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jackiepreston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
kshertz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
wilybooklover's review against another edition
3.5
There were some more modern phrases and vocabulary that I found quite jarring (e.g. ‘a cog in the machinery’ or 'lesbian'), but otherwise the language was fairly accurate. The cover is gorgeous but not representative of the MCs at all; Philippa is described as plump and curvy while Tommy is taller, skinnier, has short hair, and doesn’t like wearing dresses. I believe the cover photo was shot early during the pandemic though so I appreciate they had to work with what they had (I think the couple on the cover are an actual real-life couple).
Although the terms obviously did not exist at the time, to me Philippa read as demisexual and Tommy as non-binary or possibly genderfluid. Just to note since I've seen a lot of people label it as lesbian or F/F, which lacks the nuance of this particular book IMO.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
sunbeam_reader's review
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
sage_alexandra's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
hrtlss_grl's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Classism
slicebread's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia
wordsareworlds's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I did adore the romantic relationship and the conflicts felt grounded. Both Tommy and Philippa recognized what what they needed to do to move forward together and did it, so I 100% believe in their HEA. I also loved reading about a heroine who is large but the only references to her size are positive ones. Tommy loves Philippa's curves, and thinks about them in an adoring, sexy way. I wish we got more of that in other books. That being said, the scene where Tommy is transforming into the old man costume and the later scene where Philippa dons a hasty "man" outfit were gender essentialist about physicality. The second scene isn't bad by itself, but after the first scene I couldn't overlook the way it was stated Philippa could never look like a man because of her body shape.
The last confrontation with Philippa's parents came very close to spoiling the whole end of the book for me.
CN
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Grief
jazdono's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
- THE PERKS OF LOVING A WALLFLOWER is a delightful Regency caper. Secrets! Disguises!Ciphers! It's all great fun.
- I loved that Tommy was a masculine woman and was actively searching for ways to live authentically as herself within the confines of the time (though, as many others have noted, this makes the choice of cover models quite strange, as Tommy does not ever present as femme when not in disguise).
- The Wynchester family of adopted siblings are so joyful. Love a found family, especially when the book is set in a time where that sort of arrangement must be done purposefully.
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcohol