classism
sembich1031's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
3.75
Delilah and Claire’s relationship is very cute during their moments together but it does focus a lot on character flaws and it’s giving very much “I should have gone to therapy” vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
readandfindout's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Blood
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This has got to be the cutest queer romance book I've ever read. And that's saying something. But like - I was squealing through most of the story. It was just so good.
First and foremost, I loved the cast - the entire cast. Every single person was so valuable to the story and made it so interesting and balanced. There was no singular person who I thought could've been left out.
Secondly, the deeper conflicts in the book were just as excellent - if not more - than the romance itself. The fact that Delilah struggles throughout the book with her identity as a daughter and sister, despite being so confident in every other aspect of her life was so well done.
And on the other hand, there's Claire, a bi, single mom with the intense desire to make sure everyone around her is comfortable and happy - without really taking much care of herself and her own needs. She also struggles with raising her daughter, trusting her ex, and being happy with someone who her friends don't necessarily approve of.
There's a bit of a "forbidden love" vibe, which was almost addictive. The secret dating kept things steamy throughout the entire story, which was a lot of fun (especially at the spa *wink wink*). Even though the chemistry was there very early on, it was a slow burn but in the best way possible.
Of course, Astrid's story is a huge aspect of this book, which was a bit of a surprise. I figured the "get her away from her fiancé" thing wouldn't last super long, but it wound up being a really integral part. From what I've heard, the sequel is going to be primarily about Astrid, which I love. She was fascinating to me and I can't wait to see what happens in her life.
I would absolutely read this book again. It was cute and sweet but also had a ton of great depth!
First and foremost, I loved the cast - the entire cast. Every single person was so valuable to the story and made it so interesting and balanced. There was no singular person who I thought could've been left out.
Secondly, the deeper conflicts in the book were just as excellent - if not more - than the romance itself. The fact that Delilah struggles throughout the book with her identity as a daughter and sister, despite being so confident in every other aspect of her life was so well done.
And on the other hand, there's Claire, a bi, single mom with the intense desire to make sure everyone around her is comfortable and happy - without really taking much care of herself and her own needs. She also struggles with raising her daughter, trusting her ex, and being happy with someone who her friends don't necessarily approve of.
There's a bit of a "forbidden love" vibe, which was almost addictive. The secret dating kept things steamy throughout the entire story, which was a lot of fun (especially at the spa *wink wink*). Even though the chemistry was there very early on, it was a slow burn but in the best way possible.
Of course, Astrid's story is a huge aspect of this book, which was a bit of a surprise. I figured the "get her away from her fiancé" thing wouldn't last super long, but it wound up being a really integral part. From what I've heard, the sequel is going to be primarily about Astrid, which I love. She was fascinating to me and I can't wait to see what happens in her life.
I would absolutely read this book again. It was cute and sweet but also had a ton of great depth!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
jencolumb0's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book feels like it shouldn’t really work . . . or be good: stereotypical, slim, brooding lesbian (Katherine Moenning would be a shoe-in) takes on the loss that made her that way . . . with the unlikely support of a blond bi chick with a kid, one bed troupe, and all.
But then, it does. And explores the multi-faceted aspects of relationships among women better than Steel Magnolias ever did. And the stuff that could be so trite (see, the Katherine Moenning type on a camping trip ) isn’t. The fact that three folks out of a group of four are bi strikes me as a little unrealistic but my glee arising from the bi representation rapidly overcomes that. 💖💜💙
The elements of loss and growth explored in this book mean that it’s not a thoroughly escapist read but it’s a really solid, worthwhile one that I’m not done thinking about yet.
But then, it does. And explores the multi-faceted aspects of relationships among women better than Steel Magnolias ever did. And the stuff that could be so trite (see,
The elements of loss and growth explored in this book mean that it’s not a thoroughly escapist read but it’s a really solid, worthwhile one that I’m not done thinking about yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
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: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Blood
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