A review by klb77
Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This may be one of the funniest books I’ve read in a loooonnngggg time but if you choose to rape your fmc, make the only note of comedy be “haha we need to be more politically correct I’m being an asshole to you but making fun of it so suddenly I can’t be an asshole”, and beat the dead horse of objectification while making your entire emotional arc RELY on objectification and abuse of queer people you’ll never get higher than 3 stars from me. While attempting to identify and subvert objectification and fetishization the author managed to do both. Loudly. 


Let’s all stop pretending this is a valid love triangle alright? If the options are between a hardworking, consent-prioritizing, compassionate, funny, protective, dedicated, sturdy, occasionally anxious, reliable hot man and
a fatphobic biphobic RAPIST that can’t even train down to see the mc one. fucking. time. and relied on her to do 98% of the labor in the half-assed situationship
then it’s not quite an equal triangle now is it? 

Is it not embarrassing that the most well rounded and well flushed out character of your novel is an 8 year old? Definitely one of the most realistic and charming kids I’ve encountered in a book but why the hell is that the best character here? Would LOVE to know! 

Thank you to the previous commenter who stated that there was on-page SA. There was 0 fucking reason for that and it would’ve jarred me without warning so I’m repeating it here for anyone who may come across this. 

Shithead parents don’t apologize and reverse a lifetime of disrespect and being antagonistic after one conversation and one cry at them. That’s not how shithead parents work. It is SO wildly disrespectful to your main character to put them in a position where they never once might’ve expressed disappointment towards how her parents treated her. 

The lying/miscommunication aspect was never needed in the first place and it felt like the author wrote that and then immediately threw it out the fucking manor window because of how little it impacted the plot/relationships overall. It exclusively existed to justify the red flags and poor treatment of failing triangle leg #1. And that’s gross. 

I found book 2 first, learned it was a book 2, and paused to read this one first. I don’t think that was quite needed but oh well. 

Cute premise, cute flirting, some good banter, and felt as saccarine as reality tv does. The final chapter was cute and the supporting characters definitely shined but overall definitely a train wreck in my eyes. 
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