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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I really wanted to like this book, but it just felt like a barely fleshed out outline.
funny
hopeful
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:
No
lighthearted
medium-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
It was a cute enough book. An easy summer, beach read. I think I’m just sick of contemporary romance right now, so the rating might be harsh, but I just had so little to say about this book at book club.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Love in Focus was giving cute sapphic vibes with a Hallmark twist, and honestly? I ate it up…..well, half of it.
Gemma, our main girl, was a total cinnamon roll. Her chapters had me smiling like a fool, like I was watching a cheesy holiday rom-com. I was rooting for her the whole way through. But then came Celeste… and whew chile! Her chapters had the emotional range of a dial tone. Not sure if it was the third-person POV or the narrator sounding like she was reading for a thriller instead of a romance, but the vibes? Not vibing.
Now the storyline itself had me intrigued from the jump. It’s one of those books where you think, “Ooh this is gonna be good,” and for the most part it was! But somewhere along the way, the more I fell in love with Gemma, the more I wanted to hand Celeste a mirror and a therapist’s number. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say Celeste’s reasons for pushing Gemma away felt like a stretch (and not the yoga kind). And why was Gemma apologizing so much when clearly Celeste was in the wrong?? Make it make sense.
That said, the book still served up a good helping of lighthearted fun and spice (yes, it gets steamy
Love in Focus was giving cute sapphic vibes with a Hallmark twist, and honestly? I ate it up…..well, half of it.
Gemma, our main girl, was a total cinnamon roll. Her chapters had me smiling like a fool, like I was watching a cheesy holiday rom-com. I was rooting for her the whole way through. But then came Celeste… and whew chile! Her chapters had the emotional range of a dial tone. Not sure if it was the third-person POV or the narrator sounding like she was reading for a thriller instead of a romance, but the vibes? Not vibing.
Now the storyline itself had me intrigued from the jump. It’s one of those books where you think, “Ooh this is gonna be good,” and for the most part it was! But somewhere along the way, the more I fell in love with Gemma, the more I wanted to hand Celeste a mirror and a therapist’s number. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say Celeste’s reasons for pushing Gemma away felt like a stretch (and not the yoga kind). And why was Gemma apologizing so much when clearly Celeste was in the wrong?? Make it make sense.
That said, the book still served up a good helping of lighthearted fun and spice (yes, it gets steamy
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The 3rd person when its Celeste's POV and the 1st person when it's Gemma's is really confusing. It makes the writing feel very uneven. To me, the author's writing style lacks maturity.
I also don't think this book targets sapphic woman, it keeps overexplaining any tiny sapphic detail or reference to sapphic culture that really takes the reader out of the story and make characters fall flat.
I also don't think this book targets sapphic woman, it keeps overexplaining any tiny sapphic detail or reference to sapphic culture that really takes the reader out of the story and make characters fall flat.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
”Hell is trying to control other people.”
This was pretty boring and dull, I really struggled to get through it despite it being fairly short. The story felt too bare bones, and it played out in a very shallow and unexciting manner.
I didn’t like the casual biphobia from Celeste, nor that Gemma ended up apologizing multiple times to Celeste despite the fact that she was the wronged one in this situation. Celeste’s POV chapters added nothing to the story and could’ve been left out.
Gemma’s friends were cute, and the interview bits were fine. I just didn’t really care much for this story ultimately.
This was pretty boring and dull, I really struggled to get through it despite it being fairly short. The story felt too bare bones, and it played out in a very shallow and unexciting manner.
I didn’t like the casual biphobia from Celeste, nor that Gemma ended up apologizing multiple times to Celeste despite the fact that she was the wronged one in this situation. Celeste’s POV chapters added nothing to the story and could’ve been left out.
Gemma’s friends were cute, and the interview bits were fine. I just didn’t really care much for this story ultimately.
emotional
lighthearted
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
Well this was a refreshing romance about two women who's love ended in heartbreak when they were young, only to find themselves forced to work together years later. They were both changed by the love they lost in each other, but what they don't know about the past could change the way they see things. Their love and personal journeys were real and so entertaining to follow. Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho gave life to these characters and made me excited to listen. I'm thankful I received an ALC through Netgalley from Hachette Audio. I can't wait to read more from Lyla Lee.
Cute story. The chapters from Celeste’s pov made her so dry and boring
funny
lighthearted
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
A cute read for sure, and was pretty quick to get through. Wish the dialogue and plot was a little more fine tuned