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ravenk28's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pros: It was a decent read with big topics begin talked about through the FMC struggle of being a woman in a male dominated company.
Cons: The solution given to the main conflict had a lukewarm delivery. And in my opinion felt rushed. There should have been more than a chapter spent on this issue. Additionally, the last half of the book felt very rushed and needed another round of editing.
Overall: I give this book a 3.0 as it had good bones but the delivery fell flat for me.
Cons: The solution given to the main conflict had a lukewarm delivery. And in my opinion felt rushed. There should have been more than a chapter spent on this issue. Additionally, the last half of the book felt very rushed and needed another round of editing.
Overall: I give this book a 3.0 as it had good bones but the delivery fell flat for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Biphobia, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism and Alcohol
a_pisco's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was the comfort hug I didn't knew I needed!
It is a cozy, slow burn, fake dating, dual POV, Latinx romance, with all the feels, connection, and care that Leonor always delivers.
Lina and Gabe are both extremely committed to their work, and put their career at the forefront for the years to come, not worrying about love for now. And that goal is what leads them to start a fake relationship, since a partnership can help boost them both in each of their companies.
But the tension was there all along, and with each 'fake' interaction, the attraction keeps growing and feelings start to develop.
Lina and Gabe are both workaholics, and when feelings start to show, they both fight it, because they believe that romance will slow their careers and stop them from reaching what they aim for professionally.
As we are already beginning to expect with Leonor's work, the communication between this two characters is #goals - they are open and honest, do regular check-ins, and discuss their emotions in a truly wonderful way.
And since I am talking about the attention to detail and the genius of Leonor's writing, I have to commend the intentional use of language about gender, the natural depiction of queerness, and the fat representation - she always nails it beautifully, and this and other topics are always depicted with care and thoughtfulness.
Machismo and misoginy play a big part in this book, being something that Lina has been fighting against her entire life, and her uncle is the ultimate depiction of the obnoxious Latino middle-aged man, who sees no-worth in a woman besides marrying and having kids, and this had me in the edge of my seat, ready to punch him at all times he showed up and opened his mouth. But unfortunately this is still a reality for a lot of families, and I think it is really well written. And the way that Gabe shows Lina that things can be different is a great way to show how it should all be in the future. Oh, and the letter and reconciliation between Lina and her father in the end make up for all the frustration along the way.
And the food, OMG, the food! Mexican and Chilean food and culture are a constant throughout the book, and they bring everything together. You will find yourself craving alfajores and wondering where you can find some in your corner of the world!
The friend-group and family dynamics in Gabe's side are amazing, and I can't wait for the next stories about this chosen family and their shenanigans.
I received an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, and the opinions are all mine.
It is a cozy, slow burn, fake dating, dual POV, Latinx romance, with all the feels, connection, and care that Leonor always delivers.
Lina and Gabe are both extremely committed to their work, and put their career at the forefront for the years to come, not worrying about love for now. And that goal is what leads them to start a fake relationship, since a partnership can help boost them both in each of their companies.
But the tension was there all along, and with each 'fake' interaction, the attraction keeps growing and feelings start to develop.
Lina and Gabe are both workaholics, and when feelings start to show, they both fight it, because they believe that romance will slow their careers and stop them from reaching what they aim for professionally.
As we are already beginning to expect with Leonor's work, the communication between this two characters is #goals - they are open and honest, do regular check-ins, and discuss their emotions in a truly wonderful way.
And since I am talking about the attention to detail and the genius of Leonor's writing, I have to commend the intentional use of language about gender, the natural depiction of queerness, and the fat representation - she always nails it beautifully, and this and other topics are always depicted with care and thoughtfulness.
Machismo and misoginy play a big part in this book, being something that Lina has been fighting against her entire life, and her uncle is the ultimate depiction of the obnoxious Latino middle-aged man, who sees no-worth in a woman besides marrying and having kids, and this had me in the edge of my seat, ready to punch him at all times he showed up and opened his mouth. But unfortunately this is still a reality for a lot of families, and I think it is really well written. And the way that Gabe shows Lina that things can be different is a great way to show how it should all be in the future. Oh, and the letter and reconciliation between Lina and her father in the end make up for all the frustration along the way.
And the food, OMG, the food! Mexican and Chilean food and culture are a constant throughout the book, and they bring everything together. You will find yourself craving alfajores and wondering where you can find some in your corner of the world!
The friend-group and family dynamics in Gabe's side are amazing, and I can't wait for the next stories about this chosen family and their shenanigans.
I received an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, and the opinions are all mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Biphobia
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.5
omfg this put my heart THROUGH IT!! i simply wanted to fight catalina's family throughut the entire book BUT THE ENDING WITH HER DAD?!?!? that had me crying ngl because i know too many men who would have just continued to stay silent, but the way he communicated with her the only way he knew how :,) i was absolutely eating up the fake dating in this & all the "it's just for show" moments. GABRIEL IS SUCH A MAN!!! he is literally a golden retreiver in the streets and a daddy in the sheets i would let him tie me up ANY day of the week ;) AND LINA?!!? i LOVE that woman. she's bi. she's hot af. I WANT HER. that's it, that's the review.
⚠️: misogyny, sexism, gaslighting, ableism, biphobia
⚠️: misogyny, sexism, gaslighting, ableism, biphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism and Biphobia
ruthhelizabeth's review
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a warm, genuine romance and I adored it!
Very rarely do we get a fat lead whose body is celebrated and fatphobia isn't a part of the plot. It was so gorgeous to see a bisexual fat woman validated for all she is.
Leonor balanced cosy romance and all important conversations about mashismo perfectly, making this a wonderfully sweet and valuable read.
I have read a few fake dating books this year, and this was a really unique heartful spin on the trope.
Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend. This is my first read by the author but definitely won't be my last.
This book was such a warm, genuine romance and I adored it!
Very rarely do we get a fat lead whose body is celebrated and fatphobia isn't a part of the plot. It was so gorgeous to see a bisexual fat woman validated for all she is.
Leonor balanced cosy romance and all important conversations about mashismo perfectly, making this a wonderfully sweet and valuable read.
I have read a few fake dating books this year, and this was a really unique heartful spin on the trope.
Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend. This is my first read by the author but definitely won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia and Alcohol
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