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hrtlss_grl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
OK. So I liked this one more than I thought I would for about the first 40% of the book. At one point I almost DNF'd it, but kept going because it was so well written. For most of the book Astrid comes off as this mean girl, and her friends her little clique. Which makes sense, but it just made me want to pull my hair out because I can't stand books where it is a bully-romance. But eventually it gets better, fleshes out the characters more and actually makes it feel like it works. Next one is a sort of Taming of the Shrew sort of thing, so hopefully it can redeem Astrid for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Infidelity, Misogyny, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Such a fun, heartfelt queer romcom!
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how complex and nuanced the characters were. They felt like real, complicated people with real, complicated pasts. Even the side characters had complexity, especially Claire's daughter Ruby who is one of the most realistic child characters I've ever read. I found Delilah particularly relatable, in all of her spiky, petty glory. Claire was so lovely too, just a sweet woman trying to do the best for everyone and struggling with parenting. I loved how tender and vulnerable Claire and Delilah were with each other, even when they thought it was just temporary and casual. Surprisingly steamy for a romcom too, especially a sapphic one.
It was also interesting to see Delilah reexamine her memories of the past and realise they may just be a bit unreliable, that she and Astrid were just stuck in a loop of miscommunication and hurt feelings. I thought it was done really well (aside from the part where Delilah reads Astrid's diary — that felt like such a violation of her privacy).
There were a couple of things that bothered me — the diary reading, how much of the plot of this sapphic romance ultimately centred around a cishet man and a really terrible (borderline caricature-ish) one at that, the whole bet situation. But ultimately this was such a fantastic romance! Reminded me a lot of Book Lovers by Emily Henry with the small-town bookshop/sisters-at-odds vibes, but executed way better (in my opinion).
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how complex and nuanced the characters were. They felt like real, complicated people with real, complicated pasts. Even the side characters had complexity, especially Claire's daughter Ruby who is one of the most realistic child characters I've ever read. I found Delilah particularly relatable, in all of her spiky, petty glory. Claire was so lovely too, just a sweet woman trying to do the best for everyone and struggling with parenting. I loved how tender and vulnerable Claire and Delilah were with each other, even when they thought it was just temporary and casual. Surprisingly steamy for a romcom too, especially a sapphic one.
It was also interesting to see Delilah reexamine her memories of the past and realise they may just be a bit unreliable, that she and Astrid were just stuck in a loop of miscommunication and hurt feelings. I thought it was done really well (aside from the part where Delilah reads Astrid's diary — that felt like such a violation of her privacy).
There were a couple of things that bothered me — the diary reading, how much of the plot of this sapphic romance ultimately centred around a cishet man and a really terrible (borderline caricature-ish) one at that, the whole bet situation. But ultimately this was such a fantastic romance! Reminded me a lot of Book Lovers by Emily Henry with the small-town bookshop/sisters-at-odds vibes, but executed way better (in my opinion).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Cancer, Violence, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
kegila's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Infidelity
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A charmingly delightful queer romantic comedy about learning to trust again, and what happens when you return to your home town. You guys this book had me all in my feels for real! (I ugly cried so much reading this!)
Delilah Green has made a life for herself in New York, and has gotten very practiced at casual hookups and flings, never one to try to have a real relationship after a bad heartbreak. With her stepsisters' wedding coming up, she must travel back to her hometown and confront her past in a place where she was never accepted.
Claire needs to get laid. Badly. The sexy lady she approaches at the bar is just what she needs, only it turns out she is none other than her best friend and bride to be, Astrid's, wicked stepsister, and so totally off limits.
Between wedding events and plotting over how to break up the bride and groom (yes really), the two begin to get very close. Seriously y'all...the SPICE in this book! Someone fetch me a fan and a glass of iced tea because it got steamy. The chemistry and banter between Claire and Delilah was so thrilling to read, and I loved watching their story evolve, as well as each of them grow.
