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happyblkhippie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
renaaa_'s review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking
dolores_madil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
libbylou905's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, and Stalking
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved Jasmine and Ashton from the very first chapter, and immediately sensed the chemistry between them. Seeing that grow as their relationship developed was delightful, and honestly, their entire dynamic was brilliant.
I also really liked the relationship Jasmine had with Michelle and Ava. Though they’re cousins, not sisters, their dynamic reminded me of Chloe, Dani, and Eve from Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters trilogy, which are some of my all-time favorite romance books. There’s plenty of banter and teasing between the three women, but also a strong friendship and unrelenting support. I love to see it.
Something that made this book stand out to me was the focus on Jasmine and Ashton’s roles in the new TV show that brought them together. She was cast as the protagonist and he as the love interest in Carmen in Charge, and a good portion of the story took place on set or involved learning lines and rehearsing. Daria even included the episodes they filmed, written like chapters, sprinkled in between regular chapters. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, and became nearly as invested in the show’s romance as I was in the actors’ romance. If it was a real show, I’d totally watch.
What I look for in every romance novel I read is a good balance between the story and the steamy scenes. In this case, the latter didn’t overpower the former, and I appreciate that very much. I like seeing relationships built on more than just ridiculously frequent sexual activity.
I was totally surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. I’ll absolutely purchase my own copy, and I look forward to reading Michelle’s story when A Lot Like Adiós releases in September. Daria has a new fan in me.
Representation
- Puerto Rican-Filipino protagonist
- Puerto Rican love interest
- Latinx side characters (one is trans and in a m/m relationship, one is sapphic and in a f/f relationship)
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
stalking occurred prior to the storyk_tiches's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Grief, Racism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content