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joanna1905's review
4.0
I requested this on a bit of a whim and honestly, it was so much better than I ever could have hoped. I am a huge fan of romances that deal with ex-felons and this one was a pretty good take on that premise.
I was a little bit wary about how the fact that Nadine was actually innocent might impact the broader message of how actual offenders are treated post-release. My concern being would all the shit Nadine has to go through be treated as bad and unfair because she was innocent and not because it's unfair treatment for any ex-felon to receive. However, I think this book did a pretty good job of avoiding that, and the book remains sympathetic to all those who struggle to survive post-prison. Though I will say, I think it would have been cool if - once Nadine's name was cleared and she got her job at the justice organisation - they made a point to acknowledge that a lot of reoffending is born from felons having a lack of support post-release, and if we ACTUALLY want people to turn a new leaf they need better support to guide them through that.
I also liked how we saw two other characters commit felonies in the story, Bella with her illegal ADHD meds and Jason with the cameras - because I think this really highlighted how a lot of people love to think they're amazing law-abiding citizens compared to 'scummy criminals' when in actual fact a LOT of everyday people knowingly or unknowingly break the law allll the time - but cause they never get caught they think they're so much better than people who did get caught for their crimes.
This book also had some good moments discussing privilege; such as the fact that Bella's life has been exponentially more difficult without an ADHD diagnosis and how unfair it is that she had to struggle so much all because she couldn't get access to diagnosis and treatment.
It also touched on the struggle of being a POC woman in America, and the additional complexities this demographic has post-prison release.
In terms of the romance, I think Ivins did a great job of building the co-worker, to friends, to lovers transition - the pair balanced each other well and while Nadine could seem abrupt sometimes she was actually so soft for Bella and always encouraging her.
I do think it would have been nice if we saw Nadine reconnect with the girls she lived with at the rehab house, just to get a broader look at life post-prison.
Thank you to Netgally and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I was a little bit wary about how the fact that Nadine was actually innocent might impact the broader message of how actual offenders are treated post-release. My concern being would all the shit Nadine has to go through be treated as bad and unfair because she was innocent and not because it's unfair treatment for any ex-felon to receive. However, I think this book did a pretty good job of avoiding that, and the book remains sympathetic to all those who struggle to survive post-prison. Though I will say, I think it would have been cool if - once Nadine's name was cleared and she got her job at the justice organisation - they made a point to acknowledge that a lot of reoffending is born from felons having a lack of support post-release, and if we ACTUALLY want people to turn a new leaf they need better support to guide them through that.
I also liked how we saw two other characters commit felonies in the story, Bella with her illegal ADHD meds and Jason with the cameras - because I think this really highlighted how a lot of people love to think they're amazing law-abiding citizens compared to 'scummy criminals' when in actual fact a LOT of everyday people knowingly or unknowingly break the law allll the time - but cause they never get caught they think they're so much better than people who did get caught for their crimes.
This book also had some good moments discussing privilege; such as the fact that Bella's life has been exponentially more difficult without an ADHD diagnosis and how unfair it is that she had to struggle so much all because she couldn't get access to diagnosis and treatment.
It also touched on the struggle of being a POC woman in America, and the additional complexities this demographic has post-prison release.
In terms of the romance, I think Ivins did a great job of building the co-worker, to friends, to lovers transition - the pair balanced each other well and while Nadine could seem abrupt sometimes she was actually so soft for Bella and always encouraging her.
I do think it would have been nice if we saw Nadine reconnect with the girls she lived with at the rehab house, just to get a broader look at life post-prison.
Thank you to Netgally and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
lurker_stalker's review
4.0
I avoided this one for a while because the cover makes me cringe. Yes, I love a woman of color being a protagonist and being able to see that right away but it just looks, well, not appealing to me.
But I'm glad I eventually picked it up. I started with the audio, which I loved the narrator, but ended up finishing the last half with my eyeballs.
Honestly, I mostly loved the story and the writing. I lost some of that love as the climax of the book and the final scenes rolled out but my love from before that point still made this an enjoyable read.
