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sydneyluxford's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but the second half was too fast-paced for my liking.
I knew this book was going to have smut in it, but it had way more than I expected. I think that affected my enjoyment a bit, because I’m not the biggest fan of smut. If you don’t enjoy smut, definitely do not read this book, because it is unavoidable.
Stella was a bit too relatable, it’s kinda scary… should I be worried???? Should I get tested, or what?
In the beginning, I really liked Michael, but as the book progressed, I didn’t like him as much. I still like him though, I just felt that he was quite ‘forceful’ with Stella. I don’t know if I misinterpreted it, but there was a smut scene where she was uncomfortable and he said something along the lines of: “give me a minute, I need this.” And I was so confused???
This review makes me seem like I hate this book — I don’t. I actually really enjoyed it, I just don’t think I’d want to read something similar to this any time soon.
I knew this book was going to have smut in it, but it had way more than I expected. I think that affected my enjoyment a bit, because I’m not the biggest fan of smut. If you don’t enjoy smut, definitely do not read this book, because it is unavoidable.
Stella was a bit too relatable, it’s kinda scary… should I be worried???? Should I get tested, or what?
In the beginning, I really liked Michael, but as the book progressed, I didn’t like him as much. I still like him though, I just felt that he was quite ‘forceful’ with Stella. I don’t know if I misinterpreted it, but there was a smut scene where she was uncomfortable and he said something along the lines of: “give me a minute, I need this.” And I was so confused???
This review makes me seem like I hate this book — I don’t. I actually really enjoyed it, I just don’t think I’d want to read something similar to this any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Cancer and Stalking
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism
jenn_reads's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism and Classism
micaelamariem's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a romcom that was equal parts cute and steamy! I really wasn’t expecting so much spice! But I love the movie Pretty Woman so this gender swapped retelling was fun. I love all the representation: Asian characters, autistic mc, male sex worker, etc. plus the discussion questions at the end really help to understand the aspects of these representations. It would’ve been a four star read but the last third of the book kind of dragged out due to miscommunication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Alcohol
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
I thought this was for the most part a solid romance that had me swooning and laughing and sometimes crying throughout. It was so heartfelt! It was not only so nice to see an autistic leading lady, but to know that said leading lady was written by an autistic author just made me so happy. Stella jumps off the page and I can see how her character resonates with so many women on the autism spectrum. The only time I ran into trouble with this book was when it began having the tendency to lean a little too hard into the miscommunication trope. If it made a single appearance, I maybe would have been able to look past it, but it was kind of all over the place and coming up a lot. Overall though, I did love this book and I think if you want to read a unique romance novel with an autistic heroine, this is the one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Stalking
laurataylor's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
uppercasenoises's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book, it is definitely in my top 10 of the year (2022). I learned so much about autism and east/southeast Asian cultures. The main characters' relationship is so sweet. Must-read romance novel for me. Third person omniscient, dual POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Classism
Spice: 4/5, very explicit content throughout, though pretty vanilla. Relevant to the plot.wthanyell's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Despite the quote on the cover I did NOT realise what this book would have in store.
If you were unaware, this book is smut in disguise (?) maybe I'm just a little naive.
This novel follows econometrician Stella Lane, who hires a male escort (Michael Larse) in the hopes of learning the skills 'required' to have a relationship with a man. In doing so, she hopes to be comfortable enough to marry and have children, which would please her mother who constantly begs for grandchildren.
As you can imagine, none of this goes as planned and romance ensues.
Anywho, I really liked Stella's character and how the author drew on her experience of autism spectrum disorder. Michael isn't a bad character either, you can certainly tell he was written by a woman is all I'll say; I just liked Stella's characterisation that bit more.
Characters 7
Plot 7
Writing/style 6
Enjoyment 7
Overall rating 3.5/5
If you were unaware, this book is smut in disguise (?) maybe I'm just a little naive.
This novel follows econometrician Stella Lane, who hires a male escort (Michael Larse) in the hopes of learning the skills 'required' to have a relationship with a man. In doing so, she hopes to be comfortable enough to marry and have children, which would please her mother who constantly begs for grandchildren.
As you can imagine, none of this goes as planned and romance ensues.
Anywho, I really liked Stella's character and how the author drew on her experience of autism spectrum disorder. Michael isn't a bad character either, you can certainly tell he was written by a woman is all I'll say; I just liked Stella's characterisation that bit more.
Characters 7
Plot 7
Writing/style 6
Enjoyment 7
Overall rating 3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual assault
Minor: Stalking, Abandonment, and Classism
anelya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was AMAZING. It made me cry in all the good ways. I had just come from reading a book series with so much sexism and ableism and horrible treatment of neurodivergent people that it made me cry in all the bad ways and I was so frustrated with male writers, and then I read this. I think it healed me, honestly.
I have ADHD and therefore share some attributes as some people with autism, and this was the closest I've ever come to reading a book with a main character that I could identify with on the level of womanhood and neurodivergence. This was a beautiful read. I was so impressed that this is the author's debut novel! I think she did a fantastic job considering that!
I think the only thing I could complain about is the very tropey usage of jealousy which tends to rub me the wrong way. And I guess also how Stella seems to profess her feelings for Michael multiple times and he never gets it? It was just bizzare and felt like he was either dumb or ignoring her, neither of which makes sense for his character. But I digress. Other than that it was an immensely enjoyable read.
I was very impressed by the sexual scenes and the written behaviour on Michael's part. But the highlight was, of course, Stella herself. I love Math and having a main female character who also loves Math was a joy. But also so many of her intricacies, her mannerisms and her social issues and the way she likes structure... They all are similar to what I've experienced and it was so extremely enjoyable to read it. It was just... Such a wonder to feel understood and feel like I understood.
I don't know, this book was just impressive and wonderful and I plan to read it again. I didn't know what I was missing in life was neurodivergent representation from a woman's perspective. Now I realise that's pretty much all I want. I hope I get to read a novel this incredible about a woman with ADHD one day. <3
Thank you for this beautiful read.
I have ADHD and therefore share some attributes as some people with autism, and this was the closest I've ever come to reading a book with a main character that I could identify with on the level of womanhood and neurodivergence. This was a beautiful read. I was so impressed that this is the author's debut novel! I think she did a fantastic job considering that!
I think the only thing I could complain about is the very tropey usage of jealousy which tends to rub me the wrong way.
I was very impressed by the sexual scenes and the written behaviour on Michael's part. But the highlight was, of course, Stella herself. I love Math and having a main female character who also loves Math was a joy. But also so many of her intricacies, her mannerisms and her social issues and the way she likes structure... They all are similar to what I've experienced and it was so extremely enjoyable to read it. It was just... Such a wonder to feel understood and feel like I understood.
I don't know, this book was just impressive and wonderful and I plan to read it again. I didn't know what I was missing in life was neurodivergent representation from a woman's perspective. Now I realise that's pretty much all I want. I hope I get to read a novel this incredible about a woman with ADHD one day. <3
Thank you for this beautiful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
chandlerwood's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
boring and offensive trash
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Classism