Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice writing, but jeez when you read it back it’s a ridiculous plot.
I'm on cloud nine right now. This book is AMAZING! It has the good amount of sex moments, but also the love story behind it had me smiling, crying and then falling in love with the characters. Don't pass on this book its so good. Read it!!!
loved the rich woman in stem + poorer creative guy dynamic. but as others have said... insta love, this dude can't take no for an answer, is possessive, and he kind of washes her autism away? weird.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I know this book came out a bit ago, and I know it had a lot of hype, and I know I put it off for a long time, but man, this book was good. As usual, I decided to wait a bit on a book that was getting rave reviews when it first came out. As often happens, it dropped off my radar. Quite honestly, I was on Libby and looked for an “available now” audiobook in romance and saw this one there. So glad I did!
Not only is Helen Hoang a new-to-me author, but this was also her debut. Her debut! When a debut author has such an awesome first showing, I get a bit scared for them. I really hope this wasn’t a one-off and I’ll have many more books to look forward to from her.
This is a case of me having so much to say, there’s nothing I can say. I loved the connection between Michael and Stella. I love how sex work is represented in this story. I love how in tune Michael is with Stella and all of the others around him. I love how well fleshed out Stella’s character is, especially since she’s autistic. (Warning: there is use of some outdated terms for the type of autism Stella has, but this was published just as the terminology was changing, so I’m going to assume the author didn’t do it intentionally.)
There is a scene where Stella goes to Michael’s family’s house for dinner and I was dying. It was so well written that I could feel everyone’s emotions. It was brutal, yet so necessary for character development and understanding.
I was not aware the author had turned this world into a series so I’m excited to see how well the other books hold up to this one. Fingers crossed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
Suc han amazing book with a strong , honest , loveable neurodivergent heroine and the issue laden man who accepts her as she is and eventually works through his stuff so they can have a loving relationship . I saw my neurodivergent partner so clearly and the loving, responsive way Michael accomodates and loves Stella for who she is at her core was an amazing affirmation ! The consort/escort / "practice" boyfriend trope was both hilarious and touching and rang so true! A gem of a book!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mike is a male gigolo (escort service).
Stella is a nerdy economist with social difficulties.
When she hires Mike to give her dating and sex lessons, sparks will fly.
While I have all the heart eyes for Stella, I never quite bought the instalove with Mike.
Why do all the men in this book behave like Neanderthals?
Pros: cool to see female autism rep.
Cons: the fragile male egos didn’t work for me & smut takes over the plot.
TW: unwanted kissing/sexual advances/assault
Stella is a nerdy economist with social difficulties.
When she hires Mike to give her dating and sex lessons, sparks will fly.
While I have all the heart eyes for Stella, I never quite bought the instalove with Mike.
Why do all the men in this book behave like Neanderthals?
Pros: cool to see female autism rep.
Cons: the fragile male egos didn’t work for me & smut takes over the plot.
TW: unwanted kissing/sexual advances/assault
A sweet read that was scorching in parts. I really enjoyed both characters, and the dynamics of both a male escort and autism were interesting.
I docked this book a star because it got a little schmaltzy towards the end.
Worth a read though.
I docked this book a star because it got a little schmaltzy towards the end.
Worth a read though.
Couldn’t get into it. Didn’t find the characters lovable
lighthearted
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes