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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
"Very good."
This book was actually really cute. Age gap and boss/employee trope came into play and I actually didn't hate it for once. I enjoyed their dynamic. I loved that more than one person discovered themselves in this book....this book was absolutely a light and fluffy pallet cleanser compared to some of the heavier books I have been reading.
This book was actually really cute. Age gap and boss/employee trope came into play and I actually didn't hate it for once. I enjoyed their dynamic. I loved that more than one person discovered themselves in this book....this book was absolutely a light and fluffy pallet cleanser compared to some of the heavier books I have been reading.
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
i LOVED this book, Sydney and Beatrice have so much of my heart ❤️
i loved getting to know the characters, i loved watching their relationships progress, i loved learning about what makes them tick and what happened in their pasts to shape who they are. i loved the queernormativity. it was pretty slow burn, but something about the way it was written just had me aching for more. the TENSION. it was so soupy and delicious and i was living for it. i also love an age gap, so enjoyed that aspect as well. i saw so much of myself in Sydney and how GAY she was HAHAHAHAHA
do they have their flaws? yes. were there things/situations they could've done differently? absolutely. did i love it? you bet i did! i can't wait for the other South Downs romances ❤️
i loved getting to know the characters, i loved watching their relationships progress, i loved learning about what makes them tick and what happened in their pasts to shape who they are. i loved the queernormativity. it was pretty slow burn, but something about the way it was written just had me aching for more. the TENSION. it was so soupy and delicious and i was living for it. i also love an age gap, so enjoyed that aspect as well. i saw so much of myself in Sydney and how GAY she was HAHAHAHAHA
do they have their flaws? yes. were there things/situations they could've done differently? absolutely. did i love it? you bet i did! i can't wait for the other South Downs romances ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
#Age-gap, #Ice-queen, #Workplace Romance, #Slowburn.
These hashtags perfectly capture the essence of this delightful romance. It's impeccably written in a quintessentially British English style. As someone who has always had a soft spot for slow-burn romances, there's no doubt that this book has earned a special place in my heart. The humor, Beatrice Russell's transformation, Sydney's personal battles, and the ever-present undercurrent of romance—every element is incredibly swoon-worthy. I think I've fallen head over heels for Sydney McKenzie.
I experienced this story through the audio book, and Angela Dawe's narration is nothing short of marvelous.
These hashtags perfectly capture the essence of this delightful romance. It's impeccably written in a quintessentially British English style. As someone who has always had a soft spot for slow-burn romances, there's no doubt that this book has earned a special place in my heart. The humor, Beatrice Russell's transformation, Sydney's personal battles, and the ever-present undercurrent of romance—every element is incredibly swoon-worthy. I think I've fallen head over heels for Sydney McKenzie.
I experienced this story through the audio book, and Angela Dawe's narration is nothing short of marvelous.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
I’ll start by saying that five or six years ago I probably would have given Broken Beyond Repair at least 4 stars. Thing is, I read a ton of queer romance and unless a story is truly unique and amazing, it just kinds of blends into the background with all the other mediocre romance I’ve read.
Broken Beyond Repair has solid writing and a bunch lovely messaging but ultimately, I was low key bored from the beginning and bored out of my mind by 70%. I really wanted to DNF at that point, not out of anything wrong with the story, I just wanted to be done. I stuck it out hoping that a spark would rekindle my interest and I’d feel entertained down the stretch. Unfortunately that never happened and I struggled not to skim the final 10%.
Aside from being bored, I had nitpicks here and there. Being 50+ myself, I loved getting a 50+ main character but wasn’t entirely thrilled with the representation. It was little things like Beatrice being offended that a physician suggested post menopausal women are susceptible to osteoporosis (this is fact and I have severe osteoporosis myself) and that she still had a killer bod with a toned and flat stomach (while it is suggested that she does her own stunts, she never once works out, thinks about working out and doesn’t do one bit of physical therapy while recovering so I’m super skeptical of how she manages to have such an unrealistic 50+ body), plus other details that presented an idealized, unrealistic portrayal of post menopausal life and physiology. I guess if an author is going to go there, I want to feel seen and represented in all my 50+ glory, especially given Banting makes a point of recognizing women in their 50’s and beyond start losing their box office appeal. Women are still fucking amazing, gorgeous, fit and fine past 50 even if our bodies change! Can we not acknowledge and embrace that without glossing over and erasing the very real changes that happen? *sigh*
The final blow to my enjoyment of the story happens after Sydney and Beatrice are finally together romantically. Beatrice continues to treat Sydney like a servant, repeatedly ordering her to get and take care of all the luggage, carry heavy bags, etc. I didn’t like that about Beatrice’s character even when Sydney was her PA, after they were together as a romantic couple, I loathed it. And I hated that Sydney accepted being treated like a servant without question or pushback.
All that said, it’s KU and as far as sapphic romance goes, I enjoyed this one more than most of the f/f I’ve read, plus as you can tell, some of my gripes are age specific and could easily be overlooked. I’m just a picky queer bitch, give it a chance and this one may be a home run for you.
3 grudging stars
Broken Beyond Repair has solid writing and a bunch lovely messaging but ultimately, I was low key bored from the beginning and bored out of my mind by 70%. I really wanted to DNF at that point, not out of anything wrong with the story, I just wanted to be done. I stuck it out hoping that a spark would rekindle my interest and I’d feel entertained down the stretch. Unfortunately that never happened and I struggled not to skim the final 10%.
Aside from being bored, I had nitpicks here and there. Being 50+ myself, I loved getting a 50+ main character but wasn’t entirely thrilled with the representation. It was little things like Beatrice being offended that a physician suggested post menopausal women are susceptible to osteoporosis (this is fact and I have severe osteoporosis myself) and that she still had a killer bod with a toned and flat stomach (while it is suggested that she does her own stunts, she never once works out, thinks about working out and doesn’t do one bit of physical therapy while recovering so I’m super skeptical of how she manages to have such an unrealistic 50+ body), plus other details that presented an idealized, unrealistic portrayal of post menopausal life and physiology. I guess if an author is going to go there, I want to feel seen and represented in all my 50+ glory, especially given Banting makes a point of recognizing women in their 50’s and beyond start losing their box office appeal. Women are still fucking amazing, gorgeous, fit and fine past 50 even if our bodies change! Can we not acknowledge and embrace that without glossing over and erasing the very real changes that happen? *sigh*
The final blow to my enjoyment of the story happens after Sydney and Beatrice are finally together romantically. Beatrice continues to treat Sydney like a servant, repeatedly ordering her to get and take care of all the luggage, carry heavy bags, etc. I didn’t like that about Beatrice’s character even when Sydney was her PA, after they were together as a romantic couple, I loathed it. And I hated that Sydney accepted being treated like a servant without question or pushback.
All that said, it’s KU and as far as sapphic romance goes, I enjoyed this one more than most of the f/f I’ve read, plus as you can tell, some of my gripes are age specific and could easily be overlooked. I’m just a picky queer bitch, give it a chance and this one may be a home run for you.
3 grudging stars
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes