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gothbaby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I’m starting this review before I even finish this book—I am on Chapter 32, for those wondering—because my mind can’t settle or wrap itself around this book.
This is my first-ever Lee Winter book after years of seeing her work being praised by readers, and I am not going to offer those kinds of words when it comes to this book because I simply did not enjoy it (nor do I foresee changing my mind).
I will start with the ugliest part: the representation of its POC characters was gross. Almost all of the people of
colour in this book were a poor stereotype of their ethnicity, race, and culture. They were almost all service industry workers such as a receptionist, a cleaner, a maid, and a driver. Lisa, one of the Latine characters and the receptionist, was implied to be promiscuous and was written to speak an incredibly whitewashed and unnatural form of Spanglish that could only have been written by someone who a) does not know what Spanglish actually is and/or sounds like and b) did no research on how to represent the Latine population of New York City. As someone who is both, I felt nothing but frustration for the random Spanish words in her sentences because they served no purpose to
the plot nor added anything to the character herself.
I should have DNFd it when I had the chance because this really set the tone for the lack of research that went into this story. Not only were the POC characters barely one dimensional, the author also played into the stereotypes of New York City where “everyone is miserable,” and Queens is obviously dangerous and crime-laden, and the only way to refer to Midtown is by calling it Times Square over and over despite there being no other geographical content to really show the author has ever even been here.
Similarly, and perhaps most notably, I do not believe any of the fashion pieces—both the clothes and aspects of the industry—were at all thought out to match what this industry is supposed to actually be. The steampunk looks were immediate and definite nos for me, which unfortunately kept me from finding anyone as attractive or beautiful as they were supposed to be.
Similarly, and perhaps most notably, I do not believe any of the fashion pieces—both the clothes and aspects of the industry—were at all thought out to match what this industry is supposed to actually be. The steampunk looks were immediate and definite nos for me, which unfortunately kept me from finding anyone as attractive or beautiful as they were supposed to be.
Personal sentiments aside, I genuinely found the plot and “romance” incredibly boring and lacklustre. I say “romance” in quotations because there is literally no chemistry between the two main characters. In fact, I wouldn’t even say there was any attraction between them considering there simply weren’t enough interactions between them to warrant a believable set up for an eventual relationship. I found that Maddie’s “realisation” that she was “in love” (this is too strong of a feeling but I assume that’s what was meant to be conveyed) was so abrupt that I thought I missed an entire chapter. She had just been fired… yet suddenly realised she wanted nothing but for Elena… the woman who fired her… to be happy…? Yikes. It’s a no for me! In an attempt to make Elena mysterious and even enticing, the author made her rude and unbelievable in her reciprocity of romantic feelings for Maddie.
They had the same pattern of dialogue over and over and over again with zero growth whatsoever. They’d open up to each other, Elena would be rude or say something Maddie didn’t like, Maddie would get mad, Elena would end the conversation. Again: where is the romance? Should I also mention the blatant biphobia as Maddie constantly told herself that Elena couldn’t possibly be into her since she “was married and obviously straight.” Boo, do better.
I grew incredibly tired of being told how incredible Elena was at business and cringed anytime someone or Elena herself referred to her as “tiger shark.” In an effort to make Elena comparable to—if not inspired by—The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly, the author simply made Elena rude and not even a quarter of what Miranda Priestly was (in the movie or fanfictions that followed).
Lastly, I don’t think the dual POV worked as a published story. The characters has little in terms of a discernible voice and the switch was redundant. I wish there was more development overall because it all felt so flat to me. While the last few chapters were more enjoyable, my overall experience was sadly unenjoyable. It wasn’t for me, despite how much I love the adult age-gap trope, so I will likely not reread it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Sexual harassment
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