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amberinpieces's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
jane_cs's review against another edition
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
lady_valhella's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I didn't like this book at all, I found it shallow, there is a weird sexulization to the mm romance, and honestly this is a disappointment after Courtney Kae's excellent first book in the series, In the Event of Love. I saw so many people recommending this one, and I was so surprised because the writing quality and characters are such a let down, and there is very little redeemable about it.
Let's start with the good: I liked the depiction of a narcissistic parent (umm that's it)
Now for everything else.
First of all, it is odd this is part of the Fern Falls series, considering the vast majority of the book doesn't even take place in Fern Falls! Part of the charm of the first book was getting to know the small town and its inhabitants, and getting to see how much they all care about one another. Typically in a "small town" series, we get to see bounce around inhabitants as they all find their romance. A bonus is the setting remains the same which allows for excellent character growth, world-building, and sometimes even a overarching plot. (Plus cameos from past books so we get to see how other relationships have progressed!) Instead we are introduced to a new setting, and so many new characters are thrown at the reader, while very little is done to establish a care and love for the new setting.
When I tell you the romance is fast-paced and shallow, I truly mean this is one of the most one dimensional romances I've ever come across. Ben and Adam truly have that instant love relationship, and there is a ton of miscommunication early on that made it difficult to enjoy. That ends fairly quickly and then they are dating and suddenly everything is hunky dory and perfect? Ben spends most of the book swooning over Adam and being hot and bothered every time they are near each other. It was...very fluffy but not in a cozy way. More of a Hallmark makes your teeth ache and lacks depth way.
There is SO much sexualion of their relationship. Compared to the first book this relationship seems really built on how they view each other, and levels of attraction. Ben spends a lot of time thinking about how many people are attracted to Adam, or feeling smug that he is actually the one with him. There is a scene involving an elderly "book club" that Ben's G-Ma is apart of, and their whole interaction with them didn't feel funny but instead straight up inappropriate. While sex never happens on page, it feels like the whole plot and so many jokes are built on sex.
Let's address the elephant in the room. While there is nothing inherently wrong about someone who has spent the majority of their live experiencing the privilege that comes with being a white woman, it is something to be taken into consideration especially when it comes to mm romance. If you weren't already aware, there has always been attention given to white woman writing mm romance, and it being made into media and movies while gay men are just overlooked. Is it representation if the representation shown is being decided by someone who is privileged enough to never have experienced the harassment and fear that comes with being apart of that community? (The answer, dear reader, is no) It is very clear that this book is written by Kae, in the sense that relationship is sexualized and lacks depth, and very in line with other books written by similar authors who quite frankly, can't write gay men.
I personally would NOT recommend this book, and I am currently on the fence now about reading any of Kae's future books.
Let's start with the good: I liked the depiction of a narcissistic parent (umm that's it)
Now for everything else.
First of all, it is odd this is part of the Fern Falls series, considering the vast majority of the book doesn't even take place in Fern Falls! Part of the charm of the first book was getting to know the small town and its inhabitants, and getting to see how much they all care about one another. Typically in a "small town" series, we get to see bounce around inhabitants as they all find their romance. A bonus is the setting remains the same which allows for excellent character growth, world-building, and sometimes even a overarching plot. (Plus cameos from past books so we get to see how other relationships have progressed!) Instead we are introduced to a new setting, and so many new characters are thrown at the reader, while very little is done to establish a care and love for the new setting.
When I tell you the romance is fast-paced and shallow, I truly mean this is one of the most one dimensional romances I've ever come across. Ben and Adam truly have that instant love relationship, and there is a ton of miscommunication early on that made it difficult to enjoy. That ends fairly quickly and then they are dating and suddenly everything is hunky dory and perfect? Ben spends most of the book swooning over Adam and being hot and bothered every time they are near each other. It was...very fluffy but not in a cozy way. More of a Hallmark makes your teeth ache and lacks depth way.
There is SO much sexualion of their relationship. Compared to the first book this relationship seems really built on how they view each other, and levels of attraction. Ben spends a lot of time thinking about how many people are attracted to Adam, or feeling smug that he is actually the one with him. There is a scene involving an elderly "book club" that Ben's G-Ma is apart of, and their whole interaction with them didn't feel funny but instead straight up inappropriate. While sex never happens on page, it feels like the whole plot and so many jokes are built on sex.
Let's address the elephant in the room. While there is nothing inherently wrong about someone who has spent the majority of their live experiencing the privilege that comes with being a white woman, it is something to be taken into consideration especially when it comes to mm romance. If you weren't already aware, there has always been attention given to white woman writing mm romance, and it being made into media and movies while gay men are just overlooked. Is it representation if the representation shown is being decided by someone who is privileged enough to never have experienced the harassment and fear that comes with being apart of that community? (The answer, dear reader, is no) It is very clear that this book is written by Kae, in the sense that relationship is sexualized and lacks depth, and very in line with other books written by similar authors who quite frankly, can't write gay men.
I personally would NOT recommend this book, and I am currently on the fence now about reading any of Kae's future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
madscientistcat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley, this is my honest opinion.
This was a sweet, cozy book that felt like a Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the settings, the inclusivity, and the way mental health was described. However the plot felt unrealistic and complicated at times, the characters were a bit annoying, and the ending was too wrapped up with a pretty bow for my liking.
This was a sweet, cozy book that felt like a Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the settings, the inclusivity, and the way mental health was described. However the plot felt unrealistic and complicated at times, the characters were a bit annoying, and the ending was too wrapped up with a pretty bow for my liking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
fanboyriot's review
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Read for:
♡ Small Town
♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Communication
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ G-ma, because she is the best
Ben Parrish’s life was looking up when he joined a national baking competition and then everything kinda goes down hill from there. From his childhood crush friend-zoning him on live TV, working through childhood trauma from his father, to his G-ma’s 80th birthday he has a lot going on in a short amount of time.
This book is filled with good humor and lovable characters. There is great therapy rep and there is good communication between Ben and Adam. I loved the setting of this book. It gave all the warm small town vibes with a café/bakery setting. I will say it did seem a bit over the top at a few times or just came off dramatic at times. Ben and Adam both working through past family trauma and trying not to do what their families did to them. It got a bit angsty for a moment but it was resolved so cutely and ended well.
Honestly, G-ma was just out there living her best life. I loved her so much; she was hilarious and I want to be like that when I’m her age, she was a big mood.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this e-ACR in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
(First Person POV)
Rep: Bi MC, Pan LI, Anxiety, Depression, Therapy
♡ Small Town
♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Communication
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ G-ma, because she is the best
Ben Parrish’s life was looking up when he joined a national baking competition and then everything kinda goes down hill from there. From his childhood crush friend-zoning him on live TV, working through childhood trauma from his father, to his G-ma’s 80th birthday he has a lot going on in a short amount of time.
This book is filled with good humor and lovable characters. There is great therapy rep and there is good communication between Ben and Adam. I loved the setting of this book. It gave all the warm small town vibes with a café/bakery setting. I will say it did seem a bit over the top at a few times or just came off dramatic at times. Ben and Adam both working through past family trauma and trying not to do what their families did to them. It got a bit angsty for a moment but it was resolved so cutely and ended well.
Honestly, G-ma was just out there living her best life. I loved her so much; she was hilarious and I want to be like that when I’m her age, she was a big mood.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this e-ACR in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
(First Person POV)
Rep: Bi MC, Pan LI, Anxiety, Depression, Therapy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Alcohol