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ambrosiablue's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was so excited to see that TJ Alexander's newest novel dove into polyamorous romance. After reading their other books, I trusted them wholly with capturing a slice of this community in a way that was accurate, uplifting, and accessible to people unfamiliar with polyamory-- and they did spectacularly well. I loved the inclusion of their Guidelines for Poly Living in the text and the way it was changed as the characters' dynamics changed. I am a bit conflicted on the treatment of jealousy in the novel. On the one hand, dealing with jealousy and compersion is such a common issue in polyamory that it feels a bit idealized to write it off with one conversation, but on the other, it feels so revolutionary to have a book so wholly focused on poly joy. This book truly was a joy to read. If anything, I felt that the dedication of the first half of the book to Bebe left me wanting more scenes showing the relationship between Mel and Kade. Definitely enough material in there for a sequel!
(Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!)
(Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my first book by TJ Alexander and it definitely won't be my last. The queer, trans, and poly representation in this book was amazing to read. I'm also a sucker for food (and in this case, drink) descriptions in books, and we got so much of that here that made me wish I could actually taste them. It was well written, spicy and easy to read. Each chapter flowed seamlessly into the next. I didn't want to put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Grief and Transphobia
abookwormspov's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Did I drop everything I was doing to read this ARC all in one day? Yes. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Was I giggling and blushing like an idiot the entire time reading this? Yup. Is this my new favorite romance? Probably yes.
This was an absolute joy from start to finish. With extremely loveable characters, amazing scenes of communication, spice, and an engaging storyline, I think this might be the perfect romance! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy when it is released in June!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing this e-ARC in exchange for a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Sexual content
megansoetaert's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
This was a fun read!! I will say, I enjoyed Mel's own story more than her relationships. I liked seeing her growth! also, please let me try her drinks :( I also liked the queer & poly rep, and the prioritization of healthy communication & boundaries.
I felt like the pacing and focus fluctuated for me, it wasn't consistent in keeping me engaged. I also felt like Bebe became an afterthought once Mel and Kade's relationship got started. I just wanted more, you know?? Also, very weird to not name Kade's autism. I thought we were building up to Kade sharing that, but nope, never happened.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I felt like the pacing and focus fluctuated for me, it wasn't consistent in keeping me engaged. I also felt like Bebe became an afterthought once Mel and Kade's relationship got started. I just wanted more, you know?? Also, very weird to not name Kade's autism. I thought we were building up to Kade sharing that, but nope, never happened.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
eatallthestars's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Had me snickering, had me falling in love, had me second-hand embarrassed, had me shaking, had me laughing. A book to fall in love with love and itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Spicy rating 3/5 🌶️xt_bro_tbr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Ableism and Transphobia
jazhandz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this a lot! I’ve been on a romance kick lately, and I appreciate how this is structured differently than the average. The plot problems felt a little contrived, but it was an interesting relationship study. The characters’ dynamics were fun, and Mel was a good protagonist. This was my second TJ Alexander book and I found it to be leaps and bounds better, sweeter, and more enjoyable.
My only real issue, which unfortunately was a BIG issue for me, was the treatment of Kade, one of the two love interests. As a genderqueer autistic-ish person I was so excited to find a genderqueer autistic-ish character, but the narrative is so, SO weird about Kade’s neurodiversity (the word autism isn’t used which is fine, but that’s how I read it). About half the book has Mel believing that Kade hates her because they aren’t warm and enthusiastic, and even with 100% confidence that it would be resolved eventually, it was really annoying and honestly saddening for Kade’s actions to be incessantly misconstrued as hatred or distaste.
With that caveat aside - I’d recommend this book to friends. It’s fun! It’s charming! Just maybe not my autistic-ish friends, at least not without a heads up.
I enjoyed this a lot! I’ve been on a romance kick lately, and I appreciate how this is structured differently than the average. The plot problems felt a little contrived, but it was an interesting relationship study. The characters’ dynamics were fun, and Mel was a good protagonist. This was my second TJ Alexander book and I found it to be leaps and bounds better, sweeter, and more enjoyable.
