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merricatfromblackwood's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
ekilburn529's review against another edition
lighthearted
3.75
This is a cute LGBTQ romance ( This is particular relationship is a male-female romance, but the main character is bi with the cooking show/competition trope. Bonus points for the single mom.
I listen to this on audiobook and I think in the future, I’d probably continue with physical copies. Something about Alexis Hall’s writing just doesn’t translate well with me in audio format
I listen to this on audiobook and I think in the future, I’d probably continue with physical copies. Something about Alexis Hall’s writing just doesn’t translate well with me in audio format
iamleighbot's review against another edition
DNF-ing at 53% is not my style but I could not stand this any more. Rosaline is TERRIBLE, she is constantly irritated at this man who belittles her role as a mother and even minimalizes her daughter's role in her life and yet Rosaline KEEPS SEEING HIM. I read a spoiler because I kind of wanted to know how it ends but the spoiler wasn't enough to make me want to actually make it to the end.
I love Alexis Hall but this one is a big miss for me. If I were giving a rating at 53% it would be a one or even less, I genuinely fought hard to get this far in. I read the second book in the series before this one and wasn't IN LOVE but I trust this author so much - 10 Things That Never Happened should get the same level of squee as Boyfriend Material, the Bridgerton books, and the bible combines - but this series might be a pass if the characters keep being so infuriatingly hard to root for.
I love Alexis Hall but this one is a big miss for me. If I were giving a rating at 53% it would be a one or even less, I genuinely fought hard to get this far in. I read the second book in the series before this one and wasn't IN LOVE but I trust this author so much - 10 Things That Never Happened should get the same level of squee as Boyfriend Material, the Bridgerton books, and the bible combines - but this series might be a pass if the characters keep being so infuriatingly hard to root for.
slicciardi's review
4.0
Sooooo good! My heart ached for Rosaline as many times as it swelled! She’s a dynamic main character and the side characters complemented the story perfectly. I loved her daughter.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
1.0
This book's only saving grace is the protagonist's precocious daughter.
First let me say that I was really looking forward to reading this one. What made me decide to take it out of my TBR was that my wife called it "delightful." I was hooked by the first scene with Amelie and her teacher. Was hoping for a "meet cute," but it became evident that the guy Rosaline met on the train was an ass. I don't know what she saw in him, why she decided to sleep with him, and why she decided to take a go at dating him: he was a snob who didn't treat her right and did not care about her daughter!
Then there is the guy she was clearly supposed to be with, but because she is also a snob, she can't see that how great he is to her or how fabulous he is with her daughter.
The worst thing for me was the sexual assault scene which, let's face it, I saw coming from the second the bicurious girlfriend was mentioned. There are several things that happened in the aftermath of the sexual assault that I found hard to accept.
Needless to say, I didn't think this was delightful.
First let me say that I was really looking forward to reading this one. What made me decide to take it out of my TBR was that my wife called it "delightful." I was hooked by the first scene with Amelie and her teacher. Was hoping for a "meet cute," but it became evident that the guy Rosaline met on the train was an ass. I don't know what she saw in him, why she decided to sleep with him, and why she decided to take a go at dating him: he was a snob who didn't treat her right and did not care about her daughter!
Then there is the guy she was clearly supposed to be with, but because she is also a snob, she can't see that how great he is to her or how fabulous he is with her daughter.
The worst thing for me was the sexual assault scene which, let's face it, I saw coming from the second the bicurious girlfriend was mentioned. There are several things that happened in the aftermath of the sexual assault that I found hard to accept.
Needless to say, I didn't think this was delightful.
bookgirl's review against another edition
not a hater but i just wasn't gripped in the first few pages. i'm a hater
klb77's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This may be one of the funniest books I’ve read in a loooonnngggg time but if you choose to rape your fmc, make the only note of comedy be “haha we need to be more politically correct I’m being an asshole to you but making fun of it so suddenly I can’t be an asshole”, and beat the dead horse of objectification while making your entire emotional arc RELY on objectification and abuse of queer people you’ll never get higher than 3 stars from me. While attempting to identify and subvert objectification and fetishization the author managed to do both. Loudly.
Let’s all stop pretending this is a valid love triangle alright? If the options are between a hardworking, consent-prioritizing, compassionate, funny, protective, dedicated, sturdy, occasionally anxious, reliable hot man anda fatphobic biphobic RAPIST that can’t even train down to see the mc one. fucking. time. and relied on her to do 98% of the labor in the half-assed situationship then it’s not quite an equal triangle now is it?
Is it not embarrassing that the most well rounded and well flushed out character of your novel is an 8 year old? Definitely one of the most realistic and charming kids I’ve encountered in a book but why the hell is that the best character here? Would LOVE to know!
Thank you to the previous commenter who stated that there was on-page SA. There was 0 fucking reason for that and it would’ve jarred me without warning so I’m repeating it here for anyone who may come across this.
Shithead parents don’t apologize and reverse a lifetime of disrespect and being antagonistic after one conversation and one cry at them. That’s not how shithead parents work. It is SO wildly disrespectful to your main character to put them in a position where they never once might’ve expressed disappointment towards how her parents treated her.
The lying/miscommunication aspect was never needed in the first place and it felt like the author wrote that and then immediately threw it out the fucking manor window because of how little it impacted the plot/relationships overall. It exclusively existed to justify the red flags and poor treatment of failing triangle leg #1. And that’s gross.
I found book 2 first, learned it was a book 2, and paused to read this one first. I don’t think that was quite needed but oh well.
Cute premise, cute flirting, some good banter, and felt as saccarine as reality tv does. The final chapter was cute and the supporting characters definitely shined but overall definitely a train wreck in my eyes.
Let’s all stop pretending this is a valid love triangle alright? If the options are between a hardworking, consent-prioritizing, compassionate, funny, protective, dedicated, sturdy, occasionally anxious, reliable hot man and
Is it not embarrassing that the most well rounded and well flushed out character of your novel is an 8 year old? Definitely one of the most realistic and charming kids I’ve encountered in a book but why the hell is that the best character here? Would LOVE to know!
Thank you to the previous commenter who stated that there was on-page SA. There was 0 fucking reason for that and it would’ve jarred me without warning so I’m repeating it here for anyone who may come across this.
Shithead parents don’t apologize and reverse a lifetime of disrespect and being antagonistic after one conversation and one cry at them. That’s not how shithead parents work. It is SO wildly disrespectful to your main character to put them in a position where they never once might’ve expressed disappointment towards how her parents treated her.
The lying/miscommunication aspect was never needed in the first place and it felt like the author wrote that and then immediately threw it out the fucking manor window because of how little it impacted the plot/relationships overall. It exclusively existed to justify the red flags and poor treatment of failing triangle leg #1. And that’s gross.
I found book 2 first, learned it was a book 2, and paused to read this one first. I don’t think that was quite needed but oh well.
Cute premise, cute flirting, some good banter, and felt as saccarine as reality tv does. The final chapter was cute and the supporting characters definitely shined but overall definitely a train wreck in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, Sexism, Body shaming, Classism, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
superbitchtaco's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
ace_ofhearts's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
- 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
4.25
This was a really great read — and I can't stress how well Hall handles interpersonal relationships, complex emotions, how those emotions drive the plot, etc. This is simply great writing.
As a side note, as a lesbian hoping for a lil taste of wlw romance, I didn't realize till many chapters in that both love interests were men. My bad for not reading the synopsis, but when I heard 'bisexual woman and two love interests' I really thought one would be a woman. Oh well, I still totally loved the beautifully crafted romances.
This story is also perfect for anyone who loves the Great British Baking Show. And I loved the relationships between Rosaline and her daughter Amelie and ex-girlfriend Auntie Lauren. The book has such a cozy homey vibe thanks to them.
This book also touches on sexual assault, fetishizing queer women/bi women, classism, and choosing your family — and it handles each of these complicated topics very thoughtfully and skillfully.
I'm always gonna be excited to read Hall novels that's for sure.
As a side note, as a lesbian hoping for a lil taste of wlw romance, I didn't realize till many chapters in that both love interests were men. My bad for not reading the synopsis, but when I heard 'bisexual woman and two love interests' I really thought one would be a woman. Oh well, I still totally loved the beautifully crafted romances.
This story is also perfect for anyone who loves the Great British Baking Show. And I loved the relationships between Rosaline and her daughter Amelie and ex-girlfriend Auntie Lauren. The book has such a cozy homey vibe thanks to them.
This book also touches on sexual assault, fetishizing queer women/bi women, classism, and choosing your family — and it handles each of these complicated topics very thoughtfully and skillfully.
I'm always gonna be excited to read Hall novels that's for sure.
afestivalaparade's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0