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kfmcf's review
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the premise of this book. The idea of the Bingo Pact was cute and funny and I love the panic disorder rep.
However, the pact was almost like a Chekov's Gun in a sense where it's mentioned but then made...relatively unimportant. I really would have loved to see more of the tension built between the two because honestly their chemistry lacked a lot. They were obviously attracted to each other but the love aspect was missing. I think the Dual POV maybe didn't help this - the ML may have been better with a bit of mystery.
Building off of that, the side characters in this book stole the show. The FL's friend group and the ML's grandmother were the best by far. I wish this had just been a story about the FL and her growth as a woman with panic disorders striking out on her own and finding acceptance among this group of strong, funny women.
The way the ML spoke, eg the way his accent was written was distracting and took me out of the book. Also their 3rd act breakup was very forced and tropey. Also...the nickname "Peaches" was a bit cringe. He called her Peaches first because of her ass, fine, but then he pivots to say at one point that he wants to eat her out because peaches are "so juicy." Bit of a mixed metaphor with mixed up anatomy. Not a deal breaker but, again, took me out of the story.
I do like the way this author writes so I will keep an eye out for their next work.
However, the pact was almost like a Chekov's Gun in a sense where it's mentioned but then made...relatively unimportant. I really would have loved to see more of the tension built between the two because honestly their chemistry lacked a lot. They were obviously attracted to each other but the love aspect was missing. I think the Dual POV maybe didn't help this - the ML may have been better with a bit of mystery.
Building off of that, the side characters in this book stole the show. The FL's friend group and the ML's grandmother were the best by far. I wish this had just been a story about the FL and her growth as a woman with panic disorders striking out on her own and finding acceptance among this group of strong, funny women.
The way the ML spoke, eg the way his accent was written was distracting and took me out of the book. Also their 3rd act breakup was very forced and tropey. Also...the nickname "Peaches" was a bit cringe. He called her Peaches first because of her ass, fine, but then he pivots to say at one point that he wants to eat her out because peaches are "so juicy." Bit of a mixed metaphor with mixed up anatomy. Not a deal breaker but, again, took me out of the story.
I do like the way this author writes so I will keep an eye out for their next work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
mbedrosian's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Mental illness
aliciawhatsthestory's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Spice level: medium
I really enjoyed this cute friends to lovers rom com. It wasn’t as lighthearted as some—it dealt with some really heavy mental health and life issues—but it was sweet and sincere. Plus, I thought the bingo aspect was really unique and fun and set it apart from some other romance novels. I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy fat-positive representation in your romance like I do!
In short, this is a great summer romance with a fat, Black leading lady, and it’s sweet as peach cobbler!
TW for anxiety, panic attacks, addiction, and childhood trauma
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this cute friends to lovers rom com. It wasn’t as lighthearted as some—it dealt with some really heavy mental health and life issues—but it was sweet and sincere. Plus, I thought the bingo aspect was really unique and fun and set it apart from some other romance novels. I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy fat-positive representation in your romance like I do!
In short, this is a great summer romance with a fat, Black leading lady, and it’s sweet as peach cobbler!
TW for anxiety, panic attacks, addiction, and childhood trauma
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia
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