My only real issue, which unfortunately was a BIG issue for me, was the treatment of Kade, one of the two love interests. As a genderqueer autistic-ish person I was so excited to find a genderqueer autistic-ish character, but the narrative is so, SO weird about Kade’s neurodiversity (the word autism isn’t used which is fine, but that’s how I read it). About half the book has Mel believing that Kade hates her because they aren’t warm and enthusiastic, and even with 100% confidence that it would be resolved eventually, it was really annoying and honestly saddening for Kade’s actions to be incessantly misconstrued as hatred or distaste.
With that caveat aside - I’d recommend this book to friends. It’s fun! It’s charming! Just maybe not my autistic-ish friends, at least not without a heads up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Transphobia
marmaladereads's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A fluffy, low angst baby's intro to polyamory romance. Mel is an overworked bartender at a high end cocktail bar who has given up on love after her divorce from her childhood sweetheart (and really her only serious relationship) a couple years back. That is until Bebe sweeps into her bar in a blaze of grace, money, and confidence, and basically sweeps Mel into her world of glitz, glamour and polyamory, quickly followed by an introduction to Kade, Bebe's genderqueer spouse.
I thought this was a really cute introduction to readers who may not be familiar with polyamory. It gives a nice intro of what polyamory is and isn't, lays down some ground rules, and and features a wonderful cast of diverse queer characters. There's no real high stakes drama here - any points of conflict are resolved quickly, with healthy communication and low angst. The whole book is like a big soft hug. It's really quite healing. The sex scenes are hot when they happen but don't dominate the story.
I really enjoyed the addition of Kade into the relationship. Kade is a difficult character to get to know, and because they're overly reserved as a character, their gender presentation and expression is (I think intentionally) not explained very well - you're kind of just forced to accept them as they are. I think this is handled really well and the book really shines in it's genderqueer rep. I also liked that the book kind of leaned into the "polyamory is for rich pretty people" trope, I think in a bit of a satirical way. The love of cocktails shined in the attention to mixology and bar scene detail as well, each scene made me crave a different craft cocktail.
The caveat thing I can really note (not a criticism as long as you go in with the right expectations) is that because it's such a low angst book, it sometimes felt overly idealized. Bebe especially felt like a character who doesn't really have any flaws, though to some extent none of the characters really had any deep character flaws, and the characters didn't experience any of the insecurities, jealousies, or struggles that come with complex multi-partner relationship. It really is just a warm gooey marshmallow of a romance.
I thought this was a really cute introduction to readers who may not be familiar with polyamory. It gives a nice intro of what polyamory is and isn't, lays down some ground rules, and and features a wonderful cast of diverse queer characters. There's no real high stakes drama here - any points of conflict are resolved quickly, with healthy communication and low angst. The whole book is like a big soft hug. It's really quite healing. The sex scenes are hot when they happen but don't dominate the story.
I really enjoyed the addition of Kade into the relationship. Kade is a difficult character to get to know, and because they're overly reserved as a character, their gender presentation and expression is (I think intentionally) not explained very well - you're kind of just forced to accept them as they are. I think this is handled really well and the book really shines in it's genderqueer rep. I also liked that the book kind of leaned into the "polyamory is for rich pretty people" trope, I think in a bit of a satirical way. The love of cocktails shined in the attention to mixology and bar scene detail as well, each scene made me crave a different craft cocktail.
The caveat thing I can really note (not a criticism as long as you go in with the right expectations) is that because it's such a low angst book, it sometimes felt overly idealized. Bebe especially felt like a character who doesn't really have any flaws, though to some extent none of the characters really had any deep character flaws, and the characters didn't experience any of the insecurities, jealousies, or struggles that come with complex multi-partner relationship. It really is just a warm gooey marshmallow of a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia
ryn_bow's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
crhbrault's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Wow. Funny, sweet, super sexy romance with LGBTQIA+ characters…this one hits all the right notes if you’re open minded enough for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was the first time that I have read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking for more work from them in the future..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content