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emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a quick and fast-paced read, with great autistic rep. this book raises my awareness about asperger’s syndrome and it was eye-opening to perceive everyday life from the lens of people with asperger’s syndrome (stella).
i adore michael’s mẹ (mother), i teared up at one of the scenes because mẹ is a wonderful human being and i wish i could hug her.
there are some instances where i think a meaningful conversation could develop the chemistry and connection between stella and michael (so it doesn’t just revolve around them on the bed), but i do also understand that maybe that’s the point of their miscommunication etc.
i adore michael’s mẹ (mother), i teared up at one of the scenes because mẹ is a wonderful human being and i wish i could hug her.
there are some instances where i think a meaningful conversation could develop the chemistry and connection between stella and michael (so it doesn’t just revolve around them on the bed), but i do also understand that maybe that’s the point of their miscommunication etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny, Toxic relationship
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
Too sexual… questionable consent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the first half of the book would have been closer to 5 stars for me, but the rest of the book was closer to 3 stars as it started to annoy me and the ending was unnecessarily stretched — so an average of 4 stars.
The spicy scenes were well written, considerate over both consent and contraception, and also surprisingly non-awkward to listen to on an audiobook — I mean, who wouldn't like Michael? I didn't appreciate some of his word choices though; who on earth finds terms like "pornstar nipples" sexy?? The characters' insecurities felt raw and relatable in the beginning, but over time it felt like their insecurities became their only personality trait as they both were so stuck in their ways and bathing in self-loath.
side note: I also saw (too) much of myself in Stella especially regarding to her relationships — should I finally go get a proper diagnosis?
The spicy scenes were well written, considerate over both consent and contraception, and also surprisingly non-awkward to listen to on an audiobook — I mean, who wouldn't like Michael? I didn't appreciate some of his word choices though; who on earth finds terms like "pornstar nipples" sexy?? The characters' insecurities felt raw and relatable in the beginning, but over time it felt like their insecurities became their only personality trait as they both were so stuck in their ways and bathing in self-loath.
side note: I also saw (too) much of myself in Stella especially regarding to her relationships — should I finally go get a proper diagnosis?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness
Minor: Misogyny, Toxic relationship
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
This book started out so well and was on the way to being a solid four-star read, but alas, did not work for me in the end. I enjoyed the autistic representation (written by an autistic author), Michael’s family and the portrayal of Vietnamese culture, and Stella. I loved her — she’s such a complex and unique character and had a great character arc. Hated the rest, lol. Stella and Michael’s attraction seemed almost purely physical; I wanted to see a stronger emotional connection, more substance. I was uncomfortable with the way that sex work and sex workers were portrayed at several points. I don’t think the topic of sexual assault was handled very well or really unpacked properly by Stella. Michael says his mother dying would ‘free’ him, framing sick/disabled people as burdens on their family (granted I have no experience with the American healthcare system but surely that’s the real issue here).
Mostly, though, it was Michael who ruined the book for me. He’s pushy, domineering, overly possessive, and can’t take no for an answer. He literally stalks Stella and follows her home, repeatedly goes after her and presses his romantic attentions on her after she turns him down and tells him to leave her alone MULTIPLE TIMES. That’s not sexy; it’s creepy and scary. Yet when another man won’t take no for an answer, he’s angry even though it’s a very similar kind of behaviour as his own. One is portrayed as wrong and the other OK purely based on who is perpetrating the behaviour. Make it make sense. Not only that but after being sexually assaulted which is obviously very upsetting for Stella, does he offer her support or comfort? No, he feels the need to ‘mark her as his’ as if she’s his property. She initially tells him no to kissing after such a traumatic event and is clearly uncomfortable with it but does he respect that? Of course not, he forces her into it anyway and then fucks her because HE needs it! Fuck Stella’s needs, I guess.
Of course, he knew she didn’t really want him to leave her alone because he knows better. Same with the sex scenes: he overrides her own wishes (that she states to him clearly) and pushes her into doing things she dislikes and feels uncomfortable with because he apparently knows better than her about her own body. He tells her to dress and do her hair how he likes it rather than how she prefers. She can’t even eat what she wants without him trying to control it. He knows she has a hard time in loud/social situations and she tells him she’d rather go home because she’s tired, but he forces her to go to his large, boisterous family’s house anyway. He’s just forever violating her boundaries even (and especially) when she says she’s uncomfortable with doing something. Yeah, he says all the right things about respecting her consent, but his actions and thoughts don’t line up so it just feels manipulative and patronising. He may be teaching her how to be in a relationship but it’s certainly not a healthy one. The controlling behaviour, questionable consent, and complete disregard for Stella’s agency really put me off and made me feel uneasy.
There were also a few things that bothered me in terms of writing. Michael is described as looking like a specific celebrity, which is not only a lazy way to describe someone but just something I despise, especially in romance. Much of Michael’s inner monologue comes off as immature with dude-bro style casual misogyny (e.g. ‘the only reason a woman should wear a pencil skirt is to show off her ass’). The book is laden with bizarre lines such as ‘a natural talent for fucking’ (LMAO) and ‘she had the kind of nipples men and babies dreamed about’ (what??). The dirty talk was... not good.
I can’t believe this book got recommended to me as having a kind, gentle hero and good consent. I am genuinely baffled. If that is what you want then this book is not it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Writing: 3.5⭐️/5
The writing shined at certain moments and at others, it felt forced and trope-driven. The dialogue suffered at moments as well, reading more like strained conversations than natural communication. That being said, some moments were very well written and kept me engaged until the end.
Characters: 3.75⭐️/5
I loved the inclusion of a woman with autism as the main love interest. The slow reveal of her autism felt nice as well, as the readers become comfortable with her “quirks” rather than just as a woman with autism. I think, while the main characters were intriguing, they did lack a bit of human quality to make them fully believable.
Plot: 3.5⭐️/5
The plot was fun, as long as you don’t think too hard about certain aspects. I felt the backstory of Michael’s dad was both withheld for far too long and also less significant than all the foreshadowing seemed to imply it would be. I did, however, love the handling of the fake dating trope, even if it started from a slightly ridiculous spot.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of romance novels with a bit of heat
- Those looking for a romance novel with a unique narrator
Content Warnings?
- Sexual content, ableism, sexual harassment, toxic relationship, toxic friendship,
Post-Reading Rating: 4⭐️/5
Very fun to read.
Final Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Chronic illness, Violence, Abandonment, Classism
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is like a warm (sexy) hug. MCs are so sweet and heartwarming and Stella’s character is nice to see in books as well. I really appreciate it!
I do want to say though that I was disappointed with the third act of the book, compared to the rest of the book the pacing seemed to be completely off and the emotional pay offs were either getting to you too late or they were dragged out for what felt like an eternity, even when the end was predictable. But oh well. Will read it again if I need a cozy read
I do want to say though that I was disappointed with the third act of the book, compared to the rest of the book the pacing seemed to be completely off and the emotional pay offs were either getting to you too late or they were dragged out for what felt like an eternity, even when the end was predictable. But oh well. Will read it again if I need a cozy read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Rape
Minor: Pedophilia