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btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Whew, that was too relatable, oof. RTC
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and also applaud Lily Chu for it.
Dee is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Teddy is the heir of a huge fashion business, and chaos ensues when Teddy's family business is thrust in the spotlight for terrible D&I practices (in that there wasn't really any D&I). The main plot was hard to get through - the micro-agressions, white privilege, and outright racism - it was a wild storm. However, so many great conversations came out of it and it was a huge undertaking on Chu's part to write about and shine a light on some of these issues.
The personal attack was Dee's family. The way they sweep everything under a facade of toxic positivity and general avoidance. It was a bit too real at times, and I commend Chu for really hitting me where it hurts. So much of my family was reflected in this book and it was an oof. Dee's growth through it was amazing, even though it takes her a while to fully settle into it (relatable, as well).
While I liked Dee, I loved Teddy. He was my favourite part of the story. Lily Chu always makes her men so real and outside of the conventional "manly man" template. Teddy is a fashion designer who loves art and isn't intimidated by a smart woman and he's almost entirely green flags and I love him for it. He and Dee really click and seeing their relationship with each other develop and grow was a lot of fun, despite the growing pains.
The book was a ride and while I definitely didn't like confronting some of my own issues as I read it, a book where you see yourself reflected and your experiences shared is really a testament to Chu's ability to write real and relatable characters. That ending also was so vindicating, my goodness!
Rep: biracial MCs, bisexual secondary character
TW: toxic positivity, biphobia, racism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, bullying, sexism; mentions fatphobia, cancer, death of a parent
eARC gifted via Colored Pages Book Tours by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and also applaud Lily Chu for it.
Dee is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Teddy is the heir of a huge fashion business, and chaos ensues when Teddy's family business is thrust in the spotlight for terrible D&I practices (in that there wasn't really any D&I). The main plot was hard to get through - the micro-agressions, white privilege, and outright racism - it was a wild storm. However, so many great conversations came out of it and it was a huge undertaking on Chu's part to write about and shine a light on some of these issues.
The personal attack was Dee's family. The way they sweep everything under a facade of toxic positivity and general avoidance. It was a bit too real at times, and I commend Chu for really hitting me where it hurts. So much of my family was reflected in this book and it was an oof. Dee's growth through it was amazing, even though it takes her a while to fully settle into it (relatable, as well).
While I liked Dee, I loved Teddy. He was my favourite part of the story. Lily Chu always makes her men so real and outside of the conventional "manly man" template. Teddy is a fashion designer who loves art and isn't intimidated by a smart woman and he's almost entirely green flags and I love him for it. He and Dee really click and seeing their relationship with each other develop and grow was a lot of fun, despite the growing pains.
The book was a ride and while I definitely didn't like confronting some of my own issues as I read it, a book where you see yourself reflected and your experiences shared is really a testament to Chu's ability to write real and relatable characters. That ending also was so vindicating, my goodness!
Rep: biracial MCs, bisexual secondary character
TW: toxic positivity, biphobia, racism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, bullying, sexism; mentions fatphobia, cancer, death of a parent
eARC gifted via Colored Pages Book Tours by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Sexism
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Cancer
taylor_perry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, and Medical content
jessikalange's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed a lot of the book.
Teddy is likeable and charming. I just didn't understand why Dee was taking everything so personally. I get we should be advocates but she was about ready to lie, cheat, blackmail her way into exposing Michael... but why? For principal?
I still enjoyed the book though. If you like the other books, you'll find this book entertaining. Phillipa Soo is excellent too.
Teddy is likeable and charming. I just didn't understand why Dee was taking everything so personally. I get we should be advocates but she was about ready to lie, cheat, blackmail her way into exposing Michael... but why? For principal?
I still enjoyed the book though. If you like the other books, you'll find this book entertaining. Phillipa Soo is excellent too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, and Body shaming
ktbeth143's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was different than anything I’ve read recently, and overall I enjoyed it.
It has a romantic subplot that takes precedence over the main plot in the beginning and is very much intertwined with the unfolding of the story, so romance readers will enjoy it. I also really appreciated the depth and the relationship growth of the two main characters. There isn’t really any spice, but we get to see them fall in love with each other in a way that feels very natural but is also appealing.
The main plot point is centered around our heroine, a diversity consultant who’s been assigned to help a luxury fashion brand make some changes after an insider leaked a not-so-great report about their internal work culture. Surprisingly, despite her job title and her passion for the job, Dee has a lot to learn about diversity and how it plays out in relationships—both personal and professional. Some readers might find her to be annoying as she’s obsessed with manifesting and has a serious problem with toxic positivity. But if you can stick it out, you’ll find yourself cheering for her as she learns humbling lessons and becomes a better person. There’s also a subtle lesson about how to deal with different types of ignorant people.
This book is highly relatable to young professionals who are struggling to make a difference in their work place or for people with family members who are ignorant to other worldviews and experiences other than their own. Family trauma, and specifically how to acknowledge it and work towards moving past it without the family falling a part, is a tertiary theme to this story.
(Note: since this story revolves around trauma, racism, sexism, etc., please take in account of your personal experiences and triggers. It’s a good story, and things are made right in the end, but some of the events of the plot or things discussed might be triggering if you’ve personally dealt with some of these things.)
For mystery and heist lovers, the main plot consist of our heroine and hero uncovering surprising and unjust reasons behind the fashion brand’s lack of diversity and their ploy to set things right. You’ll enjoy the suspense of their investigation and how their fight for justice plays out.
Phillipa Soo does a great job narrating the audiobook!
It has a romantic subplot that takes precedence over the main plot in the beginning and is very much intertwined with the unfolding of the story, so romance readers will enjoy it. I also really appreciated the depth and the relationship growth of the two main characters. There isn’t really any spice, but we get to see them fall in love with each other in a way that feels very natural but is also appealing.
The main plot point is centered around our heroine, a diversity consultant who’s been assigned to help a luxury fashion brand make some changes after an insider leaked a not-so-great report about their internal work culture. Surprisingly, despite her job title and her passion for the job, Dee has a lot to learn about diversity and how it plays out in relationships—both personal and professional. Some readers might find her to be annoying as she’s obsessed with manifesting and has a serious problem with toxic positivity. But if you can stick it out, you’ll find yourself cheering for her as she learns humbling lessons and becomes a better person. There’s also a subtle lesson about how to deal with different types of ignorant people.
This book is highly relatable to young professionals who are struggling to make a difference in their work place or for people with family members who are ignorant to other worldviews and experiences other than their own. Family trauma, and specifically how to acknowledge it and work towards moving past it without the family falling a part, is a tertiary theme to this story.
(Note: since this story revolves around trauma, racism, sexism, etc., please take in account of your personal experiences and triggers. It’s a good story, and things are made right in the end, but some of the events of the plot or things discussed might be triggering if you’ve personally dealt with some of these things.)
For mystery and heist lovers, the main plot consist of our heroine and hero uncovering surprising and unjust reasons behind the fashion brand’s lack of diversity and their ploy to set things right. You’ll enjoy the suspense of their investigation and how their fight for justice plays out.
Phillipa Soo does a great job narrating the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Xenophobia, Racism, and Bullying
annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.5
.
Lily Chu is an automatic listen in Audible especially since she’s included in the Audible free books and mostly because it’s a Philippa Soo narration.
Although it’s not as great as the other two books she wrote, I still enjoyed listening to the story unfold. Especially Teddy and Dee’s game night because who loves reading about people playing but us nerds????
They actually tackled some serious diversity problems in this story and it’s nice to see it unfold especially in a fashion industry where it’s not usually being taken into account. And it’s actually my first time seeing a diversity counselor role actually do their jobs. I know it exist, I just didn’t know what they actually do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual content
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