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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a cute, fluffy queer romcom. It wasn't anything too special for me, personally, but I did really appreciate the representation. I found the characters endearing, and their chemistry was compelling, but the plot was pretty structurally predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Dysphoria
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia, Classism
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Medical content, Grief
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
Making my thoughts in any way coherent about the brilliance of this story is incredibly difficult. I was somewhat intimidated on page one - I have never watched a cooking show and was worried I wouldn’t be as invested because of this - but the absolutely gorgeous characterization of both London and Dahlia is amazing. London is the best kind of giant, ginger, grump that I love to read. They are - literally and figuratively - bowled over by Dahlia and have no idea what to do with that. While I am cis and I cannot speak to London’s nonbinary representation - I loved that this book is a mainstream romance with a nonbinary romantic lead! London’s deeply personal journey of owning not only their sexuality - they are pansexual - but also their path to learning to navigate the world and have to defend their nonbinary status on a constant basis is a deeply pertinent and beautiful story to read. Dahlia is a brilliant lead - she is unsure of herself but also hilarious, and warm, and kind, and unbelievably strong. I love that she learned to cook for herself as a way to help herself heal. As someone who is straight passing and came out later in life - Dahlia’s queerness hit home so deeply for me too! In between, there are searing kisses, delicious food descriptions, and so much more. I honestly loved this book and cannot wait to read it again.
TL/DR Review
Stars: Five Blazing Brilliant Bright Stars
Steam: multiple sexual scenes, with a build in intimacy, no overt kink but one semi-public sexual scene
Tropes: grumpy/ sunshine, competence kink, cooking show competition, life after divorce, later in life coming of age
For Fans Of: Adriana Herrera and Roan Parrish
Theme Song: The Way I Tend to Be by Frank Turner
Subgenre: Contemporary/ Queer
CW/ TW: transphobia on the page, some body dysmorphia, coming out, toxic family dynamics
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
TL/DR Review
Stars: Five Blazing Brilliant Bright Stars
Steam: multiple sexual scenes, with a build in intimacy, no overt kink but one semi-public sexual scene
Tropes: grumpy/ sunshine, competence kink, cooking show competition, life after divorce, later in life coming of age
For Fans Of: Adriana Herrera and Roan Parrish
Theme Song: The Way I Tend to Be by Frank Turner
Subgenre: Contemporary/ Queer
CW/ TW: transphobia on the page, some body dysmorphia, coming out, toxic family dynamics
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley.
Overall I enjoyed the book, the characters were lovable at times but there seemed to be some things glossed over. I loved London however most of their character points seem to revolve around dealing with transphobia and although I am very glad the hateful comments were not actually mentioned in the book, I found London to be lacking in comparison to Dahlia. Their differences of economic status isn't discussed even though it does create problems. Additionally Dahlia seems to get away with a lot in terms of being rude at times. The story also plays into the get with a rich person and all your problems dissappear trope which is sorta problematic.
Otherwise the story was cute and satisfying to read.
Overall I enjoyed the book, the characters were lovable at times but there seemed to be some things glossed over. I loved London however most of their character points seem to revolve around dealing with transphobia and although I am very glad the hateful comments were not actually mentioned in the book, I found London to be lacking in comparison to Dahlia. Their differences of economic status isn't discussed even though it does create problems. Additionally Dahlia seems to get away with a lot in terms of being rude at times. The story also plays into the get with a rich person and all your problems dissappear trope which is sorta problematic.
Otherwise the story was cute and satisfying to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Grief, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Minor: Blood