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rencollins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Super super cute love story. I loved that disability and sex work were parts of the character's identities, but were not the ONLY thing we learned about them. They were super nuanced characters with a variety of perspectives on a variety of things.
It is a super adorable love story and the dirty bits feel the perfect amount of salacious. There were moments where the pace of the book felt a little fast in that it skipped weeks of time in a page, but this is necessary and adds to the realism of the story.
It is a super adorable love story and the dirty bits feel the perfect amount of salacious. There were moments where the pace of the book felt a little fast in that it skipped weeks of time in a page, but this is necessary and adds to the realism of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault
overthinkereading's review against another edition
4.0
From the Author's Note: “Sometimes instead of confining you, a label can set you free.”
This book is all about labels - Autistic. Too Smart. Bad At Sex. Good At Sex. Biracial. Unworthy. Abandoned. -
and how rejecting or accepting them can shape a person’s life and ability to love.
I enjoyed so much about this book. The neurodivergent representation, the gender swapped Pretty Woman premise, the banter (truly some LOL moments!), the SPICE. As a survivor, the way the author illustrated consent (and the MMC’s commitment to enthusiastic consent) meant so much to me. There are some valid criticisms in other reviews about the inclusion of internalized shame around sex work, but I personally felt it was true to the character.
Overall, I recommend to readers looking for: open door, slow burn, fake dating, sex worker with a heart of gold, Own Voices representation (neurodivergence and AAPI), HEA
This book is all about labels - Autistic. Too Smart. Bad At Sex. Good At Sex. Biracial. Unworthy. Abandoned. -
and how rejecting or accepting them can shape a person’s life and ability to love.
I enjoyed so much about this book. The neurodivergent representation, the gender swapped Pretty Woman premise, the banter (truly some LOL moments!), the SPICE. As a survivor, the way the author illustrated consent (and the MMC’s commitment to enthusiastic consent) meant so much to me. There are some valid criticisms in other reviews about the inclusion of internalized shame around sex work, but I personally felt it was true to the character.
Overall, I recommend to readers looking for: open door, slow burn, fake dating, sex worker with a heart of gold, Own Voices representation (neurodivergence and AAPI), HEA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
gartimar's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer and Abandonment
jessthanthree's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Cancer, Ableism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Panic attacks/disorders
unicornofthesea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Cancer, Bullying, Abandonment, Ableism, Chronic illness, and Classism
albare's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual harassment
ga_bby4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
I loved the representation of autism in a real world way. The chemistry between these characters was amazing! I highly recommend this book. I will be binging all of Helen’s books now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
gabyhat's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The romance in this book was GOOD. Loved the ASD representation, though as someone without the disorder I cannot speak on whether it was accurate or not. Will definitelyyyy be reading more from Helen Huang.
I removed a star because I started to get frustrated with Michael’s character. He was so frustrated by Philip’s nonconsensual kisses toward Stella but did the same thing at the end in an act of “love”. Stella still said no & at this point Michael was showing more toxic possesiom of her than cute, sexy posession. Also hated Michael’s little obsession with fucking a teacher. It’s not cute and sexualizes my profession 🙃 no thank you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Ableism, Abandonment, and Medical content
kiingchika's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book was everything to me. Stella is such an amazing protagonist and I loved the dual perspective. I also love Michael with all my heart. Definitely one of my favorite fake-relationship romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Chronic illness
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Taylor Swift songs: “afterglow”
Age rating: 17+ (around 5 steamy scenes, 2.5/5🌶️)
Oh my gosh this was such a great sweet and spicy book!! The fmc is Asian-American and has autism and the mmc is Vietnamese-Swedish. It was so vulnerable and tender and sweet!!! I loved that it was dual POV! I love fake-dating or relationship “lessons”, and this was *chef’s kiss*. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved how patient and understanding Michael was of her boundaries and how he literally didn’t even have to think about it, he automatically accommodated her needs and respected her boundaries. I loved seeing both of them realize that they are worthy of love, just how they are. Overall, the writing was great! There was just enough sweetness, spice, external plot, and emotional growth. I will be reading the other books in this interconnected stand-alone series!!
Tw: abandonment of parent, ableism, workplace sexual harassment, stalker, consensual unprotected sex
Age rating: 17+ (around 5 steamy scenes, 2.5/5🌶️)
Oh my gosh this was such a great sweet and spicy book!! The fmc is Asian-American and has autism and the mmc is Vietnamese-Swedish. It was so vulnerable and tender and sweet!!! I loved that it was dual POV! I love fake-dating or relationship “lessons”, and this was *chef’s kiss*. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved how patient and understanding Michael was of her boundaries and how he literally didn’t even have to think about it, he automatically accommodated her needs and respected her boundaries. I loved seeing both of them realize that they are worthy of love, just how they are. Overall, the writing was great! There was just enough sweetness, spice, external plot, and emotional growth. I will be reading the other books in this interconnected stand-alone series!!
Tw: abandonment of parent, ableism, workplace sexual harassment, stalker, consensual unprotected sex
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Ableism