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fjalar's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Don't read this book of you or someone you love is disabled. I cannot for the life of me understand how this book has any positive reviews, and it pains me to read that some people seemingly read this as an introduction to MS.
Look, I thought there might be something here. I was excited to read this book, to see myself represented in a sapphic romance novel. And when Jill started the book thinking she was undeserving of love and support, I thought that surely, surely she would soon discover that she is more than her illness, more than what she can do for other people. I thought, perfect! Crash is a stunt woman, a physical performer, she knows what it means to fear the loss of her body's functionality - she's come close to getting hurt badly once, she knows the risk. Surely her first girlfriend leaving her because she couldn't deal with her dangerous job was a setup, and she would ask Jill, what would you do if I needed to use a wheelchair one day? Would you still love me? Would you leave me?
Instead, the book is a slog through ableism from every single person we meet. There is no counter-balance whatsoever. Jill thinks disabled people are a burden and shouldn't be in relationships. Her brother thinks she's ill because she's a lesbian. Crash doubts whether she should be with Jill, and her mother confirms that it's a bad idea. Jill's best friend tells her that she would want her girlfriend to leave her, too, if she was diagnosed with MS. Crash's best friend tells her the morality tale of their friend Jimmy who became severly disabled after a stunt accident, and wouldn't Crash do what his girlfriend did and leave if that happened? There's one single character using a wheelchair, and while he's happily married he openly says he wishes his wife would leave him. That's fucked up. Don't tell me that's not fucked up.
I know, I know, Jill has a change of heart during the last forty pages, but that was neither earned nor did it feel natural. The pacing was terrible from start to finish, with the same arguments replaying again, again, and again. If I wanted to read hundreds of pages filled to the brim with rage-inducing ableism, I'd open my browser or any old newspaper, thank you very much.
Also, the characters are two-dimensional, their chemistry non-existent, the sex scenes a turnoff. Don't waste your time on this book. You'll thank me for it.
Look, I thought there might be something here. I was excited to read this book, to see myself represented in a sapphic romance novel. And when Jill started the book thinking she was undeserving of love and support, I thought that surely, surely she would soon discover that she is more than her illness, more than what she can do for other people. I thought, perfect! Crash is a stunt woman, a physical performer, she knows what it means to fear the loss of her body's functionality - she's come close to getting hurt badly once, she knows the risk. Surely her first girlfriend leaving her because she couldn't deal with her dangerous job was a setup, and she would ask Jill, what would you do if I needed to use a wheelchair one day? Would you still love me? Would you leave me?
Instead, the book is a slog through ableism from every single person we meet. There is no counter-balance whatsoever. Jill thinks disabled people are a burden and shouldn't be in relationships. Her brother thinks she's ill because she's a lesbian. Crash doubts whether she should be with Jill, and her mother confirms that it's a bad idea. Jill's best friend tells her that she would want her girlfriend to leave her, too, if she was diagnosed with MS. Crash's best friend tells her the morality tale of their friend Jimmy who became severly disabled after a stunt accident, and wouldn't Crash do what his girlfriend did and leave if that happened? There's one single character using a wheelchair, and while he's happily married he openly says he wishes his wife would leave him. That's fucked up. Don't tell me that's not fucked up.
I know, I know, Jill has a change of heart during the last forty pages, but that was neither earned nor did it feel natural. The pacing was terrible from start to finish, with the same arguments replaying again, again, and again. If I wanted to read hundreds of pages filled to the brim with rage-inducing ableism, I'd open my browser or any old newspaper, thank you very much.
Also, the characters are two-dimensional, their chemistry non-existent, the sex scenes a turnoff. Don't waste your time on this book. You'll thank me for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Chronic illness
Moderate: Lesbophobia
hhushaw's review against another edition
4.0
I have read a little of Jae's books but not a lot, I was pleasantly surprised by this book though. I really loved learning more about MS and seeing a strong female character, an actress go through the acceptance of her sickness and how she could still have a life, a career and a love life. Crash was just wonderful, never giving up and showing Jill the support that she didn't know she needed. This book was great and I can't wait to pick up another one of Jae's reads.
worthleyv's review against another edition
2.0
I usually love reading Jae's novels but the internalized ableism in this was just too much. I really wanted Jill to grow.
kjanie's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
OMG the rate at which I binged read this series is honestly ridiculous. Despite this being the busiest part of the year for me, I couldn't help but spend all my spare time (and a lot of time I didn't have to spare) on these books. These have been the first books by Jae that I've read, but I now have a tab open with all of the books by her that I'm going to binge next. This was just another great romance in this series. It was different from the other two books, but still had so much of the same aspects that I loved. The characters and the relationship was extremely well-developed, again, I could feel the chemistry between these characters it was just so visceral!
This is also the first book I've read about a character with MS. I learnt so much through the character of Jill and I'm glad that I'm now more educated on all the struggles that people with this disability go through. Jill was a very stubborn (sometimes frustratingly so), strong and independent character. I already loved Jill going into this book after reading the second novel in the series, but this book gave her the limelight that she truly deserved. I admit that I found her frustrating sometimes because I just wanted her to let people help her, but it was understandable for her character to be so stubborn. Even though I just wanted our characters to get together because I'm a romantic at heart, I also appreciate that Jae didn't underemphasise or skip over the struggles (both internal and external) that Jill was going to. On a less meaningful note, the angst and conflict between the characters also meant that their relationship was all the more sweet once they actually got together.
I really loved Crash. She was such a charismatic, funny and kind-hearted character. Her commitment and love for Jill just makes me want to gush about her. I also haven't read a book about a stuntwoman (or man for that matter) before, and it was honestly so interesting. It was just another facet of the Hollywood/actor experience that I loved exploring. Crash also just perfectly balanced with Jill. I ADORED them together. They had such witty interactions, a strong emotional connection and also believable chemistry. This whole series was great, so I definitely recommend!
OMG the rate at which I binged read this series is honestly ridiculous. Despite this being the busiest part of the year for me, I couldn't help but spend all my spare time (and a lot of time I didn't have to spare) on these books. These have been the first books by Jae that I've read, but I now have a tab open with all of the books by her that I'm going to binge next. This was just another great romance in this series. It was different from the other two books, but still had so much of the same aspects that I loved. The characters and the relationship was extremely well-developed, again, I could feel the chemistry between these characters it was just so visceral!
This is also the first book I've read about a character with MS. I learnt so much through the character of Jill and I'm glad that I'm now more educated on all the struggles that people with this disability go through. Jill was a very stubborn (sometimes frustratingly so), strong and independent character. I already loved Jill going into this book after reading the second novel in the series, but this book gave her the limelight that she truly deserved. I admit that I found her frustrating sometimes because I just wanted her to let people help her, but it was understandable for her character to be so stubborn. Even though I just wanted our characters to get together because I'm a romantic at heart, I also appreciate that Jae didn't underemphasise or skip over the struggles (both internal and external) that Jill was going to. On a less meaningful note, the angst and conflict between the characters also meant that their relationship was all the more sweet once they actually got together.
I really loved Crash. She was such a charismatic, funny and kind-hearted character. Her commitment and love for Jill just makes me want to gush about her. I also haven't read a book about a stuntwoman (or man for that matter) before, and it was honestly so interesting. It was just another facet of the Hollywood/actor experience that I loved exploring. Crash also just perfectly balanced with Jill. I ADORED them together. They had such witty interactions, a strong emotional connection and also believable chemistry. This whole series was great, so I definitely recommend!
cidnel's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
m0thermayi's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars | this was an okay read. Definitely not my favourite by Jae. I had such high expectations for this book though
rickosborne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a very sweet and well done story about a woman coming to terms with what "disability" means to her. I connect strongly to this kind of story, as I don't have MS, but I repeatedly have to reassess how I feel about my own autism. Some days it's a disability, some days it's a superpower, and some days it's both and neither.
I usually find it difficult to read such strongly fearful-avoidant characters, and this one had me gnashing my teeth a few times at the slow oncoming steamroller of Jill's self-image issues. Having said that, the combination of vulnerability (albeit sometimes slow), communication (again, sometimes slow), and space (always present), helped push this over into "enjoyable" territory.
Rep: FMC with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Sex:three R-rated scenes
Tags: #ChronicIllnessOrDisability #ConfrontingHomophobia #DualPOV #ExpirationDate #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #RehabRecovery #SelfImageIssues #TheDogGetsSkritches #ThirdPersonPOV
I usually find it difficult to read such strongly fearful-avoidant characters, and this one had me gnashing my teeth a few times at the slow oncoming steamroller of Jill's self-image issues. Having said that, the combination of vulnerability (albeit sometimes slow), communication (again, sometimes slow), and space (always present), helped push this over into "enjoyable" territory.
Rep: FMC with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Sex:
Tags: #ChronicIllnessOrDisability #ConfrontingHomophobia #DualPOV #ExpirationDate #FamilyIssues #FearfulNeutralPair #RehabRecovery #SelfImageIssues #TheDogGetsSkritches #ThirdPersonPOV
Content Warnings
Minor: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
homophobic religious bigot sibling side character present in one scene, mentioned briefly in a few otherssciencewithkrystal's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asteinmuller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness