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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
w: This was super cute! We need more sapphic representation in literature, especially poc sapphics. And I think this is the first published book I’ve read with explicit sex scenes between two women.
I will say that I wish we got more of a balance between the different pov chapters. Most of this book was told through Gemma’s perspective but I really wanted to know more about what Celeste was feeling (especially towards the end).
Also, the dialogue felt a bit forced at times and the ending was a little rushed. But other than that, I loved this story! I loved the dynamic between the two characters and the friendship with Val and Kiara. Although I do wish we got a bit more of the dynamic between Celeste and Minjoon.
I will say that I wish we got more of a balance between the different pov chapters. Most of this book was told through Gemma’s perspective but I really wanted to know more about what Celeste was feeling (especially towards the end).
Also, the dialogue felt a bit forced at times and the ending was a little rushed. But other than that, I loved this story! I loved the dynamic between the two characters and the friendship with Val and Kiara. Although I do wish we got a bit more of the dynamic between Celeste and Minjoon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Abandonment
Thanks you to the author and publisher for this ALC - the narrators in this book were amazing!!!
This book being released during pride month was *chefs kiss*
This is a sapphic romance written by a BIPOC author and it is sooooo good!!!
What you can expect:
- sapphic
- second chance
- Korean characters
- great side characters and a cute cat
- mental health rep
I loved these characters and their development soooooo much - the author really draws you in and makes you fall in love with them. I cannot wait to read more books by this author.
This book being released during pride month was *chefs kiss*
This is a sapphic romance written by a BIPOC author and it is sooooo good!!!
What you can expect:
- sapphic
- second chance
- Korean characters
- great side characters and a cute cat
- mental health rep
I loved these characters and their development soooooo much - the author really draws you in and makes you fall in love with them. I cannot wait to read more books by this author.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
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
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
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
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A second chance Sapphic Romance? 💘 Literally my dream come true. I kept hearing about it and when I saw it on Netgalley as Read Now, I immediately clicked download. I wanted to love this books so bad, but unfortunately it didn’t do it for me.
The story follows Gemma, a journalist who after 7 years of being in a relationship and engaged, is dumped. She reconnects with Celeste, her ex-girlfriend from college, when her job makes them work together in a once in a lifetime project. Celeste and Gemma’s relationship didn’t end well, and they must navigate through their old feelings, as they work together.
What I loved:
- The asian and queer representation! I absolutely loved the representation of bi-curiosity and exploration of your sexuality.
What didn’t work for me:
- Knowing this was a second chance, the romance in the present time was fine, but I didn’t feel a true connection between the characters. It felt more like they met in the present and they never dated before.
- Jumping from First person point of view from Gemma’s character to third person point of view on Celeste’s. I honestly felt so lost and It didn’t help me visualize their feelings.
- The unimportance of James, her ex for seven years. It seemed like 60% of the book Gemma was still pinning on James and was hurt, which was understandable after dating for 7 years, but he just kind of disappeared? There was no plot line for him, and Gemma jumped to Celeste immediately after.
- There were some comments made in the book that I didn’t appreciate, like when Celeste is expressing she’s mad because Gemma moved on with a man after dating her, saying it’s a “lesbian’s worst nightmare”. Also, Gemma’s friends make a joke about lesbians going on a date and moving together immediately after.
Overall, it was a cute story, but I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it was much as I wanted to.
Thank you Netgalley + Forever for the ARC.
The story follows Gemma, a journalist who after 7 years of being in a relationship and engaged, is dumped. She reconnects with Celeste, her ex-girlfriend from college, when her job makes them work together in a once in a lifetime project. Celeste and Gemma’s relationship didn’t end well, and they must navigate through their old feelings, as they work together.
What I loved:
- The asian and queer representation! I absolutely loved the representation of bi-curiosity and exploration of your sexuality.
What didn’t work for me:
- Knowing this was a second chance, the romance in the present time was fine, but I didn’t feel a true connection between the characters. It felt more like they met in the present and they never dated before.
- Jumping from First person point of view from Gemma’s character to third person point of view on Celeste’s. I honestly felt so lost and It didn’t help me visualize their feelings.
- The unimportance of James, her ex for seven years. It seemed like 60% of the book Gemma was still pinning on James and was hurt, which was understandable after dating for 7 years, but he just kind of disappeared? There was no plot line for him, and Gemma jumped to Celeste immediately after.
- There were some comments made in the book that I didn’t appreciate, like when Celeste is expressing she’s mad because Gemma moved on with a man after dating her, saying it’s a “lesbian’s worst nightmare”. Also, Gemma’s friends make a joke about lesbians going on a date and moving together immediately after.
Overall, it was a cute story, but I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it was much as I wanted to.
Thank you Netgalley + Forever for the ARC.
Their love story was just so sweet! It felt like such a cosy easy read with a lovely storyline! But also the tension in this book is thick! It also had such will they, won’t they vibes that worked so well for them!
The representation in this book is just beautiful with Botha lesbian fmc and a bisexual fmc as well as there being a focus on the culture in South Korea and the struggles of being queer in a country that doesn’t have gay rights.
I absolutely love seeing the friendships with side characters in books so I really enjoyed the friendship that Gemma had with Val and Kira as well as the relationship that they had too!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
The representation in this book is just beautiful with Botha lesbian fmc and a bisexual fmc as well as there being a focus on the culture in South Korea and the struggles of being queer in a country that doesn’t have gay rights.
I absolutely love seeing the friendships with side characters in books so I really enjoyed the friendship that Gemma had with Val and Kira as well as the relationship that they had too!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!