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aliu6's review
4.0
4.25 stars
cw: discussions of looks/thinness, parental abandonment, mentions of drug abuse, Felicity sometimes being problematic (e.g. about unhoused people)
Finally got around to reading this book! Wow, Felicity was hard to like at first, maybe even more so than in The Brutal Truth. But I do like how we see her grow throughout the book and deal with some of the events from her past that deeply impacted her character. We don't get as much of a deep dive into Cooper, and I wish we got to see more of how she came to like Felicity, beyond just that she likes powerful women in suits.
The main tension in the book is about the sometimes conflicting relationship between ambition and personal happiness. Felicity has to find the right balance for herself, and we see this mirrored in two other couples: Elena and Maddie (who I enjoyed revisiting), and Rosalind and Harvey (who were honestly so cute together).
Overall, this book kept me engaged. The plot around Felicity's investigation of the charity helped to propel things forward, and there were many sweet/funny aspects of Felicity and Cooper's relationship. Part of me still wonders if they are a little too different to work longterm, but it's easy to root for them.
cw: discussions of looks/thinness, parental abandonment, mentions of drug abuse, Felicity sometimes being problematic (e.g. about unhoused people)
Finally got around to reading this book! Wow, Felicity was hard to like at first, maybe even more so than in The Brutal Truth. But I do like how we see her grow throughout the book and deal with some of the events from her past that deeply impacted her character. We don't get as much of a deep dive into Cooper, and I wish we got to see more of how she came to like Felicity, beyond just that she likes powerful women in suits.
The main tension in the book is about the sometimes conflicting relationship between ambition and personal happiness. Felicity has to find the right balance for herself, and we see this mirrored in two other couples: Elena and Maddie (who I enjoyed revisiting), and Rosalind and Harvey (who were honestly so cute together).
Overall, this book kept me engaged. The plot around Felicity's investigation of the charity helped to propel things forward, and there were many sweet/funny aspects of Felicity and Cooper's relationship. Part of me still wonders if they are a little too different to work longterm, but it's easy to root for them.
gwhg's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
This cover is EVERYTHING.
soy_ahoy's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw the blurb mentioning a soft butch love interest I thought okay, time for another slender girl with a pixie cut I guess, and then I got complete whiplash from her actual description: "The woman was block-out-the-sun tall and solid as a brick wall. She had powerful thighs and broad muscled shoulders [...] Generous breasts and an unexpectedly rounded stomach softened her imposing form so that she looked a bit like a teddy bear [...]"
Basically, Dr. Cooper is a total dreamboat. So WHY have I never seen this book recommended on any "books with butch representation" lists?? I'm so mad about not reading this sooner because I loved it so much! Also big shout-out to Winter for keeping it real and having Cooper call Felicity out on her callous remarks about not wanting to look like a "butch lesbian trucker" or a "bad movie stereotype" because butches don't put in "any effort", except personally I wouldn't have forgiven her like five seconds later like Cooper does. That one was a little too real, especially with Felicity using her attraction to women as "proof" that she's basically incapable of being butchphobic even after saying all that. I kinda wish that was more directly addressed later in the story too, I feel like Cooper never truly got a real apology for those comments.
I really loved that the novel is written from the ice queen's perspective, and the confirmation that they're pretty much secretly desperately horny all the time was hilarious. Even though they got off to a rough start, I loved Felicity's and Cooper's chemistry - and the sex scenes, my god. So so incredibly good. I read this immediately after The Brutal Truth so I really appreciated the glimpses of Elena and Maddie and their developing friendship with Felicity.
Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
Basically, Dr. Cooper is a total dreamboat. So WHY have I never seen this book recommended on any "books with butch representation" lists?? I'm so mad about not reading this sooner because I loved it so much! Also big shout-out to Winter for keeping it real and having Cooper call Felicity out on her callous remarks about not wanting to look like a "butch lesbian trucker" or a "bad movie stereotype" because butches don't put in "any effort", except personally I wouldn't have forgiven her like five seconds later like Cooper does. That one was a little too real, especially with Felicity using her attraction to women as "proof" that she's basically incapable of being butchphobic even after saying all that. I kinda wish that was more directly addressed later in the story too, I feel like Cooper never truly got a real apology for those comments.
I really loved that the novel is written from the ice queen's perspective, and the confirmation that they're pretty much secretly desperately horny all the time was hilarious. Even though they got off to a rough start, I loved Felicity's and Cooper's chemistry - and the sex scenes, my god. So so incredibly good. I read this immediately after The Brutal Truth so I really appreciated the glimpses of Elena and Maddie and their developing friendship with Felicity.
Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
forest_jj's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
aliu6's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars
cw: discussions of looks/thinness, parental abandonment, mentions of drug abuse, Felicity sometimes being problematic (e.g. about unhoused people)
Finally got around to reading this book! Wow, Felicity was hard to like at first, maybe even more so than in The Brutal Truth. But I do like how we see her grow throughout the book and deal with some of the events from her past that deeply impacted her character. We don't get as much of a deep dive into Cooper, and I wish we got to see more of how she came to like Felicity, beyond just that she likes powerful women in suits.
The main tension in the book is about the sometimes conflicting relationship between ambition and personal happiness. Felicity has to find the right balance for herself, and we see this mirrored in two other couples: Elena and Maddie (who I enjoyed revisiting), and Rosalind and Harvey (who were honestly so cute together).
Overall, this book kept me engaged. The plot around Felicity's investigation of the charity helped to propel things forward, and there were many sweet/funny aspects of Felicity and Cooper's relationship. Part of me still wonders if they are a little too different to work longterm, but it's easy to root for them.
cw: discussions of looks/thinness, parental abandonment, mentions of drug abuse, Felicity sometimes being problematic (e.g. about unhoused people)
Finally got around to reading this book! Wow, Felicity was hard to like at first, maybe even more so than in The Brutal Truth. But I do like how we see her grow throughout the book and deal with some of the events from her past that deeply impacted her character. We don't get as much of a deep dive into Cooper, and I wish we got to see more of how she came to like Felicity, beyond just that she likes powerful women in suits.
The main tension in the book is about the sometimes conflicting relationship between ambition and personal happiness. Felicity has to find the right balance for herself, and we see this mirrored in two other couples: Elena and Maddie (who I enjoyed revisiting), and Rosalind and Harvey (who were honestly so cute together).
Overall, this book kept me engaged. The plot around Felicity's investigation of the charity helped to propel things forward, and there were many sweet/funny aspects of Felicity and Cooper's relationship. Part of me still wonders if they are a little too different to work longterm, but it's easy to root for them.
hacfhowe's review against another edition
3.0
I really wish I could ignore my high expectations and not draw comparisons, but it felt inevitable.
While this was a fun read and the joy of having Maddie and Elena back, however briefly, was indescribable, for me both the plot and the romance dynamic just fell short compared to The Brutal Truth.
Felicity and Maddie's friendship remains superior though.
While this was a fun read and the joy of having Maddie and Elena back, however briefly, was indescribable, for me both the plot and the romance dynamic just fell short compared to The Brutal Truth.
Felicity and Maddie's friendship remains superior though.
misthios_pat's review against another edition
5.0
This was another book I was stalling because I'm afraid to read and the fun is gone too soon but they always make great delayed gratifications.
So, what a truly pleasant journey to witness! It was such an amazing thing to see Felicity blossoming and growing. But I'm gonna be honest and say I wasn't sure if I'd LOVE a story centred on Felicity; like yes, but love idk. Because for me, all Ms. Winter's Ice Queen's are all very untouchable, very classy, regal even and very "ready", do you see what I mean? And Felicity were bossy, icy and all that jazz before, but still felt like a rough diamond, still in the making.
But you see, I'm yet to read a novel from Lee Winter that doesn't live up to her name, so as my reading progressed I confirmed my hesitation was uncalled. Felicity has lots of hang ups and is more flawed than I'm used to see for an IQ, but nonetheless she shined bright like the diamond she is, I just had the privilege to witness the lapidation of a gem and even though she is still has a lot to learn in life (don't we all?), I LOVED it.
I guess I had a lot to say about Felicity LOL [actually I could go hours discussing everyone because they are so rich]
Cooper, oh Copper! I loooved her kindness, her down to earth and sure of herself vibe. Confidence and even cockiness in the right doses are sexy as hell and that she is. A beautiful tough quartz, can be overlooked by some as simple, but for those who know better it's one of the prettiest, precious gems out there. [Seems like my geology classes resurfaced on my brain today].
On a more sombre note. I'm not a US citizen, I live in a fucked up country in South America, you may know it as Brazil and we have a lot of homeless people [not as much as the US] especially in big cities, but I'm always stunned when I read about the US homeless situation. To think you'd be on the streets because you can't pay your health bills is just so unfathomable in my head. We have lots to improve here, but that I'm sure won't ever be the reason someone lost their home here. So Besides the escapism romances always give me, they teach me a great deal of things not that close to my reality and this time was no different. I'm grateful for that.
And finally, the whole investigation got me so engrossed that if the romance got dumped somewhere I wouldn't even mind much LOL, but thank the gods it was there!!!!! and the last chapters got me cackling silly, oh Felicity... you should know better!!! And How can you be so dense?!?!?!
10/10 recommend :P
So, what a truly pleasant journey to witness! It was such an amazing thing to see Felicity blossoming and growing. But I'm gonna be honest and say I wasn't sure if I'd LOVE a story centred on Felicity; like yes, but love idk. Because for me, all Ms. Winter's Ice Queen's are all very untouchable, very classy, regal even and very "ready", do you see what I mean? And Felicity were bossy, icy and all that jazz before, but still felt like a rough diamond, still in the making.
But you see, I'm yet to read a novel from Lee Winter that doesn't live up to her name, so as my reading progressed I confirmed my hesitation was uncalled. Felicity has lots of hang ups and is more flawed than I'm used to see for an IQ, but nonetheless she shined bright like the diamond she is, I just had the privilege to witness the lapidation of a gem and even though she is still has a lot to learn in life (don't we all?), I LOVED it.
I guess I had a lot to say about Felicity LOL [actually I could go hours discussing everyone because they are so rich]
Cooper, oh Copper! I loooved her kindness, her down to earth and sure of herself vibe. Confidence and even cockiness in the right doses are sexy as hell and that she is. A beautiful tough quartz, can be overlooked by some as simple, but for those who know better it's one of the prettiest, precious gems out there. [Seems like my geology classes resurfaced on my brain today].
On a more sombre note. I'm not a US citizen, I live in a fucked up country in South America, you may know it as Brazil and we have a lot of homeless people [not as much as the US] especially in big cities, but I'm always stunned when I read about the US homeless situation. To think you'd be on the streets because you can't pay your health bills is just so unfathomable in my head. We have lots to improve here, but that I'm sure won't ever be the reason someone lost their home here. So Besides the escapism romances always give me, they teach me a great deal of things not that close to my reality and this time was no different. I'm grateful for that.
And finally, the whole investigation got me so engrossed that if the romance got dumped somewhere I wouldn't even mind much LOL, but thank the gods it was there!!!!! and the last chapters got me cackling silly, oh Felicity... you should know better!!! And How can you be so dense?!?!?!
10/10 recommend :P
hsinjulit's review against another edition
5.0
genre : sapphic romance intrigue4.25 – 4.5-ish rounded up.
pairing : ice queen (f, white) + soft butch (f, white)
POV : single 3rd-person limited
location: New York City (Manhattan & South Bronx), USA
indie? : yes
This is my fifth book by Winter. My first one was The Brutal Truth that I read last year, and I love that Felicity got her own story in The Awkward Truth. We also got to see some more of Elena and Maddie.
Soon to be acting COO of the Bartell Corp, Felicity Simmons (36, bi) received one last assignment: investigate in the financial situations of Living Ruff, a charity helping homeless people’s pets. Felicity wants to get everything done as soon as possible so that she can go back to advancing her career and being surrounded by corporate people like her. But then there is Dr. Sandy Cooper, the strong soft butch head vet of Living Ruff that Felicity can’t seem to get enough of (nor does Cooper’s dog, Brittany, seem to get enough of Felicity). Not that she’d admit it, of course.
Can we take a moment to appreciate Living Ruff (I suppose it’s a play on words of “living rough”)? The staff, their passion, how they made do under the society’s unfriendliness toward homeless people and them having pets, and their clients and pets. I love that we can see the journalist in Winter where a lot of the fictional setting and situations are backed by real-world information and data. They’re one of the most thrilling parts to read.
At first, I was skeptical about whether Felicity and Cooper’s relationship would last. Felicity seemed to need a lot of work, and while she was open to learning—which is something, I guess—she still felt too... judgy for Cooper. I wondered if Cooper’s affection for Felicity was going to last for only a short moment. But then we see Felicity’s character arc, which honestly also really hit home and helped me analyze my career, and suddenly, I could see that she really is trying. She probably wasn’t really ready for a relationship, but I understood that it could work between Felicity and Cooper since they’ve picked apart Felicity’s insecurities and her ways of dealing with emotions. Felicity is on her way to free herself.
What’s beautiful is that not only Felicity’s character progressed into a better place, so did Living Ruff. I love the programs they’re running and the pure-hearted characters. It is very difficult to mention anything about the story since there were a few plot twists throughout, but Living Ruff does get even better by the end of the book. I also like that Felicity gradually didn’t think about her interactions with Living Ruff’s clients as an act of “saving” them. I think Winter handled the topic of homelessness and their pets sensibly, too.
And gosh, for someone who is so good at finding evidence and legal loopholes, Felicity is just so clueless sometimes! It’s kind of endearing though. Elena and Cooper melting Felicity’s brain is also one of the best things in the story.
The Awkward Truth made me laugh out loud countless times and also sobbed for an hour. Reading it has been an emotional and satisfying experience. Winter has done it again!
And isn’t Brittany awesome on the cover?
content warnings: homelessness (including LGBTQ youth), alcohol (recreational), pet abuse/murder (past), graphic sex, scam, fatphobia (later apologized), racial microaggression (called out), classism (called out), accidental pet negligence, disowning (minor character), f slur, parental death (past)
I received a digital review copy from Ylva Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.