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talknerdybookblog's reviews
2607 reviews
Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
- Hero's ex (they only dated for six weeks) hasn't gotten the message that he's not romantically interested in her. Before the book starts, he tells her they're better off as friends, but she continues to text him throughout the book as if they're in a relationship. Eventually, once the Hero starts dating the Heroine, he firmly shuts her down over text.
• No OM drama
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Abusive relationship (not between MCs)
• Revenge porn
• Gun violence
• Threat of gun violence
• Stalking and obsessive behaviour
• Gaslighting
• Bullying
• Intimate partner violence described
Ending:HEA
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
- Hero's ex (they only dated for six weeks) hasn't gotten the message that he's not romantically interested in her. Before the book starts, he tells her they're better off as friends, but she continues to text him throughout the book as if they're in a relationship. Eventually, once the Hero starts dating the Heroine, he firmly shuts her down over text.
• No OM drama
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Abusive relationship (not between MCs)
• Revenge porn
• Gun violence
• Threat of gun violence
• Stalking and obsessive behaviour
• Gaslighting
• Bullying
• Intimate partner violence described
Ending:
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Representation: Gay main characters, Lesbian supporting character, Black supporting character, Black side character, Lesbian side character, Latino side character, Sapphic side relationship
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions*
• No cheating
• No OM drama
*But I consider this romance "with exceptions" because Mark is still very much so grieving his deceased partner of 10 years
• Does have Mark pushing Eddie away
• Does have a two week separation (where Mark asks Eddie not to call him in an effort to convince him they have no future)
- Both celibate
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Mention of homophobic slurs
• Mark's parents kicked him out when they discovered he's gay
• Death of Mark's partner from a heart attack discussed
• Grief
• Discussion of racism
• Alcoholism
• Hospitalization of supporting character
• Death from old age
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions*
• No cheating
• No OM drama
*But I consider this romance "with exceptions" because Mark is still very much so grieving his deceased partner of 10 years
• Does have Mark pushing Eddie away
• Does have a two week separation (where Mark asks Eddie not to call him in an effort to convince him they have no future)
- Both celibate
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Mention of homophobic slurs
• Mark's parents kicked him out when they discovered he's gay
• Death of Mark's partner from a heart attack discussed
• Grief
• Discussion of racism
• Alcoholism
• Hospitalization of supporting character
• Death from old age
Ending:
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Representation: Lesbian POC supporting character, Lesbian supporting character, POC supporting character
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have (brief) OM drama
- Hero is pretty much jealous of anyone that smiles at the Heroine
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Confinement
• Torture
• Death of a parent
• Grief
• Toxic parent-child relationship
• Mutilation, including beheading
Ending:Cliffhanger
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have (brief) OM drama
- Hero is pretty much jealous of anyone that smiles at the Heroine
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Confinement
• Torture
• Death of a parent
• Grief
• Toxic parent-child relationship
• Mutilation, including beheading
Ending:
Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Representation: Jewish main character, Jewish supporting characters, Black side character
Mature Themes:
• Sexual content is non-explicit
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Sexism
• Racism
• Anti-semitism
• Classism
• Infidelity
• Blackmail
Ending:HFN
Mature Themes:
• Sexual content is non-explicit
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Sexism
• Racism
• Anti-semitism
• Classism
• Infidelity
• Blackmail
Ending:
Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have mild OM drama
- Hero keeps being hot and cold re: his interest in the Heroine, so she decides to flirt with an OM at an event which makes the Hero super jealous. Nothing happens with the OM, though.
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Stalking and obsessive behaviour (threatening notes sent)
• Heroine's room is ransacked
• Sexual harassment
• Attempted kidnapping
• 9 year age gap
Ending:HFN. Hero proposes after ~2 years together.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW drama
• Does have mild OM drama
- Hero keeps being hot and cold re: his interest in the Heroine, so she decides to flirt with an OM at an event which makes the Hero super jealous. Nothing happens with the OM, though.
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Stalking and obsessive behaviour (threatening notes sent)
• Heroine's room is ransacked
• Sexual harassment
• Attempted kidnapping
• 9 year age gap
Ending:
The Score by Kristen Proby
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Prologue is the Heroine's friend dying from an eating disorder when they're ~12/13
• Heroine admits to also having an eating disorder in the prologue]
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• No pushing away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Prologue is the Heroine's friend dying from an eating disorder when they're ~12/13
• Heroine admits to also having an eating disorder in the prologue]
Ending:
The Scandal by Kristen Proby
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Representation: Gay supporting character, Gay side character, Achillean side relationship
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Hero's mom has Alzheimer's and breaks her hip, resulting in a hospital stay
• 10 year age gap (not dwelled upon though)
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Hero's mom has Alzheimer's and breaks her hip, resulting in a hospital stay
• 10 year age gap (not dwelled upon though)
Ending:
The Secret by Kristen Proby
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Representation: Black supporting characters
Olivia was incredibly unlikeable. And I'm saying that as a reader who typically thinks romance Heroines can do no wrong.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• NO OW drama
- Heroine is shown photo of Hero smiling with his PA and jumps to the conclusion he's on a date but clues up when he introduces them.
• Does have OM drama
- Heroine goes on a date with Hero's co-star but quickly realizes she's not interested
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: No
• No abuse
• No OTT sad parts
Ending:HFN
Olivia was incredibly unlikeable. And I'm saying that as a reader who typically thinks romance Heroines can do no wrong.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• NO OW drama
- Heroine is shown photo of Hero smiling with his PA and jumps to the conclusion he's on a date but clues up when he introduces them.
• Does have OM drama
- Heroine goes on a date with Hero's co-star but quickly realizes she's not interested
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: No
• No abuse
• No OTT sad parts
Ending:
The Stand-In by Kristen Proby
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
**Important note: all the below occurs <i>after</i> they said ilys
- When the MCs are on a romantic getaway with the Hero's cousins (it is a couples trip), the Heroine catches the Hero flirting with an OW. This includes letting the OW touch his arm/chest (couldn't remember which), which leads to him checking out the OW's chest.
- Honestly, this seemed hugely out of character cuz he was the main pursuer once he got over his assumptions at the start of the book.
- Worse though, when the Heroine confronts him afterward about how disrespected and hurt she feels, he essentially gaslights her, saying that he was just being "polite." The OW and her friend are fans of the Hero and his cousin-in-law (professional football coach and quarterback). I hated that he maintained his stance even after the heroine pointed out that she would never disrespect him in such a way. And, then, he uses sex to "prove" how attractive he finds the Heroine (ahem, to distract her). Which, again, seems contradictory! Why would she let him touch her when she still feels hurt about the situation?
- Also, I hated how the Heroine didn't point out that you can be polite while maintaining boundaries and without actively checking someone out.
- It takes a few chapters for the Hero to realize he was wrong. But, he eventually does have a moment where he realizes that he's also at fault if his gf doesn't feel secure in their relationship.
• Minimal OM drama
- Heroine's father wants her to date/marry OM in their social circle. Heroine is disgusted by her father's choice. The Hero rescues the Heroine from having to interact with the OM at a gala.
• Does have the MCs pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Death of Heroine's ex from a drug overdose (he was the father of her kid)
• Parental neglect and abandonment
• Car accident
Ending:HEA
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
**Important note: all the below occurs <i>after</i> they said ilys
- When the MCs are on a romantic getaway with the Hero's cousins (it is a couples trip), the Heroine catches the Hero flirting with an OW. This includes letting the OW touch his arm/chest (couldn't remember which), which leads to him checking out the OW's chest.
- Honestly, this seemed hugely out of character cuz he was the main pursuer once he got over his assumptions at the start of the book.
- Worse though, when the Heroine confronts him afterward about how disrespected and hurt she feels, he essentially gaslights her, saying that he was just being "polite." The OW and her friend are fans of the Hero and his cousin-in-law (professional football coach and quarterback). I hated that he maintained his stance even after the heroine pointed out that she would never disrespect him in such a way. And, then, he uses sex to "prove" how attractive he finds the Heroine (ahem, to distract her). Which, again, seems contradictory! Why would she let him touch her when she still feels hurt about the situation?
- Also, I hated how the Heroine didn't point out that you can be polite while maintaining boundaries and without actively checking someone out.
- It takes a few chapters for the Hero to realize he was wrong. But, he eventually does have a moment where he realizes that he's also at fault if his gf doesn't feel secure in their relationship.
• Minimal OM drama
- Heroine's father wants her to date/marry OM in their social circle. Heroine is disgusted by her father's choice. The Hero rescues the Heroine from having to interact with the OM at a gala.
• Does have the MCs pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Death of Heroine's ex from a drug overdose (he was the father of her kid)
• Parental neglect and abandonment
• Car accident
Ending:
The Setup by Kristen Proby
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
- Both agree to go on a blind date despite both agreeing that they'll be exclusively hooking up with each other. Of course, the blind date they were setup on (hence the title) was with each other. But this doesn't happen til almost 50% in, and it's a nonstarter. So, I really didn't understand the point of this blind date.
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
- However, it's been around 1-year since they first had a ONS. There's no suggestion that they've been with OP since then.
Possible Triggers: None
• No OTT sad parts
• No abuse
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe
• No cheating
• No OW/OM drama
- Both agree to go on a blind date despite both agreeing that they'll be exclusively hooking up with each other. Of course, the blind date they were setup on (hence the title) was with each other. But this doesn't happen til almost 50% in, and it's a nonstarter. So, I really didn't understand the point of this blind date.
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
- However, it's been around 1-year since they first had a ONS. There's no suggestion that they've been with OP since then.
Possible Triggers: None
• No OTT sad parts
• No abuse
Ending: