Scan barcode
atreegrowsinbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I loved the banter between characters, especially between Simone and Ray. At first Simone got on my nerves. It first appears that she has somewhat of an ego, but we soon learn that she's of course a flawed human and doesn't like change to her workplace. They also struggle with changing pronouns for Ray when Ray comes out as enby at work. Simone struggles with misgendering at first, and those bits are really enjoying. I get that when Simone first meets Ray, they haven't come out so their pronouns are unknown. But, I am glad that the misgendering doesn't take over the story. The slow burn between Ray and Simone is SLOW. You almost don't notice it until right at the end. Personally would have liked a little more burn.
I wish that we got a dual POV in this story, because I'd really like to hear what is going on in Ray's head. We don't get a ton of inner thoughts from them, and I think the story would have benefited from their perspective a bit more.
I thought it was really interesting to have a top surgery be a main plot point. I enjoyed that there are people around Ray that root for them and are on their side.
Also it goes without saying, but this story was very funny. I laughed so many times. I think the funniness also benefited from having a great narrator! Overall such a cute story, would recommend for those looking for diverse queer romances.
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
I read this on the plane ride back home from my work trip and it was an absolute delight!
I adored the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between Simone and Ray — they were equally hilarious and awkward, which made it especially entertaining for me as a third-party removed from the fictional situation hahaha. Not only that, but the found family dynamics tugged at my heart. I am still giddy over them (the entire crew) all giving each other nicknames teeheeeee
While their love story is slow but steady, I also appreciated the commentary on how workplaces can be per formative and only focus on optics and how harmful that is! I was stressed for Ray but I want to assure you there is indeed a happy ending here!
I actually have the ARC of Chef’s Choice on NetGalley so I’m excited to dive into that one next hehe.
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
tmkutawrites's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism and Vomit
The romance was cute. Speaking as a nonbinary person, it was exhaustingnovella42's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
(For context, I'm a cis omnisexual woman with a partner of 11 years who came out as genderfluid three years ago. At this point I'm the only cis person in a polycule of five, so I made a lot of the same mistakes Simone made.)
I read this in two days. While I wish it had spent more time on the romance than the discrimination the characters went through, the discrimination was 100% believable and the author did a damn good job of telling the story they wanted to tell. The protagonist/audience gets a friendly and thorough primer in Trans 101, so if you're new to all of this or want practice learning about the transmasc and nonbinary queer experience, this would be a great place to start.
The food descriptions were my favorite part. Lines like "her patience was dissolving like salt in boiling water." Love this characterization, she is SUCH an Enneagram 5:
""Yes, but the kale craze is pretty much over by now," Simone pointed out. A few years before, it had been pomegranates, which Simone had hated passionately. They were the least logical fruit ever conceived. If something was that difficult to open up, it should be allowed to keep its secrets, was her opinion."
I really enjoyed how well Ray and Simone worked together once they warmed up to each other. I think that can sometimes fall by the wayside with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and seeing two people genuinely vibe well and complement each other was a pleasure. I just wanted more time with them!
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
maeverose's review against another edition
3.5
I do want to note that there is a lot of misgendering of Ray throughout the story. For the first half everyone, including the main character uses she/her pronouns for them because they aren’t out yet, then once they do come out the antagonists of the book purposefully misgender them every time they interact, and it’s quite infuriating. So if that’s a trigger for you I’d be prepared for that.
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Medical content, and Dysphoria
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Fatphobia, Blood, Excrement, and Car accident
Graphic: misgendering, handling of bodily fluids after surgeryauudrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Biphobia and Child abuse
beckbex's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, Racism, and Abandonment