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heyspaghetti's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
jmmcarter's review
3.0
I was provided with an eARC for this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I'm still not convinced by the name of the book, I really enjoyed the cosy romance at Christmas vibes. It's very much Hallmark movie territory but gay and better done by far.
It's got some of the typical aspects you expect from these holiday romances: girl returning to a small town, fake dating, family drama, an ex and a little bit of spice. All of this is teamed with well-realised characters, realistic dialogue and a storyline that has enough going on to keep interesting.
I can see myself revisiting this book next Christmas as it's really sweet and it is nice to see a sapphic relationship written well - even if it is a bit cheesy.
While I'm still not convinced by the name of the book, I really enjoyed the cosy romance at Christmas vibes. It's very much Hallmark movie territory but gay and better done by far.
It's got some of the typical aspects you expect from these holiday romances: girl returning to a small town, fake dating, family drama, an ex and a little bit of spice. All of this is teamed with well-realised characters, realistic dialogue and a storyline that has enough going on to keep interesting.
I can see myself revisiting this book next Christmas as it's really sweet and it is nice to see a sapphic relationship written well - even if it is a bit cheesy.
sharniandbooks's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
This should've been a hit for me. Sapphic romance, fake dating, small town setting, preparing for a wedding...a bunch of my favourite things. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me at al.
Despite the small town setting, one of the MC's (Liz) continues to say she does not remember the other MC (Cori) from their childhood...even though they went to school together. The beginning of the book literally said "It was one of the things that Liz both loved and hated about Crimson Valley. Everybody knew everybody. Which meant a lot of the time, everybody knew your business. It could be unnerving, feel invasive. At the same time, there was something comforting about it, about having the people in your town know you and look out for you." And yet, she cannot AT ALL remember the woman she's now lusting after? It was ruining the small town vibes!
My assumption is that Liz was simply a mean girl in high school and that's why she doesn't remember her. I REALLY didn't like her. She admitted being a daddy's girl, her father also owns property, so she was just reading as a spoilt rich girl, who got everything she wanted from daddy her whole life. She literally even described her dad as handsome...which wouldn't be too weird if she didn't also say she loved her friends crushing on him? Weird behaviour? Or is that just me?
Made even more weird by a scene where she walks in on her parents having sex...they laugh and invite her to come into the room to talk??? Sorry? It said her parents were just teasing by telling her to come in, but it was such a weird and icky scene to get through.
She also made a comment about some women in the bridal party of the wedding: "She was naturally attractive and slim but, unlike the other girls, didn't look like a stiff wind could come along and blow her over sideways." Ew, in order to give a woman a compliment, we don't need to tear down other women.
The other MC in the book, Cori, was less annoying to me, but the issue is that there was no chemistry between the two of them? The only comment we got about either of them being interested was when Liz was staring at Cori's ass. A side character kept going on about how Liz and Cori were looking at each other "like the sun rises and sets in her eyes, like she hung the moon" etc. and one side character continually bringing it up was not convincing enough for me...
Plus the whole wedding scene was...weird (that's all I'll say with no spoilers).
Also hard to comment without spoilers, but the storyline about Cori's family was harmful representation based on stereotypes in my opinion.
For characters that were suppose to be in their 30's...they sure weren't acting like it in this book. The read like immature teenagers. I'm SO SAD I didn't like this one. It really was a drag to get through for such a short book.
The one positive I will give the book (and Liz), is that towards the end there was a cute movie scene. That make me like Liz slightly more, but still not enough to redeem the rest of the book.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Despite the small town setting, one of the MC's (Liz) continues to say she does not remember the other MC (Cori) from their childhood...even though they went to school together. The beginning of the book literally said "It was one of the things that Liz both loved and hated about Crimson Valley. Everybody knew everybody. Which meant a lot of the time, everybody knew your business. It could be unnerving, feel invasive. At the same time, there was something comforting about it, about having the people in your town know you and look out for you." And yet, she cannot AT ALL remember the woman she's now lusting after? It was ruining the small town vibes!
My assumption is that Liz was simply a mean girl in high school and that's why she doesn't remember her. I REALLY didn't like her. She admitted being a daddy's girl, her father also owns property, so she was just reading as a spoilt rich girl, who got everything she wanted from daddy her whole life. She literally even described her dad as handsome...which wouldn't be too weird if she didn't also say she loved her friends crushing on him? Weird behaviour? Or is that just me?
Made even more weird by a scene where she walks in on her parents having sex...they laugh and invite her to come into the room to talk??? Sorry? It said her parents were just teasing by telling her to come in, but it was such a weird and icky scene to get through.
She also made a comment about some women in the bridal party of the wedding: "She was naturally attractive and slim but, unlike the other girls, didn't look like a stiff wind could come along and blow her over sideways." Ew, in order to give a woman a compliment, we don't need to tear down other women.
The other MC in the book, Cori, was less annoying to me, but the issue is that there was no chemistry between the two of them? The only comment we got about either of them being interested was when Liz was staring at Cori's ass. A side character kept going on about how Liz and Cori were looking at each other "like the sun rises and sets in her eyes, like she hung the moon" etc. and one side character continually bringing it up was not convincing enough for me...
Plus the whole wedding scene was...weird (that's all I'll say with no spoilers).
Also hard to comment without spoilers, but the storyline about Cori's family was harmful representation based on stereotypes in my opinion.
For characters that were suppose to be in their 30's...they sure weren't acting like it in this book. The read like immature teenagers. I'm SO SAD I didn't like this one. It really was a drag to get through for such a short book.
The one positive I will give the book (and Liz), is that towards the end there was a cute movie scene. That make me like Liz slightly more, but still not enough to redeem the rest of the book.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
peytonjc's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tricia_r's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
3.75
station12reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
"Playing with Matches" by Georgia Beers is a delightful and heartwarming sapphic romance that captivated me from start to finish. The small-town setting and endearing characters, Cori and Elizabeth, bring a refreshing twist to the classic fake relationship trope. As the story unfolds, the sparks between Cori and Elizabeth ignites a sweet and charming romance that is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.
Beers's writing is engaging, and the chemistry between the characters is palpable, making this a must-read for fans of contemporary lesbian romance. I was so enamored with the characters and storyline that I devoured the book in less than a day.
Beers's writing is engaging, and the chemistry between the characters is palpable, making this a must-read for fans of contemporary lesbian romance. I was so enamored with the characters and storyline that I devoured the book in less than a day.
devdev_'s review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sapphic_lit_atl's review
4.0
"Playing with Matches" by Georgia Beers is another great small-town romance. Much like Beers' other books, this one involves a return home, rediscovered young love, a fake romance, and family dramas, all set against a Christmas vibe.
This was my last Christmas read of 2023, and it was a fantastic way to end the year!
The two main characters, Liz and Cori, are very well-developed characters, and the various secondary characters added coziness and realness to the entire novel. I will admit that this novel has a slow start, but please stick with it, because it is amazing towards the back end of it!
It's definitely an easy breezy read if you're looking for one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Stroke Books and Georgia Beers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my last Christmas read of 2023, and it was a fantastic way to end the year!
The two main characters, Liz and Cori, are very well-developed characters, and the various secondary characters added coziness and realness to the entire novel. I will admit that this novel has a slow start, but please stick with it, because it is amazing towards the back end of it!
It's definitely an easy breezy read if you're looking for one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Stroke Books and Georgia Beers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
cissarego's review
4.0
Adorable one sit reading. Started a bit slow, but it picked up the pace nicely. Loved the little plot twist and how it added depth to one of the MCs.