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gayanyway's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
00leah00's review
5.0
5 Stars
“Worthy of Love” is Quinn Ivins’ second book and it is fantastic. It’s an age-gap workplace romance about accepting and loving yourself.
Nadine Bayani is a 40-year-old (ex)attorney that’s just gotten out of prison for campaign finance crimes. She has to find a job and the only place that will hire her is the chain retail store, Overstock Oasis. While there for her interview she meets Bella Clarke. Bella has worked there 10 years, ever since she dropped out of college. Bella recognizes “the most hated woman in the country” at first glance and though she also hates Nadine, she refuses to act the same when she sees how others mistreat and bully her.
This story had a lot going on and I loved every minute. You have a romance brewing with Nadine and Bella. Then there’s the mystery surrounding Nadine’s case and whether she’s really to blame. You also have Bella’s story with an undiagnosed case of ADHD that effects multiple aspects of her life.
Nadine is guarded and defensive after she gets out of prison and for good reason. The public hates her for her crimes and no one is willing to give her a chance. She’s mistreated by her bosses when they find out who she is but she isn’t able to quit. Bella is sweet and kind and just full of goodness. She flunked out of college at 20 and thinks she’s too dumb to go back. She’s resigned to her life as a checker with a side job of doing commissioned art work.
I love character driven stories and this is an excellent one. They’re both attracted to each other pretty quickly but both have their reasons for not getting into a relationship and wanting to stay just friends. Bella doesn’t believe she’s worthy of a Yale graduate who was once almost the Chief of Staff. Nadine has nothing and doesn’t want to pull anyone into her life of being hounded by the press. Over time they come to see that they are worthy of love and happiness but it takes time for them to get to that point.
This leads me to really enjoying the pacing of this story. Nadine and Bella and their stories, individually and as a couple, drive it. I wouldn’t describe the romance as a slow burn but it isn’t instant either. It takes time. The three main threads are woven throughout the story and it’s just a joy to read and it comes across as very natural and organic how they go from being co-workers to friends to lovers.
Also, I tried to find something that I didn’t like or had issue with and came up blank.
I recommend this to fans of well written, character driven romances.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
“Worthy of Love” is Quinn Ivins’ second book and it is fantastic. It’s an age-gap workplace romance about accepting and loving yourself.
Nadine Bayani is a 40-year-old (ex)attorney that’s just gotten out of prison for campaign finance crimes. She has to find a job and the only place that will hire her is the chain retail store, Overstock Oasis. While there for her interview she meets Bella Clarke. Bella has worked there 10 years, ever since she dropped out of college. Bella recognizes “the most hated woman in the country” at first glance and though she also hates Nadine, she refuses to act the same when she sees how others mistreat and bully her.
This story had a lot going on and I loved every minute. You have a romance brewing with Nadine and Bella. Then there’s the mystery surrounding Nadine’s case and whether she’s really to blame. You also have Bella’s story with an undiagnosed case of ADHD that effects multiple aspects of her life.
Nadine is guarded and defensive after she gets out of prison and for good reason. The public hates her for her crimes and no one is willing to give her a chance. She’s mistreated by her bosses when they find out who she is but she isn’t able to quit. Bella is sweet and kind and just full of goodness. She flunked out of college at 20 and thinks she’s too dumb to go back. She’s resigned to her life as a checker with a side job of doing commissioned art work.
I love character driven stories and this is an excellent one. They’re both attracted to each other pretty quickly but both have their reasons for not getting into a relationship and wanting to stay just friends. Bella doesn’t believe she’s worthy of a Yale graduate who was once almost the Chief of Staff. Nadine has nothing and doesn’t want to pull anyone into her life of being hounded by the press. Over time they come to see that they are worthy of love and happiness but it takes time for them to get to that point.
This leads me to really enjoying the pacing of this story. Nadine and Bella and their stories, individually and as a couple, drive it. I wouldn’t describe the romance as a slow burn but it isn’t instant either. It takes time. The three main threads are woven throughout the story and it’s just a joy to read and it comes across as very natural and organic how they go from being co-workers to friends to lovers.
