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scmorgan21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Body shaming
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Minor: Toxic relationship
The story started out slow, to the point where I almost DNF, but I feel like that was part of the author's plan. Noni has become complacent with her life & the slow beginning mirrors that feeling. Once Noni gets to Europe the book really takes off & has a life of its own. While there is plenty of romance & sex, Noni's journey is really about finding out what she really wants in life.decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
trigger warnings: sexual content, infidelity, miscarriage, grief, infertility, depression, body dysmorphia
Well this book took me ages to read and I have to apologize because it's really stunning. It's a late quarter life crisis book about a woman in her 30s who decides it's about damn time to live life to the fullest. She yeets herself to Europe to fuck around (literally) reconnect with old flames, and find what gives her pleasure in all senses of the word.
I really loved how chaotic the first half of the book was despite it taking me the longest to get through. Noni's found family were adorable. I also loved the sexual experiences she steamrolled through. It added to the humor of the book and offset Noni's internal growth journey.
The endgame romance was precious and I LOVEDD the conclusion.
Well this book took me ages to read and I have to apologize because it's really stunning. It's a late quarter life crisis book about a woman in her 30s who decides it's about damn time to live life to the fullest. She yeets herself to Europe to fuck around (literally) reconnect with old flames, and find what gives her pleasure in all senses of the word.
I really loved how chaotic the first half of the book was despite it taking me the longest to get through. Noni's found family were adorable. I also loved the sexual experiences she steamrolled through. It added to the humor of the book and offset Noni's internal growth journey.
The endgame romance was precious and I LOVEDD the conclusion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Infertility, Miscarriage, Mental illness, and Fatphobia
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I can’t believe this book isn’t talked about more!! Noni is a fat, bisexual woman who takes herself on a quest to find pleasure in all areas of her life. She’s felt numb in her life as a teacher, best friend, and aunt, and is searching for happiness. Such a good fat read!! If you loved Shrill on Hulu, you’ll love Noni’s story too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Miscarriage, Death, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Fire/Fire injury
mexigingerale's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It's a very cute book, but way too smutty for me personally, especially going in expecting a normal romance novel. The romance doesn't appear until over halfway into the book and before then the book consist of quite a few steamy scenes with constant new people. Made it hard to care for what was happening. I especially hated a lot of them, cause it didn't seem like she really wanted them. I will add some mild spoilers for people she sleeps with, that don't affect the plot She sleeps with a boy aged 20 years old, incredibly uncomfortable to me, seeing as she is 36. She also sleeps with a person who has a racist tattoo?
The saving point of the novel and the only reason I didn't DNF before the romance appeared is that Noni is fat representation you don't see often and I enjoyed her character.
Go in expecting a ton of smut, imo unnecessary smut, but if you're looking for that then this book is great. The romance when it does appear is very cute, but I was personally not completely convinced by it. I also do not love most romance books, so I might just not be the best judge for that
The saving point of the novel and the only reason I didn't DNF before the romance appeared is that Noni is fat representation you don't see often and I enjoyed her character.
Go in expecting a ton of smut, imo unnecessary smut, but if you're looking for that then this book is great. The romance when it does appear is very cute, but I was personally not completely convinced by it. I also do not love most romance books, so I might just not be the best judge for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage
seashelleyo's review against another edition
3.75
This book was a mixed bag for me, some parts I loved and some I really didn’t. “I need to find myself after my divorce” is still not at all my favorite trope, but the love story was very sweet. Beau was lovely and his kid was my absolute favorite. The ending was a bit over the top. I cried I was laughing so hard at the trumpet scene (as I think any teacher would). I wish I’d been warned about the fertility/IVF/pregnancy loss stuff though—I almost stopped reading, it seemed so out of place. Overall, it was mostly a fun romcom, I’m glad I read the whole thing, and I don’t think I’ll need to reread it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
leahta11's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It's a great book to start off the new year with. Noni is on a self-discovery trip and T H R I V I N G. Finally, Beau is perfect. Just chef's kiss perfect.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
carleesi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.5
I had so many people tell me they loved this book that I went into it with my hopes way too high. It was a fun romantic comedy, but by the end Noni annoyed the shit out of me.
I've realised that I'm sick of reading fictional stories of women letting bad sex happen to them. I know it's something that happens, a lot, but I'm personally done reading about it. I understand that was part of her journey, and could maybe have accepted it but it just all felt like too much. The situation with the principal bordered on kink shaming for me and I really wasn't a fan of the way she was so shocked by him not being into penetration
It seems like her pleasure quest comes to an abrupt end and becomes less about finding herself and more about falling into another relationship. She does amazing work on herself for the whole book then it all seems to come undone by the end and she's back to being neurotic and dependent and relying on someone else to define her happiness.
I was frustrated by a protagonist who uses fat as a perjorative and from the way she speaks about her body and experiences the world, she’s mid size. In an attempt to be body positive this book misses fat liberation entirely.
I really loved the concept of this book but the execution let me down. If you go into this expecting a tropey romance, you'll have a good time.
I've realised that I'm sick of reading fictional stories of women letting bad sex happen to them. I know it's something that happens, a lot, but I'm personally done reading about it. I understand that was part of her journey, and could maybe have accepted it but it just all felt like too much.
It seems like her pleasure quest comes to an abrupt end and becomes less about finding herself and more about falling into another relationship. She does amazing work on herself for the whole book then it all seems to come undone by the end and she's back to being neurotic and dependent and relying on someone else to define her happiness.
I was frustrated by a protagonist who uses fat as a perjorative and from the way she speaks about her body and experiences the world, she’s mid size. In an attempt to be body positive this book misses fat liberation entirely.
I really loved the concept of this book but the execution let me down. If you go into this expecting a tropey romance, you'll have a good time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Miscarriage
quasinaut's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Oh, how I wanted to love Noni Blake!
I liked seeing Noni try new things, take chances, push beyond her comfort zone. This book showed that sometimes you need to learn the same lesson again and again before it sticks.
But, I was often frustrated by Noni's choices and how she treated others. She didn't seem to fully see the people in her life (especially her best friend?!) and how her actions would impact them. Also, there wasn't much acknowledgement of how privileged Noni was to be able to travel halfway around the world for a Pleasure Quest. Lastly, for a story about finding herself, Noni did a lot of finding other people. And while some of the people she meets are wonderful and become part of her life, she didn't actually spend much time with herself. I feel like I wanted this book to be something it wasn't, alas!
I liked seeing Noni try new things, take chances, push beyond her comfort zone. This book showed that sometimes you need to learn the same lesson again and again before it sticks.
But, I was often frustrated by Noni's choices and how she treated others. She didn't seem to fully see the people in her life (especially her best friend?!) and how her actions would impact them. Also, there wasn't much acknowledgement of how privileged Noni was to be able to travel halfway around the world for a Pleasure Quest. Lastly, for a story about finding herself, Noni did a lot of finding other people. And while some of the people she meets are wonderful and become part of her life, she didn't actually spend much time with herself. I feel like I wanted this book to be something it wasn't, alas!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage
cassieleigh97's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
jennyeldridge's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Miscarriage