Reviews

The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair

maureenky's review

2.0

Honestly I read this for a sapphic ABC reading challenge and it’s really hard to find titles starting with X so even though this book was not my cup of tea, I stuck it out.

I really have to be invested in characters for me to enjoy their intimacy and I just didn’t connect with either of them.

lezreadalot's review

4.0

“Just once. Only once.” I mean it. I can live with once. I can’t live with never.

This was really fun and sexy! And age-gap office romance, kind of a trope reversal. Laurie is desperate for a new job, and is ecstatic to land one as an assistant for a powerful lawyer. At first, it seems like she and her standoffish, ice-queen boss have nothing in common, but there's an attraction sizzling beneath the surface that can't be denied.

So far, Sinclair is two for two on writing ice queens that actually, fully appeal to me, which I'm notably picky about. It can be difficult to land that perfect balance between a haughty, self-possessed, powerful and cold woman, without tipping right over into mean/cruel/annoying. Diana hit the spot for me, and that probably has a lot to do with the way Sinclair evened out the power imbalance. (Of course, in a boss/employee situation, it can never be totally even, but she made it work for me.) Self-discovery/coming out is super near and dear to my heart in romance, and the journey we take with Diana, who starts out super closeted, was so great. And like, really hot. Laurie not only thaws the ice queen, but also reduces her to a puddle.

fianna101's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

kenzifer_15's review

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

millieyeoman's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

anbananova's review

2.0

dnf at 29%

diana was awful, i just couldn’t continue without being annoyed with her every action and word. diana was in a deep closet and was hurting everyone by staying there.

diana was 46 yo but she still listened to her mom??? she put a man before her needs even though she was this supposedly badass hardcore lawyer???? she was having fantasies about women but she’s straight FOR SURE

bughaw's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

This book isn't perfect at all and to be honest with y'all... That's what I love most about it. Like it's characters: it's alluring, damned smutty, sweet yet so bitter. This book will hook you and at first it seemed to go on with laws and Formalities but again like its characters, there really is something deep inside it that will leave wanting more and more and you'll feel taken aback. It has slow burn— not that slow— yes, but It's convincing enough that you start to reach out to the characters especially If you're queer or someone who only found out when you're older.

This book may not be perfect but its characters will forever live in my heart. 

aliu6's review against another edition

4.0

4 stars

Laurie Halcombe has had a rough few years, but things are starting to look up as she manages to score a job at a prestigious law firm, even if it does mean she's personal assistant to the icy Diana Parker. If only Laurie could stop thinking about how hot Diana is and remember that she's her boss. And married. To a man. As Laurie struggles to rein in her attraction, she begins to wonder whether Diana is holding back too.

This was a really fun read. It kept me engaged the whole way through, and whew, were those sex scenes hot. There were also some nice pieces of angst that hit me by surprise. I will say, don't go in expecting a masterpiece. The characters are kind of one-dimensional and a lot of stuff seems unrealistic and/or doesn't make sense.

But this was an enjoyable book, and I'd recommend.

retronoix's review

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

keydib's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Lots of 🌶️🥵
But verrrrryyy slow.
The beginning and end was worth it. But it was slow going.