chippyreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bunch of rich people go to a big falling apart house on a small island to just eat/drink/talk/make art for almost the whole book. Main character is clueless and in puppy love with a washed up poet.
-Marketed as a Sapphic romance but I felt the actual romance took a back seat to Nash and Eddie’s worrisome relationship.
-Would have liked it as a dual POV with the bestie, Rose.
-It’s amusing at first how clueless the MC Eddie is, but got a bit old towards the end of the book. She's very self-absorbed!
-Because Eddie is so insufferable and gullible I thought I was reading a Young Adult book…
-Narrator for the audio book was great. She’d do this weird thing with her breath before starting a sentence, so once I realised it happened I noticed it EVERY time.
-Overall an enjoyable read, can get a bit slow but was kept entertained.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
How I rate books
1- I disliked this book very much. Highly unlikely to read this author again
2- Eh. I didn't hate it. Might give the author another go
3- It was fun
4- Amazing and would read again
5- I'm in love. Give me more right now!
niamhc_reads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
I stayed up until 1am to finish this book, and it was totally worth it.
This is honestly my favourite read of the year, maybe even ever. It is beautifully written, so funny and heart wrenching and just honestly brilliant.
It's Brigerton but somehow better?? Like I don't know how but here we are.
I found myself screaming internally at Eddie to wise up about everything because omg Nash?????
Ew no thanks.
The characters were all so fleshed out and I had such visceral reactions to them all. The romance between Rose and Eddie was beautiful and emotional and I was so happy they got the ending they deserved.
It was so poignant, having moments to discuss slavery and politics and sexism and so much more, and yet also so incredibly light hearted and hilarious at other times.
This author is insanely talented and I won't hesitate to pick up anything they write.
Read this book please, it'll be the best thing you ever do.
This is honestly my favourite read of the year, maybe even ever. It is beautifully written, so funny and heart wrenching and just honestly brilliant.
It's Brigerton but somehow better?? Like I don't know how but here we are.
I found myself screaming internally at Eddie to wise up about everything because omg Nash?????
Ew no thanks.
The characters were all so fleshed out and I had such visceral reactions to them all. The romance between Rose and Eddie was beautiful and emotional and I was so happy they got the ending they deserved.
It was so poignant, having moments to discuss slavery and politics and sexism and so much more, and yet also so incredibly light hearted and hilarious at other times.
This author is insanely talented and I won't hesitate to pick up anything they write.
Read this book please, it'll be the best thing you ever do.
gaybutwithbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
momomango's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
orcasrule's review
3.0
A decent read with a good premise. Edie fluctuated between being likeable and extremely annoying - and her prolonged naivety was frustrating. She calls Rose her best friend but regularly suspects her of having ill intentions.
Nash had too large a role and I got sick of his smarmy attitude being present on every page - also weird we never got to see Liza break free of him. Idk if that was meant to be romantic or what…but get a new man babe ur husband is a weird loser whose giving major groomer vibes.
Incredibly lame he just got away with sealing Edie’s book, it read as very weak willed and out of character of her to give up just like that. The lack of clear resolution to the death of Henry’s mother was also annoying.
Adored the ending of Rose and Alberts beard marriage and their ‘close friendship’ with ‘life long spinster’ Edie. We love gays supporting gays.
Nash had too large a role and I got sick of his smarmy attitude being present on every page - also weird we never got to see Liza break free of him. Idk if that was meant to be romantic or what…but get a new man babe ur husband is a weird loser whose giving major groomer vibes.
Incredibly lame he just got away with sealing Edie’s book, it read as very weak willed and out of character of her to give up just like that. The lack of clear resolution to the death of Henry’s mother was also annoying.
Adored the ending of Rose and Alberts beard marriage and their ‘close friendship’ with ‘life long spinster’ Edie. We love gays supporting gays.
talliereadsandwrites's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was delightful and I need all the sapphic regency books ever written now. Eddie and Rose have been best friends since they were kids and dabbled in kissing, purely for practice. Loved the setting and the overall vibe of this book but had a few issues that made me only like it, overall.
What I Enjoyed:
-great if you are in the mood for something cute and very young feeling
-funny banter
-not really realistic for a regency period, so Eddie got away with more socially than she ever would have. I can see this being an issue for some but I didn't mind and thought it made it more interesting
-loved that Eddie was a writer of bizarre short stories
-appreciated the diverse cast and bi-rep
What I Didn't Enjoy:
-I didn't like the dynamic between Eddie and Rose at all. the chemistry was lacking most of the book until very close to the end and neither of them were too likeable
-a few too many anachronisms
-hated the guy Eddie was messing around with (forgot his name) and felt like that whole plot line was annoying
-felt like they made Rose Asian just to say "hey look it's diverse" but mentioned nothing culturally
All in all, I liked the book, but liked the idea of it more than the actual execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What I Enjoyed:
-great if you are in the mood for something cute and very young feeling
-funny banter
-not really realistic for a regency period, so Eddie got away with more socially than she ever would have. I can see this being an issue for some but I didn't mind and thought it made it more interesting
-loved that Eddie was a writer of bizarre short stories
-appreciated the diverse cast and bi-rep
What I Didn't Enjoy:
-I didn't like the dynamic between Eddie and Rose at all. the chemistry was lacking most of the book until very close to the end and neither of them were too likeable
-a few too many anachronisms
-hated the guy Eddie was messing around with (forgot his name) and felt like that whole plot line was annoying
-felt like they made Rose Asian just to say "hey look it's diverse" but mentioned nothing culturally
All in all, I liked the book, but liked the idea of it more than the actual execution.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
kavat's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0