A review by bzliz
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

funny lighthearted 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

4.25

Eve’s family has a tendency to baby her, so it comes as a shock when her parents demand that she learns to stand on her own two feet, prompting her to drive off and make her own way in the world. Jacob is unprepared for her chaotic energy when she happens across interviews for a chef position at his bed and breakfast. After a refusal of employment and accidentally hitting him with her car, Eve is cooking breakfast and serving afternoon tea while Jacob recovers, but they just can’t help their attraction to one another. 

The story is sweet with a healthy splash of spice. It’s nice to see autistic characters with the same kind of backgrounds and support systems that allistic characters get while also not being shoved into asexuality as a result of ableism. 

Content warnings:
Sexual content (on page):
Eve and Jacob both experience attraction to one another. Eventually they give in when he finds a huge sex toy in her bed and uses it on her. Eve finally seduces Jacob fully after he does something sweet for her.

Ableism (off page):
Jacob is diagnosed autistic and Eve is undiagnosed. It is acknowledged that they have a different way of thinking and that some people treat them differently because of it. A man at their planning committee meeting for the gingerbread festival refers to Jacob as Spock which was clearly meant as an insult. Eve stands up for him and makes the man look foolish in front of the committee.

Abandonment (off page):
Eve feels shunted aside by many of her “friends” whenever she’s not useful to them. Jacob’s parents literally left him on a relative’s doorstep because they didn’t understand him and didn’t care to try understanding.
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