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A review by allisonwonderlandreads
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hearts together in this South Carolina romance. Maya is a wedding dress designer whose creativity and ambition are being stifled at work because the fashion house doesn't appreciate the Afro-Filipina designs that reflect her heritage. She keeps hustling and dreaming, but the pressure is on high. Boutique owner Derek is trying to pull the family business back from the brink after his mother dies while also facing the challenges of being a widowed single dad. There's potential for true love if Maya can win over Derek's middle school daughter and if Derek can accept the 10-15 year life expectancy stemming from Maya's sickle cell anemia.
The book takes on racism in fashion and in workplaces more generally. I thought the biggest strength of this story was seeing Maya's journey as she recognizes her own talent and escapes a toxic work environment and power-grabbing boss. It highlights the way systems make people feel they can get ahead if they just work hard enough, but really the deck is stacked against them.
This narrative practically floats off the page, the touch is so feather-light. Conflicts are smoothed over with ease, and major traumas are referenced rather than dwelled on. The biggest example of this is the loss of Derek's wife to a mass shooting three years previous (if you are worried about a trigger, know the event is not described but is mentioned at a few points throughout). The grief of Derek and his daughter are parts of the plot but not a tangible weight on the story.
I prefer a bit more layering and struggle in my romance with raw moments and hard-won growth. In this one, I think the desire to keep things flowing limited the emotion, and the romance had an insta-love feel as a result. There are also few side characters and limited detail that would make the world feel lived-in and multidimensional. I think if you're looking for something mostly quick and light with hints of bigger themes, this may be a good fit for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out next week on 6/1!
The book takes on racism in fashion and in workplaces more generally. I thought the biggest strength of this story was seeing Maya's journey as she recognizes her own talent and escapes a toxic work environment and power-grabbing boss. It highlights the way systems make people feel they can get ahead if they just work hard enough, but really the deck is stacked against them.
This narrative practically floats off the page, the touch is so feather-light. Conflicts are smoothed over with ease, and major traumas are referenced rather than dwelled on. The biggest example of this is the loss of Derek's wife to a mass shooting three years previous (if you are worried about a trigger, know the event is not described but is mentioned at a few points throughout). The grief of Derek and his daughter are parts of the plot but not a tangible weight on the story.
I prefer a bit more layering and struggle in my romance with raw moments and hard-won growth. In this one, I think the desire to keep things flowing limited the emotion, and the romance had an insta-love feel as a result. There are also few side characters and limited detail that would make the world feel lived-in and multidimensional. I think if you're looking for something mostly quick and light with hints of bigger themes, this may be a good fit for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out next week on 6/1!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Mass/school shootings