Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

22 reviews

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Classism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Gaslighting

Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders

bzliz's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.75

The Boyfriend Material series wasn’t my favorite but I liked it well enough that when I saw this at the library, I thought I’d give it a try. I really like the backdrop of a Bake Off style program that gives a lot of structure to the story. It feels so comforting to read and limits the amount of stress. I think cozy readers will love this book. 

Rosaline’s growth is due to her defiance of what others want for her. Firstly her parents, who’ve been pretty controlling her whole life. Then Alain, whose control is more subtle because it seems like he’s presenting options but really he just ignores the reality of her life and discounts her child as a huge responsibility but also her greatest source of joy. Rosaline starts standing up for herself and it’s a good moment that I think most quiet people secretly want. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as finally saying everything you’ve been thinking and agonizing over. I was also frustrated with Rosaline because she wastes her time on this dude who might as well be saying “I own a Red Flag manufacturing plant and business is booming!” However, I would lay my life down for Harry even though I only understood about 75% of what he was saying. 

Finally, it needs to be mentioned that there is a sexual assault scene. When I was looking for more information prior to starting the book, I couldn’t easily find a description of the event. If you’re sensitive to this subject and want to know what happens prior to reading, see my note below with the content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Cursing, Sexual content, Classism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Mental illness, Biphobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia

The sexual assault scene happened much later in the book than I expected it would. What happens is

Alain invites Rosaline to his house and when she gets there his friend/ex Liv is there and already semi-drunk. He keeps giving them alcohol and encourages Rosaline to show Liv the tattoo down her back. He continues trying to convince her even after she says she doesn’t want to take off her clothes. Liv takes off her dress and gets on top of Rosaline, trying to kiss her, as Alain watches and Rosaline is trying to get away. Rosaline locks herself in the bathroom. Alain tries to enter the bathroom and attempts to gaslight her into rejoining them. Rosaline calls for help to get a ride home and is able to leave Alain’s house after a few hours.

atamano's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Cursing

Moderate: Sexism, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism

rockyroadbutch's review

funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Biphobia, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Classism

Moderate: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Pregnancy

fromthefoxhole's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-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

5.0

I mean it's just a scrummy book! I was outwardly chuckling for like 80% of the book, I got a therapy session, and the leads are insanely hot. Wins all across the board. 

Hall does a really excellent job with pacing, everything is whip smart and witty, especially our MC Rosaline. She's honestly a badass (I will never understand how people have the energy to do anything on top of being a parent, it's such involved and hard work) but she's also so genuine. She's balanced, both flawed and fleshed out enough to feel human, like I could pop down the street and she'd greet me with a cup of tea.
Harry, our burly cinnamon roll love interest, is a man of few words who really goes all out with acts of service for those he cares about. There are so many times in this book that I highlighted and my comment is just "😭😭" because he's such a gentle and kind man. 
Also, Amelie is the love of my life, and I hope one day she becomes a marine biologist who focuses on deep sea exploration. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Cursing, Classism, and Biphobia

Minor: Abortion

ohheyitskaitlin's review

funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Alcohol

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Ableism, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Violence, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Abortion, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Medical content

nefariousbee's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

this is the second time Alexis Hall got me from what threatened to be a big old reading slump. i swear you can't go wrong with his romance novels. it's witty and fun, the characters feel alive, you get the romance and the life lessons. the plot is barely there but I like it that way so I can't complain. this was a f/m romance and so bisexual at the same time. just delightful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Classism, and Alcohol

cluckieduck's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Biphobia, and Cursing

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse

aimzthereader's review against another edition

emotional funny informative lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

I LOVED this book and felt sooo seen by it . This book represents a lot of the bisexual experience, the good and the bad. I love that the author was not afraid to call out a lot of shit that lgbtqia+ community has to deal with . 

I loved the writing style. I loved the plot especially the setting of it being on the Great bake which is the Great British bake off 100%. It was I reretibg to hear about the competition while having a romance happen at the same time. This id also a story of friendship. The power of standing up for yourself and being your true self and being fine with that and making others realize they need to be accepting and respectful. 

The daughter in this is also super cute and that’s a great storyline of seeing Rosaline as a single mother and all the experiences that go along with that. 
 
There were many many moments where I found myself snapping/clapping along at this book, nodding my head and smiling and also getting mad at certain characters. This book also made me watch the great British bake off and I highly recommend that for a
Multimedia experience. 

I will read many more books by Alexis hall because to me this book was perfection . 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, Biphobia, and Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Mental illness

Minor: Body shaming, Violence, and Medical content

lettuce_read's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Cursing