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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
ARC from Netgalley
Dr. Sarah Soon, "maker of lists, taker of names, kicker of asses," has just finished being treated for Stage 2 Melanoma. Before her illness, Sarah was a hard-driving, take-charge, always-in-control kind of gal. But since her cancer diagnosis, she's been strangely unmotivated and lethargic, unable to bring herself to return to the OB part of her OB/GYN practice.
Enter Jake Li, a friend of her older brother's, a guy who had been a constant in the background of Sarah's life for years until she left home after high school (after being slut shamed by her peers and her parents for a fairly mild sexual incident). Jake's just been amicably divorced, and is eager to strike up a new kind of relationship with fierce Sarah, whom he's always found appealing but feared he was too geeky to attract. Sarah's interested (Jake has grown up into a hot, as well as a kind, man), but she's also fearful, fear which expresses itself via crankiness, snark, and unexpected bursts of anger. Said anger only increases when her parents, whom she hadn't told about the severity of her illness, discover the truth through Jake's father and come to town for their first-ever visit. And of course stay with her. And clean her house. And tell her how to act...
A lot of reviewers are having a hard time relating to Sarah, in large part because of her anger (and because by contrast Jake is such a sweetheart). I, for one, love angry romance heroines, because they are far too rare in the genre and because they validate my own moments of frustration and striking out because of it. The story doesn't belabor the fact that Sarah's acting in large part out of fear—fear of lack of control, above all fear of dying—but it is there as a subtext if a reader is willing to hear it.
The details of Sarah's break with her parents are a little underdeveloped plot-wise, but the severity of the break makes sense when you understand it as a generational culture clash, not just an individual problem between a girl and her parents: the hard work required of first generation immigrants, which can leave them less time to spend with their children than American culture tells said children is only what they deserve, can leave many second generation immigrant children feeling unloved. And the perfectionism that many immigrant children feel, to prove themselves both to their parents and to American society, that they do belong here, which often can shade into psychological burden rather than healthy spur to ambition.
Lang also challenges stereotypes about the lack of sex appeal of of Asian men, even while she has Jake defending what his friends/the culture at large tries to push on him as the "right" way to be a recently-divorced male ("Jake," Winston said soothingly, "I know Ilse hurt you and you want to get back in the saddle. There are lots of ladies out there—" "why do men keep saying this to me? Why do we keep saying this to each other? We keep talking about saddles and riding along. I'm not a cowboy, and you are a dentist." [1881]) And the gendered difference in parents' treatment of brothers and sisters. And the gendered judgment differences when a man wants to be married, vs. when a woman wants to be married. All with humor, wit, and verve.
I applaud Lang for her brave, honest, and deeply feminist depiction of Sarah's struggle, both in coming to terms with her own mortality, and with finding her way to a romantic relationship in which she can still be herself, porcupine spines and all.
Dr. Sarah Soon, "maker of lists, taker of names, kicker of asses," has just finished being treated for Stage 2 Melanoma. Before her illness, Sarah was a hard-driving, take-charge, always-in-control kind of gal. But since her cancer diagnosis, she's been strangely unmotivated and lethargic, unable to bring herself to return to the OB part of her OB/GYN practice.
Enter Jake Li, a friend of her older brother's, a guy who had been a constant in the background of Sarah's life for years until she left home after high school (after being slut shamed by her peers and her parents for a fairly mild sexual incident). Jake's just been amicably divorced, and is eager to strike up a new kind of relationship with fierce Sarah, whom he's always found appealing but feared he was too geeky to attract. Sarah's interested (Jake has grown up into a hot, as well as a kind, man), but she's also fearful, fear which expresses itself via crankiness, snark, and unexpected bursts of anger. Said anger only increases when her parents, whom she hadn't told about the severity of her illness, discover the truth through Jake's father and come to town for their first-ever visit. And of course stay with her. And clean her house. And tell her how to act...
A lot of reviewers are having a hard time relating to Sarah, in large part because of her anger (and because by contrast Jake is such a sweetheart). I, for one, love angry romance heroines, because they are far too rare in the genre and because they validate my own moments of frustration and striking out because of it. The story doesn't belabor the fact that Sarah's acting in large part out of fear—fear of lack of control, above all fear of dying—but it is there as a subtext if a reader is willing to hear it.
The details of Sarah's break with her parents are a little underdeveloped plot-wise, but the severity of the break makes sense when you understand it as a generational culture clash, not just an individual problem between a girl and her parents: the hard work required of first generation immigrants, which can leave them less time to spend with their children than American culture tells said children is only what they deserve, can leave many second generation immigrant children feeling unloved. And the perfectionism that many immigrant children feel, to prove themselves both to their parents and to American society, that they do belong here, which often can shade into psychological burden rather than healthy spur to ambition.
Lang also challenges stereotypes about the lack of sex appeal of of Asian men, even while she has Jake defending what his friends/the culture at large tries to push on him as the "right" way to be a recently-divorced male ("Jake," Winston said soothingly, "I know Ilse hurt you and you want to get back in the saddle. There are lots of ladies out there—" "why do men keep saying this to me? Why do we keep saying this to each other? We keep talking about saddles and riding along. I'm not a cowboy, and you are a dentist." [1881]) And the gendered difference in parents' treatment of brothers and sisters. And the gendered judgment differences when a man wants to be married, vs. when a woman wants to be married. All with humor, wit, and verve.
