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A review by kimberlyyyreads
Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC!
I want to start off with saying that I really liked that the author decided to do a Sense and Sensibility retelling with a POC cast, the FMC Shenora being a Black Woman and Ennis or Bear being Abenaki. Along with the disability rep (fluency disorder and Sickle cell disorder)
I really enjoyed the first few 150 pages, Nora and Bear had a great beginning. I was super duper into their relationship, I felt like they complemented each other at first. Nora giving Black Cat energy and Bear giving golden retriever energy + they had common interest and seemed to have a great developing relationship. And some of their conversations and exchanged words made me smile but then we hit the 60% mark...
Everything after the 60% had me scratching my head in confusion and smacking my forehead in annoyance. Suddenly I was seeing so many overwhelming red flags from Bear which I honestly DID NOT EXPECT. And parts of the story that I was so conflicted about.
Bear started off as such a great character until he wasn't. I mean I understand that no MMC is "100%" perfect but the potential that he had was thrown down the drain with a trope that I was simply not a fan of.
And he DID not make up for it in the end, normally if there was a certain amount of groveling I would be semi satisfied but I truly feel like he did everything BUT that. This man did not get on his knees and beg for forgiveness in a way that I personally would approve on.
Nora to be honest deserved better than what those around her were giving her. She was let down by so many people, her dad, her sister, her ex-boyfriend and Bear. My girl Nora did not get the justice she so desperately deservered. Which left me feeling extremely unsatisfied in the end.
And because this is an early review I cannot exactly go into details about the conflict but it truly made my blood boil.
I am pretty sure that this book could be another's cup of tea but it in fact is not mine. I really hope others are able to enjoy this book much more than me.
I want to start off with saying that I really liked that the author decided to do a Sense and Sensibility retelling with a POC cast, the FMC Shenora being a Black Woman and Ennis or Bear being Abenaki. Along with the disability rep (fluency disorder and Sickle cell disorder)
I really enjoyed the first few 150 pages, Nora and Bear had a great beginning. I was super duper into their relationship, I felt like they complemented each other at first. Nora giving Black Cat energy and Bear giving golden retriever energy + they had common interest and seemed to have a great developing relationship. And some of their conversations and exchanged words made me smile but then we hit the 60% mark...
Everything after the 60% had me scratching my head in confusion and smacking my forehead in annoyance. Suddenly I was seeing so many overwhelming red flags from Bear which I honestly DID NOT EXPECT. And parts of the story that I was so conflicted about.
Bear started off as such a great character until he wasn't. I mean I understand that no MMC is "100%" perfect but the potential that he had was thrown down the drain with a trope that I was simply not a fan of.
And he DID not make up for it in the end, normally if there was a certain amount of groveling I would be semi satisfied but I truly feel like he did everything BUT that. This man did not get on his knees and beg for forgiveness in a way that I personally would approve on.
Nora to be honest deserved better than what those around her were giving her. She was let down by so many people, her dad, her sister, her ex-boyfriend and Bear. My girl Nora did not get the justice she so desperately deservered. Which left me feeling extremely unsatisfied in the end.
And because this is an early review I cannot exactly go into details about the conflict but it truly made my blood boil.
I am pretty sure that this book could be another's cup of tea but it in fact is not mine. I really hope others are able to enjoy this book much more than me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders