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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free ALC and eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was fine. I didn't love it and definitely didn't hate it but I mostly wanted to check this book out prior to it being released in a book box later this summer and I don't think it would have been worth the expensive price point that comes with book boxes.
There is a biphobic comment made by one of the MCs but I don't think its based in biphobia and rather her disappointment and frustration that her ex had moved on so fast. It happens early on in the book but only the one time. The comment is made by Celeste about Gemma. I think my personal frustrations with this line, especially coming from Celeste, is that we get minimal POVs from her compared to Gemma, and the POV chapters we do get, don't super endear me to her or make me understand more of the "why" around the reasoning and her feelings about bi people.
I don't really have much to say about this story. I did like that there were two narrators for this story, however I don't think the audiobook was anything spectacular.
This was fine. I didn't love it and definitely didn't hate it but I mostly wanted to check this book out prior to it being released in a book box later this summer and I don't think it would have been worth the expensive price point that comes with book boxes.
There is a biphobic comment made by one of the MCs but I don't think its based in biphobia and rather her disappointment and frustration that her ex had moved on so fast. It happens early on in the book but only the one time. The comment is made by Celeste about Gemma. I think my personal frustrations with this line, especially coming from Celeste, is that we get minimal POVs from her compared to Gemma, and the POV chapters we do get, don't super endear me to her or make me understand more of the "why" around the reasoning and her feelings about bi people.
I don't really have much to say about this story. I did like that there were two narrators for this story, however I don't think the audiobook was anything spectacular.
Thank you to the publisher for making this Read Now on NetGalley.
3 stars! This story was just OK for me, and I wish I liked it more! It's my first book by Lyla Lee, and I can see where the writing has potential — diverse characters, queer representation, cultural expectations from being raised in an Asian household — but there is a moment of biphobia, and there is way more telling than showing.
Celeste and Gemma dated eight years ago in college, and their romance had a huge impact on both of their lives, to the point where neither could forget the other despite how much time had passed. Yet, when they're reunited, I wanted a bigger moment of surprise, not a random meeting in a bar that they both happened to be at. Gemma's friends are hinting at a hot photographer who got hired for Gemma's article, and the reveal could have been in their first story meeting! Plus, we're told that this magazine feature will save Gemma's job and her co-workers, but her boss says it's a big opportunity, not that Gemma's job is on the line if this doesn't work. And as a former journo myself, it's unlikely that anyone's career would come down to the performance of one story — it would be an accumulation of a lot of factors to lay people off, so the responsibility for Gemma to put aside her unresolved feelings for Celeste didn't have enough high stakes for me.
I also would have preferred if the author kept the same writing tense for Gemma and Celeste's chapters. Switching from first person to third was odd, and it didn't help me learn more about Celeste, and with Gemma's chapters we're in her head with little dialogue sometimes to move us through the plot.
3 stars! This story was just OK for me, and I wish I liked it more! It's my first book by Lyla Lee, and I can see where the writing has potential — diverse characters, queer representation, cultural expectations from being raised in an Asian household — but there is a moment of biphobia, and there is way more telling than showing.
Celeste and Gemma dated eight years ago in college, and their romance had a huge impact on both of their lives, to the point where neither could forget the other despite how much time had passed. Yet, when they're reunited, I wanted a bigger moment of surprise, not a random meeting in a bar that they both happened to be at. Gemma's friends are hinting at a hot photographer who got hired for Gemma's article, and the reveal could have been in their first story meeting! Plus, we're told that this magazine feature will save Gemma's job and her co-workers, but her boss says it's a big opportunity, not that Gemma's job is on the line if this doesn't work. And as a former journo myself, it's unlikely that anyone's career would come down to the performance of one story — it would be an accumulation of a lot of factors to lay people off, so the responsibility for Gemma to put aside her unresolved feelings for Celeste didn't have enough high stakes for me.
I also would have preferred if the author kept the same writing tense for Gemma and Celeste's chapters. Switching from first person to third was odd, and it didn't help me learn more about Celeste, and with Gemma's chapters we're in her head with little dialogue sometimes to move us through the plot.
Such a charming romance story about reconnecting after years apart but also about healing and making sure you're ready for a relationship.
Gemma's fiancé just broke up with her out of the blue so she moves to her best friends couch and tries to focus on her work. But then her new, important, work project brings into her life her ex, Celeste, who left her without an explanation 8 years ago and Gemma is still not fully over that.
I really liked that the issues the characters were having with each other weren't dragged out. They openly talked about what was bothering them and that feels rare in romance books. A lot of this book deals with healing and finding closure to be in a good space for a relationship. I think the book definitely relied on their old relationship for the chemistry without giving us any flashbacks which was a shame because it didn't really help with making us see the chemistry between the characters. But still, it was a fun and light romance. A breeze of a read.
I have a special place in my heart for second-chance romances. Gemma is excited for the opportunity to show her skills at work, the only bump in the road is having to work with Celeste who damaged her heart. I liked the self discovery that Gemma goes through with the insane circumstances in her life.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
This one was cute but didn’t quite hit in all the ways I wanted it to, which is totally fine! I bet it hits for the sapphics, which was most likely the goal! I really enjoyed getting to know Gemma and Celeste, and I thought it was an interesting style choice to give Gemma a first person POV while Celeste has a third person POV.
Both of their reservations about starting something up between one another after so long was completely relatable, especially on Celeste’s side. She’s been so jaded and has seen things in her personal life that make her question love in and of itself, but I enjoyed reading that she felt so comfortable around Gem, like nothing bad really changed. I kind of wish we had gone a bit more into Celeste’s reasons for leaving Gemma on a whim. I can totally understand Gemma’s hurt, but I also appreciated that they acted like two grown adults and talked about their feelings openly and honestly.
The spice was good too, and introduced me to things I haven’t come across in contemporary romance. I also got a good laugh that turning 30 almost felt like the end all be all because the expectations Gemma and Celeste had about their lives (marriage, kids, etc.) didn’t come to fruition quite yet. It’s just a nice reassurance in a sense that life isn’t a marathon and things come at your at it’s own pace.
Both of their reservations about starting something up between one another after so long was completely relatable, especially on Celeste’s side. She’s been so jaded and has seen things in her personal life that make her question love in and of itself, but I enjoyed reading that she felt so comfortable around Gem, like nothing bad really changed. I kind of wish we had gone a bit more into Celeste’s reasons for leaving Gemma on a whim. I can totally understand Gemma’s hurt, but I also appreciated that they acted like two grown adults and talked about their feelings openly and honestly.
The spice was good too, and introduced me to things I haven’t come across in contemporary romance. I also got a good laugh that turning 30 almost felt like the end all be all because the expectations Gemma and Celeste had about their lives (marriage, kids, etc.) didn’t come to fruition quite yet. It’s just a nice reassurance in a sense that life isn’t a marathon and things come at your at it’s own pace.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Homophobia
While the story had potential and the narrators were good it just didn’t fully grab my attention
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
This was a fast listen full with tension and second chances. After almost a decade after breaking up they’re thrown together for a clever and very cute plot of forced proximity. I really appreciated the growth that needed to happen for both characters and how the story took us through it. Would recommend for anyone interested in a quick and steamy sapphic read.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was so cute!! i recommended to anyone who loves a sapphic romance 🌸🌉📷
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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