I usually like Erica Ridley's historical romances, but this novella was... not it.
Her Princess at Midnight is a sapphic retelling of Cinderella, whicI usually like Erica Ridley's historical romances, but this novella was... not it.
Her Princess at Midnight is a sapphic retelling of Cinderella, which is SUCH a cute idea (and one I haven't personally read before), but it falls short in a few ways. I recognize that it's extremely difficult to make short stories and novella's feel impactful, but still.
There is SO much insta-love, and combine that with erratic characterizations of the size characters and main characters, and you don't get much emotional substance to the story. It was light and cute, sure, but it was also wholly unmemorable.
Guys, I UGLY CRIED with this one. Read the content warnings.
I adore Alison Cochrun and everything she writes, and Here We Go Again was no different. Guys, I UGLY CRIED with this one. Read the content warnings.
I adore Alison Cochrun and everything she writes, and Here We Go Again was no different. It was the sapphic, rip-your-heart-out romance I needed to get my 2024 started off right.
Here We Go Again is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, which is not usually my thing. I don't usually like it when we have an off-page history between the two MCs, but it worked here. The two MCs were best friends, inseparable when they were younger, but then youthful drama and hurt feelings drove them apart. However, their romance feels like almost a secondary character at times to the relationship these two women had to their older friend and mentor, who is dying of cancer. This book is all about their last hurrah, their last adventure together, and that's where the rest of the love story lies.
I'll admit, I had trouble reading this book at times. I was mournfully listening to Van Morrison in the background while reading (just get Into the Mystic ready), and just, like, pondering the meaning of life. You know, super chill and relaxing vibes, over here. Here We Go Again will just do that to you.
While I had a mini-existential crisis, I really appreciated the deep, thoughtful writing from Alison Cochrun and how she also managed to interject some very spicy scenes and some humor as well. The romance grew and grew over time, and I really appreciated these two together. I do think that their relationship wasn't quite as meaningful to me as their relationship with Joe, but that would be hard to top.
In truth, Alison Cochrun did something special with this story. It was a hard journey for me, personally, but I'm really glad I took it.
Legends & Lattes was so stinking cute. A lightly sapphic cozy fantasy? Yes, please.
If I tried to describe the plot to Legends & Lattes to you, it wouLegends & Lattes was so stinking cute. A lightly sapphic cozy fantasy? Yes, please.
If I tried to describe the plot to Legends & Lattes to you, it would seem... boring. A former bandit orc decides to settle down and open a coffee shop and makes friends? How does that that fill 300 pages?
Well, it does and it's fantastic.
Sure, there isn't a lot of action (romantic or otherwise), but I've never read a cozy fantasy before, and I think I sort of love them?? It was... kind of nice to have a book just chillax and not be so intense.
The friendships were adorable, the lattes sounded delicious, and I can't wait for another. Happy I own this book in paperback.
I've really enjoyed my recent reads from Mazey Eddings, and I was really looking forward to this queer romance from her, but I struggled a bit with thI've really enjoyed my recent reads from Mazey Eddings, and I was really looking forward to this queer romance from her, but I struggled a bit with this one. I'm trying to wrap my brain around what exactly irked me, but I think it was that it didn't feel like it had much direction.
With Late Bloomer, we get a slow-burn, contemporary romance between a bisexual people-pleaser who is seeking to start over in a small town (classic romance trope!) and a lesbian flower farmer who gets sucked into the the other woman's drama. First of all, YAY for non-neurotypical MCs and some spicy sapphic sex scenes! I will never get bored of those two things, and good on Mazey Eddings for giving the people what they want.
However, despite some really positive aspects of the story, I kept waiting for something to happen other than little misunderstandings and sort of a meandering, directionless plotline. There were some exciting things happening in the background, things that could have given the story more umph, but they seemed to fizzle out before they made me excited. Plus, I had a hard time telling who was "talking" at times- their voices got mixed up in my head.
I applaud Mazey Eddings for this story, but I think she has the ability to write even bigger and better (hopefully queer!) romances.
A Lady to Treasure was an interesting read for me, even if it took me a long time to finish. I waffled about in my rating a bit, but the last 10% or sA Lady to Treasure was an interesting read for me, even if it took me a long time to finish. I waffled about in my rating a bit, but the last 10% or so really annoyed me and lowered my rating.
I read a lot of queer historical romances, so this was right up my alley. However, it felt more like historical fiction with a touch of romance than a true genre romance. There was a LOT of detail and background information happening, and paired with a stiffer, more formal writing style made the story feel not very romantic. I also wish the plotline was tightened up a bit, and that we had more page time with the two MCs as a couple. We really only see the build-up to their relationship and nearly none of them actually together.
I'll hide some of the next thoughts in spoiler tags as not to ruin anything, though I won't write any major spoilers. (view spoiler)[I HATED the "I'm rejecting you because I know what's good for you" plot device that the author used near the end of the story. Communication, people! Gahhhh. I hate it every time- misunderstandings irritate me. I also didn't like that I felt like the only reason these two got together in the end is because every other option blew up in their faces. (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed how different this story was and the interesting twists and turns that these two women's lives took, but, ultimately, this fade-to-black romance just didn't feel like a believable love story to me. The chemistry and page-time just wasn't there, but I appreciated the author's efforts and unique writing style.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I think I'm landing on 4-stars with Imogen, Obviously, mostly because I had a very hard time putting it down and read it in pretty much one day, whichI think I'm landing on 4-stars with Imogen, Obviously, mostly because I had a very hard time putting it down and read it in pretty much one day, which is impressive since I've been struggling with reading attention lately. However, despite that dreamy cover and a lovely romance plotline, it's not without it's flaws.
I feel a lot of big Ways about Imogen, Obviously, and it's abundantly clear that Becky Albertalli feels strongly, passionately, about this story. I'm very much aware of the author's coming out story, and I imagine that this book is a very personal one to Becky Albertalli. It feels like a big story, and the character's emotions feel extremely raw and close to the surface.
Things I enjoyed were the romance (dreamy!), Tessa (and actually the whole group of college friends), and the discovering-yourself plotline. Sexuality discovery stories will always hold a special place in my heart, and I adored that part of the story. Also, the chemistry between Imogen and Tessa was pretty electric, and I adored Tessa's flirting style and banter. A+ character development. The friends were pretty much the dream cast of accepting college friends, and it made me nostalgic for my college days. Just a cute dynamic between the friends all around. Honestly, there was a lot to love about the story, including a very well done writing style that kept me wanting more. There is a reason I keep coming back to this author.
There were a few things I struggled with in the story, however. For one, I think the big baddie gatekeeper did have a few valid points. There is no right or wrong way to be queer, and you should NEVER invalidate someone's sexuality, but there is something to be said for queer people getting to tell their stories or have their opinions heard in queer spaces. I think it's very true that you shouldn't make assumptions about people or their sexuality/gender identity, but I think that to frame the gatekeeper character (I won't say names to avoid spoilers, but it's pretty obvious) as sort of the villain isn't fully okay either.
To take a tangent into very personal territory, I had a lesbian, very out housemate in college when my best friends all went abroad, and her friends were ALL queer. For a full year, I spent every week watching new episodes of "The L Word," going to queer comedy shows and queer clubs, and being a part of that world. I was the Imogen, but straighter and with much less self awareness at the time. Reflecting back, I always debate if I was infringing on their queer spaces too much or getting too immersed in the community without being a member of it, and the fact that I am an avid consumer of LGBTQIA+ books has made my internal debate continue to this day. My conclusion is that I really don't know the right answers, but I think what I'm trying to say is that raising some concerns can be valid. Does that make sense?
I think this book veered a bit into being preachy about acceptance, mostly because the author personally feels so strongly about it, but I aside from that, I think it was a really well done story. I don't read enough sapphic romances, so when I read a story with a couple that really makes my heart sing, I latch on. I wish we got more of Tessa and Imogen's story from after they got together, or maybe this author could write more lesfic romances, because I thought she slayed that part of the story.
All in all, I love Becky Albertalli's writing style, and this book really lived up to my expectations. Though it wasn't perfect, I had the hardest time putting it down (I almost read my Kindle in the shower), so that makes it at least a 4-star read in my book.
So very cringy, so far from a good holiday romance.
I wanted a sexy, fun little sapphic holiday book, and this just failed on multiple levels (it was So very cringy, so far from a good holiday romance.
I wanted a sexy, fun little sapphic holiday book, and this just failed on multiple levels (it was sapphic, I'll give it that). First of all, as someone who skis, the teaching skiing details were just painful to read. Just not at all how you would teach a first timer, and I'm convinced this author has never hit the slopes. Also, I also think the main characters are sort of trash?? They aren't the best people, and their jokes and banter just never landed. I didn't find this story to be charming at all.
I actually DNFed this book at 82%, and you can't convince me that it improved much from there on out.
A sapphic fake-dating rom-com holiday romance? Yes, please. I had high hopes and Kiss Her Once for Me delivered. Alison Cochrun keeps coming with thosA sapphic fake-dating rom-com holiday romance? Yes, please. I had high hopes and Kiss Her Once for Me delivered. Alison Cochrun keeps coming with those hits, and I love her for it.
Like The Charm Offensive, this story is funny until it painfully squeezes your heart to death. Then, you cry... and then you keep reading. I was hooked all the way through, and I didn't want to put the story down. I don't read a ton of les-fic romances, so when I get one that I adore, I want to shout about it from the rooftops. And other than a rushed-feeling ending, this book really had it all.
I adored how messy the MCs' lives are. Neither of them are perfect people, far from it, and they feel so absolutely real on the page. Both have extremely complicated family dynamics, and both struggle with difficult parents, and it really added layers to the story while still keeping the focus on the romance. I enjoyed the way class disparity was handled, and I think the author did a nice job with showing each characters' individuality.
Color me shocked, but I didn't even mind the flashbacks and the way these two were mooning after each other after about 5 seconds. I usually hate flashbacks (they draw you right out of the story!), but they sort of worked here?? I'm surprised also.
I think things wrapped up a bit awkwardly in the end (it didn't feel all resolved and still felt a bit tense), but I really adored this story. It was the right amount of Christmassy for this Jewish reader, and it just was a nicely written story.
Alison Cochrun, keep the hits coming. Super excited to see what you have up your sleeve next.
I have decidedly middle of the road feelings about The Holiday Trap by the usually great Roan Parrish. To be honest, my rating is around 2.5 stars, esI have decidedly middle of the road feelings about The Holiday Trap by the usually great Roan Parrish. To be honest, my rating is around 2.5 stars, especially since I almost DNFed during the epilogue.
I have a lot of thoughts about this story, and some may be rambling so bear with me.
First of all, I think having two romances being told at once was distracting. Neither relationship felt fully developed and I wanted more from both.
The male/male pairing was very cute in a hurt/comfort way. The main characters were both kind of schmoopy and romantic, so their pairing was easy for me, even if it felt a bit rushed. I much preferred this story, probably because I related to the MCs more. I really enjoyed Truman's bullet journaling and his problem-solving and organizational drive. I saw a lot of myself in him and his compulsions, and I really enjoyed him as a character. I also liked his love of his favorite fantasy book and that storyline, though it felt underdeveloped for me. I also think the thread of Truman's ex was underdeveloped (they dated for 11 months and Guy didn't even try to text or call him when Truman went radio silence?? felt like it needed more there). Still, this was the "easier" pairing of the story.
The female/female pairing was more difficult for me. I enjoyed having a Jewish MC (more on that later) and I actually adored the plant details. I loved Greta's love of plants, and I felt that really come through the pages (or ebook pages, so to speak). I did find the story was too muddled with all of the side characters, but my biggest issue was I didn't love the romance between Greta and Carys. I know this is a probably a personal failure of mine that I didn't like Carys, but I didn't like how she talked to Greta when Greta overstepped. I think it's because I'm a neurotic people pleaser who goes the extra step to make people happy, but I thought Carys was cold and aloof too often for me. I also felt like they got together and then their relationship sort of stagnated. They hung out and did stuff and...?? I didn't get as much of a sense of where their relationship was headed, maybe because Greta's storyline was clogged with her family issues and lots of side characters.
I know this is a holiday story so they had to focus on it, but I literally had to look up if the author was Jewish because I don't know a single Jewish person that even cares about Hanukkah. We'll have a little party, maybe, and obviously do gifts with kids, but most Jews care much, much more about other holidays. Of course, if you've met one Jewish person you've met one Jewish person, so everyone's family traditions may be different, but it just rang a bit false to me.
Overall, I think I enjoyed this story just enough to light up that third star (but the more I linger on it the less I feel like giving this story that much credit). It had a lot of positives, but it doesn't live up to the movie it is modeled after or it's potential.