Back to the cover... This is the second book I've read this month that features a "curvy, full-figured" woman but the cover doesn't show it. Personally, I prefer wlw covers that don't show people at all because it's invariably going to be two thin white women and I'm so tired of that but even this one that has a Brown woman - which is great - still shows the curvy woman as small or smallish.
I know this isn't an issue for everyone but why not show a larger woman on the cover?
But I'm glad I eventually picked it up. I started with the audio, which I loved the narrator, but ended up finishing the last half with my eyeballs.
Honestly, I mostly loved the story and the writing. I lost some of that love as the climax of the book and the final scenes rolled out but my love from before that point still made this an enjoyable read.
Back to the cover... This is the second book I've read this month that features a "curvy, full-figured" woman but the cover doesn't show it. Personally, I prefer wlw covers that don't show people at all because it's invariably going to be two thin white women and I'm so tired of that but even this one that has a Brown woman - which is great - still shows the curvy woman as small or smallish.
I know this isn't an issue for everyone but why not show a larger woman on the cover?
laineyboh's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this! I honestly was a little hesitant when I first started the book but I ended up really liking it. The concept was extremely unique and even brought awareness to the struggles of felons after release. I loved how the story was so realistic, you don't often have a main character who works retail! It is truly a story that I could see myself in and I think that everyone wants to see a little bit of themselves in a romance novel. Obsessed.
lezreadalot's review
4.0
Not a good person. The words clanged in Bella’s ears. She didn’t want to think of Nadine as a bad person. But would a good person do what Nadine had done?
This book is well-loved, but it includes a couple things that I don't usually gravitate towards. So I'm relieved and so happy to say that I really freaking liked it. It was sooooooo good; a swoony, character-driven romance that included a bunch of meaningful themes.
I really don't like books that deal with real world politics (especially USian politics), so I was leery about this one. But it handles the subject pretty well, I think? Nadine, an ex-lawyer who worked with a presidential candidate, has just been released from prison, having spent two years there after confessing to campaign fraud during the last election. Vilified and castigated from both sides of the aisle, she's having trouble finding a job, and finally manages to get one at a retail store. There, she meets Bella, cashier, college-dropout, freelance artist and all around sweetheart. At first, Bella hates Nadine just as much as the rest of the country, but soon, a friendship starts to build. I think the plot was really well handled; it was frank and did bring in a lot of real-world politics, but in interesting and meaningful ways. It did get a little bit forced maybe, but never unrealistic? I really enjoyed that this didn't do what a lot of other liberal media tends to do: pretend that all Democrats are perfect.
But the characters are where this really shines; I loved them ever so much. In Nadine we have an older Filipina heroine who's a little closed-off, but super loyal and protective. She's one of those characters who just sets your heart aflutter. I really loved the way the book, through her, looked at the prison system and the unfair treatment of ex-cons. And I loved Bella even more, possibly, because I always adore seeing neuro-divergent characters getting an HEA. Bella's been living with an undiagnosed condition all her life, and I loved the discussions around that, how frustrating it was for her, the descriptions of everyday things that were just a little bit harder for her. I really connected with her, especially feeling like she had wasted her life (and I appreciated the book doing things to refute that notion). This isn't quite slow burn in terms of the timeline, but they did take their time getting into a romance, and it created some really great tension. I adored their romance; equally sweet and steamy.
I'll admit nothing about the writing really blew me away, and I did have my nitpicks here and there. But this was easy to read, really enjoyable, and just super satisfying all in all. Kudos.
hsinjulit's review
5.0
Content warnings: manipulation, sexual assault, blood, bullying, racism, drugs, alcohol (recreational), graphic sex
You know the kind of romance that is so cute and beautiful that you could weep reading about it? That you just smile the whole way through while trying not to tear up? Nadine and Bella have that.
Ex-lawyer Nadine Bayani (40, Filipino) was involved in a political scandal during the US presidential election that left her a public enemy even after serving her two-year term in prison. Struggling to find a job, she cannot afford to lose the one she just got at Overstock Oasis, no matter how terrible the managers treat her. Bella Clarke (30, lesbian, fat) has been stuck working at the same store for ten years ever since failing her first year of college. When Nadine starts her job at the store, she recognizes her immediately. Though she hated Nadine two years ago, there is something different about seeing the woman in person, and she realizes that she just might be the only friend Nadine can possibly have.
Nadine and Bella are better with each other, and it is always beautiful to see that in a romantic relationship. They both have their insecurities, with Nadine being an ex-con and having a complicated life under the public eye and Bella, having failed college and struggles to keep little things in her life together, considers herself unattractive and not smart. It takes the other person for them to see their own kind heart, beauty, and potential.
Nadine couldn’t figure out why the honest, friendly, and talented Bella would want to do with an ex-con like herself, and Bella doesn’t think a law school graduate like Nadine would love a high school graduate like her. But there is more to a person’s value than what the society imposed on them. There is also more to Nadine’s crime than what meets the eye.
Ivins addressed a lot of social issues in Worthy of Love, mainly racism, including immigration. And since Nadine is an ex-con, there are also mentions of how the system works against formerly incarcerated people who just want to find a job, that they often serve an eternal sentence in the society after finishing their prison sentence. Another important thing in Worthy of Love is how undiagnosed ADHD strongly impacts a person’s life, how inattentive ADHD is often overlooked and that some resources are not available for people who need it.
Worth of Love is a wonderful romance intrigue. I love the chemistry between Nadine and Bella as well as the commentaries on many social issues. That Ivins brought Nadine’s Filipino culture and family into the story is well done, too. The gradual reveal of the political scandal also had me on the edge of my seat (I read the book in one sitting). After loving Ivins debut Love Factor (my review) last year, I’ve been waiting for more stories from her, and this amazing sophomore novel has secured her as one of my favorite lesfic/wlw/sapphic romance authors. I am already excited for her next book and hopefully many more in the future.
I received a digital review copy from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
You know the kind of romance that is so cute and beautiful that you could weep reading about it? That you just smile the whole way through while trying not to tear up? Nadine and Bella have that.
Ex-lawyer Nadine Bayani (40, Filipino) was involved in a political scandal during the US presidential election that left her a public enemy even after serving her two-year term in prison. Struggling to find a job, she cannot afford to lose the one she just got at Overstock Oasis, no matter how terrible the managers treat her. Bella Clarke (30, lesbian, fat) has been stuck working at the same store for ten years ever since failing her first year of college. When Nadine starts her job at the store, she recognizes her immediately. Though she hated Nadine two years ago, there is something different about seeing the woman in person, and she realizes that she just might be the only friend Nadine can possibly have.
Nadine and Bella are better with each other, and it is always beautiful to see that in a romantic relationship. They both have their insecurities, with Nadine being an ex-con and having a complicated life under the public eye and Bella, having failed college and struggles to keep little things in her life together, considers herself unattractive and not smart. It takes the other person for them to see their own kind heart, beauty, and potential.
Nadine couldn’t figure out why the honest, friendly, and talented Bella would want to do with an ex-con like herself, and Bella doesn’t think a law school graduate like Nadine would love a high school graduate like her. But there is more to a person’s value than what the society imposed on them. There is also more to Nadine’s crime than what meets the eye.
Ivins addressed a lot of social issues in Worthy of Love, mainly racism, including immigration. And since Nadine is an ex-con, there are also mentions of how the system works against formerly incarcerated people who just want to find a job, that they often serve an eternal sentence in the society after finishing their prison sentence. Another important thing in Worthy of Love is how undiagnosed ADHD strongly impacts a person’s life, how inattentive ADHD is often overlooked and that some resources are not available for people who need it.
Worth of Love is a wonderful romance intrigue. I love the chemistry between Nadine and Bella as well as the commentaries on many social issues. That Ivins brought Nadine’s Filipino culture and family into the story is well done, too. The gradual reveal of the political scandal also had me on the edge of my seat (I read the book in one sitting). After loving Ivins debut Love Factor (my review) last year, I’ve been waiting for more stories from her, and this amazing sophomore novel has secured her as one of my favorite lesfic/wlw/sapphic romance authors. I am already excited for her next book and hopefully many more in the future.
I received a digital review copy from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
guardianrock's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
- 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
5.0
Listen, this is amazing. The characters are charming and they feel real. The issues between Nadine and Bella make a lot of sense and there's no miscommunication issues that makes you dislike the characters. The drama is engaging, angsty, but not too much. The political drama is interesting, too, even if it's not the true focus. The love scenes are hot. And it has a happy ending. Plus, who doesn't love a short butch?
And yes, the narration is wonderful but that shouldn't surprise you because it's Anastasia Watley.
If you like slow burn romances with a dash of political drama then this is the book for you.
And yes, the narration is wonderful but that shouldn't surprise you because it's Anastasia Watley.
If you like slow burn romances with a dash of political drama then this is the book for you.
kburns2004's review
4.0
This is my first book by Quinn and I loved it. The storyline was engaging, the characters were relatable and the pace felt right. After a string of so so books it was a breath of fresh air
simonemc's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
angieinbooks's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Okay, no disrespect to the models on that cover, but I hate that cover. They look like a couple of middle schoolers awkwardly at a school dance. But they say you can't judge a book by its cover, and in this case, you really shouldn't because it's a really good story. Quinn Ivins, you're 2/2 for me. But I still don't like this cover.
As to what the novel actually entails... Nadine Bayani did not work her ass off at Yale to find herself disbarred and be the one thing uniting democrats and republicans alike as the most hated woman in America. She definitely didn't expect to be a felon or go to prison or have to work retail at the equivalent at a Ross for homewares. But needs must. She has no one and nothing else apart from a legacy she can't ignore.
Bella Clarke, who's worked at the same store in her rural Virginia town for 10 years without any prospects on the horizon, can't believe she has to make nice to the person single-handedly responsible for getting the nightmare in the White House elected thanks to the campaign scandal she orchestrated.
But she can't help it. Being nice to Nadine, that is. Because she can't justify her perceived opinion about Nadine with the woman who shows up for a job that is beneath her education and experience only the be harassed, bullied, humiliated and discriminated against every day, knowing the manager and assistant manager are looking for any infraction so that they can fire her. So Bella reaches out to Nadine. And she likes Nadine. And neither she nor Nadine are good at fighting the attraction that grows between them. But nothing is easy and nothing is as it seems.
I don't want to divulge more, but this was such a nice read with some great representation (Nadine is Filipino) and a nice discussion on ADHD (which Bella discovers she has) and how it presents in girls and women and how it's impacted Bella's life.
Okay, no disrespect to the models on that cover, but I hate that cover. They look like a couple of middle schoolers awkwardly at a school dance. But they say you can't judge a book by its cover, and in this case, you really shouldn't because it's a really good story. Quinn Ivins, you're 2/2 for me. But I still don't like this cover.
As to what the novel actually entails... Nadine Bayani did not work her ass off at Yale to find herself disbarred and be the one thing uniting democrats and republicans alike as the most hated woman in America. She definitely didn't expect to be a felon or go to prison or have to work retail at the equivalent at a Ross for homewares. But needs must. She has no one and nothing else apart from a legacy she can't ignore.
Bella Clarke, who's worked at the same store in her rural Virginia town for 10 years without any prospects on the horizon, can't believe she has to make nice to the person single-handedly responsible for getting the nightmare in the White House elected thanks to the campaign scandal she orchestrated.
But she can't help it. Being nice to Nadine, that is. Because she can't justify her perceived opinion about Nadine with the woman who shows up for a job that is beneath her education and experience only the be harassed, bullied, humiliated and discriminated against every day, knowing the manager and assistant manager are looking for any infraction so that they can fire her. So Bella reaches out to Nadine. And she likes Nadine. And neither she nor Nadine are good at fighting the attraction that grows between them. But nothing is easy and nothing is as it seems.
I don't want to divulge more, but this was such a nice read with some great representation (Nadine is Filipino) and a nice discussion on ADHD (which Bella discovers she has) and how it presents in girls and women and how it's impacted Bella's life.