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elemomi's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This book was a massive disappointment. There are some elements that didn’t work for me, which is fine, but there were some references, actions by characters, and views that are actively harmful that I wish I had known about beforehand.
First, there was a one-off comment by Tobin that audiobooks don’t count as reading. I believe this was an internal comment, so other characters couldn’t correct him (more on that later), but this view is incredibly ablest and condescending. And, quite frankly, it’s incorrect.
Second, Tobin jokes at one point to his roommate and her girlfriend that maybe Danny was intopedophilia or incest because of their long history and age difference. His roommate’s girlfriend immediately calls out the harmfulness of that joke, but in the wider context of the ongoing right-wing rhetoric around queer people (this book was published in 2021), a comment like this is really tone deaf and perpetuates harm. This also isn’t the only time Tobin or Danny makes a reference like that, although it is the only time it’s called out.
Finally, although the book has a content warning early on that it mentions sex trafficking, that fails to take into account the very cavalier way it is handled by Danny and Ray, including failing to report it to authorities until it was beneficial for their company. Using sex trafficking as a (minor to the plot, not in horribleness) plot point is arguably a poor choice, but having your characters actively ignore it until it benefits them is categorically shitty. I don’t care if that’s true to the finance world - do better.
First, there was a one-off comment by Tobin that audiobooks don’t count as reading. I believe this was an internal comment, so other characters couldn’t correct him (more on that later), but this view is incredibly ablest and condescending. And, quite frankly, it’s incorrect.
Second, Tobin jokes at one point to his roommate and her girlfriend that maybe Danny was into
Finally, although the book has a content warning early on that it mentions sex trafficking, that fails to take into account the very cavalier way it is handled by Danny and Ray, including failing to report it to authorities until it was beneficial for their company. Using sex trafficking as a (minor to the plot, not in horribleness) plot point is arguably a poor choice, but having your characters actively ignore it until it benefits them is categorically shitty. I don’t care if that’s true to the finance world - do better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest, Ableism, Trafficking, and Pedophilia
the_vegan_bookworm's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The premise was cute, but it was hard to root for Danny or Tobin when they both seemed like kind of unlikable people. As well, the finance plot is a little boring if you aren't especially interested in that type of work.
The repeated mentions of Tobin as a kid and of Tobin "always trying to keep up with the big boys", even when Danny and Tobin are in an adult relationship, was deeply creepy for me.
Also, Ayan's criticisms of Danny's work are ABSOLUTELY correct (the guy blackmails people into selling their shares to investors - whether or not Cyrus is a bad person, that is not great). But it's addressed so lightly and then never circled back to.
As well, are we supposed to feel bad for Danny running over a cyclist? I honestly don't know why that section was included (to show how stressed Danny is? To let Tobin care for him? To show he's a nice guy who pays the cost of the lawsuit?). Either way, it did not make me feel positively about Danny at all.
The repeated mentions of Tobin as a kid and of Tobin "always trying to keep up with the big boys", even when Danny and Tobin are in an adult relationship, was deeply creepy for me.
As well, are we supposed to feel bad for Danny running over a cyclist? I honestly don't know why that section was included (to show how stressed Danny is? To let Tobin care for him? To show he's a nice guy who pays the cost of the lawsuit?). Either way, it did not make me feel positively about Danny at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Pedophilia and Trafficking
criticalgayze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-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
3.5
Y'all, I am torn on this one.
I appreciate that, from the jump, this novel makes clear that it is more focused on bringing two characters together through emotional, rather than sexual resolution, and I appreciate the chemistry the characters have. I also appreciate that Lin has some clear experience in the world of which she writes. I think the steam is good, and I think the angst is believable.
However, I think in trying to paint the villainy and toxicity of capitalism and high finance that Lin goes a little overboard in a way that leaves me a little unsettled as a reader. I am specifically speaking on the introduction of a minor character who may be involved in sex trafficking, which the characters all decide to ignore for their own personal business interests for the vast majority of the novel. Even when it is finally "resolved," none of the characters have to deal with sitting on this information for months. In this way, the cartoonish skeeze that we associate with the über wealthy turns into something that I think sits wrong in my stomach trying to finish what Lin clearly ultimately means to be a redemptive romance.
I hope that future installments tone down the excess here, or I'm not sure I can continue with Lin as an author.
I appreciate that, from the jump, this novel makes clear that it is more focused on bringing two characters together through emotional, rather than sexual resolution, and I appreciate the chemistry the characters have. I also appreciate that Lin has some clear experience in the world of which she writes. I think the steam is good, and I think the angst is believable.
However, I think in trying to paint the villainy and toxicity of capitalism and high finance that Lin goes a little overboard in a way that leaves me a little unsettled as a reader. I am specifically speaking on the introduction of a minor character who may be involved in sex trafficking, which the characters all decide to ignore for their own personal business interests for the vast majority of the novel. Even when it is finally "resolved," none of the characters have to deal with sitting on this information for months. In this way, the cartoonish skeeze that we associate with the über wealthy turns into something that I think sits wrong in my stomach trying to finish what Lin clearly ultimately means to be a redemptive romance.
I hope that future installments tone down the excess here, or I'm not sure I can continue with Lin as an author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Trafficking
onemamareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/hard-sell
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Car accident
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Trafficking
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