doctoramazingyarnandknitting's review
hopeful
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
3.75
carolynlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
displacedcactus's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I didn't know that I'd be reading two foodie-themed queer "fake dating a rich boyfriend while the paparazzi follows us around" books* this spring, but that's what I get for not reading the blurb when I see an author I've liked before has a new book!
I wanted to like this book because I enjoyed Chef's Kiss and I honestly don't think I've ever seen a trans-femme/trans-masc relationship in a mainstream romance novel! The problem is, not only does the rich boyfriend fantasy not really appeal to me, but I specifically didn't vibe with Jean-Pierre. I think if he had been allowed to be a POV character, I might have liked him better. However, we only get Luna's POV, and what we see of JP through her leaves a lot to be desired. He's entitled, brusque, he vapes (not as bad as smoking but still gross in my book), and it was hard to get behind his idea to claim his inheritance when he's already rich. I could guess at the reasons for some of the brusqueness (he seems autistic-coded, like he's dealing with some serious dysphoria, and maybe some depression and/or anxiety?) but without spending any time in his head, it was hard to be sympathetic when he'd do something like refuse to help with a chore because he didn't know how.
There were things I did like. I liked the moments when Jean-Pierre or Luna showed how attuned they were to something the other said. I liked how the challenge plot point was resolved. I loved how much Luna and JP appreciated each other's bodies, in really affirming ways. I was amused by the send-up of how ridiculous Fine Dining can be.
I suspect that people who really like fake dating and/or rich boyfriends may enjoy this one more than I did. I do hope that it finds its readers, and that it's popular enough that we continue to see even more trans romances exploring many different tropes, so everyone can find a sweet or sexy trans romance that hits all the right buttons.
(Disclaimer: I'm a pan, demi cis woman, so I recognize am not the main target audience of this book. I just love to read romance from all across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and support marginalized authors)
*The other one was Fake Dates and Mooncakes, and it's a M/M YA romance that also features a cute corgi, so if this combination of tropes is your specific catnip, go read that one too.
I wanted to like this book because I enjoyed Chef's Kiss and I honestly don't think I've ever seen a trans-femme/trans-masc relationship in a mainstream romance novel! The problem is, not only does the rich boyfriend fantasy not really appeal to me, but I specifically didn't vibe with Jean-Pierre. I think if he had been allowed to be a POV character, I might have liked him better. However, we only get Luna's POV, and what we see of JP through her leaves a lot to be desired. He's entitled, brusque, he vapes (not as bad as smoking but still gross in my book), and it was hard to get behind his idea to claim his inheritance when he's already rich. I could guess at the reasons for some of the brusqueness (he seems autistic-coded, like he's dealing with some serious dysphoria, and maybe some depression and/or anxiety?) but without spending any time in his head, it was hard to be sympathetic when he'd do something like refuse to help with a chore because he didn't know how.
There were things I did like. I liked the moments when Jean-Pierre or Luna showed how attuned they were to something the other said. I liked how the challenge plot point was resolved. I loved how much Luna and JP appreciated each other's bodies, in really affirming ways. I was amused by the send-up of how ridiculous Fine Dining can be.
I suspect that people who really like fake dating and/or rich boyfriends may enjoy this one more than I did. I do hope that it finds its readers, and that it's popular enough that we continue to see even more trans romances exploring many different tropes, so everyone can find a sweet or sexy trans romance that hits all the right buttons.
(Disclaimer: I'm a pan, demi cis woman, so I recognize am not the main target audience of this book. I just love to read romance from all across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and support marginalized authors)
*The other one was Fake Dates and Mooncakes, and it's a M/M YA romance that also features a cute corgi, so if this combination of tropes is your specific catnip, go read that one too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia
Spoiler for consent issues:Spoiler
The first time Luna and JP have sex, he is pretty drunk. Not blackout drunk, but drunk enough that his inhibitions were lowered. This is another example where the book would have benefitted from giving us Jean-Pierre's point of view. I understand that some people find they need to be in a slightly altered state to get past dysphoria, trauma, or other hurdles to sexual enjoyment. But without a sober conversation between them, or a peek into JP's head, we're left with a situation of dubious consent that I didn't feel was really address.bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
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
General disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn’t indicate that the book wasn’t worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I’m a ho for the smut, recognizing a genre/book/author is not for me, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
I was provided with an ARC by @atriabooks via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (she is getting the ARCs done y’all, she is a woman ✨on a mission✨okayyyyyy — you know she is me, right? Okay cool hehehe)
What kind of catnip did TJ Alexander put in this?! I’m so serious. I thought I LOVED Simone & Ray from book 1 but I am a fucking SIMP for Luna & Jean-Pierre🔥 The grumpy x sunshine, fake dating honeys of my dreams!!!!!
