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wilybooklover's review against another edition
4.5
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how complex and nuanced the characters were. They felt like real, complicated people with real, complicated pasts. Even the side characters had complexity, especially Claire's daughter Ruby who is one of the most realistic child characters I've ever read. I found Delilah particularly relatable, in all of her spiky, petty glory. Claire was so lovely too, just a sweet woman trying to do the best for everyone and struggling with parenting. I loved how tender and vulnerable Claire and Delilah were with each other, even when they thought it was just temporary and casual. Surprisingly steamy for a romcom too, especially a sapphic one.
It was also interesting to see Delilah reexamine her memories of the past and realise they may just be a bit unreliable, that she and Astrid were just stuck in a loop of miscommunication and hurt feelings. I thought it was done really well (aside from the part where Delilah reads Astrid's diary — that felt like such a violation of her privacy).
There were a couple of things that bothered me — the diary reading, how much of the plot of this sapphic romance ultimately centred around a cishet man and a really terrible (borderline caricature-ish) one at that, the whole bet situation. But ultimately this was such a fantastic romance! Reminded me a lot of Book Lovers by Emily Henry with the small-town bookshop/sisters-at-odds vibes, but executed way better (in my opinion).
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
iisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Delilah Green has made a life for herself in New York, and has gotten very practiced at casual hookups and flings, never one to try to have a real relationship after a bad heartbreak. With her stepsisters' wedding coming up, she must travel back to her hometown and confront her past in a place where she was never accepted.
Claire needs to get laid. Badly. The sexy lady she approaches at the bar is just what she needs, only it turns out she is none other than her best friend and bride to be, Astrid's, wicked stepsister, and so totally off limits.
Between wedding events and plotting over how to break up the bride and groom (yes really), the two begin to get very close. Seriously y'all...the SPICE in this book! Someone fetch me a fan and a glass of iced tea because it got steamy. The chemistry and banter between Claire and Delilah was so thrilling to read, and I loved watching their story evolve, as well as each of them grow.
Delilah so perfectly encapsulated the results of being misunderstood and neglected as a child. Astrid is on the other end of the spectrum, with her being the results of an overbearing and over critical Mother. Blake handled so well what happens when two siblings go through having a difficult childhood, and how resentment and misunderstanding can build over time into a twisted and ugly monstrosity.
My only complaint about this book is I wish someone had smacked around Isabel just a little bit. (Okay...a lot!) I wanted a full on rage scene with lots of slapping and maybe even some hitting with a fish.
A must read for lovers of queer books, or fans of a good love story. I can't wait to read the next book!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
abookwormspov's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment
moreadsnrambles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
ksuazo94's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
I got a little annoyed at the constant assumptions both MCs made even to the point that I skipped a few inner monologues, the miscommunication which I always dislike and the kid could have had a bit more character depth(the other characters too) but I liked the tropes(one-bed) and that the title was mentioned in the book and the tension between the MCs in the scene at the start of their story (which sadly did not continue to be there this perfectly bc holy shit this first scene).
Spice 2/5
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexism and Toxic relationship
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
violetends's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
nyree42's review against another edition
3.5
So no, I can't blindly accept promotions of promiscuity because... it just doesn't make anyone happy in the end. That - and the excessive amounts of alcohol consumption - are why I've only rated this 3.5 stars.
Aside from that letdown, this story was very sweet, genuine, spicy and messy in all the right ways, just like any good romantic relationship.
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent