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galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
READ: Jan 2024
FORMAT: Digital
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4.5 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4.25 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 4.5 / 5⭐
In this novella, Stefan can’t understand why it is that, of all the botanists in NYC, it would be some nobody tour guide at the botanical gardens to earn a dedicated mention in a popular article; so, he goes to see for himself what all the fuss is about, but he’s left with more questions than answers. Milo immediately clocks Stefan as someone far too polished and buttoned up, in need of a good tarnishing. Passion for their individual paths in life leads to passion between the sheets, but their strong personalities and life choices don’t quite mesh as easily as their bodies might.
This book was incredibly sweet, and also it hurt me. The chemistry between these two is a smidge awkward at first but absolute fire once they get going. Stefan is a neurodivergent character who has been ‘othered’ for the majority of his life by strangers, friends, family, and coworkers alike who think he comes off as pretentious and full of himself. Milo certainly gets that first impression as well, but he has always been drawn to care for things that have been cast aside and neglected, always pouring his everything into helping them reach their most beautiful potential. With the right touch and proper nurturing, any flower can blossom.
As a novella, this story is naturally going to be fast-paced, but even with that being the case it does a great job of making their relationship development feel natural. When one character is terribly out of line and in need of a reality check over how little sway he has in the other’s decisions, he is given it in spades, which is far bolder than most full-length romances dare to be. I can’t overstate enough how necessary that scene was, nor how refreshing it was to see it. I’ve lost track over how many romances I’ve read where Character A is prepared make massive sacrifices for Character B, and I’m just left screaming, “You met all of three days ago, you don’t even know each other.”
This book has representation for gays. Both of the main characters are non-white.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: is it racism if it’s your own people shaming you for not fitting into their box? Let’s call it racism-adjacent; mention of infidelity; and, alcohol use.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
Minor: Racism and Infidelity
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