Erica Ridley outdid herself with this Sapphic historical romance. I couldn't get enough of Tommy and Phillipa, and I think that Erica Rid*4.25 stars*
Erica Ridley outdid herself with this Sapphic historical romance. I couldn't get enough of Tommy and Phillipa, and I think that Erica Ridley should switch to writing *all* queer books (just saying... please....).
If I had to classify this book, I'd say it was a F/NB romance as Tommy doesn't really identify as male or female, though uses she/her pronouns. I wish SO HARD that the cover models would have reflected these characters more closely. Phillipa is plumper and bustier, and Tommy has shorter hair and prefers trousers and comfortable clothes. However, the cover is admittedly beautiful, even though it doesn't represent these lovely characters at all.
I think it helps if you'd read the first book in The Wild Wynchesters series, though it isn't a requirement. It gives some background information on the Wynchester family, and I think it helps readers to understand the dynamics there. I appreciated my background knowledge of Tommy, and I think it helped me understand both MCs much better.
Erica Ridley really wrote her pants off with this series. Sometimes, this author writes tame, less descriptive romances, but here we get complicated, multi-dimensional characters and some deliciously steamy love scenes, and I ATE IT UP. I really enjoyed how Tommy and Phillipa's relationship had no easy solutions, and that everything was hard-fought and more complex than it seemed. I enjoyed the slow-burn of them together, and I liked how Phillipa slowly realized her sexuality (which may fall on the asexual spectrum- like demi).
Tommy's personality really shone for me. She was so confident and so bold, but really, underneath, she was a brave former orphan who was terrified to put her heart out there. I loved Tommy, and I was excited for her to have Phillipa return her feelings, even if it took a bit longer for Phillipa to get there.
My one complaint about this book is that the plot gets a bit convoluted in the middle and towards the end (and the cover of the book, natch), but the rest of the book was so wonderful that I was able to overlook any minor plot and pacing issues.
Erica Ridley, I'm so happy with this series, you don't even know. I hope we get more queer characters (more queer Wynchesters?!?!) from this author, and more of this same, high quality romances.
I'm a jaded, long-time romance reader, and I loved Red, White & Royal Blue so much that it was urgent that I keep my expectations in check for One LasI'm a jaded, long-time romance reader, and I loved Red, White & Royal Blue so much that it was urgent that I keep my expectations in check for One Last Stop. One Last Stop is Casey McQuiston's sophomore book, and I thought to expect it to be anywhere near as successful as Red, White & Royal Blue would be foolish. In truth, I barely read the blurb (and then promptly forgot what I read, as is my custom with blurbs), so the book was almost wholly a surprise to me. And, guys, I loved it. I loved it so much.
I started One Last Stop last night intending to just read a few chapters, and I stayed up all night last reading. I almost cried when it ended. I never wanted it to stop.
However, when I started the story, I felt a little... uneasy. Third person, present tense writing isn't my thing, and I was feeling a little disconnected from the story. At 10% in, I wasn't sure about it, didn't know where the plot was taking me, but once I started to piece things together, I was hooked (remember, didn't read the blurb...).
I'm a time-travel, time-slip junkie, and books with those elements have a huge statistical advantage over contemporary books to be favorites of mine. Imagine my utter delight when I realized the full plot of this story. I was obsessed.
Also, let me wax poetic about the chemistry. I've read a lot of romance books in my time, and I have certain preferences that are long established. I like my romances slow-burn and with enough sexual tension that it's thick and almost tangible. I like things to build and build and build until everything explodes. Casey McQuiston paced this romance perfectly. The physical and romantic chemistry grew and grew until it was unbearable, and then everything crescendoed and exploded. As someone who reads a lot of explicit romance, I would probably categorize this as on the tamer side, but because the sexual tension is incredibly built-up, it felt so satisfyingly erotic.
Aside from the physical, I ached for these characters. I absolutely loved them together and I was rooting for them as a couple like I haven't in a long time. I was near tears at time while reading, just because of my own overwhelming feelings about the romance. Casey McQuiston made me love this couple and their epic romantic story.
While the main characters were enough to carry the story alone, the side characters were all so amazing and well-developed that it enhanced an already amazing story. I'm talking the queer cast of my dreams, each with their own backstory and interest and flaws. I fell in love with each of them, and I found myself wanting to live in a little 6-story walk-up in Flatbush, just so we could hang out. They were all so impossibly interesting and cool, and Casey McQuiston wrote them all with such care and nuance.
There are so many factors that I can't touch upon completely in this review because it's already extremely long and embarrassingly gushy. I'm talking about the Asian rep (an Asian butch character in a leather jacket, seriously be still my f*ing heart), the bisexual MC in a F/F romance, DRAG QUEENS, the humor, the backdrop of New York (in my opinion, the greatest city in the world), the 24 hour pancake house, and the mystery of the MCs uncle. I could wax poetic about this book for another 1,000 words, but instead, just read the book yourself. I'm seriously just ordering you to order it now.
I'm not one to post "casting" pictures, but I couldn't help but picture my ultimate crush. Everyone else can stop with the femme Jane photos and GTFO. Chef Melissa King is who I'm going to picture until the end of time.
I keep reading an enjoying all of Olivia Waite's WLW historical romances, and I hope she never stops writing them. Even though each book ha*3.5 stars*
I keep reading an enjoying all of Olivia Waite's WLW historical romances, and I hope she never stops writing them. Even though each book has been just a bit off for me, I'm loving how this author is making F/F romance more mainstream. Bring it on!
Where The Hellion's Waltz really shines is with its dynamic plot and pacing. The plotline was exciting and suspenseful, and that's what really kept me reading. I loved these daring women who took control back in their lives, and I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how they were going to pull everything off.
I also really enjoyed Sophie's accepting, musical family. I thought the piano details were very rich and interesting, and even though I'm not musically inclined (to say the least), I still dug it all.
However, where the story faltered for me was in the romance department. I'm a sucker for a slow-burn romance, and here it was insta-lust city. I felt like these two had this intense connection after one minute that didn't quite translate to the reader. The lust and the fast romance felt very underdeveloped, and that's where the story lost me.
I think I actually would have preferred this not be a romance at all and just a story of women in the textile industry getting revenge on an unscrupulous businessman. The romance just wasn't there, and for a story that is supposed to be a romance book, it let me down a bit.
I'm all for Olivia Waite and her writing, but I think the romance needs to get to the same level as her imaginative, interesting plotlines. Still, I'm already ready for the next book, so more ladies loving ladies, please.
I don't read a ton of WLW or F/F romance, but when I saw that Hettie Bell was coming out with a contemporary romance, I knew I had to try *3.5 stars*
I don't read a ton of WLW or F/F romance, but when I saw that Hettie Bell was coming out with a contemporary romance, I knew I had to try it.
I've been reading Hettie Bell for many years under a different pen name, and I was thrilled to read her again here. She took her writing talent and really made a great story for her readers to enjoy.
I loved, loved, loved having a full-figured female MC who doesn't have perfect, effortlessly cool sex all the time. Sex is super awkward, especially with someone knew, and I found those scenes to be extremely charming. Hettie Bell struck just the right notes there. I will say, however, that I could have used more heat in this book. Up those sex scenes for next time, pretty please!
I'm not a knitter or any kind of artist, so I didn't really relate much to those moments, but you don't have to in order to enjoy the story. I liked the pregnancy details and the trials and tribulations the MC went through with her friends and family.
I think having only one POV made it harder to relate to the other MC. She ran very hot and cold, and I didn't love how she was so wishy-washy. The fact that we didn't get to see inside her head made her less relatable in my book. The back and forth between them was the only thing I really didn't enjoy.
However, I'm beyond pleased with the bisexual rep, the curvaceous MC with the BODY, the butch love interest (yeeeeessssss), the effortless humor, and the excellent writing. I'll be reading more Hettie Bell in the future, you can bet on that.
I Kissed Alice started out very strong, and I was excited to see where it would take me. I've actually read a few similar books befoWell, I'm drained.
I Kissed Alice started out very strong, and I was excited to see where it would take me. I've actually read a few similar books before, and I love the real life enemies, online lovers plotline. Plus, queen teens! I had very high hopes.
However, though this book is billed as a romantic comedy, there is nothing, and I mean nothing funny about this story. Mainly, it's about frenemies being pretty terrible to one another.
It's also not really romantic. It's more of a drama with LGBT teens, and I wish it was billed as that. I kept waiting for it to pick up and live up to expectations, but time and time again, it didn't. There are some very interesting issues at play, and both MCs have a lot of personal issues and drama to work through, but it wasn't a good love story.
A toxic relationship and unlikable MCs made even the fairly good writing difficult to get through. This story was not for me,
I was really excited for this road trip romance featuring a Jewish lesbian and her genderqueer knight in shining armor who picks her up from the side I was really excited for this road trip romance featuring a Jewish lesbian and her genderqueer knight in shining armor who picks her up from the side of the road when her car breaks down. But, alas, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting.
Even after I finished the book, I'm not sure if it was supposed to be funny or not. Was it?? There were scenes that were bizarrely written with over-sized reactions and odd conversations, and I'm not sure if that was the author writing humor. In fact, the way the author wrote dialogue was some of the weakest parts of the book for me. It just didn't flow in a natural way.
There were some serious moments, which I enjoyed, and some nice diversity, but they were overshadowed by the insta-love and the improbable situations that the characters found themselves in. The romance didn't gel or evolve naturally. It all felt very forced and very phony. The whole book felt very surface level and it never came together.
I realize that this book is a debut, so I'm hopeful the author can find her voice a bit more in her subsequent books. This one was not a win.
A solid debut f/f romance from Kelly Farmer, though the book suffers from being too draggy at times.
I'm getting more into lesfic romance, and becauseA solid debut f/f romance from Kelly Farmer, though the book suffers from being too draggy at times.
I'm getting more into lesfic romance, and because I'm obsessed with hockey players, I figured Out on the Ice would be a perfect fit for me. In many ways, I was right. I liked the sports/hockey aspects of the book, even if they could have been highlighted a bit more, and I think the story had a ton of potential.
I really liked having a half-Jewish MC (shout out to my fellow Jewish ladies!), and I loved the strong bi-rep in the book. There was a lot of bi-education, but it worked for me and didn't feel like too much. I also loved the discussions about mental health and anxiety and depression. It made the book feel very real. Neither characters are close to perfect, and I liked seeing them as whole people with flaws.
I read a lot of books without any sex content at all, and that usually works fine for me, but I wish this book had had sex on page. There was SO MUCH sexual buildup to this story that the fade-to-black scene just about killed me. Also, just know that the image on the cover of the two MCs doesn't really reflect what they look like. You'll need to rearrange that in your mind.
My main issue with the story was how slow it was. I can take a very character-focused book without much plot, but the author really has to write a snappy book. This one dragggggged. I read it over two weeks, which is a long time for me, and I had to push to finish it.
I also think that the characters didn't seem exactly suited for one another. At times, they felt too different and wanting different things, so I wasn't all in for them. I really liked them as individuals, but I wasn't sure about them together.
A good hockey romance with some well-developed characters, I think Out on the Ice will appeal to readers who don't mind a slow-paced story. I think Kelly Farmer has great things up her sleeve, and I look forward to reading more from her.
Hairpin Curves was a nice romance, but the characters felt a bit young and the story was too slow for my taste.
I'm always looking for kill*2.5 stars*
Hairpin Curves was a nice romance, but the characters felt a bit young and the story was too slow for my taste.
I'm always looking for killer lesbian romances, but this one just missed the mark. Plus, I keep reading road-trip stories but I don't know if they are for me. There is something about the long, drawn-out trip that makes the pacing difficult to get right.
Hairpin Curves is an ex-friends-to-lovers story, which always appeals to me. There is a lot of history between the two MCs, but, oddly, they didn't seem to know each other that well. There were some definite communication missteps in their past, and I found it odd that ex-best friends had so much unknown about each other.
I related hard to one of the MC's struggles with her 504 accommodations in college as my children have learning disabilities. It made me want to reach out an advocate for her. There was also a lot to like in the quiet moments of the story, and I enjoyed the unexpected amount of heat.
What the story lacked for me was in the need to read it factor. It took me over a week to finish this story and that's with forcing myself to continue. It all felt kind of boring to me, which isn't what I want in my romances. I also feel like the MCs were too juvenile for their age. I would have preferred them to be high school graduates and make the story YA as I was frustrated reading parts of the story.
While I'm sure this will please contemporary romance lovers who like a slower-paced story, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
I really, really like Olivia Waite, and I LOVE how she is writing the smart F/F historical romances that we all w*3.5 stars*
So. Many. Plotlines.
sigh
I really, really like Olivia Waite, and I LOVE how she is writing the smart F/F historical romances that we all want to read. I adore historical romance, and I love nerds, so I'm always dying when I read about each upcoming book from this author. However, I think this author gets in her own way a lot of the time.
The good news is that we have two older MCs, a lovely slow-burn romance, and some explicit sex on page, though we have to wait ages to get it. Also, I could have read about the bee-keeping stuff all day long. Very interesting and a lot to delve into there. I also felt like Penelope's family dynamics and marriage had a lot of meaty plot elements that really fleshed out the story.
But the author just couldn't stop there.
We get endless chapters about the King and Queen and their marital issues, sedition laws, religious and puritanical power movements, relationship complications with side characters, and it goes on and on. There are details that are introduced and focused on and then seem to fade in importance. There is just so much there, so much that could have been spread out with another story, that it really muddled the romance for me. The book is very long, and a lot of it felt like extraneous information. I would have been happy with just the bee-keeping stuff alone with maybe a little family drama thrown in. As it was written, I found myself zoning out during the endless pages about the royal scandals.
The romance was very slow to develop, and though I like a slow burn, I wish more of the book had these two women in an actual relationship, not just pining for one. I understand that open communication was very risky during those times, but they basically hinted at each other for over 300 pages until they got their act together. But when they got together finally, whew, lots of chemistry and heat! Thank you, Olivia Waite!
I appreciated all of the research that went into this story, and I think the author did a very good job writing it, but I wish it had been paired down some to make the romance take center stage. Still, I can't wait to read more from this author and see where else she can take me.
While part of me enjoyed Her Lady's Honor by Renée Dahlia, a bigger part of me found Beatrice to be truly exhausting.She just isn't worth it, Nell.
I While part of me enjoyed Her Lady's Honor by Renée Dahlia, a bigger part of me found Beatrice to be truly exhausting.She just isn't worth it, Nell.
I read a number of lesbian romances, but not many historical ones, and since I have a deep, deep love for HR, I was pumped to give this book a go. Also, I haven't read any historicals that take place in the time period of setting of Her Lady's Honor so that was interesting for me.
I appreciate that the author addressed class disparity in her book, and I think it was important for Beatrice to speak up when Nell was being blind to her privilege, but Nell couldn't say anything without Beatrice taking offence. It was insane. I started bookmarking each page where Beatrice criticized and made Nell feel in the wrong because it was so frequent. I get that Nell made some blunders, but she was a good person who didn't deserve the treatment that she got from Beatrice.
I actually enjoyed the storyline, and I found the plot pretty engaging. I only put down the book twice while reading, and I think the author had very good pacing. However, the actual romance and dialogue was lacking. Both felt stiff and forced, without any joy or energy.
Though Renée Dahlia does a number of things right with Her Lady's Honor, I just couldn't get behind these two as a couple.
The Falling in Love Montage is an angsty, wonderful, teen lesbian love story, and isn't that EXACTLY what we all need in our lives right n*4.5 stars*
The Falling in Love Montage is an angsty, wonderful, teen lesbian love story, and isn't that EXACTLY what we all need in our lives right now? I know I needed it.
The Falling in Love Montage is a stunning debut by Ciara Smyth. The lesbian YA scene is pretty barren, and though gay teen romance is becoming more and more mainstream, it was about time that the ladies got their time in the spotlight. Lesbian romance, FTW!
Truthfully, I don't read a lot of young adult or new adult books, and it took me a bit to get out of my "adult" headspace for this one. It came naturally to me to try to defend Saoirse's dad and think that Saoirse was a bit bratty, but then I really tried to envision everything from the position of a teenager in her shoes and it all became a lot easier. Also, be prepared for a lot of 4th wall breaking, which I don't often come across in my adult romances.
The best part of this book was the adorable love story. The meet-cute was squee-worthy, and each classic love montage scene made my heart happy. Plus, big time bonus points for a plus sized, body-confident love interest who was shown as desirable.
I think there was also a lot of personal growth for the MCs in the story, which I really enjoyed. I liked seeing Saoirse change and evolve, and I liked seeing her relationship evolve with all of the secondary characters as well as Ruby. It made the book feel very satisfying and compelling.
In fact, my only problem with the story, and my reason for bumping it half a star, is that (view spoiler)[there isn't a HEA! Or a HFN... let us have our "ride in the sunset" ending, ffs! (hide spoiler)]. It gave me mild flashbacks to What If It's Us. *frustrated groan*
Despite any small issues I had with the book, I truly adored The Falling in Love Montage. I plowed through this book in one day, and though this isn't a light read (I cried on the beach reading this, ya'll), it is angsty, emotional, queer perfection.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
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