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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Love in Focus is a cute sapphic romance between Gemma and Celeste; two former lovers who are assigned to work on a project together.
Second chance romance is hard for me to root for sometimes, but when it's done well, it REALLY hits the spot. I'm so glad that Gemma and Celeste get a second chance to reconnect, because they both have grown since their split and are extremely sweet together. It is difficult to root for them at times, but I am really satisfied with their relationship in the end. Also, the spice was high quality 🔥
Bi representation in books always makes me kick my feet in excitement. Celeste is a bisexual woman, and both her and Gemma are Asian; I am happy to see Asian representation in both main characters, especially in a queer romance novel!
The only thing that I didn't enjoy about this book, is that the chapters alternate between first person point of view and third person, which felt a little unnatural. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho, delivered an excellent performance that brought the characters to life and helped to offset the unique alternating 1st person and 3rd person POVs.
Love in Focus is a cozy and comforting read. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet queer romance! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of Love in Focus in exchange for an honest review!
Second chance romance is hard for me to root for sometimes, but when it's done well, it REALLY hits the spot. I'm so glad that Gemma and Celeste get a second chance to reconnect, because they both have grown since their split and are extremely sweet together. It is difficult to root for them at times, but I am really satisfied with their relationship in the end. Also, the spice was high quality 🔥
Bi representation in books always makes me kick my feet in excitement. Celeste is a bisexual woman, and both her and Gemma are Asian; I am happy to see Asian representation in both main characters, especially in a queer romance novel!
The only thing that I didn't enjoy about this book, is that the chapters alternate between first person point of view and third person, which felt a little unnatural. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho, delivered an excellent performance that brought the characters to life and helped to offset the unique alternating 1st person and 3rd person POVs.
Love in Focus is a cozy and comforting read. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet queer romance! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of Love in Focus in exchange for an honest review!
Book Rating 3.5/4
Audiobook Rating: 4/5
Are you looking for a fun, second chance romance that has a slightly slower burn? You want it to be a mix of cute, sweet, and steamy? It should be heartwarming but also have a splash of tension? I’d suggest picking up this book.
While the touch of tension comes from a bit of a classic situation, it still felt fresh. Gemma and Celeste are forced to work together years after their relationship had ended and their hearts never fully recovered. Is it fate that the project they're working on focuses on couples and love? Could this inspire them to give each other a second chance?
I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrators did a wonderful job and it was easy to get swept into the story. I listened for a few hours at a time without realizing how much time went by.
I didn’t catch it right away but Gemma is written in first person while Celeste is written in third. Once I did notice this, I was pulled slightly out of the story when the point of view changes but it wasn’t a total deal breaker for me (majority of the book is from Gemma’s point of view.) I think reading it instead of listening would have had less of an impact for me.
If I’m in need of a feel good/cozy read I’d pick this book back up for a re-listen/reread.
Audiobook Rating: 4/5
Are you looking for a fun, second chance romance that has a slightly slower burn? You want it to be a mix of cute, sweet, and steamy? It should be heartwarming but also have a splash of tension? I’d suggest picking up this book.
While the touch of tension comes from a bit of a classic situation, it still felt fresh. Gemma and Celeste are forced to work together years after their relationship had ended and their hearts never fully recovered. Is it fate that the project they're working on focuses on couples and love? Could this inspire them to give each other a second chance?
I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrators did a wonderful job and it was easy to get swept into the story. I listened for a few hours at a time without realizing how much time went by.
I didn’t catch it right away but Gemma is written in first person while Celeste is written in third. Once I did notice this, I was pulled slightly out of the story when the point of view changes but it wasn’t a total deal breaker for me (majority of the book is from Gemma’s point of view.) I think reading it instead of listening would have had less of an impact for me.
If I’m in need of a feel good/cozy read I’d pick this book back up for a re-listen/reread.
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Ughhh I am not having a good run with the romance novels right now!!! This book had so much potential. The plot honestly sounded like something that could have been so well written. Yet it was a second chance romance (not my go to) after a miscommunication gone… stale. Neither of the characters had any particular pull on me, but i did think they were cute together. I liked the idea of them working together on a projection about love & coming to understand what happened in their past. But I just couldn’t get on board with the writing - it feels a little fanfiction-esque, especially the epilogue - and i truly don’t think i can give it above a 3 and i have to be honest with myself.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
In honor of pride month, I had to read this. book. It was great to see Korean women represented in the queer community. I wish for more from this universe. Maybe a chance to see Celeste in Korea and LA during the eight years she was apart from Gemma. Another great sapphic work.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced