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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I am so sad to give this such a low rating :/ I was excited to read it and I love this book’s inclusivity - but that’s about it. The story felt cheap, it was corny in a way that made me cringe. I really wanted more for these characters and their romance, but it was so hard to get through
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Cute story! I had The Great British Bake-Off in my head, even though it was more of a Top Chef kind of thing (food not just dessert), which made it easy to picture in my head. And let’s face it, that show is so wholesome!
Some spice but not overly spicy, and not at random points in the book. It made sense when it happened, and the MCs had good chemistry as well.
Love the non-binary representation, it was done well and with respect.
Some spice but not overly spicy, and not at random points in the book. It made sense when it happened, and the MCs had good chemistry as well.
Love the non-binary representation, it was done well and with respect.
Easily one of my favorite books ever. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful queer love story.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 stars rounded up
The romance was fine but the spicy scenes left something to be desired. I really did not connect at all. But I love the representation
The romance was fine but the spicy scenes left something to be desired. I really did not connect at all. But I love the representation
I LOVED this book. Also, have some snacks on hand because all the cooking components can make a reader HUNGRY, haha. This is Anita Kelly's full length novel debut and they absolutely hit it out of the park. They've also got a novella series centered around a queer karaoke bar - uh, yes please, you know I immediately went and bought book one as soon as I finished reading this book!
I love both leads, and Dahlia and London have such amazing chemistry. They are also both on journies of self-discovery and growth, Dahlia because she's trying to find herself again after getting a divorce from her husband (who was her high-school sweetheart) and London because while they're been out as non-binary for a while their TV debut as a non-binary person is a big, scary thing (and it forces some of their family to deal with the reality that person was in some denial about, as well). From the first moment Dahlia crashes into London, there are SPARKS FLYING. I just adore London so much - they're a bit quiet and awkward and definitely the grumpy to Dahlia's sunshine, especially at first. They both push each other outside of each others' comfort zones, and often in doing so push themselves as well.
It felt a bit awkward sometimes reading they/them pronouns, but I think that's just because I'm so used to seeing binary pronouns in media it took a chapter or two to re-orient my brain. I have a few non-binary friends so I'm used to SPEAKING with they/them pronouns, but not wasn't used to reading them. After a few chapters it felt a lot more natural and comfortable - another example of how representation matters in all types of media! So all I can say is that if this is one of your first books with a non-binary MC and you're struggling with their pronouns, try to sort of relax your mind a bit and let it happen, and it will become easier to read as you go on. I used to have to do the same thing whenever I read a book written in the present tense, until I started reading more of them. I still have to with books written in the third person present tense!
Speaking of tenses, Love & Other Disasters is written in the third person (limited) past tense and alternates between London and Dahlia's POV. I really appreciate that we get to see inside the thoughts and motivations of both main characters (especially as there's a bit of mutual pining happening, which is always SO MUCH more delicious when we get to see both sides of the forest!) In additional to the main characters being excellent, there are a lot of fun side characters. I would totally watch the heck out of Chef's Special and would probably be #TeamLonlia or #TeamDahldon (or whatever their couple name would be, lol).
I believe this is the first of a three book contract with Forever, and I'm so excited to see what Anita Kelly brings next!!
A physical ARC of this book was provided by the publisher for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I love both leads, and Dahlia and London have such amazing chemistry. They are also both on journies of self-discovery and growth, Dahlia because she's trying to find herself again after getting a divorce from her husband (who was her high-school sweetheart) and London because while they're been out as non-binary for a while their TV debut as a non-binary person is a big, scary thing (and it forces some of their family to deal with the reality that person was in some denial about, as well). From the first moment Dahlia crashes into London, there are SPARKS FLYING. I just adore London so much - they're a bit quiet and awkward and definitely the grumpy to Dahlia's sunshine, especially at first. They both push each other outside of each others' comfort zones, and often in doing so push themselves as well.
It felt a bit awkward sometimes reading they/them pronouns, but I think that's just because I'm so used to seeing binary pronouns in media it took a chapter or two to re-orient my brain. I have a few non-binary friends so I'm used to SPEAKING with they/them pronouns, but not wasn't used to reading them. After a few chapters it felt a lot more natural and comfortable - another example of how representation matters in all types of media! So all I can say is that if this is one of your first books with a non-binary MC and you're struggling with their pronouns, try to sort of relax your mind a bit and let it happen, and it will become easier to read as you go on. I used to have to do the same thing whenever I read a book written in the present tense, until I started reading more of them. I still have to with books written in the third person present tense!
Speaking of tenses, Love & Other Disasters is written in the third person (limited) past tense and alternates between London and Dahlia's POV. I really appreciate that we get to see inside the thoughts and motivations of both main characters (especially as there's a bit of mutual pining happening, which is always SO MUCH more delicious when we get to see both sides of the forest!) In additional to the main characters being excellent, there are a lot of fun side characters. I would totally watch the heck out of Chef's Special and would probably be #TeamLonlia or #TeamDahldon (or whatever their couple name would be, lol).
I believe this is the first of a three book contract with Forever, and I'm so excited to see what Anita Kelly brings next!!
A physical ARC of this book was provided by the publisher for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
emotional
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