Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Worst Best Man

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

18 reviews

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted 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

Content Warnings

kylieqrada's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.5

3.5 ⭐s. I read this one for Beautifully Bookish Bethany's Patreon book club, and I'm not mad at it! It doesn't rank up there with the best of the best romances, but it was moderately funny, and I truly identified with Lina's experiences with hiding her emotions and struggling to express them in a safe manner. Also loved the Brazilian culture rep. IMHO, not enough sexy times, and they were a little odd. But overall, a good time.

Content Warnings

le3713's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Carolina (Lina) is a wedding planner who never wants the fact that she was left at the altar to jeopardize her professional success. When a career opportunity means she has to reconnect with her ex and his brother Max, the stakes are high. I didn't always feel like I was given enough of a why for Lina and Max's attraction, but there were some HILARIOUS moments in this one

especially at the couple's retreat

and great steamy scenes

the field of tulips? omg

, so I found myself rooting for the couple. The book also involved exploration of women's emotion and women's professional success, which was thoughtful.

Content Warnings

anaya_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny 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

4.0

Loved it! It tackled serious issues like sexism and racism in professional settings and how men often take advantage of that but it still kept a humorous quality. Diversity was on 10 and I loved how Max got involved in her culture.

Content Warnings

ticktock's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

zombiezami's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

3.75

While I liked the characters, this felt pretty much like a paint-by-numbers romance plot. Nothing really wowed me, but it was still a solid story.

Content Warnings

spearly's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny 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? Yes

4.0

“Max, do me a favor, will you?”
He takes a step in my direction, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. “Anything.”
“Get. The fuck. Out.”

When Lina is recruited to interview for an amazing job opportunity at the Cartwright Hotel, the last thing she expects to see is her ex-fiance walk in. What's worse, he's there with his brother, Max, the one who convinced him not to marry her. On their Wedding day. And worst of all, she has to work with Max on her pitch for the job that would solve all her money issues.

What a cute read! I loved the incorporation of Brazilian culture, language, and tradition, and especially loved Lina as a protagonist. She was a dang pleasure to read about. And, as I usually do with dual POV books, I fell a little in love with Max, too. There was something so refreshing about their relationship - you see a lot of melodrama in adult romances, and I was relieved when the conflict of The Worst Best Man veered away from that toward a more mature fall-out.

I wholly understood where Lina was coming from, as a woman of colour existing in the world - specifically an afro-latinx - having to work extra hard not to be seen as ~emotional~ or ~fiesty~, and therefore coming across as unattached and dispassionate. Her past relationships and jobs informed the way she has to move through the world now. And it was extra lovely to see Max break down those walls, to see the way they complimented each other, challenged each other, and were eventually able to be vulnerable with one another.

And Max's own insecurities were some that I struggle with myself. He was never sure of his place with Lina, always worried that, because she'd been engaged to his brother, he would always be second choice. And when it came down to it, I understood how we got from point A to point B. I understood

how both Lina's and Max's reservations would lead to their brief break up.

Nothing bothers me more when simple, easily-avoidable miscommunications are the cause of the big climax of a novel, and that is definitely not the case here.

A quick read. Some good steamy scenes. Mature love. Everything I was craving after a few duds. Can't wait to read more from Mia Sosa!

Content Warnings

eligru's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Okay, I admit to having been reading a bit too much romance lately. But who cares, right?! And this one was really good.
The flaws of the characters were relatable and the character development centre-stage.The story might have been a bit too sappy at some points, but I still enjoyed every part of it and flew right through it. Maybe I would settle more on 4.5 stars, as some of the issues/insecurities that are bound to come up in such a situation were not addressed. Anyways, I really hope it does get made into a movie, as it would work great in film (and satisfy my addiction to rom-coms).

What really stands out though is that Lina is Brazilian (not that that's some kind of exotic rarity, but it is a rare thing to find in the world of fictinal romance). I loved learning about this side of her, her family and traditions, as well as her personal difficulties related to this identity. It's so refreshing to read about people with backgrounds that are barely represented in mainstream media!! Really makes me want to pick up more LatinX and Middle-/South-American fiction (any recommendations? If so, comment please!🙂)

Content Warnings

More...