Delilah so perfectly encapsulated the results of being misunderstood and neglected as a child. Astrid is on the other end of the spectrum, with her being the results of an overbearing and over critical Mother. Blake handled so well what happens when two siblings go through having a difficult childhood, and how resentment and misunderstanding can build over time into a twisted and ugly monstrosity.
My only complaint about this book is I wish someone had smacked around Isabel just a little bit. (Okay...a lot!) I wanted a full on rage scene with lots of slapping and maybe even some hitting with a fish.
A must read for lovers of queer books, or fans of a good love story. I can't wait to read the next book!
Delilah Green has made a life for herself in New York, and has gotten very practiced at casual hookups and flings, never one to try to have a real relationship after a bad heartbreak. With her stepsisters' wedding coming up, she must travel back to her hometown and confront her past in a place where she was never accepted.
Claire needs to get laid. Badly. The sexy lady she approaches at the bar is just what she needs, only it turns out she is none other than her best friend and bride to be, Astrid's, wicked stepsister, and so totally off limits.
Between wedding events and plotting over how to break up the bride and groom (yes really), the two begin to get very close. Seriously y'all...the SPICE in this book! Someone fetch me a fan and a glass of iced tea because it got steamy. The chemistry and banter between Claire and Delilah was so thrilling to read, and I loved watching their story evolve, as well as each of them grow.
Delilah so perfectly encapsulated the results of being misunderstood and neglected as a child. Astrid is on the other end of the spectrum, with her being the results of an overbearing and over critical Mother. Blake handled so well what happens when two siblings go through having a difficult childhood, and how resentment and misunderstanding can build over time into a twisted and ugly monstrosity.
My only complaint about this book is I wish someone had smacked around Isabel just a little bit. (Okay...a lot!) I wanted a full on rage scene with lots of slapping and maybe even some hitting with a fish.
A must read for lovers of queer books, or fans of a good love story. I can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Abandonment, and Infidelity
aileron's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity
nyree42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
3.5
Would have been a near perfect queer romance if Delilah had not been the type of person who used people for one-night-stands. That was triggering for me to read about, although I appreciated the deep insights into her psychology as to why she did that. On that note, I didn't like how another character who was in a fairly happy relationship kept telling her single friends to "get laid." "Just sex" is a myth. Even for a one-night-stand there can be a lot of complicated emotions and an unpleasant aftermath.
So no, I can't blindly accept promotions of promiscuity because... it just doesn't make anyone happy in the end. That - and the excessive amounts of alcohol consumption - are why I've only rated this 3.5 stars.
Aside from that letdown, this story was very sweet, genuine, spicy and messy in all the right ways, just like any good romantic relationship.
So no, I can't blindly accept promotions of promiscuity because... it just doesn't make anyone happy in the end. That - and the excessive amounts of alcohol consumption - are why I've only rated this 3.5 stars.
Aside from that letdown, this story was very sweet, genuine, spicy and messy in all the right ways, just like any good romantic relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Infidelity
sydneys_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
yeah bro, of course i’m gonna cry when there is a sister relationship that is tense and strained. literally walking my dog and crying at astrid’s and delilah’s big blowup at the end. delilah finding the journals :( claire and delilah forever <3 excited to see iris and astrid in the next novels
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
josb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fun read that I didn't think would get as much laughs out of me.
I loved the angsty free-spirit and mom pairing, it is not one we see often and usually one benefits more than the other with the other storyline almost too simple or lacking. I felt like both Delilah and Claire were well designed to feel like actual people with actual things going on in their life that feel big, regardless if they are big to everyone around them.
I don't usually care for miscommunication tropes, but it was just set up with so much background that you could see how the character's got to that point because of miscommunication and how it affected them.
There were some flashback parts at the beginning that seemed a bit awkward and there was a small dip in pacing in the middle of the book where the author was setting up for the end and all of the big feelings. But nothing that really ruined my experience.
Certainly worth a read if you are a sucker for queer friend group finding love series or if you are just looking for a funny romance with a some heavier feelings involved.
I loved the angsty free-spirit and mom pairing, it is not one we see often and usually one benefits more than the other with the other storyline almost too simple or lacking. I felt like both Delilah and Claire were well designed to feel like actual people with actual things going on in their life that feel big, regardless if they are big to everyone around them.
I don't usually care for miscommunication tropes, but it was just set up with so much background that you could see how the character's got to that point because of miscommunication and how it affected them.
There were some flashback parts at the beginning that seemed a bit awkward and there was a small dip in pacing in the middle of the book where the author was setting up for the end and all of the big feelings. But nothing that really ruined my experience.
Certainly worth a read if you are a sucker for queer friend group finding love series or if you are just looking for a funny romance with a some heavier feelings involved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Infidelity
Minor: Cancer
mx_sunshine's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute book!
The first half dragged on for me a but then it really picked up!! Almost didn’t finish but I’m so glad I did.
I love all of the characters so much. I love the focus on female relationships (friendship, romance, siblings, mother/daughter). It was wonderful!
I’ve been wanting to read a queer book with a focus on women as the lead and supporting characters.
I appreciated the plus-size representation but after looking at the thin characters on the cover, I’m not sure I read Claire correctly.
All of the characters were white.
There was a lot of drinking. I don’t know if this story would’ve happened without alcohol.
I loved the descriptions of Delilah’s photographs. I loved her relationship with Ruby. I loved the camping chapter.
This is a side thing but I found it hard to remember the characters names? I really don’t think that Delilah Green is a fitting name for the main character. Her personality opposes the name. Which maybe is the point?
And I feel the name Astrid would’ve been better suited to the step-mother and Isabel as the step-daughter. It’s very small but I kept confusing Astrid and Isabel in the beginning.
I loved how differently Claire and Delilah interpreted the same events. It was written in a way that reflected their own insecurities. This meant their miscommunication was understandable and not frustrating to read.
I thought the sexual scenes were written well with a focus on foreplay and consent. It was refreshing after reading the quick and blunt descriptions in ‘Verity’ by Coleen Hoover.
I was surprised by Astrid’s relationship with her fiancé. It was triggering to read at times. I feel like this book used the abuse as a plot device to bring the characters together without acknowledging the abusive nature of the relationship. I was expecting a conversation from the characters about it. The signs of an abusive relationship were subtly threaded throughout the novel but it wasn’t explicitly stated. This might’ve been a deliberate choice to not isolate the audience.
I didn’t like how much was told at the start, I feel like a lot could’ve been cut out to create a better flow. But I did enjoy this book. I will definitely be reading the other books in the Bright Falls series!
The first half dragged on for me a but then it really picked up!! Almost didn’t finish but I’m so glad I did.
I love all of the characters so much. I love the focus on female relationships (friendship, romance, siblings, mother/daughter). It was wonderful!
I’ve been wanting to read a queer book with a focus on women as the lead and supporting characters.
I appreciated the plus-size representation but after looking at the thin characters on the cover, I’m not sure I read Claire correctly.
All of the characters were white.
There was a lot of drinking. I don’t know if this story would’ve happened without alcohol.
I loved the descriptions of Delilah’s photographs. I loved her relationship with Ruby. I loved the camping chapter.
This is a side thing but I found it hard to remember the characters names? I really don’t think that Delilah Green is a fitting name for the main character. Her personality opposes the name. Which maybe is the point?
And I feel the name Astrid would’ve been better suited to the step-mother and Isabel as the step-daughter. It’s very small but I kept confusing Astrid and Isabel in the beginning.
I loved how differently Claire and Delilah interpreted the same events. It was written in a way that reflected their own insecurities. This meant their miscommunication was understandable and not frustrating to read.
I thought the sexual scenes were written well with a focus on foreplay and consent. It was refreshing after reading the quick and blunt descriptions in ‘Verity’ by Coleen Hoover.
I didn’t like how much was told at the start, I feel like a lot could’ve been cut out to create a better flow. But I did enjoy this book. I will definitely be reading the other books in the Bright Falls series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Bullying
marsh_mall0w's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, and Sexism