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Reviews tagging 'Cancer'
Calling Your Bluff: An Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy by Kate Campfield
1 review
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Miller, a poker player who unexpectedly finds himself as a camp counselor, and Becca, his no-nonsense co-counselor. Sparks fly, but not in the way you might expect.
I really liked Miller. He’s sweet, funny, and brings a lot of light to the story. His relationships with his family and friends were a joy to read, and he just comes off as a genuinely good guy. However, Becca was a different story. I know she’s supposed to be the "grumpy" one in the grumpy-sunshine trope, but I never really warmed up to her. Because of this, I didn’t find myself rooting for their relationship as much as I wanted to.
The summer camp setting plays a big role in the book, but since I never had a summer camp experience, it didn’t really resonate with me. It felt like a significant part of the story that I just couldn’t connect with. For someone who has those nostalgic camp memories, this aspect might be more appealing.
The romance is a slow burn with good banter but low on the spicy moments. While some readers might enjoy the gradual build-up, I found it just okay. I did appreciate the diversity with Becca being biracial and the representation of Down Syndrome through several characters. However, it felt a bit too convenient how DS kept showing up in the plot.
I was also expecting more about poker and gambling, given the title and cover. There was a scene at the start, but then it kind of disappeared. I think incorporating more of Miller’s betting skills could have added an interesting layer to the story and played up the theme of taking risks.
Overall, "Calling Your Bluff" has its moments, especially with a character like Miller. The diversity and representation are commendable, but the disconnect with Becca, the camp setting, and the underused poker theme left it feeling a bit flat for me. It’s a decent read, especially if you enjoy slow-burn romances and camp nostalgia, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I really liked Miller. He’s sweet, funny, and brings a lot of light to the story. His relationships with his family and friends were a joy to read, and he just comes off as a genuinely good guy. However, Becca was a different story. I know she’s supposed to be the "grumpy" one in the grumpy-sunshine trope, but I never really warmed up to her. Because of this, I didn’t find myself rooting for their relationship as much as I wanted to.
The summer camp setting plays a big role in the book, but since I never had a summer camp experience, it didn’t really resonate with me. It felt like a significant part of the story that I just couldn’t connect with. For someone who has those nostalgic camp memories, this aspect might be more appealing.
The romance is a slow burn with good banter but low on the spicy moments. While some readers might enjoy the gradual build-up, I found it just okay. I did appreciate the diversity with Becca being biracial and the representation of Down Syndrome through several characters. However, it felt a bit too convenient how DS kept showing up in the plot.
I was also expecting more about poker and gambling, given the title and cover. There was a scene at the start, but then it kind of disappeared. I think incorporating more of Miller’s betting skills could have added an interesting layer to the story and played up the theme of taking risks.
Overall, "Calling Your Bluff" has its moments, especially with a character like Miller. The diversity and representation are commendable, but the disconnect with Becca, the camp setting, and the underused poker theme left it feeling a bit flat for me. It’s a decent read, especially if you enjoy slow-burn romances and camp nostalgia, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Abandonment