Also, I tried to find something that I didn’t like or had issue with and came up blank.
I recommend this to fans of well written, character driven romances.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this was yet another story in which the romance wasn't, at least for me, the selling point of the story.
What I enjoyed the most was the portrait of Nadine's hardships as an ex-convict and Bella's struggles, frustration and growing low self-esteem due to an undiagnosed learning disability.
The political storyline was interesting, too, although I saw the outcome coming from almost the beginning.
Anastasia Watley's narration was good.
What I enjoyed the most was the portrait of Nadine's hardships as an ex-convict and Bella's struggles, frustration and growing low self-esteem due to an undiagnosed learning disability.
The political storyline was interesting, too, although I saw the outcome coming from almost the beginning.
Anastasia Watley's narration was good.
josb's review
3.0
A light read that did a good job of getting the story and the characters across. It was written well and both of the mains were sweet messes. As a person with very little understanding of the United States political scene, I felt like it was explained in a way that was not too overwhelming or boring. There was also a character that coded neurodivergent that we did not pretend was neurotypical.
The big reason for reading this was the Filipino MC, which was nice. I felt like there could have been more about the character to make me connect with our shared culture, but I also appreciate that the author did not try to explain my culture to me. Overall, I think it was a great way to introduce a non-white main, while still acknowledging their culture, but in a way easy enough for people who are not familiar with Filipino people.
Overall, I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of "character thinks they are unlovable but LI proves them wrong" trope.
The big reason for reading this was the Filipino MC, which was nice. I felt like there could have been more about the character to make me connect with our shared culture, but I also appreciate that the author did not try to explain my culture to me. Overall, I think it was a great way to introduce a non-white main, while still acknowledging their culture, but in a way easy enough for people who are not familiar with Filipino people.
Overall, I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of "character thinks they are unlovable but LI proves them wrong" trope.
d_iris's review
3.0
Not bad. When I chose this book I didn't think the story would parallel these crazy times we're living in, so that was a bit of a shock, but it wasn't unwelcomed.
I thought the characters dragged in a few places; they were too outwardly cowardly. Every insecurity was plain as day and the author kept repeating it, as if the reader kept missing it. (we didn't) I liked what she was going for, but I think these things should be mentioned once--maybe twice, in a story. The rest we can infer through character actions and dialogue (or lack thereof.) But that sin wasn't so great as to make the book unenjoyable. There was actually a lot I liked about the book. For instance:
I really liked that Nadine was a former convict and felon. I don't think they're represented in sympathetic tones without it turning into some sort of porno fest in this genre, so I was pleased about that, though that is not without its drawbacks as well. Nadine was a good person, yes, but did she have to be innocent, too? The idea of a "second chance at life" is wasted if the character didn't squander the first chance, you know what I mean? It only manages to undermine the theme and lesson.
I also really liked that Bella has undiagnosed ADHD, but the book just kind of states it and doesn't do much with it. It becomes a fact of the character without it really transforming her life. She just kind of discovers it and shrugs her shoulders.
This book had good elements and was entertaining and sweet in parts, but it doesn't quite make it to comfort food level. A fair story. 3.5/5
I thought the characters dragged in a few places; they were too outwardly cowardly. Every insecurity was plain as day and the author kept repeating it, as if the reader kept missing it. (we didn't) I liked what she was going for, but I think these things should be mentioned once--maybe twice, in a story. The rest we can infer through character actions and dialogue (or lack thereof.) But that sin wasn't so great as to make the book unenjoyable. There was actually a lot I liked about the book. For instance:
I really liked that Nadine was a former convict and felon. I don't think they're represented in sympathetic tones without it turning into some sort of porno fest in this genre, so I was pleased about that, though that is not without its drawbacks as well. Nadine was a good person, yes, but did she have to be innocent, too? The idea of a "second chance at life" is wasted if the character didn't squander the first chance, you know what I mean? It only manages to undermine the theme and lesson.
