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naomidanae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Abandonment, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence
harmony822'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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity
midnightbelles'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
3.75
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Cancer, and Abandonment
Minor: Stalking
kfmcf'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: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Stalking
Minor: Racism
queenbee1955'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: Ableism
Moderate: Stalking
freydawreviews'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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Cancer
martapsalvado'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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abandonment and Cancer
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, Stalking, and Violence
nightfell'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
I loved the depiction of their relationship, it was so sweet.
The only thing I didn't like is how Micheal got towards the end when he got possessive of her and kissed her when she told him to leave her alone. But other than that it was amazing.
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Cancer
Minor: Stalking
anaya_reads'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
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Stalking, and Terminal illness
soundlysmitten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
In summary...
Stella is a brilliant econometrician. She’s on the spectrum and struggles with anxiety, but she’s willing to move out of her comfort zone to get what she wants. Top of her list is more experience in bed, so she hires Michael, an escort, to give her some lessons.
...Michael *does not* f the anxiety out of Stella. She puts herself out there and he responds the way one should: with care. Stella, too, offers Michael consideration and respect—things he’s grown accustomed to being withheld. Sounds heavy, but the story is treated with equal parts sensitivity and levity, and is actually quite a laugh at times. What got me was the pairs’ winsome personalities. What kept me was the curious way they attempt to navigate their vulnerabilities, and the genuinely affirming tenderness they show one another.
This is a highly smutty read, but not all of it is light. It should be noted that Stella experiences inexplicable panic when she first gets with Michael. Her desire to overcome this is an essential part of the story, though, and it’s written out carefully.
I appreciated that the author showcases verbal consent (which I think should just be called consent). While we have made progress in some societies, rape culture is far from eradicated. But authors get to play god in the worlds they create, so I’d like to see better standards set in books.
That said, initially, it worried me that my girl even felt like she needed to be more skilled at sex to get a man, as worth is definitely not correlated to sexual prowess. But thankfully, this perspective is reconciled by the end.
Ultimately, I found Stella inspiring for all the sheer growth she determinedly seeks in every part of her life. Not to change her kind, bright self, but to find greater happiness and ease. Stella is the first autistic heroine of a romance novel that I've ever heard of, and she lends a much needed voice to the genre.
Michael, on the other hand... well, he’s pretty lovable for the most part, too. He truly devotes himself to the ones he loves, but he oversteps in some matters. And there were a few times I wanted to shake him. I realize that characters can’t all be enlightened, shiny angels all the time. Insecurity, miscommunication, contradiction—those things are realistic, if vexing. But I wish it were made more clear when Michael was out of line, even in “smaller” matters. I wish he learned so for himself.
Also, what of the consequences for Philip James??
My only other criticism (the one thing that brought me a bit out of the story) is Michael’s family’s reaction to Stella.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence