thenextbookdilemma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Work For It takes place after Hibbert’s Just For Him series (JFH), following the story of side character Olumide. I have included mini snap-shots of the JFH series and a full review of Work for It because I quite simply adore it.
I will start by saying that I finished this book this morning and immediately burst into tears—the ending of this book is hard fought and to see two beautiful and struggling men reach for happiness with both hands just sent me into the teary abyss.
Ahem.
This is a story of two men who have been told all their lives, in different ways, that they don’t matter, or that they are not good enough. And this is the story of how they both work to reclaim themselves and their self worth.
Olu. Olu is the dazzling side character seen in the JFH series. He is charming and irreverent but he has lost himself. Olu must work through decades of family-inflicted self-loathing and self-esteem issues while also trying to process a horrible act of betrayal that has left him entirely untrusting of others. I was with Olu in his desperation to return to his former self, to be unchanged by the emotional violence inflicted upon him. And I laughed and cried and cheered him on as he realized it doesn’t always work that way, but maybe his new self can still be happy and deserving of love.
Griff. GRIFF. The town pariah, a big soft bear of a human who is ignored and ostracized until he is useful to others. I want to burn it all down for this man. Yet despite years of being mistreated, he still manages to be one of the sweetest and most considerate MCs and his internal work of rejecting negative self-talk/thought is beautiful and precious. Griff is blazingly vulnerable with Olu and y’all, it broke my heart wide open (and maybe Olu’s too). Griff also learns the hard lesson of letting go of the things that no longer serve you.
The growth these two characters experience, together and individually, is so incredibly important and lovely. I cannot recommend it enough.
Graphic: Racism and Homophobia
Minor: Suicide
30something_reads's review against another edition
4.25
I seem to be going through the backlist before getting to her recent work but I absolutely loved this one! (Have not read the other books in this series though.)
MM Contemporary Romance
Age gap (10 years)
Small town (village) vibes
Opposites attract
Delightful banter
Depression rep and (as always) characters with healthy mindsets surrounding therapy and seeking help.
Griffin and Olu were so sweet and achingly romantic and I love them both fiercely.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia and Outing
galleytrot's review against another edition
- 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
FORMAT: Audio
Olu has lost a part of himself after a gross betrayal of trust, and it is impacting his desire for intimacy in the very worst way. His behaviour is growing more aggressive, unpredictable, and self-sabotaging as he lashes out over the loss of something so integral to his being. The libido is there, but a disconnect between brain and body turns every opportunity into a non-starter, leaving him functionally asexual.
Spoiler
This book contains: mental illness (depression, low self-esteem, anxiety); past death of a parent (suicide, overdose); light alcohol use; bullying, isolation, classism; misogynistic ideals; minor injuries; blackmail, forced outing; mention of a vehicle collision resulting in many deaths; and, a pregnant side-character.Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Alcohol, Bullying, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Suicide, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Outing
Minor: Car accident, Lesbophobia, and Biphobia
sadpendragon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Mental illness and Homophobia
anintrovertrambles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Death of parent, and Homophobia
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Two grumpy men in a little English village fall in love.
Content warnings : mental illness, ableism, homophobia.
Griff and Olu deserve hugs.
3 stars 🌟
I really wish I loved this way more than I did. Talia is one of my favorite authors but I guess you win some, you lose some.
Graphic: Mental illness, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Ableism
kimalah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Outing
bekahbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death of parent and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Homophobia
seequinn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Outing, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Suicide