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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
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:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and author Celia Laskey for the chance to read and review the ARC of Cover Story!
This book centers heavily around these topics: grief of tragically losing a longtime partner, severe anxiety related to the death, the costs of being closeted in Hollywood, and Hollywood actor life. Secondary topics are a stressful parent/child relationship (past and present) and mental illness.
Overall I think Laskey handles juggling all of these items well enough to make an interesting story. I liked the main characters of Ali and Cara, even if their relationship and Cara's career are highly idealized. I felt a bit overwhelmed with all of the Hollywood references even though it did help to establish the timeframe of this book (mid 2000s). Cover Story does have a happy ending, which is what I love in a sapphic romantic comedy. It also contained some gems (which I bookmarked) of insight into grief and being queer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
✨
The format of this review is a bit different because I wrote this review shortly after finishing Cover Story. I have literally been so excited to share this book with you all. 💕
✨ F/F lesbian romance
✨ Spice 3/5
✨ Medium paced (but felt fast because I loved it so much!)
✨ Moods: hopeful, playful, funny
✨ Tropes: age-gap, celeb/publicist (idk if that’s a trope but I’m making it one)
[Content warnings at bottom > beware of spoilers]
Cover Story is the lesbian rom-com I have been waiting for! The novel follows Ali, an anxious grieving widow, who also happens to be the publicist assigned to a younger up and coming actress, Cara. A very lesbian actress who Ali (also lesbian) is tasked with keeping in the closet. A not-so-easy feat when the sparks start flying…
While Cover Story is a rom-com, it delves into deeper topics such as grief and anxiety. Ali is not perfect, but I found her struggles to be relatable. Her character growth left me, the reader, feeling hopeful. I appreciated the communication efforts between Ali and Cara. Unlike other romances I’ve read, I didn’t find myself yelling at the page trying to get the characters to just talk it out already!
I thought Celia Laskey’s writing was humorous and almost bubbly at times. I felt giddy while reading the interactions between the main characters. I think that’s what I loved the most about this book: The characters felt sexy and silly and real. As a lesbian myself, I could see a genuine relationship between Ali and Cara. Their relationship didn’t feel overly sexualized, romanticized or fantasized. When reading, this easily could have been a story starring someone I know.
Five stars for the lesbian representation and the perfect balance of silly, sexy, and heartfelt. This book was cathartic for me, and I especially appreciated the author’s note.
I highly recommend this book especially those looking for: les fic, rom-com, age-gap, or a romance with depth.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced review copy. All opinions above (and below) are my own.
Final thoughts:
- verboten
- Glen is perfect
Content warnings below, beware of spoilers, and please note these may not be all inclusive.
Content Warnings: anxiety/mental health, past de*th of a loved one, de*th, compulsory heterosexuality, s*xual assault (recounting/discussed with partner), s*xually explicit content, alcohol, systemic homophobia
The format of this review is a bit different because I wrote this review shortly after finishing Cover Story. I have literally been so excited to share this book with you all. 💕
✨ F/F lesbian romance
✨ Spice 3/5
✨ Medium paced (but felt fast because I loved it so much!)
✨ Moods: hopeful, playful, funny
✨ Tropes: age-gap, celeb/publicist (idk if that’s a trope but I’m making it one)
[Content warnings at bottom > beware of spoilers]
Cover Story is the lesbian rom-com I have been waiting for! The novel follows Ali, an anxious grieving widow, who also happens to be the publicist assigned to a younger up and coming actress, Cara. A very lesbian actress who Ali (also lesbian) is tasked with keeping in the closet. A not-so-easy feat when the sparks start flying…
While Cover Story is a rom-com, it delves into deeper topics such as grief and anxiety. Ali is not perfect, but I found her struggles to be relatable. Her character growth left me, the reader, feeling hopeful. I appreciated the communication efforts between Ali and Cara. Unlike other romances I’ve read, I didn’t find myself yelling at the page trying to get the characters to just talk it out already!
I thought Celia Laskey’s writing was humorous and almost bubbly at times. I felt giddy while reading the interactions between the main characters. I think that’s what I loved the most about this book: The characters felt sexy and silly and real. As a lesbian myself, I could see a genuine relationship between Ali and Cara. Their relationship didn’t feel overly sexualized, romanticized or fantasized. When reading, this easily could have been a story starring someone I know.
Five stars for the lesbian representation and the perfect balance of silly, sexy, and heartfelt. This book was cathartic for me, and I especially appreciated the author’s note.
I highly recommend this book especially those looking for: les fic, rom-com, age-gap, or a romance with depth.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced review copy. All opinions above (and below) are my own.
Final thoughts:
- verboten
- Glen is perfect
Content warnings below, beware of spoilers, and please note these may not be all inclusive.
Content Warnings: anxiety/mental health, past de*th of a loved one, de*th, compulsory heterosexuality, s*xual assault (recounting/discussed with partner), s*xually explicit content, alcohol, systemic homophobia
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cover Story is a supernova of a romance novel, bursting with humor, heartbreak, and hope. Celia Laskey takes readers on an unforgettable journey through closeted celebrity hijinks in early 2000s media and the emotional rollercoaster of love after loss. Ali and Cara have a permanent place in my heart.