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rhall19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Ableism
fairytales's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Mixed feelings on this one. I appreciated the Asian and autistic representation. I loved that those were a major focus of the book and the writing was solid. However, I felt the author could have done more to make it clear that seeing autism as a failing is incorrect and have more characters who truly supported, understood and embraced Stella’s identity would have helped. I think maybe the book adding a friend or family member outside of Stella’s parents might have helped.
While at times Michael supported Stella and what she needed, there were also times when he ignored her preferences or told her she would like something and magically it was fine because he was him.
I also really detested that the author did not address the clear workplace sexual harassment that Stella experienced with Philip or at any point mention that she could complain about him given that she said no and he violated that multiple times including in the workplace. Rather than having Stella or Michael address that, they went the violence/fight route which was inappropriate. It infuriated me that Philip moved on to continue his workplace harassment and that was somehow viewed as okay and not even ever acknowledged as harassment. I’m coming to learn that sexual misconduct or harassment in the workplace without consequences, while I know it happens quite often, is something that truly upsets me in books particularly in romance books where part of the genre is a happy ending.
I also really detested that the author did not address the clear workplace sexual harassment that Stella experienced with Philip or at any point mention that she could complain about him given that she said no and he violated that multiple times including in the workplace. Rather than having Stella or Michael address that, they went the violence/fight route which was inappropriate. It infuriated me that Philip moved on to continue his workplace harassment and that was somehow viewed as okay and not even ever acknowledged as harassment. I’m coming to learn that sexual misconduct or harassment in the workplace without consequences, while I know it happens quite often, is something that truly upsets me in books particularly in romance books where part of the genre is a happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Violence and Cancer
readingwithgoose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness and Medical content
Minor: Sexual harassment
imds's review against another edition
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
paxtyn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
sooooooo good and so relatable, explores a lot of really interesting dynamics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault
melist6's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Mental illness
apt2tude98's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This is a perfect story that deserves 5 stars. I would have rated it 4.75 for the fact that the amount of high cortisol experienced is not my typical favorite (in books, films, or tv shows). However, it was just too beautifully crafted to rate it any lower.
Stella is such a relatable character to me, made all the more special with the author's POV as a late-diagnosed autistic woman (and her discovery of this for the sake of her daughter).
Michael is so so hard on himself, like I think many of us are. I kept thinking of things I would say to him, if I could convince him that he wasn't a horrible person but instead a complex one. With trauma and complicated feelings. And then I realized how *I* should listen to my words for myself.
This was an incredibly personal read for me. Their communication improved over time, as healthy relationships between two people do. It hurt and I cried when misunderstandings led to BIG, tough feelings for the FMC/MMC, but especially turned oh so sweet when they found the right words to cut straight to the heart of what would resolve the conflict. My mama hoghly recommended this read for me, and I couldn't be happier I gave this a shot!
(For personal record keeping, I started this book May 5th in the afternoon and finished at 12:15 AM that night/following morning on the 6th. I read To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders the morning of the 5th and finished that afternoon. And I read Neon Gods by Katee Roberts in a little over 24 hours between the 4th and 5th (finishing at 11:30 at night). That makes 3 (300+ page) books in 48 hours, which very well may be a personal record!~ Been LUCKY (*wink*, see To Catch a Firefly) with some amazing reads~
Stella is such a relatable character to me, made all the more special with the author's POV as a late-diagnosed autistic woman (and her discovery of this for the sake of her daughter).
Michael is so so hard on himself, like I think many of us are. I kept thinking of things I would say to him, if I could convince him that he wasn't a horrible person but instead a complex one. With trauma and complicated feelings. And then I realized how *I* should listen to my words for myself.
This was an incredibly personal read for me. Their communication improved over time, as healthy relationships between two people do. It hurt and I cried when misunderstandings led to BIG, tough feelings for the FMC/MMC, but especially turned oh so sweet when they found the right words to cut straight to the heart of what would resolve the conflict. My mama hoghly recommended this read for me, and I couldn't be happier I gave this a shot!
(For personal record keeping, I started this book May 5th in the afternoon and finished at 12:15 AM that night/following morning on the 6th. I read To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders the morning of the 5th and finished that afternoon. And I read Neon Gods by Katee Roberts in a little over 24 hours between the 4th and 5th (finishing at 11:30 at night). That makes 3 (300+ page) books in 48 hours, which very well may be a personal record!~ Been LUCKY (*wink*, see To Catch a Firefly) with some amazing reads~
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
jaylene's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Didn't hate or like it - a bit cringey. I don't have much to say, but I wish I cared about the characters more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Cancer
startjpw23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Stella is 30 years old. She works as an econometrician (I hadn't heard the word before this book. She comes up with formulas to predict people's buying behavior). She is really good at her job. She makes a lot of money. Her job is her refuge. She works all kinds of extra hours. Stella's mother is pressuring her to find a man, get married, and have babies. Stella is autistic. She is ashamed of this. She doesn't want anyone to know. Due to an offhand remark from a co-worker (he probably should have been written up by HR for what he said), Stella decides she needs to get good at sex to get a man. She hires a male escort, Michael, to teach her how to get good at sex. Michael has his own issues that he is trying to deal with. Stella and Michael try to understand one another. The story goes from there. I loved this book. I thought it was very realistic. There are a few sex scenes. They aren't super graphic or gratuitous. I thought they were necessary to forward the story. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a romance between two people who have to work through a lot of stuff to understand one another. And readers who don't mind a few mild sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
sometimes_ready's review against another edition
4.0
The Short: Highly relatable plot points, steamy scenes are still a fantasy. Here for fun, well written smut that reps the autists. Perfect, social representation does not exist.
The script on this candy coated rom com is good. Not sure what the author's connection to ASD is- at times it felt like more acceptable autistic quirks got turned into an "innocent" kink. Don't get me wrong- I was here for it. One hundo the type of connection I, as a sensory seeking autist, am here for.
But. Some key parts of the plot relying on exceptionalism where the autistic character has hard and fast rules related to sensory issues that are dropped for that one patient allistic hero. I'm being too technical about this, but it also blurs the line of fantasy and personal experience that makes me feel the need to forewarn readers. I am my persons' person. No amount of patient, loving coaxing is going to make him thrilled to be touched in highly sensitive places... he's not a sensory seeker and doesn't crave touch- even just from me. I sensory seek and didn't need to learn that from one special person. The plot relies on an autistic character that discovers one single person whose touch is not only tolerable but desired. It's a disbelief I struggle to suspend.
FWIW the library system had this book recommended for autism awareness month, so my expectations were skewed.
The script on this candy coated rom com is good. Not sure what the author's connection to ASD is- at times it felt like more acceptable autistic quirks got turned into an "innocent" kink. Don't get me wrong- I was here for it. One hundo the type of connection I, as a sensory seeking autist, am here for.
But. Some key parts of the plot relying on exceptionalism where the autistic character has hard and fast rules related to sensory issues that are dropped for that one patient allistic hero. I'm being too technical about this, but it also blurs the line of fantasy and personal experience that makes me feel the need to forewarn readers. I am my persons' person. No amount of patient, loving coaxing is going to make him thrilled to be touched in highly sensitive places... he's not a sensory seeker and doesn't crave touch- even just from me. I sensory seek and didn't need to learn that from one special person. The plot relies on an autistic character that discovers one single person whose touch is not only tolerable but desired. It's a disbelief I struggle to suspend.
FWIW the library system had this book recommended for autism awareness month, so my expectations were skewed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Ableism, and Sexual harassment