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thereadinghammock's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
"I will not be a footnote. I'm the whole damn book."
What a fiery pair Emmy and Ryan are. I loved how Emmy could always put Ryan in his place and show him that things were most definitely not so easy for those outside the well funded science departments, or the highly educated, straight, white, male demographic. Ryan, we love a man who does his homework, puts in the effort, and does the extra credit. How much pleasure he took from Emmy's magnetism, and ensuring her overall pleasure was *chef's kiss*. I was dying for then to get together and once they did it was straight fire.
The overall setting was a love letter to working in academia/higher education/non-profits and all of the little quirks that come with the territory. (Almost) everything is done on a shoe string and everyone pitches in to get the job done.
What a fiery pair Emmy and Ryan are. I loved how Emmy could always put Ryan in his place and show him that things were most definitely not so easy for those outside the well funded science departments, or the highly educated, straight, white, male demographic. Ryan, we love a man who does his homework, puts in the effort, and does the extra credit. How much pleasure he took from Emmy's magnetism, and ensuring her overall pleasure was *chef's kiss*. I was dying for then to get together and once they did it was straight fire.
The overall setting was a love letter to working in academia/higher education/non-profits and all of the little quirks that come with the territory. (Almost) everything is done on a shoe string and everyone pitches in to get the job done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexism
roget's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Such a cute premise with some adorable moments, but Emmy (despite raising some valid points about mistreatment of women and humanities scholars in the academy) never really confronts her tendency to jump to the worst possible take on the other person as aggressively as possible.
Anxiety is an explanation (as are some of the cultural/social trends that squash women’s agency and contributions), but mental health issues don’t excuse mistreating others who have demonstrated a proactive habit of caring and acting in a relatively healthy manner in the relationship. It also drove me up the wall when she mentioned him not fighting for her when she’d laid out a CLEAR boundary in the breakup for him to not do that. We never see her really learn or grow in that struggle. Yet Ryan’s holding almost all the responsibility for the breakup, even though she dumped him, didn’t let him get a word in, and set a boundary that their relationship would be strictly professional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
juffnstuff's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Alcohol
jmyers1's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I did enjoy this book - I thought the setting and premise was really good and I thought it was a good read. Saying that, I found Emmy hard to like at times. I understand her anxiety influenced a lot of her actions, but she was quiet rude and abrasive at times and didn't seem to suffer any consequences of it. I think it could have been a a really great character arc for her to acknowkage it properly, but it never happened.
I loved Ryan, but I would have loved to explore his character a bit more. He touched on feeling lonely and not having a anyone, and I would have loved to have seen that explored a little more. This POVs only seemed to exist to remind us he was attracted to Emmy. The third act breakup was a little contrived, but their make up was adorable.
I loved Ryan, but I would have loved to explore his character a bit more. He touched on feeling lonely and not having a anyone, and I would have loved to have seen that explored a little more. This POVs only seemed to exist to remind us he was attracted to Emmy. The third act breakup was a little contrived, but their make up was adorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
juliana_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
I really enjoyed this. As a museum worker, it was so fun to read a book in such a familiar setting. The funding issues, the grant writing, the musty historic house- very relatable. I also liked how Emmy and Ryan tussled and bickered with each other, professionally and intimately. They were cute.
I do have two main criticisms. First, I have a pet peeve with books that mention COVID and take place “post-pandemic” but don’t actually present the long-term implications. Yes, the two museums faced challenges, both MCs had to pivot during closures, but you’re telling me anxious Emmy went on a plane without a mask? They hosted a gala in peak flu/COVID season and didn’t have a vaccine requirement? If authors want to incorporate the pandemic, that’s fine, but it does nothing for the story if you just mention it in past tense and don’t factor in the way the world has changed since 2020.
The second is that I wanted Ryan to hold Emmy accountable for her outbursts! Them going back and forth was fun most of the time, but her storming off, especially during the big fight, was really unhealthy and counterproductive. I understand she has anxiety, but that doesn’t absolve you from being cruel to your partner. When Ryan confessed his love in Boston, I wanted him to say “I love you, I’m sorry for making assumptions about your career, but I also need you to talk with me instead of walking away in anger.” If he is a people pleaser, he also should work on that by speaking up for himself, ya know?
I received an ARC, I do look forward to the book being published and future interconnected books.
I do have two main criticisms. First, I have a pet peeve with books that mention COVID and take place “post-pandemic” but don’t actually present the long-term implications. Yes, the two museums faced challenges, both MCs had to pivot during closures, but you’re telling me anxious Emmy went on a plane without a mask? They hosted a gala in peak flu/COVID season and didn’t have a vaccine requirement? If authors want to incorporate the pandemic, that’s fine, but it does nothing for the story if you just mention it in past tense and don’t factor in the way the world has changed since 2020.
The second is that I wanted Ryan to hold Emmy accountable for her outbursts! Them going back and forth was fun most of the time, but
I received an ARC, I do look forward to the book being published and future interconnected books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism
katiehasanxiety's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
katebrownreads's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I knew that I was going to love this book. I’m eternally a Nellie Wilson fan. I intentionally waited to read this arc so Emmy and Ryan could be my first read of the year and start it out right!!
Open Door romance with tons of communication. Grumpy Sunshine. Workplace Romance. Hot Nerds. Great GAD representation. Museum setting. Bar trivia night.
This is an interconnected standalone. You see and meet characters from her first book and characters from her future books.
Title: Curated
Author: Nellie Wilson
Dates Read: 1/1/23-1/2/23
Publication Date: 1/31/23
Format: ebook (arc from the author)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Yes, book one
Rating (❤️/👍/🤷♀️/👎/❌): ❤️
Spice: open door, 3+ scenes
Would I Recommend?: Yes!
Open Door romance with tons of communication. Grumpy Sunshine. Workplace Romance. Hot Nerds. Great GAD representation. Museum setting. Bar trivia night.
This is an interconnected standalone. You see and meet characters from her first book and characters from her future books.
Title: Curated
Author: Nellie Wilson
Dates Read: 1/1/23-1/2/23
Publication Date: 1/31/23
Format: ebook (arc from the author)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Yes, book one
Rating (❤️/👍/🤷♀️/👎/❌): ❤️
Spice: open door, 3+ scenes
Would I Recommend?: Yes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, and Alcohol
erinrachelreads's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book was wonderful and honest and funny and a host of other positive adjectives but I cant list them all, but just know I LOVED it. I’m going to try and explain why but long story short – I'm obsessed.
Emmy is so unapologetically herself; her anxiety may control certain aspects of her life but she definitely lives life on her own terms, allowing her passions to guide her and I love her. Ryan is so unbearably cute – the emjoi!! – and I spent a lot of the book wanted to just hug them both.
Ryan and Emmy’s relationship feels aspirational – they are phenomenal together – but is authentic and attainable. They support and educate each other whilst being open and loving in the way they communicate. And my god, the communication. The conversations that Emmy and Ryan have regarding their boundaries and pleasure and their expectations of the physical aspect of their relationship are so refreshing and I know the importance and necessity of them will be hugely relatable for some readers. I’m also in love with Ryan’s willingness to seek help from his sister, actively listen and take their advice on board and use it in what became a real sexy text exchange.
I also can’t not mention the friendships that Nellie has created in the books she’s written which are multifaceted and fantastic. Jeremy being a quiet pillar of support while Phoebe loves more fiercely, are just two examples and I honestly cannot wait to read more of their stories.
Just an absolutely phenomenal read that I will probably not shut up about forever.
Emmy is so unapologetically herself; her anxiety may control certain aspects of her life but she definitely lives life on her own terms, allowing her passions to guide her and I love her. Ryan is so unbearably cute – the emjoi!! – and I spent a lot of the book wanted to just hug them both.
Ryan and Emmy’s relationship feels aspirational – they are phenomenal together – but is authentic and attainable. They support and educate each other whilst being open and loving in the way they communicate. And my god, the communication. The conversations that Emmy and Ryan have regarding their boundaries and pleasure and their expectations of the physical aspect of their relationship are so refreshing and I know the importance and necessity of them will be hugely relatable for some readers. I’m also in love with Ryan’s willingness to seek help from his sister, actively listen and take their advice on board and use it in what became a real sexy text exchange.
I also can’t not mention the friendships that Nellie has created in the books she’s written which are multifaceted and fantastic. Jeremy being a quiet pillar of support while Phoebe loves more fiercely, are just two examples and I honestly cannot wait to read more of their stories.
Just an absolutely phenomenal read that I will probably not shut up about forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content