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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
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
The Build Up by Tati Richardson truly made me laugh out loud so many times! I know it is a romance, and it certainly had both steamy and ‘sappy’ (in a good way) scenes, but I love that it made me chuckle throughout as well. Porter and Ari were a complex but fun couple to journey with throughout this debut novel. And I absolutely love it when an author gets the details of a city correct!! The story is based in Atlanta and features some actual restaurants in the city. It inserted some fun little quips about the city that I could visualize immediately, especially that initial MARTA ride described (I think we’ve all been there!). Near the end of the novel, the story fell into some typical romance novel tropes which didn’t quite feel necessary to me, but overall I loved the book. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Sexism
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 ⭐️
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Amazing debut!
The instant attraction with the workplace backdrop can be so fun but also tricky; Tati Richardson navigates it beautifully!
Porter and Ari were so grate about being honest and open and it meant that the dreaded miscommunication or perceived backstab never happened. Instead we watched them fall in love and learn to trust each other and themselves.
I can’t wait to see what Tati Richardson does next!
And the audio was a wonderful dual narration by Anna Lynn Wright and Vance Goodwin.
The instant attraction with the workplace backdrop can be so fun but also tricky; Tati Richardson navigates it beautifully!
Porter and Ari were so grate about being honest and open and it meant that the dreaded miscommunication or perceived backstab never happened. Instead we watched them fall in love and learn to trust each other and themselves.
I can’t wait to see what Tati Richardson does next!
And the audio was a wonderful dual narration by Anna Lynn Wright and Vance Goodwin.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
not really impressed. These characters felt flat and a bit boring. I also felt like they read a lot younger than they were supposed to.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't like the characters, and the attraction was purely physical
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was a very cute debut novel.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Build Up is a dual POV romance book which sweeps you away. My instant favorite has to be Ari who is being an excellent architect in such a male dominated field. The scenes of the sexism and fatphobia against her made my blood boil from the beginning. And Porter was a delight, the ways he has to digest what he wants to do. We love some truly career focused and ambitious main characters!
The Build Up is a dual POV romance book which sweeps you away. My instant favorite has to be Ari who is being an excellent architect in such a male dominated field. The scenes of the sexism and fatphobia against her made my blood boil from the beginning. And Porter was a delight, the ways he has to digest what he wants to do. We love some truly career focused and ambitious main characters!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment