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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
1.5/5 ⭐️
~Spoilers~
Happy Pride! What better time to read about wlw.
I hate when you can tell a book is written by a millennial. This one has so many references to pop culture that were cringey and didn’t work on paper. This book will not age well at all.
The ending felt very rushed. In two pages, she finds out about a job, applies, interviews, waits weeks, and gets it. Meanwhile the rest of the book was drawn out and pretty slow.
The main theme of this book is sapphic relationships, specifically those of minorities. I don’t relate to those identities so I can’t say how well they were portrayed or how relatable the characters were. I found it a little hard to connect since the characters didn’t have much going for them personality-wise. It seemed their whole identities hinged around their sexuality.
~Spoilers~
Happy Pride! What better time to read about wlw.
I hate when you can tell a book is written by a millennial. This one has so many references to pop culture that were cringey and didn’t work on paper. This book will not age well at all.
The ending felt very rushed. In two pages, she finds out about a job, applies, interviews, waits weeks, and gets it. Meanwhile the rest of the book was drawn out and pretty slow.
The main theme of this book is sapphic relationships, specifically those of minorities. I don’t relate to those identities so I can’t say how well they were portrayed or how relatable the characters were. I found it a little hard to connect since the characters didn’t have much going for them personality-wise. It seemed their whole identities hinged around their sexuality.
hopeful
lighthearted
adventurous
emotional
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
This book is such a cute sapphic read for pride month!
Finding out about this book, I was instantly intrigued and excited. East Asian and sapphic representation, with a second chance and workplace element sounded right up my alley.
Rhis story was filled with just the right amount of everything. There was angst and yearning, there was humor, and there was a lot of emotion. Our FMCs felt like they had a pretty natural relationship progression, with some very logical conflicts and feelings. I really enjoyed the setting of their reconciliation, being their work project. The project was super interesting and a great vehicle for learning about queer experiences and exploring the MCs feelings about each other and their own queerness- especially in regards to their Korean culture.
I also loved the two narrators and the distinction it gave the characters! Sometime with same sex narration it can feel too similar but I really felt like each character had their own voice and persona, which both narrators providing a great performance!
I had only two issues with this read that detracted from the experience. First off, I really disliked the characterization of Gemma's friend. She felt like a very aggressive personification of Gen Z social media and unfortunately was done in a way that felt inauthentic and cringey. Also, there is a biphobic comment in the begining that frustrated me- particularly because it wasn't something that was handled or brought back around again. I didn't feel like a learning point, it felt like the story was validating it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!
Finding out about this book, I was instantly intrigued and excited. East Asian and sapphic representation, with a second chance and workplace element sounded right up my alley.
Rhis story was filled with just the right amount of everything. There was angst and yearning, there was humor, and there was a lot of emotion. Our FMCs felt like they had a pretty natural relationship progression, with some very logical conflicts and feelings. I really enjoyed the setting of their reconciliation, being their work project. The project was super interesting and a great vehicle for learning about queer experiences and exploring the MCs feelings about each other and their own queerness- especially in regards to their Korean culture.
I also loved the two narrators and the distinction it gave the characters! Sometime with same sex narration it can feel too similar but I really felt like each character had their own voice and persona, which both narrators providing a great performance!
I had only two issues with this read that detracted from the experience. First off, I really disliked the characterization of Gemma's friend. She felt like a very aggressive personification of Gen Z social media and unfortunately was done in a way that felt inauthentic and cringey. Also, there is a biphobic comment in the begining that frustrated me- particularly because it wasn't something that was handled or brought back around again. I didn't feel like a learning point, it felt like the story was validating it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A cute, romantic story that had lovable characters.
I loved the representation of queer identity and romance in the book. I loved that Gemma had a solid group of friends and her growth throughout the book. I also enjoyed the mention of therapy and the use of therapy. I loved how flawed both Gemma and Celester were as characters. It felt really authentic and gave it such a realistic feel that you might not see in a lot of romance novels. I truly felt like both of these characters were people I could know or encounter in my every day life.
However, I had a hard time getting into Celeste's chapters because of the consistent use of her name rather than her pronouns similar to how Gemma's chapters were written. It was strange to me that Gemma's chapters were written in a first person POV while Celeste's were in third person POV. It was quite jarring and took me out of the story a lot.
Still, I think both Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho did a great job in honing these characters and bring them to life. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity of listening to this early.
However, I had a hard time getting into Celeste's chapters because of the consistent use of her name rather than her pronouns similar to how Gemma's chapters were written. It was strange to me that Gemma's chapters were written in a first person POV while Celeste's were in third person POV. It was quite jarring and took me out of the story a lot.
Still, I think both Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho did a great job in honing these characters and bring them to life. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity of listening to this early.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
we can appreciate a growth through therapy moment
I received this ARC in audiobook format in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also appears to be Lyla’s first venture into adult fiction and she’s handled it with a maturity and charm that really shine through.
I’m a big fan of sweet, romantic palate cleansers and this one absolutely delivered. The story thoughtfully explores themes of diversity, including race, age and sexuality in a way that feels both authentic and tender.
If you’re in the mood for a sapphic romance with a happy ending and just the right touch of spice, this is one to add to your list.
While I did receive the audiobook version, I found the narration for ‘Celeste’ a little flat and robotic at times. That said, increasing the speed to 1.25x helped improve the overall experience.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It also appears to be Lyla’s first venture into adult fiction and she’s handled it with a maturity and charm that really shine through.
I’m a big fan of sweet, romantic palate cleansers and this one absolutely delivered. The story thoughtfully explores themes of diversity, including race, age and sexuality in a way that feels both authentic and tender.
If you’re in the mood for a sapphic romance with a happy ending and just the right touch of spice, this is one to add to your list.
While I did receive the audiobook version, I found the narration for ‘Celeste’ a little flat and robotic at times. That said, increasing the speed to 1.25x helped improve the overall experience.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gemma Cho, a romance advice columnist, is dumped by her boyfriend of seven years. She is tasked with collaborating on a Valentines day feature "Modern love in Focus" for a magazine.
Assigned Photographer, her college ex, Celeste Min, who ghosted her years ago by moving back to South Korea without explanation. The two haven't seen each other in nearly a decade.
As they interview modern couples and work together, old sparks reignite. Gemma and Celeste confront their pasts, cultural expectations and their evolving identities.
Assigned Photographer, her college ex, Celeste Min, who ghosted her years ago by moving back to South Korea without explanation. The two haven't seen each other in nearly a decade.
As they interview modern couples and work together, old sparks reignite. Gemma and Celeste confront their pasts, cultural expectations and their evolving identities.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes