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graceheartsbooks's review
5.0
I adored Sage and Noah so much! Seeing their rivalry, peeling back the layers of their characters, their backgrounds and letting them find strength through each other. I loved this book so much❤️❤️❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Biphobia
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
btwnprintedpgs's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
4.5
I really really loved this. For a lot of reasons, but I'm going to walk you through a few of them.
First and foremost, I love how Sage and Noah's competitive history is established immediately. You get their history in a way that's natural and interesting, but it also lends itself so well to building both characters. Noah is someone who's always been told that her interests are not valid, her job isn't valid, and she's not enough to be the best, so she's very determined to prove herself, no matter the costs. Sage, on the other hand, is a loner and a fixer - she swoops in to help her family with their finances, but she also pushes people away constantly so she can never be hurt. At the start, they're both so into the art to cope with everything else, they don't see anything else around them.
Their characters develop so well, and as they become lovers you really get to see how they respect, support, and challenge each other. How this impacts their peripheral lives (friends, family, etc.) was also very telling for their growth and development and I feel like every secondary and tertiary character had their purpose. Nothing felt extraneous, and I loved that.
The subject of web comics and comic publishing was so much fun too. I don't know too much about that side of publishing, but I loved learning about their art and interests and getting to know their coworkers. It definitely helped flesh out the main stage (their workplace) and the looming deadlines added stakes and intensity to every moment spent there.
As a bonus, a sapphic sex scene on page?? So rarely do I find books that have that and in such a way the fits the characters so well in their teasing, competitive, yet also soft manner?? Perfection.
I love how every moment in this book matters - not that it's heavy, but that it adds value to the characters and their stories. This book really came to life for me and loved every moment!
Rep: Black bisexual MC, Black lesbian MC with chronic pain (carpal tunnel)
TW: sexual content, chronic illness, burnout, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, abandonment; mentions lesbophobia, biphobia, car accident
First and foremost, I love how Sage and Noah's competitive history is established immediately. You get their history in a way that's natural and interesting, but it also lends itself so well to building both characters. Noah is someone who's always been told that her interests are not valid, her job isn't valid, and she's not enough to be the best, so she's very determined to prove herself, no matter the costs. Sage, on the other hand, is a loner and a fixer - she swoops in to help her family with their finances, but she also pushes people away constantly so she can never be hurt. At the start, they're both so into the art to cope with everything else, they don't see anything else around them.
Their characters develop so well, and as they become lovers you really get to see how they respect, support, and challenge each other. How this impacts their peripheral lives (friends, family, etc.) was also very telling for their growth and development and I feel like every secondary and tertiary character had their purpose. Nothing felt extraneous, and I loved that.
The subject of web comics and comic publishing was so much fun too. I don't know too much about that side of publishing, but I loved learning about their art and interests and getting to know their coworkers. It definitely helped flesh out the main stage (their workplace) and the looming deadlines added stakes and intensity to every moment spent there.
As a bonus, a sapphic sex scene on page?? So rarely do I find books that have that and in such a way the fits the characters so well in their teasing, competitive, yet also soft manner?? Perfection.
I love how every moment in this book matters - not that it's heavy, but that it adds value to the characters and their stories. This book really came to life for me and loved every moment!
Rep: Black bisexual MC, Black lesbian MC with chronic pain (carpal tunnel)
TW: sexual content, chronic illness, burnout, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, abandonment; mentions lesbophobia, biphobia, car accident
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
fuzzywilson's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Car accident, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use
bweeksreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
All I can say is wow this book was amazing. Each time I read I find a song that matches each character, turns out I had an entire playlist that matched this book perfectly. I chose Myspace & I’m not god by Samoht and love quotes by Jenevieve and Bloody Samaritan by Ayra Starr for Noah.
They had the perfect rivals to lovers relationship with barely a drop of miscommunication. Both began to realize they were missing each opportunity to be something more by having such career tunnel vision. Both had the need to prove themselves and be seen/ heard but wouldn’t discuss it.
I saw so much of myself in both Noah & Sage that the resemblance became a little uncanny. Seeking approval, silently asking for help, and burning out to the point it felt like my head would crack open. Pulling yourself out a hole like that is very hard but when someone is there to help the weight is easier to carry.
This was a very beautiful and intimate slow burn that gets infinite stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️♾️
They had the perfect rivals to lovers relationship with barely a drop of miscommunication. Both began to realize they were missing each opportunity to be something more by having such career tunnel vision. Both had the need to prove themselves and be seen/ heard but wouldn’t discuss it.
I saw so much of myself in both Noah & Sage that the resemblance became a little uncanny. Seeking approval, silently asking for help, and burning out to the point it felt like my head would crack open. Pulling yourself out a hole like that is very hard but when someone is there to help the weight is easier to carry.
This was a very beautiful and intimate slow burn that gets infinite stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️♾️
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Gaslighting
hailstorm3812's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is such a fun time. I love the girls, the rival to lovers, the family dynamics, and the message. And the Spice!! (though a few times it could have been longer imo). It has a few self publishisms and typos but none of them remove the charm for me. I just really liked it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic friendship
merryfaith's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident
danaslitlist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
“My loneliness slowly but surely melted with each smile she gave. This was trouble-- I was in trouble. Instead of being vigilant, I fell headfirst, no longer a girl with a plan."
This book was everything I could’ve wanted in a rivals to lovers romance! The characters were so realistic and jumped off the page, the banter and dialogue was a wonderful mixture of humor and tenderness, and the fact that Noah and Sage communicate healthily was the cherry on top.
I absolutely loved the character growth and seeing how they both worked on their own problems without expecting the other to magically fix their behaviors or personal lives. It was refreshing to have a romance not rife with drama and childish behavior constantly between the two leads.
PLUS!! No third act break up.
This book was everything I could’ve wanted in a rivals to lovers romance! The characters were so realistic and jumped off the page, the banter and dialogue was a wonderful mixture of humor and tenderness, and the fact that Noah and Sage communicate healthily was the cherry on top.
I absolutely loved the character growth and seeing how they both worked on their own problems without expecting the other to magically fix their behaviors or personal lives. It was refreshing to have a romance not rife with drama and childish behavior constantly between the two leads.
PLUS!! No third act break up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
cjwitch'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
4.75
This is one of the best romance books I've had the pleasure of reading. Every character, no matter how much page time they received, was fleshed out with flaws and backgrounds and personalities all their own. Sage and Noah, our FMC's, were relatable and lovable. The rivalry didn’t feel contrived, and the progression towards love felt natural. By the time Noah and Sage were falling for each other, the writing had completely dragged me, as the reader, along with them! During Noah’s POV, I was absolutely as smitten with Sage as she was, and the reverse rang true during Sage’s POV.
And the bickering! The way these women teased and taunted each other had me kicking my feet and giggling.
What really touched my heart though, and what will stay with me for a long time, was the exploration of asking for “help” vs looking for “rescue.” How asking for or accepting help, or putting up personal boundaries, doesn’t reduce your personal strength or worth. How it’s necessary and often a way of letting your friends/loved ones show their own caring.
Noah and Sage were both strong women. Neither needed to save or be saved by anyone. They met on equal footing and formed a deep understanding of each other because of it, which only enhanced their ability to lean on each other and support each other once they learned to allow themselves. In turn, that actually deepened their bond and brought both further happiness.
Bi/Lesbian Rep
Carpal Tunnel
Office Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Friends and Family
And the bickering! The way these women teased and taunted each other had me kicking my feet and giggling.
What really touched my heart though, and what will stay with me for a long time, was the exploration of asking for “help” vs looking for “rescue.” How asking for or accepting help, or putting up personal boundaries, doesn’t reduce your personal strength or worth. How it’s necessary and often a way of letting your friends/loved ones show their own caring.
Noah and Sage were both strong women. Neither needed to save or be saved by anyone. They met on equal footing and formed a deep understanding of each other because of it, which only enhanced their ability to lean on each other and support each other once they learned to allow themselves. In turn, that actually deepened their bond and brought both further happiness.
Bi/Lesbian Rep
Carpal Tunnel
Office Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Friends and Family
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism
bookishkellyn's review
reflective
- 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
It’s marketed as enemies to lovers, but it’s more grumpy (Sage) sunshine (Noah) complicated by past miscommunications. The beginning was slow, because there was actually too much character development. It evolved from a potential rom-com to a deep dual POV romance tackling depression and imposter syndrome after the ⅓ mark, and I’m glad I fought the urge to DNF.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
wilybooklover's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This was very cute, but the pacing dragged in the first half and the change from rivals to lovers (and the change in Sage's personality) felt a bit too abrupt. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, which I think contributed to the pacing issues.
Once these two got together though, they were adorable!
Once these two got together though, they were adorable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia, Car accident, and Lesbophobia