Reviews

Radiant by Judy Sapphire

max_the_lesbrarian's review

4.0

Oh, this book was fun!

Blake is an up and coming contemporary artist just breaking into art-work stardom and Jenny is an overworked, underappreciated lawyer looking for someone to share her life with. This is very much so an opposites attract kind of book - in the very best way possible. We get lots of really fun side characters and great chemistry between Blake and Jenny, all wrapped up in a love letter to Boston.

I honestly was up far too late reading this book, but it was worth it. It had a really great perspective on both of the main character's lives and careers, and really did a great job of making them both lovable and understood. Sometimes finding a balance between the serious-straight laced character and the care-free one can be a bit difficult, but this book did it well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

lezreadalot's review

4.0

“What are you going to draw?” Another whisper.
“You,” Blake said. And as she said it, she knew it would be true. She would draw Jenny. She would sit in silence and gratitude, drawing Jenny.

3.5 stars. This was really sweet book, a slow burn, dislike to love, opposites attract romance between an artist and a lawyer who have what seem to be really different sensibilities, but they're actually more like than they think. 

Blake is an experimental and conceptual artist, though she does a lot of traditional work as well, and Jenny is a lawyer attached tangentially to the gallery where Blake is doing her latest installation. They get off to a rocky start, and I ended up really liking their slow journey to attraction and understanding each other. There really is something about books about artists that I gravitate towards, and this worked for me a lot better than the last one I read. I didn't mind the ways that they misunderstood each other at first, because it provided a lot of good tension at the basis of their relationship, and we as readers could see behind their veneers and why they would work well together. The chemistry was really well-written, really natural. The drawing scenes were just as lovely as anything I could have wanted or expected out of a book in this genre, and Blake and Jenny also had a few really emotionally charged and sensual scenes that made me love their relationship.

I do think I would have preferred if (in a book that was paced like this, where they actually took a good long time before even acknowledging that they had feelings) there hadn't been a third act conflict. It just felt a little totally off-kilter, to have spent so much time building up towards admitting that they have feelings for one another, and then what seems like a short while later, they were already having relationship and communication troubles. I'm also going to be annoying and say what I always say: I wish this had been longer. There are so many little things working in the background of their stories that I just wish could have been fleshed out more. Michael, in the end, isn't a completely 2-dimensional character, but I still felt like he was, because Jenny's job didn't get enough focus. The same can be said for the plot with Blake and the person from her past accusing her of theft. I also wanted them both to spend more time with their friends. There's a lot in the story that could have used more polish. This is one where I really vacillated on whether or not I wanted to round up or round down on this 3.5 stars. I think that the characters were really well-written; it had a great, classic premise; it was sexy and swoony; it was really easy to read; and a lot of the discussions about art and the art world were actually really engrossing. So I guess even if it wasn't super memorable, I definitely had more good feelings than bad. 

Listened to the audiobook as read by Islay Jacobs, and it was really great. If I'm not mistaken, this was my first read from her and I had no complaints about her voices and narration style; it reminded me of a pleasant mix of some of my faves. A book I would overall recommend, and I'd love to see what the author does next.

jennabeebs79's review

4.0

Radiant is a perfect name for this exquisite novel because it’s how it made me feel. On the surface, you have two women, seemingly opposite: Blake Harrison, a demanding artist, and Jenny O’Toole, an uptight overworked corporate lawyer. Negative assumptions about the other are made during their first couple of meetings and each woman struggles to come to terms with the magnetic pull they feel toward the other.

Appreciation for art is woven through the fabric of this book and being able to see Blake’s art through Jenny’s eyes is magnificent. As Jenny begins to understand who Blake is deep down, the more Blake’s talent shines through.

The questions continuously running through each character’s head while valid, often inhibit them from moving forward. Their first kiss is absolutely exquisite and happens in the perfect setting. Not only do they need, but they also crave one another. Their bodies and souls are made to be entwined and it’s clear they are meant to be together.

xxsmolbakaxx's review

challenging emotional funny 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

4.0

sticky_icky's review

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

miahutchinsonshaw's review

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

raychelbennet's review

hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Jenny O'Toole is a professional. She is dedicated to her job and struggles to let people into her life. In contrast, Blake Harrison is an up-and-coming queer installation artist with her life on display through her art. When Jenny is called to the museum to deal with what might be a tantrum because of an incorrect build, it is loathing at first sight. But as they keep get pushed together, will that loathing turn into something more?

Unfortunately, I just wasn't a fan of this one. I did not find any of the characters very believable or relatable. Additionally, some of the language used (especially in the sex scenes) just kind of...threw me off. There's a good chance that was just me as a reader but it did negatively effect my experience reading this book. Ultimately this book just wasn't for me.

**Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

abreheney1024's review

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I received this as an arc from NetGalley. It was a quick romantic read. Nothing really made me too attached to the characters. Perfect for lounging or commuting. Not too 🌶 either