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taroroot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
dominic_t's review against another edition
- 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
Yes, this is a romance novel with recurring references to a foot fetish. Feet are frequently lovingly described, but the related sexual content is alluded to, not described. I don't know if anyone was asking for good representation for foot fetishists, but they sure got it.
This was an absolutely beautiful book. The romantic love story unfolded in a way that I found really sweet and believable. I also really liked that each conflict between different characters was new; so many books rely on the characters having the same fight 4 different times before the happy ending. The main couple, Reena and Nadim, were so well-developed and sympathetic, and it was easy to root for their love story. I also loved the plot device of the cooking competition. Is it realistic? No. But it was a great device for moving the plot forward, and the scenes were so vivid and charming. It added so many interesting scenes, and it gave me something to look forward to other than the love story.
I am also a sucker for romance novels that explore love stories outside of the romantic relationship. I absolutely loved watching two other love stories unfolding: the love story between Reena and her family and the love story between Reena and...herself. Reena spends the book learning to intrinsically value herself instead of seeking external validation through accomplishments and the approval of others.
Her family is also super dysfunctional, and they are all keeping secrets from each other. Reena feels like none of them know her or value her outside of her accomplishments; she doesn't trust them to love her and truly support her if she doesn't live up to their version of material success. She has a bitter rivalry with her sister and is completely antagonistic towards her parents. Over the course of the book, they build trust with one another and learn to bring out the best in each other. It is truly beautiful to see, and it is just as rewarding as the romantic plot.
This book is just great. I highly recommend it. I'm giving it a 10 out of 10--one for each toe.
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Several references to foot fetishjenn_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Mental illness and Alcohol
Food talk, awful but not quite abusive parents, dysfunctional family dynamicsunwise_samwise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, and Incest
writtenbydnicole's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest and Infidelity
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, and Incest
ukponge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Infidelity and Alcohol
penna_nomen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
If there's a downside, it's probably how the main couple could have cleared things up sooner if they'd asked each other a few more questions. Some readers might get exasperated at the heroine going through multiple rounds of trusting and then distrusting the hero. The rounds of distrust were resolved fast enough -- and the hero was sweet enough -- that it didn't bother me.
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Racism