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nelumboreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Where is the grump part we were promising?
All I could see was a girl with insecurities who was trying find her footing in the world post jail time (ik corny but deal with it)
Smut was good tho.
All I could see was a girl with insecurities who was trying find her footing in the world post jail time (ik corny but deal with it)
Smut was good tho.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Classism
Minor: Drug use
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
While I have many thoughts, I'm going with what might be the most controversial for those that have read quite a few Tessa Bailey books. It could have been a closed door romance, and it might have possibly worked better that way. I know that many of Bailey's fans would likely be upset if they picked up her book and there was no sex. However, I feel that Bailey was trying too hard to show that Aiden was angel on the streets/devil in the sheets. The sex scenes for the most part took me out of the story. They were well written, so it wasn't that, it just seemed out of character for the protagonist.
At least in the US, this is one of Bailey's self-published novels (I think it's traditionally published in the UK, unclear, all I remember is an Instagram post showing that Piatkus had the UK rights), it is unclear what, if any, editing process happened. There just seemed to be inconsistencies, and unexplained things. For example, Aunt Edna. Aiden was shipped off to live with Aunt Edna, but we don't know when, or for how many years. It's Aunt Edna a maternal aunt? Paternal aunt? Then there's the cousin... No mention of his parents and/or what they do.
Also I feel that Aiden is so positive, that it veers on toxic positivity. We see that he understands reality, and that there are issues, but he tries to see only the positive. It didn't quite work for me.
Overall I enjoyed the book, it began great, and the end tied up all the plot points like a bow (as a holiday novella should) - including the boundary setting with Nicole, but the middle was a slog. Let's face it, the side characters are the ones that really saved the book.
Content Notes: mentions of COVID, Stella is a recently released prisoner, toxic relationships, boss-employee relationship, desk sex
At least in the US, this is one of Bailey's self-published novels (I think it's traditionally published in the UK, unclear, all I remember is an Instagram post showing that Piatkus had the UK rights), it is unclear what, if any, editing process happened. There just seemed to be inconsistencies, and unexplained things. For example, Aunt Edna. Aiden was shipped off to live with Aunt Edna, but we don't know when, or for how many years. It's Aunt Edna a maternal aunt? Paternal aunt? Then there's the cousin... No mention of his parents and/or what they do.
Also I feel that Aiden is so positive, that it veers on toxic positivity. We see that he understands reality, and that there are issues, but he tries to see only the positive. It didn't quite work for me.
Overall I enjoyed the book, it began great, and the end tied up all the plot points like a bow (as a holiday novella should) - including the boundary setting with Nicole, but the middle was a slog. Let's face it, the side characters are the ones that really saved the book.
Content Notes: mentions of COVID, Stella is a recently released prisoner, toxic relationships, boss-employee relationship, desk sex
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Gun violence
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