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starlightloving's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
extremely, devastatingly relatable. beautiful prose, wonderful and picturesque imagery, sickening love, foundational and world-shaking friendships. this book had me crying so much. i do believe she will be one of my favorites of all time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
I came in ready for the drunk Vegas marriage romance, I was not expecting such a real and kinda heavy look at how lost you can feel after graduation. Working so hard towards something, having clear cut steps the whole way, and then being thrown out into the professional field is petrifying. Grace was putting up with much more than I would ever have to, so it's no wonder she needed a serious break. Though, if my friend dropped out of contact for a month or more, I would also be angry and worried. This writer has such a beautiful poetic style it really lends itself to Yuki's storytelling, but almost made the relationship feel more scripted than I would expect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Medical content, Self harm, Racism, Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual content
cass_ward's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
I’m always so bad at reviews bc I don’t know how to not go overboard. But this one deserves it. This book is sweet and sad and so good. Morgan writes about some really hard things, and everything was given respect and honor, while having an undercurrent of hope. I went on this journey of healing with Grace, and come out of it a better person. Stories like this are so important, not only bc of the honesty about mental health, but also the constant reminders that community is everything. Found family is everything. We can stand alone in the face of a world that wasn’t created for us, and be eaten up by the hardness and the hurt. Or we can lean on those we love, trusting them to always stand with us, as best they can. In the end, our best is what we’re able to give while remaining true to ourselves. And that will always be enough.
Morgan, thank you a thousand times for this story. For the bravery in your characters, for the fight to be seen that you gave absolute justice to, for talking about queerness in more ways than one, and for acknowledging that things are hard and they do suck sometimes. From one lonely creature to another lonely creature - thank you.
Read this book! You won’t regret it.
Morgan, thank you a thousand times for this story. For the bravery in your characters, for the fight to be seen that you gave absolute justice to, for talking about queerness in more ways than one, and for acknowledging that things are hard and they do suck sometimes. From one lonely creature to another lonely creature - thank you.
Read this book! You won’t regret it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
megelizabeth's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"...the person she looked up to as God for so many years is just a man. He is just her father."
This is a brilliant book in many ways. It deftly and movingly explores mental health and burnout, parental and societal expectations, friendship and love, and the experience of being in your twenties not knowing what you should do with your life. I really liked Grace's character and a lot of the side characters are fabulous too. There's more romance than I was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing as I loved seeing Grace and Yuki connect and come together. It's also very unapologetically queer and we always love to see that!
The main thing I didn't like - or which I at least which had been properly explored - was the ethically questionable relationship between two characters. The writing style is also a bit pretentious and is overly saccharine at times, and it's very millennial (but it is literally mentioned on the blurb that the author writes for millennials and so I suppose I can't really complain about that!). As I've said, I did really appreciate this book overall and did find it to have a lot of great things to say, and despite the writing style grating on me at times, I'm still interested to see if Morgan Rogers comes out with anything else in the future.
This is a brilliant book in many ways. It deftly and movingly explores mental health and burnout, parental and societal expectations, friendship and love, and the experience of being in your twenties not knowing what you should do with your life. I really liked Grace's character and a lot of the side characters are fabulous too. There's more romance than I was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing as I loved seeing Grace and Yuki connect and come together. It's also very unapologetically queer and we always love to see that!
The main thing I didn't like - or which I at least which had been properly explored - was the ethically questionable relationship between two characters. The writing style is also a bit pretentious and is overly saccharine at times, and it's very millennial (but it is literally mentioned on the blurb that the author writes for millennials and so I suppose I can't really complain about that!). As I've said, I did really appreciate this book overall and did find it to have a lot of great things to say, and despite the writing style grating on me at times, I'm still interested to see if Morgan Rogers comes out with anything else in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Drug use
strawberrytheauthor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
This book starts off with a drunken marriage in vegas. That alone was enough to pull me in, especially because it was with two women.
I enjoyed the book and I’m very happy that Grace (the main character) was able to work through her problems with a therapist. However, by the end of the book she still hadn’t told her father about her wife. Wack!
