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marquel82's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.75
jackiehorne's review
3.0
An unusual protagonist pair: two African-American women, one from a well-to-do family, the other from a working-class one; one recovering from depression caused in part by her gender/sexuality confusion, the other a stripper at a bar. The two are attracted to each other when they meet during a bachelorette party for Alexis's sister, held at the club where Trisha (aka Treasure) works. It's only when they meet up again, two of the few women in a college computer science class, that they become friends, and then lovers.
There's not really much conflict, or narrative drive, in this short story/novella. It gives us one black moment, fairly easily overcome. And the narrative focuses far too much telling, not enough on showing through fleshed-out scenes, to engage a reader's emotions. I did appreciate the non-sensationalized depiction of sex-work, though, and reading such positive depictions of lesbian African-American lovers is really so rare in romance. Wish Weatherspoon had written a full-length novel, one that would allow me to feel along with these characters, rather than just hear about what they are thinking and feeling...
There's not really much conflict, or narrative drive, in this short story/novella. It gives us one black moment, fairly easily overcome. And the narrative focuses far too much telling, not enough on showing through fleshed-out scenes, to engage a reader's emotions. I did appreciate the non-sensationalized depiction of sex-work, though, and reading such positive depictions of lesbian African-American lovers is really so rare in romance. Wish Weatherspoon had written a full-length novel, one that would allow me to feel along with these characters, rather than just hear about what they are thinking and feeling...
pitbulls_and_prose's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly I didn’t know what to expect of this but it was super cute! I wish this had been a full length novel because there’s so much I want to know about each character’s back story.
tshepiso's review
2.5
Treasure is such a frustrating novella. On the one hand I was instantly charmed by our two leads. Trisha and Alexis are lovely characters. Their immediate attraction and sweet butterfly fueled mutual attraction and eventual romance was delightful to read.
However it was really difficult to get through this story because despite having gripping leads this novella was sorely lacking in structure. Similarly to another of Rebekah Weatherspoon's books, Rafe, Treasure felt more like a selection of scenes chronologically put together than a story. The romance had no thrust or forward momentum, character motivations were clunkily dropped into the narrative between sex scenes and nothing was meaningful expanded on or elaborated on the page.
And those threads dropped into the story were interesting. I liked hearing about Trisha's complicated relationship with her mother and Alexis' mental health issues and anxieties. But Weatherspoon failed to craft a romance that richly explored these facets of the characters. Treasure unfortunately read like an early draft. There's some true gems buried under there but it needed some serious shaping to truly shine.
However it was really difficult to get through this story because despite having gripping leads this novella was sorely lacking in structure. Similarly to another of Rebekah Weatherspoon's books, Rafe, Treasure felt more like a selection of scenes chronologically put together than a story. The romance had no thrust or forward momentum, character motivations were clunkily dropped into the narrative between sex scenes and nothing was meaningful expanded on or elaborated on the page.
And those threads dropped into the story were interesting. I liked hearing about Trisha's complicated relationship with her mother and Alexis' mental health issues and anxieties. But Weatherspoon failed to craft a romance that richly explored these facets of the characters. Treasure unfortunately read like an early draft. There's some true gems buried under there but it needed some serious shaping to truly shine.
bookbuyingwithkatie's review
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
3.5
fringebookreviews's review
4.0
Yaaaas I really enjoyed this!! I just wanted it to be a bit longer since the third act maybe needed some more time to resolve. I loved that she was a stripper. Like god that private dance was SO HOT. Def not a fan of the Chekhov’s sex toys tho lmao. I’d also like to know if there’s a follow up for Q and Kami’s friend 👀