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queergoth_reads's review
emotional
funny
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
4.5
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the publishers but all thoughts are my own.
I knew I would love this book because the first two are fantastic and I love fake dating. It gave me everything I want in a romance and I loved getting to know Iris a lot better. I also thought Stevie was wonderful and I felt like her struggles with anxiety were so relatable for me. It was nice to see that portrayed in a romance books love interest.
I also think it was really clear that the author has heard the audience comments on the previous books in the series because this one had a much more diverse cast and it was good to see lesbian being used in reference to many of the characters (rather than just queer which happens all too often).
I think introducing a new cast of characters in Stevie's friends and colleagues was great because it opened the world up to being more diverse but ultimately I think some of the side character were a tiny bit undeveloped. I think Vanessa deserved more space in the story give than she's supposed to be one of Stevie's best friends. Though ultimately in a "standard" romance I feel like often the MC and love interests friends are sidelined a bit to make space for the main story. I mean even the previous books characters weren't as prominent in this book (I wanted more Astrid).
Still loved every second of it and it was exactly what I needed right now. Can't wait to get hold of a physical copy and do a reread of the whole trilogy.
I knew I would love this book because the first two are fantastic and I love fake dating. It gave me everything I want in a romance and I loved getting to know Iris a lot better. I also thought Stevie was wonderful and I felt like her struggles with anxiety were so relatable for me. It was nice to see that portrayed in a romance books love interest.
I also think it was really clear that the author has heard the audience comments on the previous books in the series because this one had a much more diverse cast and it was good to see lesbian being used in reference to many of the characters (rather than just queer which happens all too often).
I think introducing a new cast of characters in Stevie's friends and colleagues was great because it opened the world up to being more diverse but ultimately I think some of the side character were a tiny bit undeveloped. I think Vanessa deserved more space in the story give than she's supposed to be one of Stevie's best friends. Though ultimately in a "standard" romance I feel like often the MC and love interests friends are sidelined a bit to make space for the main story. I mean even the previous books characters weren't as prominent in this book (I wanted more Astrid).
Still loved every second of it and it was exactly what I needed right now. Can't wait to get hold of a physical copy and do a reread of the whole trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit and Toxic relationship
sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars on audio! Thanks to PRH and LibroFM for an early copy.
I love this series and I think Iris’s story was a great way to wrap it up. Iris and Stevie are so great together and I found their relationship arc, while being silly and a bit unbelievable (hi this is a contemporary romance), was still real and hard fought.
Stevie’s GAD was written with a lot of care and I felt very seen in her character’s anxiety. She and Iris both had so much to sort through in order to be in a healthy relationship, and I appreciate that we actually got to see that process instead of everything just ~magically working out~ in the very end of the book.
Also, this book was so gay and I really loved seeing more queer identities represented in the cast of characters, especially compared to books one and two.
One last thing, this was really hot hahaha.
I love this series and I think Iris’s story was a great way to wrap it up. Iris and Stevie are so great together and I found their relationship arc, while being silly and a bit unbelievable (hi this is a contemporary romance), was still real and hard fought.
Stevie’s GAD was written with a lot of care and I felt very seen in her character’s anxiety. She and Iris both had so much to sort through in order to be in a healthy relationship, and I appreciate that we actually got to see that process instead of everything just ~magically working out~ in the very end of the book.
Also, this book was so gay and I really loved seeing more queer identities represented in the cast of characters, especially compared to books one and two.
One last thing, this was really hot hahaha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Infidelity
katebrownreads's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
alexfromistemor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
A heartfelt thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for this eARC
It's done! The trilogy is done, and now I don't know what to do! I don't want to leave Bright Falls! *proceeds to collapse in a crying, blubbering mess*
This was exactly what I wanted for Ashley's three book queer rom-com trilogy. As with the others, it was damned near perfect. Plus, with this one, Iris is working as a writing working on a sapphic rom-com so the nudges to the audience talking about tropes while living the tropes? Romanception. ^_^
I'm going to keep this brief, I'll come back for a fuller review closer to the release date as I've done in the past, but lemme just say I love how she leaves the girls we've come to know and adore, and Stevie and the new arrivals? Chef's kiss. Perfect.
Plus, the snippet from Ashley's next title? Can't wait already...
More to come!
It's done! The trilogy is done, and now I don't know what to do! I don't want to leave Bright Falls! *proceeds to collapse in a crying, blubbering mess*
This was exactly what I wanted for Ashley's three book queer rom-com trilogy. As with the others, it was damned near perfect. Plus, with this one, Iris is working as a writing working on a sapphic rom-com so the nudges to the audience talking about tropes while living the tropes? Romanception. ^_^
I'm going to keep this brief, I'll come back for a fuller review closer to the release date as I've done in the past, but lemme just say I love how she leaves the girls we've come to know and adore, and Stevie and the new arrivals? Chef's kiss. Perfect.
Plus, the snippet from Ashley's next title? Can't wait already...
More to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A spectacular and emotional end to a beloved sapphic romance series.
Watching Iris throughout the Bight Fall book series has had me on the edge of my chair itching for her book. And let me tell you Herring-Blake knocked this one out of the park.
Iris, being nagged at by her family to settle down takes to a community theater show with her friend Simon. Landing the role across from Stevie, the woman she had just had a unsuccessful one night stand with and recently out of a long term relationship. Needing to show the director of the show and her ex that she is truly over her, Stevie and Iris strike up a deal. Iris will be her fake girlfriend and Stevie will give her romance lessons. So that Iris can once again feel what it’s like again and write her second romance novel.
The way that we get to see Iris finally open up to love after being so closed off and shut down after her relationship with Grant and shit show of a relationship with Jillian is such a joy to see. She brings calm to Stevie’s generalized anxiety disorder and Stevie shows her how to trust again.
AND THE SPICE!! I couldn’t get enough. Especially because it isn’t seen often in traditional published sapphic romance novels that they have sex with strap ons. I want more strap ons in my sapphic romance books!
Plus the ending to this book/series had me crying my eyes out. A perfect end to this wonderful series.
Watching Iris throughout the Bight Fall book series has had me on the edge of my chair itching for her book. And let me tell you Herring-Blake knocked this one out of the park.
Iris, being nagged at by her family to settle down takes to a community theater show with her friend Simon. Landing the role across from Stevie, the woman she had just had a unsuccessful one night stand with and recently out of a long term relationship. Needing to show the director of the show and her ex that she is truly over her, Stevie and Iris strike up a deal. Iris will be her fake girlfriend and Stevie will give her romance lessons. So that Iris can once again feel what it’s like again and write her second romance novel.
The way that we get to see Iris finally open up to love after being so closed off and shut down after her relationship with Grant and shit show of a relationship with Jillian is such a joy to see. She brings calm to Stevie’s generalized anxiety disorder and Stevie shows her how to trust again.
AND THE SPICE!! I couldn’t get enough. Especially because it isn’t seen often in traditional published sapphic romance novels that they have sex with strap ons. I want more strap ons in my sapphic romance books!
Plus the ending to this book/series had me crying my eyes out. A perfect end to this wonderful series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
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