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lesbegays's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
not all of talia hibbert’s books are hits for me, but they’re sure never misses. this one falls into the same camp of some of her other early published novels where there is a Big External Conflict towards the end that is honestly kinda dark (and also gets wrapped up a little too quickly for how dark it is), and that’s not what i’m looking for in a romance. i much prefer her more recent stuff that doesn’t shy away from dark topics but also keeps most of the conflict within the couple. however i will happily continue to devour everything she has ever written that i can get my hands on because i do just eat this shit up
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Fatphobia, Biphobia, Classism, Colonisation, and Racism
ninetyninecats's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Biphobia
tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m really here for anything Talia Hibbert so the following is very biased 😃
The store moves pretty slow in the beginning because the focus is mostly on the spice (and setting the tone of Cherry and Ruben’s relationship) but then the tension speeds up the plot in the last few chapters.
Cherry and Ruben are swept up in a hasty fake engagement when their passions get the better of them. It’s an easy read and while I could have used more backstory and developing of Cherry (she’s perfect with no flaws or actual arc. Has utterly perfect dimples and charm and only a slight case of insecurity she quickly smooths over), I loved about this book what I love about all of Talia’s books.
*spoilers*
Utterly cute couple working through the strains of loving fiercely while truly trying to learn a person and fit them in your life. Ridiculously sexy and slightly lewd. A perfect folding in of characters with diverse backgrounds that doesn’t feel heavy handed but perfectly natural as if people with differences are also perfectly natural (because duh).
An easy happy ending because her characters are precious and deserve all the happiness in the world.
The store moves pretty slow in the beginning because the focus is mostly on the spice (and setting the tone of Cherry and Ruben’s relationship) but then the tension speeds up the plot in the last few chapters.
Cherry and Ruben are swept up in a hasty fake engagement when their passions get the better of them. It’s an easy read and while I could have used more backstory and developing of Cherry (she’s perfect with no flaws or actual arc. Has utterly perfect dimples and charm and only a slight case of insecurity she quickly smooths over), I loved about this book what I love about all of Talia’s books.
*spoilers*
Utterly cute couple working through the strains of loving fiercely while truly trying to learn a person and fit them in your life. Ridiculously sexy and slightly lewd. A perfect folding in of characters with diverse backgrounds that doesn’t feel heavy handed but perfectly natural as if people with differences are also perfectly natural (because duh).
An easy happy ending because her characters are precious and deserve all the happiness in the world.
Ruben’s arc was the most flushed out. The man has major daddy issues and a complicated relationship to his title. He both wants nothing to do with the responsibility of the crown but also won’t renounce his claim as it’s connected deeply to his identity and his family. He carries so much pain about his birth and the role it’s played in fracturing his family’s image. But he also comes to separate his self-worth from anything that’s not actually about him and takes back control over his life.
He’s reckless and has some baggage but his brother is an absolute ass-hole and abuser. I wish something more drastic had happened to him but it was satisfying to watch him lose control after lording his power over the other characters for so long.
Cherry is funny and cunning, even if she shrinks herself and plays dumb as a weapon (had mixed feelings about it because it seemed unnecessary and minimized her in a way that didn’t actually feel powerful). We could have used a connection as to why that was her coping mechanism. Hibbert also could have taken the baking thread somewhere as she set it up like Cherry’s true passion in life only to do nothing else with it. Cherry, though wonderful and thoughtful, wasn’t written very thoroughly.
This as an audio book is wild! The narrator is a guy which I thought you be weird and it was but not as bad as I thought. Ruben’s accent is terrible though 😂.
This is from 2018 and Talia’s writing has improved in my opinion but I still ate this up and look forward to the other two in the series.
This is from 2018 and Talia’s writing has improved in my opinion but I still ate this up and look forward to the other two in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, and Racism
loquitacass's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
hjb_128's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Racism, and Body shaming
salomegf's review
emotional
funny
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
3.5
I’ve been on a talia hibbert reading spree, and wow this woman knows how to write interesting characters !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racism, Biphobia, and Fatphobia
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Talia Hibbert is so good at writing romance. Even though this is such an unlikely setup for a modern romance, she still made it feel believable, with real world stakes and understandable hangups and motivations. A quick listen, but mind the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
nxyzarorealms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
3.0
It was cute, emotional and fun
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
caffeinatedfae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Fatphobia and Body shaming
shannonigans322's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Y'all, the male audiobook narrator was so unserious (think Swedish Chef) that I almost bailed, but I hung in there because I knew my girl Talia wouldn't do me wrong. I was quite correct. This novel was a sexy, steamy, emotional rollercoaster and I absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent