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cady_sass's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Adorable. I wish it was a smidge spicier but there’s truly nothing to complain about here. I love that this has all the trappings of a good rom com without the standard tropes, it sorta starts with a fake dating trope but it’s immediately tossed out the window, these people know what they want! The instant gratification is a pleasant change from the norm. Very cute!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Cancer, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Racism
yofrere's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
If you’re looking for a steamy, drawn out romance read with an awkward splash of tokenism, this might be for you. To me, this book is a skeleton of what it could have been. I considered abandoning it multiple times and by the midway point I was skimming to reach the end.
The fatphobia, misogyny, and awkward racism lite put several nails in this coffin. But the biggest, final nail was the tepid story building/character development. After the wedding, the author spent so much time trying to build up the relationship between the two main characters in the eyes of the reader. Yet any actual growth and bonding they might have experienced together was wrapped up in a throwaway sentence or two and slapped on either side of a sex scene like a confusing, pseudo-romantic sandwich. And the sex was boring!
The supporting cast certainly were lacking as well, laying flat in a misguided attempt to keep the couple at center stage. A sisyphean task considering how drab the main characters are themselves. One is the typical “tall, dark, and handsome” (read: misunderstood brunette white) doctor who is a shitty friend with jealousy issues and endless wealth. The other is yet another trope: the witty, successful black woman “with curves”. I truly cannot think of any other traits that stood out about her.
After their continually awkward fighting reaches it’s climax, the big romantic gesture is to buy doughnuts for her office and show up at an important event. In real life, sure. In a romance novel, disappointing. I don’t believe that’s asking for too much.
My favorite part was the wedding weekend. The most believable (albeit cringy at times) part of the whole book and it ended a third of the way through.
After a few mediocre hours, I can easily say I won’t be reading anymore from Jasmine Guillory. And I will be searching up the Tiktok user that raved about this book and blocking them.
The fatphobia, misogyny, and awkward racism lite put several nails in this coffin. But the biggest, final nail was the tepid story building/character development. After the wedding, the author spent so much time trying to build up the relationship between the two main characters in the eyes of the reader. Yet any actual growth and bonding they might have experienced together was wrapped up in a throwaway sentence or two and slapped on either side of a sex scene like a confusing, pseudo-romantic sandwich. And the sex was boring!
The supporting cast certainly were lacking as well, laying flat in a misguided attempt to keep the couple at center stage. A sisyphean task considering how drab the main characters are themselves. One is the typical “tall, dark, and handsome” (read: misunderstood brunette white) doctor who is a shitty friend with jealousy issues and endless wealth. The other is yet another trope: the witty, successful black woman “with curves”. I truly cannot think of any other traits that stood out about her.
After their continually awkward fighting reaches it’s climax, the big romantic gesture is to buy doughnuts for her office and show up at an important event. In real life, sure. In a romance novel, disappointing. I don’t believe that’s asking for too much.
My favorite part was the wedding weekend. The most believable (albeit cringy at times) part of the whole book and it ended a third of the way through.
After a few mediocre hours, I can easily say I won’t be reading anymore from Jasmine Guillory. And I will be searching up the Tiktok user that raved about this book and blocking them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Racism
iamsammie27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol
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