I applaud Lang for her brave, honest, and deeply feminist depiction of Sarah's struggle, both in coming to terms with her own mortality, and with finding her way to a romantic relationship in which she can still be herself, porcupine spines and all.
zosfia's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
emmalita's review against another edition
4.0
Clean Breaks completes Ruby Lang’s Practice Perfect series and I feel like this series is going into my rereadathon rotation. Of the three, I think this one is my favorite. It feels the most comfortable.
Sarah Soon is an Ob/Gyn who, prior to the book’s start, was diagnosed with melanoma. Treatment was successful and she is cancer free, but the diagnosis knocked her for a loop. While celebrating her cancer free status, she runs into her brother’s best childhood friend, Jake Li. Jake is newly divorced and a school social worker. This is a nice twist on the second chance teen lovers as adults story, because they were never romantically involved. They did share the experience of being the only Asian Americans in a very white school, and both grew up with the pressure to be A Good Example. Sarah failed and is estranged from her family. You’ll have to read the book to find out how it all plays out.
The entire time I read the three books, I was highlighting favorite passages quotes and exchanges. The temptation to make my reviews quotes from the book was strong, but the books don’t cost much and you should buy them. I just love reading Lang’s writing.
…
Ruby Lang has a very definite thesis in the series – in those times of vulnerability, people have the potential to let in the kind of love that will flourish, but fear of change and inadequacy are roadblocks. In each book, the individuals are in moments where they question what they thought were fundamental truths. What makes their happy endings feel like happily ever afters, rather than happy for nows is the way they trust each other with their vulnerability. These are romances that feel attainable, but also escapist and romantic. Obviously, they aren’t going to be every readers thing, but I hope you give them a shot. I can’t wait to read more of Lang’s work, but I have some other books already on my kindle that I need to read first.
Sarah Soon is an Ob/Gyn who, prior to the book’s start, was diagnosed with melanoma. Treatment was successful and she is cancer free, but the diagnosis knocked her for a loop. While celebrating her cancer free status, she runs into her brother’s best childhood friend, Jake Li. Jake is newly divorced and a school social worker. This is a nice twist on the second chance teen lovers as adults story, because they were never romantically involved. They did share the experience of being the only Asian Americans in a very white school, and both grew up with the pressure to be A Good Example. Sarah failed and is estranged from her family. You’ll have to read the book to find out how it all plays out.
The entire time I read the three books, I was highlighting favorite passages quotes and exchanges. The temptation to make my reviews quotes from the book was strong, but the books don’t cost much and you should buy them. I just love reading Lang’s writing.
They might have stood for a minute, looking at each other. But Mulder, not believing an invitation was needed, bounded inside, and Jake . . . well, Jake simply let go of her leash. His eyes crinkled. So. Completely. Unfair.
…
For a moment while his father and the chef conversed, her brow furrowed deeply, and Jake knew in that moment that she wished in her dark inky heart that they’d all get food poisoning from the restaurant.
How bad did he have it that her spite was a turn on?
Ruby Lang has a very definite thesis in the series – in those times of vulnerability, people have the potential to let in the kind of love that will flourish, but fear of change and inadequacy are roadblocks. In each book, the individuals are in moments where they question what they thought were fundamental truths. What makes their happy endings feel like happily ever afters, rather than happy for nows is the way they trust each other with their vulnerability. These are romances that feel attainable, but also escapist and romantic. Obviously, they aren’t going to be every readers thing, but I hope you give them a shot. I can’t wait to read more of Lang’s work, but I have some other books already on my kindle that I need to read first.
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
5.0
I am swooning over Jake who does not buy into toxic masculinity, who handles himself as a human, and emotes as he needs to, and who sets boundaries. Also, I really want to read Sarah's slang spreadsheet.
oitb's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this! I love stories and characters in general that are about drawing boundaries and drawing boundaries with families in particular, and Ruby Lang did such a good job with Jake and Sarah's characters. I also love that Ruby's books and stories are about characters that are learning about themselves and striving to be better people.
astroprojection's review against another edition
5.0
I bought this on a whim because I was in the mood for a good, satisfying romance and I'm so glad this book delivered. I thought it had a very realistic portrayal of what it means to have complicated relationships within an immigrant family and the larger immigrant community and how that can wreck many interpersonal relationships as an adult. At the same time, the fact that so much of this book was about forthright communication, not only between romantic partners but also family members and friends, was really refreshing and enjoyable to me. I loved that Sarah and Jake were allowed to be flawed yet compelling characters who bring more happiness and fulfillment to each other's lives.
combledore's review against another edition
4.0
I think Sarah is my favorite MC of this series - loved her and the chemistry with Jake!
em_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
I've been picking up Lang's books because she's an internet buddy of mine and I know our senses of humor and views on relationships will line up perfectly, but after reading this series, what I have ended up loving most is how much time she gives her characters to fall in love. There are a million romance novels out there where you get true love in three weeks and that's fine, you just gotta suspend disbelief and think of it as a fantasy story. But these two (and her previous pairs in the series) get weeks and months and long histories that make them the couple they become. It makes for some really beautiful and complicated moments between the characters, both within the romance and with their friends and family.
madanburg's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of the series - I loved the old friends seeing each other in a new light plot, and how honest and open they were with each other while they dealt with their differences. Excellent characters, great banter, and strong chemistry.
talielovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️1:2 I thought this was an enjoyable romance. It’s pretty rare to see romances featuring main characters of Asian descent. I thought the author did a great job of outlining the cultural difficulties that can occur between generations, especially with immigrant families. Other than that the novel was a pretty typical romance and a nice quick read.