I also really liked that Bella has undiagnosed ADHD, but the book just kind of states it and doesn't do much with it. It becomes a fact of the character without it really transforming her life. She just kind of discovers it and shrugs her shoulders.
This book had good elements and was entertaining and sweet in parts, but it doesn't quite make it to comfort food level. A fair story. 3.5/5
mistyfoot19's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Body shaming, Sexual assault, and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, Stalking, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Blood
tammybones's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
__shaked's review
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
5.0
judeinthestars's review
5.0
4.5⭐️ – Finding a job and a place to stay is tricky for all ex-cons but Nadine Bayani’s situation comes with its own set of challenges. Nadine confessed to campaign finance crimes, a scandal that led to the victory of a horrible Republican candidate at the US presidential election. Republicans hate her because they see her as the symbol of corrupt Democrats and Democrats hate her because she caused their candidate’s loss. Of course it’s more complicated than that but what really matters to Nadine right now, is to try and have some sort of life back. She finally gets hired at Overstock Oasis, but when the manager realises who she is, he tries to bully her into quitting. Bella Clarke, one of Nadine’s colleagues, may be as angry at her as the rest of the country but she won’t stand by while Nadine’s being harassed.
The title, Worthy of Love, applies to both main characters. They’re both damaged, both insecure, both strong too. Neither can imagine the other would be interested in her, even though both feel immediate attraction, and progressively fall in love as they get to know each other. And as in Quinn Ivins' debut novel, The Love Factor, the plot goes beyond the romance. Even after the protagonists get together, the story isn’t over, they still have some wrongs to right.
I loved Quinn Ivins’ first book so didn’t read the blurb before opening her second one. My first thought when I understood what it was about was “wow, that’s gutsy”. And while I liked her first book a lot, I think I enjoyed this one even more.
In The Love Factor, she indulged in her love of statistics. With Worthy of Love, she tackles two topics she knows just as well: one of the MCs is a Filipino immigrant, like Ivins’ wife, and the other is neurodivergent, like Quinn Ivins herself. Both matters are an essential part of the story and of who the characters are but Ivins never falls into clumsy didacticism. She shines a light on issues, among which the absurdity of the US healthcare system, with both serenity and efficacy. They’re at the same time not what this book is about and very much what it is about. Nadine’s isolation after her trial is inextricably linked to the fact that her family lives in another country. As to Bella’s realisation that maybe, just maybe, she’s not stupid – she’s actually very smart, in addition to being kind and compassionate – I couldn’t relate more. My own dyspraxia diagnosis changed the way I viewed my abilities in many respects.
In short, Worthy of Love is smart and well-written with excellent characters.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The title, Worthy of Love, applies to both main characters. They’re both damaged, both insecure, both strong too. Neither can imagine the other would be interested in her, even though both feel immediate attraction, and progressively fall in love as they get to know each other. And as in Quinn Ivins' debut novel, The Love Factor, the plot goes beyond the romance. Even after the protagonists get together, the story isn’t over, they still have some wrongs to right.
I loved Quinn Ivins’ first book so didn’t read the blurb before opening her second one. My first thought when I understood what it was about was “wow, that’s gutsy”. And while I liked her first book a lot, I think I enjoyed this one even more.
In The Love Factor, she indulged in her love of statistics. With Worthy of Love, she tackles two topics she knows just as well: one of the MCs is a Filipino immigrant, like Ivins’ wife, and the other is neurodivergent, like Quinn Ivins herself. Both matters are an essential part of the story and of who the characters are but Ivins never falls into clumsy didacticism. She shines a light on issues, among which the absurdity of the US healthcare system, with both serenity and efficacy. They’re at the same time not what this book is about and very much what it is about. Nadine’s isolation after her trial is inextricably linked to the fact that her family lives in another country. As to Bella’s realisation that maybe, just maybe, she’s not stupid – she’s actually very smart, in addition to being kind and compassionate – I couldn’t relate more. My own dyspraxia diagnosis changed the way I viewed my abilities in many respects.
In short, Worthy of Love is smart and well-written with excellent characters.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.