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what_karla_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
5/5 stars
2/5 spice
I have been anticipating this story for awhile now and I wasn't disappointed. I had to marinate in my thoughts before posting a review but now that I've thought about I can talk about it.
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Enemies to lovers vibes
Grumpy/sunshine
Mental health rep
Plus size heroine
Latinx rep
Dual POV
Aside from the banter and tension, what really hit me hard and made me love this story the most was the mental health rep. Alex is a grump but also severely depressed...and didn't even know it! Ugh my heart hurt for him. He's an artist, burnt out by the corporate world, completely stuck, and just so so angry. I felt his struggle...I understood and felt seen. His journey was inspiring and heart warming. I was so happy to read his character development.
And Ely... my goodness she's just so unapologetically bold with a big heart. I loved how much she cared for her friends. But she also had no problem speaking her mind whenever she needed to.
Together these two had soaks flying from every interaction and I loved the tension. Even though you get spice early on the tension after was *chefs kiss*
Highly recommend for everyone who loves workplace romance with a bit of enemies to lovers. Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Depression, sexual content
2/5 spice
I have been anticipating this story for awhile now and I wasn't disappointed. I had to marinate in my thoughts before posting a review but now that I've thought about I can talk about it.
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Enemies to lovers vibes
Grumpy/sunshine
Mental health rep
Plus size heroine
Latinx rep
Dual POV
Aside from the banter and tension, what really hit me hard and made me love this story the most was the mental health rep. Alex is a grump but also severely depressed...and didn't even know it! Ugh my heart hurt for him. He's an artist, burnt out by the corporate world, completely stuck, and just so so angry. I felt his struggle...I understood and felt seen. His journey was inspiring and heart warming. I was so happy to read his character development.
And Ely... my goodness she's just so unapologetically bold with a big heart. I loved how much she cared for her friends. But she also had no problem speaking her mind whenever she needed to.
Together these two had soaks flying from every interaction and I loved the tension. Even though you get spice early on the tension after was *chefs kiss*
Highly recommend for everyone who loves workplace romance with a bit of enemies to lovers. Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Depression, sexual content
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, and Alcohol