I enjoyed the book and I’m very happy that Grace (the main character) was able to work through her problems with a therapist. However, by the end of the book she still hadn’t told her father about her wife. Wack!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Mental illness, Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Cursing, Terminal illness, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and War
deckleeditproof's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Lesbophobia and Racism
idesofjaim's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
3.5
I’ve got some mixed feelings about this one.
First, I will say the second half when things got really real is the better part of this book. I did struggle through the first part. I couldn’t believe that a character like Grace really thought that she could just ignore her marriage and didn’t think of, like, how to get an annulment? Or whether they carried out everything to make the marriage legally binding? You just casually wore a ring around your neck and went on with your life???
Then we get to New York and Yuki’s life and roommates. I won’t lie, it felt a bit queer New Girl, and it also felt a bit idealized a situation. I know found family is incredibly important, but it just felt a bit too perfect. But hey, I can suspend reality on this front.
I still can’t suspend reality with Grace and Yuki’s relationship. I know Yuki is supposed to be the antithesis of the kind of partner that would be expected for Grace and her perfect world. But Grace doesn’t even second guess any of these details, even though she’s anxious about every detail of her life plan. I guess what I’m reaching for is wishing this had been fleshed out, which is why Yuki comes off manic pixie dream girl.
Also, can we talk about how Grace just dismisses the idea of Ithaca like it’s some unknown university? ITHACA??? Girl. “It’s not the best” it’s a top university!!!
Anyway. I do believe this book presents a very real opportunity to talk about topics like mental health, family dynamics especially in non-white families, racial barriers in society, etc. That was where the second half got me; we finally started breaking free of the flowery world and got deep. I just would have liked more. I would have liked to understood more of what happened between Grace’s parents other than military dad takes her away and hippie mom just abandons her I guess? There’s something more concrete here.
Did that mean I didn’t tear up in the second half of the book? No, because I absolutely did. While it was as imperfect as Grace Porter, it did get to me, and shows that it does touch on pain points that will be relatable to readers. I can understand how Grace’s crisis would seem more appropriate for someone in their early or even mid twenties, but how many of us in our late 20s/early 30s reach a crisis point when we’ve done everything we were “supposed to do”? Is it really that absurd that someone who knows nothing but higher learning panics when they reach the non-academic other side? I really don’t see it being that unrealistic, even while Grace has known few other worries. In fairness, as a white woman, I see this through a white lens; I have several friends go through quarter-life crisis in situations like this. That may be why it doesn’t seem unrealistic to me. But maybe it is an unrealistic storyline for a character that is biracial.
So, I’ve got my pros and cons to this book. I ultimately didn’t leave the read through unhappy, but again, that comes down to the second half. I would not be opposed to reading another of Morgan Rogers’ books because I feel there’s a lot of potential here, as critical as I may seem. I am here for more queer literature.
First, I will say the second half when things got really real is the better part of this book. I did struggle through the first part. I couldn’t believe that a character like Grace really thought that she could just ignore her marriage and didn’t think of, like, how to get an annulment? Or whether they carried out everything to make the marriage legally binding? You just casually wore a ring around your neck and went on with your life???
Then we get to New York and Yuki’s life and roommates. I won’t lie, it felt a bit queer New Girl, and it also felt a bit idealized a situation. I know found family is incredibly important, but it just felt a bit too perfect. But hey, I can suspend reality on this front.
I still can’t suspend reality with Grace and Yuki’s relationship. I know Yuki is supposed to be the antithesis of the kind of partner that would be expected for Grace and her perfect world. But Grace doesn’t even second guess any of these details, even though she’s anxious about every detail of her life plan. I guess what I’m reaching for is wishing this had been fleshed out, which is why Yuki comes off manic pixie dream girl.
Also, can we talk about how Grace just dismisses the idea of Ithaca like it’s some unknown university? ITHACA??? Girl. “It’s not the best” it’s a top university!!!
