Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - How to Excavate a Heart

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of chapters that I mostly skimmed because they were inundated with marine evolution information that I didn't particularly care about, but everything else was pretty cute.

I was surprised at how underwhelming the conflict was. While I did like the decision the characters came to at the end of the book, it felt rushed to me after such a drawn-out romance through the beginning. Also, the enemies-to-lovers happened SO abruptly that it felt like they had never needed to be enemies in the first place?

I wouldn't read it again, but it was enjoyable for the most part and I loved that it was a sapphic Jewish couple getting together at Christmas. A fun holiday read!

Content Warnings

lycanhood's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful 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

3.75

An enjoyable holiday romcom that straddles the line between YA and New Adult.
Has a Jewish lesbian MC and a Jewish sapphic love interest.
Trigger Warning for recollection of a sexual assault.

My biggest complaint is that I felt the book might have benefited (as most romances do) from being dual POV rather than just from one character's perspective. And also the ending was just a little to neat for my tastes. Mostly understandable given that it's a holiday romance story but I think they're were more interesting unexplored possibilities for the ending that could have still managed a happy ending.

Overall though, this is a quick queer and quirky read perfect for the holiday season!

Content Warnings

fictionaladventures's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such a charming read! I wouldn’t call it YA—it’s NA for sure, both because the characters are in college and because of the sexual content. It wasn’t TOO graphic like scene-wise, but sex was just a huge subject in the story so it didn’t feel YA.

Shani went through some awesome character development in this. I loved all the choices the author made with that. She learned some of the most important lessons there are to learn and it was a joy to read that. Shani’s voice was so real and relatable and charming. All the characters felt real while at the same time being enjoyable to read about. It wasn’t as Christmas focused as I expected, but that means it doesn’t have to be read just around Christmas time—it’s more of a wintery read than anything. And the chapter titles were amazing lol.

I got kinda choked up in the scene where Shani came out to her mom! It was so incredibly touching!

Content Warnings