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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this, especially having an NB main character; it was lovely to read that sort of insight into the experience of an NB person without feeling like that was the purpose of the book.
The author managed to create clear, distinct personalities for each character, better than most other HEA writers. Although the writing style is much the same in each POV so you do have to pay attention to which person's head you're in.
I thought the sequel was actually better despite having two male characters (not normally my preference) so would definitely recommend continuing the series. One thing I really enjoy that the author does is make little awkward moments during the sex that feel so relatable.
The author managed to create clear, distinct personalities for each character, better than most other HEA writers. Although the writing style is much the same in each POV so you do have to pay attention to which person's head you're in.
I thought the sequel was actually better despite having two male characters (not normally my preference) so would definitely recommend continuing the series. One thing I really enjoy that the author does is make little awkward moments during the sex that feel so relatable.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a fun read! I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, I'm nonbinary and sometimes we have big expectations for representation in books and then are let down if it's not perfect. But I will say, reading a romance with a nonbinary love interest was so affirming for me.
First, the premise of the book was fun; two contestants on a cooking show a la Master Chef. This gave the book a vehicle to keep the story moving and provided a little suspense. Will one of them get kicked off the show?? How will they handle being competitors and lovers?? What is going to happen after the show? I was really invested.
Dahlia and London were great main characters, both messy and unperfect. I like stories where the characters have flaws and aren't so cookie-cutter. Their dynamic was so fun! A little snarky, a little flirty, a little actually annoyed with each other - it wasn't just all butterflies and romance.
I enjoyed watching the characters come into themselves and explore their intersecting identities together, with each other. They were both in new territory and not knowing how either character would react was great for keeping me interested. The spicy scenes were just like them, a little flirty, a little intense, a little fun and definitely full of chemistry and spice!
There were a few places were the writing/narration was a little cheesy for me but it really didn't take away from how much I enjoyed this story.
First, the premise of the book was fun; two contestants on a cooking show a la Master Chef. This gave the book a vehicle to keep the story moving and provided a little suspense. Will one of them get kicked off the show?? How will they handle being competitors and lovers?? What is going to happen after the show? I was really invested.
Dahlia and London were great main characters, both messy and unperfect. I like stories where the characters have flaws and aren't so cookie-cutter. Their dynamic was so fun! A little snarky, a little flirty, a little actually annoyed with each other - it wasn't just all butterflies and romance.
I enjoyed watching the characters come into themselves and explore their intersecting identities together, with each other. They were both in new territory and not knowing how either character would react was great for keeping me interested. The spicy scenes were just like them, a little flirty, a little intense, a little fun and definitely full of chemistry and spice!
There were a few places were the writing/narration was a little cheesy for me but it really didn't take away from how much I enjoyed this story.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
“Oh no. I forgot who cute you were.”
“Dahlia Woodson was a firefly in the darkness, a hummingbird at your window. Maybe you got to see her brightness for a fleeting moment, but you couldn’t chase her. She didn’t deserve to be caught.”
If I was better at keeping tabs, I’d have quoted at least twenty different lines, but for now these two will have to convey the two main emotions I felt while reading this book; with hearts in my eyes, and my heart in my throat.
Stupidly adorable and achingly beautiful, Dahlia, London and this book.
I am so glad to have found this book, and to have it as my first read of 2022. Before I even finished the first chapter I was sure that I would give this book 5 stars. Masterchef Australia is my ultimate comfort show and wow did this remind me of it in the best ways (I am happy to forego believing in the existence of Lizzies on MA). The initial interactions that gave grumpy/sunshine vibes which although I was here for, I was also perfectly happy to see them get along soon after.
God do I know what Dahlia meant about feeling small. It’s so easy to feel like you’re fading into the background, making way for more important and special people. And London, while I wholeheartedly believe that sometimes you can’t make it right with family, I was pleased at them being able to have at least some kind of relationship with their father, tentative and slow-moving as it may be.
The perfect start to my first full year of reading in a really long time. ♥️
“Dahlia Woodson was a firefly in the darkness, a hummingbird at your window. Maybe you got to see her brightness for a fleeting moment, but you couldn’t chase her. She didn’t deserve to be caught.”
If I was better at keeping tabs, I’d have quoted at least twenty different lines, but for now these two will have to convey the two main emotions I felt while reading this book; with hearts in my eyes, and my heart in my throat.
Stupidly adorable and achingly beautiful, Dahlia, London and this book.
I am so glad to have found this book, and to have it as my first read of 2022. Before I even finished the first chapter I was sure that I would give this book 5 stars. Masterchef Australia is my ultimate comfort show and wow did this remind me of it in the best ways (I am happy to forego believing in the existence of Lizzies on MA). The initial interactions that gave grumpy/sunshine vibes which although I was here for, I was also perfectly happy to see them get along soon after.
God do I know what Dahlia meant about feeling small. It’s so easy to feel like you’re fading into the background, making way for more important and special people. And London, while I wholeheartedly believe that sometimes you can’t make it right with family, I was pleased at them being able to have at least some kind of relationship with their father, tentative and slow-moving as it may be.
The perfect start to my first full year of reading in a really long time. ♥️
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
A spicy queer read indeed! But it was enjoyable! There was some things I wished it had gotten more into and it was very insta-love, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I always love me some nonbinary rep!
was not prepared for the smut w/ food and toe sucking, but otherwise a cute book