Am I biased because I’m a fake dating ho? YES. However, bias aside — I’m so excited for y’all to read this one! Luna has so much more moral aptitude than I do because if someone offered me money to be their fake girlfriend, I’d take it ✨in a second✨ no questions asked. Luna has integrity & stands strong in her convictions though, which I is one thing I love about a spicy Pisces😅
I really appreciated Luna & Jean-Pierre’s dialogues about what a queer relationship is, passing, and the importance of being in community with other trans folks. They both provided intriguing perspectives and you could tell they were actually dialoguing in trying to understand where the other was coming from, while also inviting each other to expand their perspectives. What a beautiful model of dialogue, not discussion or debate. As an educator and a facilitator of anti-racism workshops and programming for my own advisees, this gave me such a renewed sense of “you know what, it’s possible!” 🥹
Anyway, I was giddy, squealing with joy, and kicking my feet up in the air as my cheeks hurt from smiling as I read this fluffy, sweet romcom about two trans bbs who fall for each other ✨hard✨ and make each other better. Not only does this bring up timely conversations, but it also just made my heart sing. Y’all better go read this once it’s published!!!! THANK YOU TJ FOR BLESSING US WITH THIS CATNIP!!!! 🫶🏽
I was provided with an ARC by @atriabooks via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (she is getting the ARCs done y’all, she is a woman ✨on a mission✨okayyyyyy — you know she is me, right? Okay cool hehehe)
What kind of catnip did TJ Alexander put in this?! I’m so serious. I thought I LOVED Simone & Ray from book 1 but I am a fucking SIMP for Luna & Jean-Pierre🔥 The grumpy x sunshine, fake dating honeys of my dreams!!!!!
Am I biased because I’m a fake dating ho? YES. However, bias aside — I’m so excited for y’all to read this one! Luna has so much more moral aptitude than I do because if someone offered me money to be their fake girlfriend, I’d take it ✨in a second✨ no questions asked. Luna has integrity & stands strong in her convictions though, which I is one thing I love about a spicy Pisces😅
I really appreciated Luna & Jean-Pierre’s dialogues about what a queer relationship is, passing, and the importance of being in community with other trans folks. They both provided intriguing perspectives and you could tell they were actually dialoguing in trying to understand where the other was coming from, while also inviting each other to expand their perspectives. What a beautiful model of dialogue, not discussion or debate. As an educator and a facilitator of anti-racism workshops and programming for my own advisees, this gave me such a renewed sense of “you know what, it’s possible!” 🥹
Anyway, I was giddy, squealing with joy, and kicking my feet up in the air as my cheeks hurt from smiling as I read this fluffy, sweet romcom about two trans bbs who fall for each other ✨hard✨ and make each other better. Not only does this bring up timely conversations, but it also just made my heart sing. Y’all better go read this once it’s published!!!! THANK YOU TJ FOR BLESSING US WITH THIS CATNIP!!!! 🫶🏽
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one even more than the first book in the series! Alexander is a fantastic writer; Luna and JP came so alive in this book.
Plot-wise, I would have wanted a little more substance, but I think the characters and relationships were so much more important; the actual cooking plot felt like a B or C plot to the book. I loved Luna in the first book so I was excited to get more of her and the fake dating plot worked so well, especially with a character like JP.
Alexander did queer discourse in many ways in the book in a way that felt personal to the characters and their experiences while also taking on some important conversations had in the queer community.
I look forward to their next book!
Plot-wise, I would have wanted a little more substance, but I think the characters and relationships were so much more important; the actual cooking plot felt like a B or C plot to the book. I loved Luna in the first book so I was excited to get more of her and the fake dating plot worked so well, especially with a character like JP.
Alexander did queer discourse in many ways in the book in a way that felt personal to the characters and their experiences while also taking on some important conversations had in the queer community.
I look forward to their next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Cursing
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Transphobia
baxgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.25
cianmars's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lilcaracol17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
4.75
Brilliant, lovely, moving. I’m a big fan. The chemistry between the leads was palpable. Usually I find books with rich love interests and will contingency plots frustrating, but even I was convinced within the context of this story. Just a good read. Only loses points because of some miscommunication at the end I found a bit silly (though it did get resolved). Plus, I want more of Jean-Pierre’s backstory!
megangour's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0