Scan barcode
cobaltbookshelf's review
3.0
Such acute book, bi MCs best friends to strangers to friends to lovers romance with mutual pining.
I looking forward to Nathan and Samantha book.
I looking forward to Nathan and Samantha book.
brownieee's review
4.0
I loved the soft vibes, significant conversations, and surely the cat. It felt like a hug
apireading's review
3.0
3.5/5
A well-written romance, with great references and beautiful dialogues. I really enjoyed having these two queer characters learning about themselves, their sexuality and their ability to love together. The trope of best friend to lover is very well executed even if I wish I had more flashback scenes or anecdotes about their childhood. I found myself a lot in certain elements of the book, especially in Elle's doubts and anxieties. A great novel with a great bi rep.
A well-written romance, with great references and beautiful dialogues. I really enjoyed having these two queer characters learning about themselves, their sexuality and their ability to love together. The trope of best friend to lover is very well executed even if I wish I had more flashback scenes or anecdotes about their childhood. I found myself a lot in certain elements of the book, especially in Elle's doubts and anxieties. A great novel with a great bi rep.
bookishjanna's review
3.0
"Dare to Live, Dare to Love" truly had the potential to become my favourite adult book: it's a contemporary childhood friends to lovers romance with two POVs with the male main character being bisexual. There's more queer (including trans) and also Black and anxiety representation.
It really did sound like the perfect read to me. But I just couldn't get into the writing. I'm usually a fan of simple writing styles but it was just too flat in this case and it was basically just telling and telling and telling. The content, the characters - they're amazing, but the writing style kept throwing me off.
It was also very predictable and that isn't necessarily bad or untypical for a romance novel but there was literally nothing surprising happening at all, probably due to the fact that there were also no subplots that could add a little extra, a little something, to the book.
I loved the healthy communication between the main characters, I loved the anxiety representation and the conversations about feminist/queer topics and I'd still want you to give this book a try if you can deal with the writing style!
It really did sound like the perfect read to me. But I just couldn't get into the writing. I'm usually a fan of simple writing styles but it was just too flat in this case and it was basically just telling and telling and telling. The content, the characters - they're amazing, but the writing style kept throwing me off.
It was also very predictable and that isn't necessarily bad or untypical for a romance novel but there was literally nothing surprising happening at all, probably due to the fact that there were also no subplots that could add a little extra, a little something, to the book.
I loved the healthy communication between the main characters, I loved the anxiety representation and the conversations about feminist/queer topics and I'd still want you to give this book a try if you can deal with the writing style!
jadejade's review
4.0
A gentle romance with the barest hint of spice.
I have listened to more than one bisexual friend voice their struggle to own their identity while being in relationships with the opposite sex. Enter this novel ...
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this novel, as the characters we follow are careful of people's boundaries and sensitive to the needs of the people around them ... so the opposite of what I generally experience IRL! Last time I read a such a sensitive and gentle romance, I found it too low stakes for my tastes but this novel worked for me. Please note that although there is some spice, it focusses more on feelings rather than mechanics, which made sense to me given the anxious disposition of at least one party.
I have listened to more than one bisexual friend voice their struggle to own their identity while being in relationships with the opposite sex. Enter this novel ...
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this novel, as the characters we follow are careful of people's boundaries and sensitive to the needs of the people around them ... so the opposite of what I generally experience IRL! Last time I read a such a sensitive and gentle romance, I found it too low stakes for my tastes but this novel worked for me. Please note that although there is some spice, it focusses more on feelings rather than mechanics, which made sense to me given the anxious disposition of at least one party.
bhavya_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
wrapmeupinplastic's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caitlinsgarden's review
So, I wrote a book!!! It's an adult romance, and I can't wait for all of you to read it. You can pre-order the ebook here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0922Z5BYL/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_7ZV3YWQBDCTVHM79SSXC (paperback out June 1!)
Some things to know about it:
Some things to know about it: