Reviews

*Carina Press, while an imprint with HC via Harlequin, is not one of the one that are part of the current HC union strike. That is why this review is being provided. For more information on the exemption, find it here: https://twitter.com/bookwormbullet/status/1610689386877976577?s=20 *

This was a great stroy with two FMCs that have great chemistry with each other, NO miscommunication (which I am starting to see as a trend with sapphic romances, and I am here for it) and also seeing how Sophie was able to navigate being in her first queer relationship. Having read both gay and sapphic romances, I really appreciated Barrett and her pacing for their (Amy and Sophie) relationship as it developed. Yes, it did seem to be insta love for the two of them (both prior to getting together and even when they did) and personally, I am not a fan of that. I also felt that their "third act" breakup, while not based on miscommunication, was rushed in how we didn't really see actual chracter growth from Amy on being able to dicate and "fix" for others.

Great book, and I would be very interested in reading more from Barrett.

rosebache's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

_lc_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a fun, quick little read. The characters were cute and kinda chaotic as they tried to run a business, prove their worth after becoming a minor celebrity and work out their feelings towards each other.

It was hot, funny and cute.

Genre: Romance

Format: Audio (Libby)

POV: Dual

Tropes: Boss/employee, yes chef, paying staff a living wage, reality tv, cooking competitions

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5

Age suggestion: 18+

limeadeskates's review against another edition

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Neither character did it for me. Abandon ship!

seventhswan's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

July’s read for book group. I liked the premise of this - I enjoy food, restaurants and cooking shows - but the execution left a lot to be desired. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope, personally, and its liberal use really put me off Amy as a character. I liked Sophie a lot and wanted to protect her from Amy, not see them get together. We get it! She has trauma! But it felt gratuitous and like it was perpetuating the idea that people with trauma in their past are doomed to have volatile, emotionally unhealthy relationships.

I also thought the writing itself wasn’t great. There was a lot of repetition and not much consistency, and I struggled to differentiate between the PoVs at times. The sex scenes also had some elements that made little sense.

I have to give this book some credit for feeling fairly true to life - it was believable, even if I didn’t want to believe. But a romance novel should fill me with warm fuzzy feelings, and all I got from this was irritation.

Content Warnings

beasleysbooks's review against another edition

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I was just so extremely bored & the characters were lowkey insufferable to start and then there wasn’t any character development. No thanks.

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