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penandpages's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Alcoholism, Lesbophobia, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
athenathestorier's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
I came in expecting a comfort read. And even though more serious topics were explored, that remained the case. In fact, I would say this is among the closest you can get to being fluff without actually being fluff. The climax wasn't overly dramatic, was eased into, and had the foundations for a quick but believable resolution.
As a character-driven reader, I loved the focus that the characters and their relationships got. I really feel like I got to know them. In fact, getting to know Sage felt like looking in a mirror at times - so much so that I wondered if I'd be able to finish the book during this read through. And I'm so glad I did. Because this is what a good relationship (of any type) does: support you, and give you the strength to support yourself as well. Seeing these women grow into more healthy versions of themselves - learning where to put boundaries, learning how to incorporate self-care, and more - made me so soft and happy.
Sage and Noah at first seem like opposites, something their rivalry also paints a picture of. But they're actually very similar. Their fire to pursue their dreams and find success may have different fuel, but they both blaze just as intense. And when put together, that fire ebbs and flares in a fun cycle of steamy, challenging, affectionate, and vulnerable - much as the two of them describe certain moments themselves.
This is an adult romance in way more than just spice. The maturity of these MCs and their relationship is truly goal-worthy. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone seeking a contemporary romance, and I cannot wait to have this standing proudly on my physical bookshelf.
As a character-driven reader, I loved the focus that the characters and their relationships got. I really feel like I got to know them. In fact, getting to know Sage felt like looking in a mirror at times - so much so that I wondered if I'd be able to finish the book during this read through. And I'm so glad I did. Because this is what a good relationship (of any type) does: support you, and give you the strength to support yourself as well. Seeing these women grow into more healthy versions of themselves - learning where to put boundaries, learning how to incorporate self-care, and more - made me so soft and happy.
Sage and Noah at first seem like opposites, something their rivalry also paints a picture of. But they're actually very similar. Their fire to pursue their dreams and find success may have different fuel, but they both blaze just as intense. And when put together, that fire ebbs and flares in a fun cycle of steamy, challenging, affectionate, and vulnerable - much as the two of them describe certain moments themselves.
This is an adult romance in way more than just spice. The maturity of these MCs and their relationship is truly goal-worthy. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone seeking a contemporary romance, and I cannot wait to have this standing proudly on my physical bookshelf.
Rep: Black FMCs, Lesbian FMC, Bisexual FMC, Black supporting characters, subtle gay romance in the background
Memorable Quotes:
Memorable Quotes:
“I am. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” She gave me a knowing smile. This woman could be fun. Noah was still a bit stiff and had a lot of work to do in terms of her artistic confidence, but she could be fun.
“Once in a lifetime,” I agreed as I stared at her.
Noah tilted her head to the side. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just…realizing something.”
“That it’s going to be a long six months?”
I nodded. “Something like that.”
“Stop reading into it."
"I'm not reading into anything," I said, even though I was already on the tenth chapter, deep into the footnotes.
“Some of us have to claw our way through the real world, survive any way we can. Sometimes, that survival looks like quitting to the outside."
"I burned myself out. Every dollar I earned I saved because every day was a rainy day. Once you guys saw that, you didn't feel the need to pitch in. You felt safe, T. I was terrified, and you felt safe."
I dragged out her name in a playful tone. The syllables felt good on my tongue. Had her name always felt like this? Like something I could repeat and never get bored of?
“But I’ve always seen you as a human. No matter how good you are at what you do. You know why?” I shook my head, mesmerized by how her lips moved when she insulted me with, “You’re an asshole. Assholes are the most human of us all.”
“But not all those lines I draw are the right ones.”
“How can you tell the right ones from the wrong ones?”
“When you put them down and don’t feel anything,” I said without hesitation.
“I love your laugh.” I cupped her chin, pulling her close so our lips nearly touched. “And your growth. You don’t take shit from anyone. You never should have, especially from me.”
Noah nodded, eyes hooded with warmth and desire. “I know.”
“You’re so beautiful—your body and your determination. Thank you for telling me to fuck off,” I whispered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Biphobia
haileyhardcover's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Am I the only person who thought this was YA/college-age for some reason? If not, let me assure you this is, in fact, very adult. Three-chapter long spicy scene kind of adult lol
I really enjoyed this story and characters. I’m not normally an enemies/rivals to lovers girlie, but this one was great. The little quips and banter were perfect. I also really appreciated that Noah and Sage both had lives and issues outside of each other. Characters feel more real that way.
There were elements of the story that didn’t feel fully fleshed out to me, hence the four instead of five stars, but I still definitely recommend Outdrawn. Looking forward to more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Medical trauma
fleur____'s review
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Biphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Car accident and Lesbophobia
abookwormspov's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
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
I loved every single second of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Alcoholism, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, Alcoholism, Medical content, Biphobia, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
This is such a fun time. I love the girls, the rival to lovers, the family dynamics, and the message. And the Spice!! (though a few times it could have been longer imo). It has a few self publishisms and typos but none of them remove the charm for me. I just really liked it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Car accident
Minor: Toxic friendship and Suicidal thoughts
tenderbench's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
merryfaith's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Biphobia, and Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident
danaslitlist's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
“My loneliness slowly but surely melted with each smile she gave. This was trouble-- I was in trouble. Instead of being vigilant, I fell headfirst, no longer a girl with a plan."
This book was everything I could’ve wanted in a rivals to lovers romance! The characters were so realistic and jumped off the page, the banter and dialogue was a wonderful mixture of humor and tenderness, and the fact that Noah and Sage communicate healthily was the cherry on top.
I absolutely loved the character growth and seeing how they both worked on their own problems without expecting the other to magically fix their behaviors or personal lives. It was refreshing to have a romance not rife with drama and childish behavior constantly between the two leads.
PLUS!! No third act break up.
This book was everything I could’ve wanted in a rivals to lovers romance! The characters were so realistic and jumped off the page, the banter and dialogue was a wonderful mixture of humor and tenderness, and the fact that Noah and Sage communicate healthily was the cherry on top.
I absolutely loved the character growth and seeing how they both worked on their own problems without expecting the other to magically fix their behaviors or personal lives. It was refreshing to have a romance not rife with drama and childish behavior constantly between the two leads.
PLUS!! No third act break up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Chronic illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts