00leah00's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable book for me. It was funny, quirky, with a light amount of angst.
This is told in Poppy’s first-person point of view so I felt like I got to know her really well. She’s fat, bisexual and has dropped out of college, which are all very terrible things in the eyes of her mother. She has accepted and is mostly content with these things. However, she’s always lived in her perfect, older sister’s shadow with her mother constantly nagging her about her life choices. She knows being pregnant is only going to make it worse. At 22, she’s not sure she should even have the baby and goes back and forth on what to do.
Poppy meets Rhiannon at Planned Parenthood and they hit it off at first glance. When Poppy later decides to join a knitting group, Rhiannon is part of the group. Their romance starts off pretty quickly but Bell takes time for them to have on page conversations so the pacing feels pretty natural. I liked how this wasn’t a fairy tale romance and it showed the issues of finding out your pregnant and meeting a love interest at the same time. Rhiannon has to decide if she’s ready for an instant family and Poppy has to figure out if she’s ready for motherhood and a romantic relationship, especially with a partner who isn’t sure about the baby aspect. This felt pretty realistic, as there are issues and bumps along the way.
This is a romance and the romance is pretty heavily featured. But I really enjoyed another thing about it as well. To me it really speaks on not accepting other people’s expectations of you. Poppy has struggled with herself and her confidence when she lets her mother get into her head. She second guesses herself a lot and doesn’t trust herself to make the right choice. She grows and comes to learn that her mother’s expectations aren’t hers for herself and she’s quite happy with her life. It was nice seeing her mature and grow from who meet in the beginning.
I recommend this to romance fans, especially new adult romance fans. Also, fans of knitting. From the title and the cover, you may be able to guess knitting is involved!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable book for me. It was funny, quirky, with a light amount of angst.
This is told in Poppy’s first-person point of view so I felt like I got to know her really well. She’s fat, bisexual and has dropped out of college, which are all very terrible things in the eyes of her mother. She has accepted and is mostly content with these things. However, she’s always lived in her perfect, older sister’s shadow with her mother constantly nagging her about her life choices. She knows being pregnant is only going to make it worse. At 22, she’s not sure she should even have the baby and goes back and forth on what to do.
Poppy meets Rhiannon at Planned Parenthood and they hit it off at first glance. When Poppy later decides to join a knitting group, Rhiannon is part of the group. Their romance starts off pretty quickly but Bell takes time for them to have on page conversations so the pacing feels pretty natural. I liked how this wasn’t a fairy tale romance and it showed the issues of finding out your pregnant and meeting a love interest at the same time. Rhiannon has to decide if she’s ready for an instant family and Poppy has to figure out if she’s ready for motherhood and a romantic relationship, especially with a partner who isn’t sure about the baby aspect. This felt pretty realistic, as there are issues and bumps along the way.
This is a romance and the romance is pretty heavily featured. But I really enjoyed another thing about it as well. To me it really speaks on not accepting other people’s expectations of you. Poppy has struggled with herself and her confidence when she lets her mother get into her head. She second guesses herself a lot and doesn’t trust herself to make the right choice. She grows and comes to learn that her mother’s expectations aren’t hers for herself and she’s quite happy with her life. It was nice seeing her mature and grow from who meet in the beginning.
I recommend this to romance fans, especially new adult romance fans. Also, fans of knitting. From the title and the cover, you may be able to guess knitting is involved!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
bookcub's review against another edition
4.0
this was lots of fun!! I really enjoyed Poppy as a narrator and liked how there was not just focus on her adorable romance with Rhianna, but also developing her friendships and familial relationships, and her personal growth. Totally worth picking up for a cute romance!!
teesbookjourney's review against another edition
5.0
Poppy could use some friends at this moment in her life. She's pregnant and totally unsure about her life and capabilities as a single mother. The babies father is a deadbeat but she's made a decision and she's sticking with it. Rhiannon a has her own baggage to deal with but she's drawn to Poppy. The two try to figure out their feelings, changing circumstances and family dramas.
I love reading this journey unfold. Poppy and Rhiannon relationships is refreshing and not without bumps in the road but delightful nonetheless
I love reading this journey unfold. Poppy and Rhiannon relationships is refreshing and not without bumps in the road but delightful nonetheless
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
This book is an absolute riot, it’s so funny and it has a bisexual main character ! . It is so much more than a romance, it deals with issues such as abortion and sexuality and without patronising the reader (which I find happens a lot even if unintended). Poppy's story as she decides to keep and raise her baby is enthralling and keeps you hooked as she navigates tough choices, growing up and fighting your own battles, whilst learning you always have friends to lean on. Absolutely fantastic
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
araleith's review against another edition
4.0
I am giving this 4 stars for Poppy's awesome character growth in this book. If I had to rate the romance itself alone it would be like 2 stars because Rhiannon really frustrated me, but I loved how Poppy grew into herself and stood up to her mom and all of that.
blundershelf's review against another edition
2.25
I liked all the elements of this novel - birth rights, a queer relationship and a knitting group - but I felt jerked around by the pacing and never quite satisfied by the explanations for character's actions.
abhidnya's review against another edition
it's not the book, it's me. I generally dislike contemporary romance ESPECIALLY when it's longer than 200 pages. It was cute I guess??? the main characters got together early into the book so I kind of lost interest lmao.
katie_2711's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dominic_t's review
emotional
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
3.0
This one was a bit tricky to give a numerical rating. I found it a bit hard to get into the book, but I'm very glad I stuck it out because the ending paid off.
After reading the entire book, I'm not really sold on the love story of Poppy and Rhiannon. In my opinion, the true love story in this book is between Poppy and her chosen family, the knitting group. That love story is great! Poppy and Rhiannon's relationship is super dysfunctional.
Rhiannon spends the book running really hot and cold with Poppy in a way that's unfair to her. She showers her with affection and then withdraws from her because she's overwhelmed. At the end of the book,
My favorite part of this book truly was watching her find a place in her chosen family. Seeing her community affirm her and love her so deeply had me sobbing hysterically (in a good way) in my living room at 3 AM. I think I scared my cat.
Heavy trigger warning for abusive dynamics in the family of origin. Her mother is emotionally abusive, and she is the scapegoat to her older sister's golden child. Fatphobia is part of how her mom emotionally abuses her.
One other minor issue is that the book tried to address class issues and didn't do a great job. Poppy and Rhiannon discuss their class differences, and then
Other things I loved:
They're a contemporary butch/femme couple! I honestly don't usually see that dynamic explored very often in contemporary sapphic literature. It's really neat.
It's a very honest look at a young person choosing how to handle an unplanned pregnancy. Poppy initially considers abortion, and the book's portrayal of her going to the abortion clinic matched my own experience. The author really managed to capture both the chaos of the protestors and the kindness of the clinic staff members. While Poppy ends up choosing to parent, abortion is never demonized. This is a very pro-choice book.
I loved how the sex scenes were very fat-positive.
After reading the entire book, I'm not really sold on the love story of Poppy and Rhiannon. In my opinion, the true love story in this book is between Poppy and her chosen family, the knitting group. That love story is great! Poppy and Rhiannon's relationship is super dysfunctional.
Rhiannon spends the book running really hot and cold with Poppy in a way that's unfair to her. She showers her with affection and then withdraws from her because she's overwhelmed. At the end of the book,
Spoiler
Poppy and Rhiannon are back together and really optimistic about the future. Rhiannon has made a verbal commitment to Poppy and her kid. But we aren't shown any proof that this time is different from all the others! Why should we believe that Rhiannon won't flake this time? She hasn't earned that trust from Poppy or from the reader. I think their relationship has potential! But the book didn't commit to fleshing out the actual rebuilding of trust. Another review pointed out that the book ends with Poppy talking about setting firm boundaries with her mom and the father of her child, but she rugsweeps all the boundary issues she's had with Rhiannon the whole time. She never actually sets firm boundaries with her, even after all the mixed messages and flakiness.My favorite part of this book truly was watching her find a place in her chosen family.
Spoiler
Poppy had a big falling out with the entire group when she rejected their help when she was sick. Watching them resolve that conflict was truly beautiful and exemplifies the very messy process of making amends. It was raw and realistic and truly moving.Heavy trigger warning for abusive dynamics in the family of origin. Her mother is emotionally abusive, and she is the scapegoat to her older sister's golden child. Fatphobia is part of how her mom emotionally abuses her.
Spoiler
Her older sister ends up seeing how their mom is hurting Poppy and stands up for her.One other minor issue is that the book tried to address class issues and didn't do a great job. Poppy and Rhiannon discuss their class differences, and then
Spoiler
they go to Poppy's sister's fancy rich people party, and there's a big conflict due to the homophobia and classism of the other party goers. This big meltdown showed that their class differences could really tear their relationship apart. And then they never really discuss class again.Other things I loved:
They're a contemporary butch/femme couple! I honestly don't usually see that dynamic explored very often in contemporary sapphic literature. It's really neat.
It's a very honest look at a young person choosing how to handle an unplanned pregnancy. Poppy initially considers abortion, and the book's portrayal of her going to the abortion clinic matched my own experience. The author really managed to capture both the chaos of the protestors and the kindness of the clinic staff members. While Poppy ends up choosing to parent, abortion is never demonized. This is a very pro-choice book.
I loved how the sex scenes were very fat-positive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Homophobia
Description of anti-abortion protest