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isabella_favaro's review
emotional
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? N/A
4.0
birdyreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
This book really worked for me. Something about the level of wholesome, the woo woo aunt, and the development of the characters just fits. Definitely high on my list of sapphic recommendations
a_j0n_3s's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
alexxmichelle's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was a good book! The reason I dont rate it very well is because dane reminded me of my high school bully. It was a little hard for me to get into but once i was halfway through i started enjoying it more. I did like that it centered on a non-binary character and a lesbian i loved that representation as a queer person. Cast of the book was diverse in the sense of gender and sexuality but there weren’t any characters of color as far as I'm aware. Overall a good book but not one of my favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Bullying
zoefranka's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
reeg_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I love anything Katia Rose writes and Just Might Work did not disappoint. To ensure they don’t lose their housing, Dane and Evangeline agree to pretend to date to trick Dane’s aunt into thinking they are soulmates, which Dane’s aunt is 100000% sure of. While Dane and Evangeline couldn’t be more different and argue at every chance they get, they have amazing chemistry together. While working on their scheme to keep their lease, Dane and Evangeline learn they are more similar than they initially thought and the line between fake and real starts to blur. Just Might Work is a fun read, especially for fans of fake-dating.
misha_ali's review against another edition
5.0
I got an ARC for this one, and boy, am I glad I did. I normally enjoy Katia's romances but she's hit it out of the park for me with this one.
One of the main problems I have with a lot of romances in general is that the characters are not very well fleshed out. They usually have some shallow issues, some insta-attraction and viola, a happy ever after.
When you're reading the first chapter and read the words, "We're sexy cows!" (literally), you can't help but be hooked. Dane is a fantastically well-rounded non-binary character. They aren't really sure about gender or sexuality but are open to figuring it out and just want people to respect their preferences and care about what they're comfortable with, which is incredibly relatable no matter where you are in your journey with anything about your identity.
Evangeline is one of the cutest dorks I have read in fiction. She plans things down to the minute, has an axotl named Mimi in her room, and likes to listen to audiobooks of, as Dane calls them, fairy porn around the house. The two hatch a plot to keep saving on rent and work towards their dreams and, would you know it, they find they kind of like each other now that they've stopped bickering and pushing each others' buttons.
I loved that everything, from the supporting characters to the house they live in, is a fully rounded out character with complex emotions and growth to go through. We learn some valuable lessons and have some actual personal growth, which is fantastic to see in a romance.
Also, it's very steamy, phew. There's some very inventive use of one character's hobbies which just goes to show that even more intimate scenes can be fun and interesting.
I loved this book. It's definitely one of my top queer romances this year.
One of the main problems I have with a lot of romances in general is that the characters are not very well fleshed out. They usually have some shallow issues, some insta-attraction and viola, a happy ever after.
When you're reading the first chapter and read the words, "We're sexy cows!" (literally), you can't help but be hooked. Dane is a fantastically well-rounded non-binary character. They aren't really sure about gender or sexuality but are open to figuring it out and just want people to respect their preferences and care about what they're comfortable with, which is incredibly relatable no matter where you are in your journey with anything about your identity.
Evangeline is one of the cutest dorks I have read in fiction. She plans things down to the minute, has an axotl named Mimi in her room, and likes to listen to audiobooks of, as Dane calls them, fairy porn around the house. The two hatch a plot to keep saving on rent and work towards their dreams and, would you know it, they find they kind of like each other now that they've stopped bickering and pushing each others' buttons.
I loved that everything, from the supporting characters to the house they live in, is a fully rounded out character with complex emotions and growth to go through. We learn some valuable lessons and have some actual personal growth, which is fantastic to see in a romance.
Also, it's very steamy, phew. There's some very inventive use of one character's hobbies which just goes to show that even more intimate scenes can be fun and interesting.
I loved this book. It's definitely one of my top queer romances this year.
hijinx17's review
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
4.0
This book had me LAUGHING. OUT. LOUD. Great enemies-to-lovers/fake dating romance. An interesting and respectful representation of a gender non-conforming person's experience. Explicit consent In all spicy scenes. Highly recommend!
gabbyaspiotis's review
5.0
i loved this so so so much!!!
i always love a good fake dating story and this one actually made sense and had everything i wanted! the tension, laughs, steam, everything.
evangeline was made for me i swear. she’s a smut lover and prefers reading about romances than trying to have any of her own. i connected with her so much. she’s a bit cynical when it comes to relationships but it makes sense once you know her backstory. however, that made her have a really interesting point of view that was distinct from dane’s.
dane was so fun! i liked the discussions around it being okay to not know what your gender/sexuality is. it made me feel really seen. i really felt for them when they were talking about their struggles with that and with their family not seeing them as anything but a deadbeat because they didn’t have a “typical career.”
but their relationship!!! it was so good! i loved the discussions around what the other person likes/doesn’t like and is comfortable with during sex because it made dane so much more safe and it’s really important to see those conversations happen. the amount of tension between the two was perfect, going from roommates who dislike each other to not being able to keep their hands off each other to being in love. you could really see it all play out and i felt like it went at the right pace to be believable.
the ending was also adorable and i loved how evangeline got closure with her parents and dane was able to follow their dreams of being a photographer!
thank you storyorigin for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
i always love a good fake dating story and this one actually made sense and had everything i wanted! the tension, laughs, steam, everything.
evangeline was made for me i swear. she’s a smut lover and prefers reading about romances than trying to have any of her own. i connected with her so much. she’s a bit cynical when it comes to relationships but it makes sense once you know her backstory. however, that made her have a really interesting point of view that was distinct from dane’s.
dane was so fun! i liked the discussions around it being okay to not know what your gender/sexuality is. it made me feel really seen. i really felt for them when they were talking about their struggles with that and with their family not seeing them as anything but a deadbeat because they didn’t have a “typical career.”
but their relationship!!! it was so good! i loved the discussions around what the other person likes/doesn’t like and is comfortable with during sex because it made dane so much more safe and it’s really important to see those conversations happen. the amount of tension between the two was perfect, going from roommates who dislike each other to not being able to keep their hands off each other to being in love. you could really see it all play out and i felt like it went at the right pace to be believable.
the ending was also adorable and i loved how evangeline got closure with her parents and dane was able to follow their dreams of being a photographer!
thank you storyorigin for this arc in exchange for an honest review!