Anyway. I do believe this book presents a very real opportunity to talk about topics like mental health, family dynamics especially in non-white families, racial barriers in society, etc. That was where the second half got me; we finally started breaking free of the flowery world and got deep. I just would have liked more. I would have liked to understood more of what happened between Grace’s parents other than military dad takes her away and hippie mom just abandons her I guess? There’s something more concrete here.
Did that mean I didn’t tear up in the second half of the book? No, because I absolutely did. While it was as imperfect as Grace Porter, it did get to me, and shows that it does touch on pain points that will be relatable to readers. I can understand how Grace’s crisis would seem more appropriate for someone in their early or even mid twenties, but how many of us in our late 20s/early 30s reach a crisis point when we’ve done everything we were “supposed to do”? Is it really that absurd that someone who knows nothing but higher learning panics when they reach the non-academic other side? I really don’t see it being that unrealistic, even while Grace has known few other worries. In fairness, as a white woman, I see this through a white lens; I have several friends go through quarter-life crisis in situations like this. That may be why it doesn’t seem unrealistic to me. But maybe it is an unrealistic storyline for a character that is biracial.
So, I’ve got my pros and cons to this book. I ultimately didn’t leave the read through unhappy, but again, that comes down to the second half. I would not be opposed to reading another of Morgan Rogers’ books because I feel there’s a lot of potential here, as critical as I may seem. I am here for more queer literature.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Self harm
_rhea_'s review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Grace Porter has always had a plan and now she has accomplished it. PhD in hand, she’s ready to take on the next part of her journey. But what will that part look like? And how hard will she have to work to earn her father’s pride and respect from her white coworkers? When she celebrates in Las Vegas with her closest friends, ending up married to a stranger was definitely not part of the plan. But can it be?
This heartfelt novel was tender and full of yearning. I fell head over heels for Grace and her found family. True, I sometimes thought “having so many endearing characters is not like real life”. But none of these characters is without flaws - they are all painfully human. Grace Porter’s journey struck a chord deep within me. Of course, I cannot compare to the hardships she has to face as a Black, queer woman in a scientific environment filled with white men. But I know something of feeling lonely and lost, almost done with a PhD at 29 and with the gnawing feeling that people have had time to figure things out and get started with life while you’re deep in theoretical work.
The poetry within Morgan Rogers’s prose utterly charmed me. As a reader who tends to stay as far away from romances as possible, this one felt both messy and sweet, and the willingness of those two girls to make this marriage work somehow touched me. Who knew a contemporary romance would end up as one of my favourite books of the year?
Rep: queer, lesbian MC. Asian, lesbian love interest. Diverse & queer cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Self harm
beebeewin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
This is sapphic love story and a story of finding yourself, that is moving, funny, cute, and poignant. While I can't identify with everything Grace is going through, I can deeply relate to her emotional and mental journey in this book. Being the "perfect" child is impossible and Morgan Rogers captures how painful it is to learn that for yourself. Grace is a well written character, who's flaws are relatable and raw. Rogers writes stunning inner monologues, something you can really appreciate in this novel. I was drawn in by Grace and her friends who are so full-bodied and alive; I stayed for the simmering romance that was incredibly cute. The ending felt so true to the rest of the novel and all loose ends were tied up, if not full resolved. I appreciate how nothing is glossed over or mysteriously resolved, but instead we are left with an ending that feels true to life. It is messy, imperfect, and beautiful. My only critique is Grace's friends got much more attention and care than Yuki's friends, and I want to know Yuki's friends. This is the kind of novel where I almost want a sequel from Yuki's perspective. For the fullness in character for everyone else, it made Yuki's friends seem like props instead of full-fledged characters. I recommend this to anyone wanting a little romance mixed with mental health journey.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
My favorite quote (apologies for any errors, I transcribed it from the audiobook ;]) "Here's the thing about the tar, the sludge, the inky black poison. Once it starts its ascent out of your body, there is nothing you can do to stop it. It tastes like volcano ash and fire, and you must taste it and gag on it, and ultimately you must spit it out. There comes a time when you cannot swallow it down any longer. Everything that is buried will be unburied. Everything that is pushed down will find its way out. It's the way of the universe." Did this quote hit me like a ton of bricks? Why, yes it does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny