Reviews

The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett

sydcant's review

Just wasn’t very good. Didn’t feel interested in either main character 

heyitscrystal's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

michaelaaa_'s review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

etinney's review

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I promise the atrocious cover is misleading - this was a solid, enjoyable read. The characters' negative character traits created realistic tension in the relationship that was compounded by the other plot elements. The prose is very readable and free of major copyediting errors or glaring plot holes (an accomplishment for modern romance books). The spice scenes were well-written if they do trigger minor concerns regarding health code violations.

However, the forced third-act breakup was very rushed, which forced the other B-plots to be wrapped up quickly and in an unsatisfying way. I was particularly bothered by how Amy handles her relationship with her father.

Overall a good entry in the Sapphic romance genre though the insistence on a third-act breakup soured the ending for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Death of parent

brittneyrobyn's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

texas_toast92's review

emotional funny hopeful sad 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

jcurry447's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

3.25

gemrob's review

3.0

bruv

tagoreketabkhane31's review

4.0

*Carina Press, while an imprint with HC via Harlequin, is not one of the one that are part of the current HC union strike. That is why this review is being provided. For more information on the exemption, find it here: https://twitter.com/bookwormbullet/status/1610689386877976577?s=20 *

This was a great stroy with two FMCs that have great chemistry with each other, NO miscommunication (which I am starting to see as a trend with sapphic romances, and I am here for it) and also seeing how Sophie was able to navigate being in her first queer relationship. Having read both gay and sapphic romances, I really appreciated Barrett and her pacing for their (Amy and Sophie) relationship as it developed. Yes, it did seem to be insta love for the two of them (both prior to getting together and even when they did) and personally, I am not a fan of that. I also felt that their "third act" breakup, while not based on miscommunication, was rushed in how we didn't really see actual chracter growth from Amy on being able to dicate and "fix" for others.

Great book, and I would be very interested in reading more from Barrett.

rosebache's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0