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A review by gabsy
The Chai Factor by Farah Heron
3.0
Ahh, I had such high hopes for this, and so many things do work, but as I was nearing the end I just couldn't ignore the massive issues and my enjoyment was definitely lowered because of it.
I mostly liked Amira and her temper wasn't as bad as she herself said it was, but it's her decision-making that bothered me the most. The most egregious example was:
Amira: I will not burn any bridges, it's important that my reputation stays good in my field.
Amira: *quits while insulting her boss, her mentor in THE most unprofessional way*
Amira: Good thing I didn't burn any bridges!
Me: ???
The ending bothered me as well, as I thought the resolution was not earned or well-explained.
The writing was fun, engaging and I particularly appreciated how the author never showed away from social issues, because our lives ARE full of them, and pretending they don't exist because it's a romance is, in my opinion, a disservice to readers.
However, it could have used some extra editing. If I have to read "my garden gnome" one more time... In fact, it reminded me a lot of a writing crutch you often see in fanfiction, when authors think we'll get confused with pronouns and/or repeated names so they fall on descriptions instead. And it because way too heavy for readers. And annoying.
One extra point for the story to be set in Toronto and to feel like it. It was awesome to recognize so much in a romance novel, that doesn't happen often!
I mostly liked Amira and her temper wasn't as bad as she herself said it was, but it's her decision-making that bothered me the most. The most egregious example was:
Amira: I will not burn any bridges, it's important that my reputation stays good in my field.
Amira: *quits while insulting her boss, her mentor in THE most unprofessional way*
Amira: Good thing I didn't burn any bridges!
Me: ???
The ending bothered me as well, as I thought the resolution was not earned or well-explained.
The writing was fun, engaging and I particularly appreciated how the author never showed away from social issues, because our lives ARE full of them, and pretending they don't exist because it's a romance is, in my opinion, a disservice to readers.
However, it could have used some extra editing. If I have to read "my garden gnome" one more time... In fact, it reminded me a lot of a writing crutch you often see in fanfiction, when authors think we'll get confused with pronouns and/or repeated names so they fall on descriptions instead. And it because way too heavy for readers. And annoying.
One extra point for the story to be set in Toronto and to feel like it. It was awesome to recognize so much in a romance novel, that doesn't happen often!