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emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
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: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
So. Damn. Cute! It was adorable and gave me the feels and delightfully queer. I adored the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Transphobia
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a review for a second reading of the book, about a year after the first, where I'm giving it the same star rating but adding a written review for the first time.
When this got assigned for the June book for the romance book club I'm in, I was excited because I remember really enjoying this book, and I recently read the sequel and enjoyed that a lot as well; but then I looked at my 3.75 rating and wondered what I didn't like, but after re-reading, I am remembering why 3.75.
I really liked a lot of aspects of this book: I liked the cooking show setting, I liked the resolutions of the characters' arcs, and I liked that their growth as people did feel real.
But I also realized what I didn't quite like about this book. Dahlia feels like an incredibly fleshed-out character with an arc more about her personal growth rather than her romance with London, whereas London's arc felt more like the romance was their main plot, with their growth being minor and mostly about gaining some confidence in their identity. I like when books focus on characters' growth in their romance, and I felt like this book got caught up in Dahlia's life, and we didn't get enough of London's.
I also didn't think this was particularly a rom-com, which is how it's marketed (the front calls it "fantastically fun"), and I didn't see much humor throughout it beyond some of Dahlia's more "quirkiness."
I also found the sex to be written odd, again very focused on Dahlia, with London either not finishing or being about three sentences at the end of the scene, almost in a fade-to-black manner. The author's own identity as non-binary feels very personal in this character which is why this isn't much of a big deal, although I would love to know why.
I really enjoyed Kelly's other book and their novella, so I look forward to the third in this series and to talking about this book in my book club!
When this got assigned for the June book for the romance book club I'm in, I was excited because I remember really enjoying this book, and I recently read the sequel and enjoyed that a lot as well; but then I looked at my 3.75 rating and wondered what I didn't like, but after re-reading, I am remembering why 3.75.
I really liked a lot of aspects of this book: I liked the cooking show setting, I liked the resolutions of the characters' arcs, and I liked that their growth as people did feel real.
But I also realized what I didn't quite like about this book. Dahlia feels like an incredibly fleshed-out character with an arc more about her personal growth rather than her romance with London, whereas London's arc felt more like the romance was their main plot, with their growth being minor and mostly about gaining some confidence in their identity. I like when books focus on characters' growth in their romance, and I felt like this book got caught up in Dahlia's life, and we didn't get enough of London's.
I also didn't think this was particularly a rom-com, which is how it's marketed (the front calls it "fantastically fun"), and I didn't see much humor throughout it beyond some of Dahlia's more "quirkiness."
I also found the sex to be written odd, again very focused on Dahlia, with London either not finishing or being about three sentences at the end of the scene, almost in a fade-to-black manner. The author's own identity as non-binary feels very personal in this character which is why this isn't much of a big deal, although I would love to know why.
I really enjoyed Kelly's other book and their novella, so I look forward to the third in this series and to talking about this book in my book club!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Transphobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
OH MY GOD i don't think i've had the delightful pleasure of reading a book (let alone a romance) with a nonbinary character yet. idk how!! because it was great!!! like i read it in four hours without standing up great!!!!!
so i loved dahlia and london. and honestly i don't think i have a ton of other thoughts beyond incomprehensible squealing? please for the love of everything just read this damn book <3
also thank you to netgalley and forever/grand central publishing for letting me read this arc! sorry it took me 2 months after the publishing date to actually read it 😬
so i loved dahlia and london. and honestly i don't think i have a ton of other thoughts beyond incomprehensible squealing? please for the love of everything just read this damn book <3
also thank you to netgalley and forever/grand central publishing for letting me read this arc! sorry it took me 2 months after the publishing date to actually read it 😬
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Title: Love & Other Disasters
Author: Anita Kelly
Genre: Contemporary / LGBTQIA+ / Romance
Author Info: Female Author / LGBTQ
Setting: Los Angeles, California
Month Read: January, 2022
Book Type: E-Book!
Publication: January 2022
Pages: 384
*I received an E-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this opportunity. I'm incredibly grateful!
TRIGGER WARNING-
Transphobia / Alcohol Consumption / Sexual Themes
"Let us both be sorry. Let's be very sorry people eating barbecue. Okay?"
No Spoiler Summary:
Love & Other Disasters is a Queer Rom-Com set during a prime-time cooking competition, Chef's Special. You follow London (a serious, grumpy, out non-binary contestant), and quirky, clumsy recently-divorced Dahlia as they navigate their way through the competition and maybe also find themeselves (and eachother) on the way.
Review:
I'm so thrilled to have gotten an arc of this book, since I (stupidly) didn't put it in my January Book of the Month box (because I wanted to read more romances in Feburary for Valentine's. I cannot shout from the rooftops enough about how much I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely following the cutesy romance roadmap, but honestly, with everything going on the past few years- it's a little nice to read something slightly expected, and even nicer to curl up with a book that constantly gives you the warm-and-fuzzies.
I was a little nervous going into this book about how Anita Kelly would put the cooking competition show aspect into the book, and was delighted to see how while being a HUGE part of the plot, it wasn't as in the forefront as I thought it would be? I love cooking competitions and absolutely live for Master Chef & Top Chef, but it was interesting to see what London, Dahlia, and the other contestants did outside of the show, and the taping schedule, and all the things you don't really get to see much behind the cameras on the shows. I also loved the snippits of the other characters on the show that we got to see, and I thought the villain in this was someone you'd see on TV. Nothing about this book felt forced, or even fictional.
I also loved London. I haven't read a ton of books in general featuring non-binary characters, but I'm really glad that books like this are becoming mainstream. I enjoyed their family dynamic, and that there was so much support for them. I would say that the only thing I would have wanted a lot more of was Hank- I feel like as much as we learned about them, we never really got to know them the way I would have liked.
I also felt the chemistry between the two leads was SO spicy, and they were so cute, and would love another book following London and Dahlia if ever the chance arose. Anita Kelly has definitely made me a fan, and I can't wait to pick up their next book slated for next year! (2023)
Recommendation:
LGBTQ Romance Reads:
Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli (YA)
Here's to Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli (YA)
They Both Die in the End by Adam Silvera (YA)
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (YA)
Simon and the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (YA)
"In that moment, both of their bodies felt, if not perfect, then real, wonderfully so"
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book brings me so much unabashed joy!! Both Dahlia and London are amazing, funny, super fleshed out, lovably flawed main characters... we get some really good side characters (like Barbara <3)... we get an actually good take on transphobia in media (where it's obviously an issue for, say, Lizzie to misgender and belittle London, but where it's also an issue for producers to monetize the conflict between London and Lizzie for ratings, without regard to London's comfort or safety )... we get maybe the most authentic, heartwarming sex scenes I've read in a romance... everything about this was so enjoyable and well-done, and I feel like this book is rapidly going to become my go-to comfort reread and recommendation!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Transphobia, Alcohol
Minor: Dysphoria