Scan barcode
indiekay's review
1.0
I had to DNF this about 30% in. The content warning at the beginning of the book advises that there will be misgendering in it, but it fails to note that the person doing most of the misgendering is one of the main characters and the love interest to the non-binary person who is getting misgendered.
I read a LOT of books about trans and non-binary people, and not ONCE have I ever had to read a story in which the main character is consistently getting misgendered and disrespected by their actual love interest!! Someone they're dating at the beginning of the book and then break up with to get with someone better? Sure! But to have to read the POV of the person doing the misgendering, and then be expected to root for these two to get together? Absolutely not.
Here's some of the passages as examples of what we're dealing with here:
Chapter one, Sofia's POV:
Phoenix? Was that really her name? Either this chick had some wacky hippies for parents or she wasn't being entirely honest. Sofia groaned inwardly. This "Phoenix" sounded like one of those "too cool for you" types who changed their name every month and got offended when everyone didn't instantly adjust.
Chapter 3, Sofia's POV:
"Oh." Sofia stopped. They. So it wasn't just that Phoenix had an edgy haircut and some piercings, she - they, they - were non-binary or non-conforming or whatever the latest term was. Well, whatever. Sofia didn't need to date them; she just had to work with them.
Part of Sofia wanted to ask why Phoenix insisted on making this even more difficult, why they wanted to make things extra complicated, extra annoying.
Chapter 6, Phoenix's POV:
"You know," Sofia said, "you claim you aren't a woman, but you sure fuck like one."
Then, this is Sofia's "apology" after the above statement was made, in chapter 7:
"I made a mistake,: Sofia said. "OK? It was a dumb joke. It was stupid. I get it. And if you hate me forever for it, so be it, but can we at least be professionals here? Can we at least not ruin this for everyone else just because we don't like each other?"
(this whole chapter before Sofia's "apology" - notice she never actually says the word sorry - is just Sofia complaining in her inner monologue about how it was just a JOKE, and Phoenix is the one to blame for taking it so seriously.
So like, if all of this had happened in the story from a character that the reader was suppose to dislike and they were someone Phoenix broke up with, then fine! I'd read that and be like "what an asshole, hope Phoenix dates someone better", but no Sofia is the main character here. Sofia has had the most POV chapters, and has the most personality - I could not actually describe Phoenix's personality in this book other than annoyed and anxious.
Another thing is that the two characters dislike each other from the get-go without much reason as to why. In chapter 2 Phoenix's best friend Jason (who the author feels the need to interject with "His real name was Kang-Dae, but he always introduced himself as Jason" which just felt incredible unnecessary??? And look at this non-binary person asking people to please respect their chosen name while looking down on their friend for also having a chosen name?? WHY) comes up to Phoenix and basically says "you're gonna hate Sofia because she's a gold-star lesbian, she's pretty old-fashioned and stuck in her ways" basically poisoning Phoenix's opinions of Sofia from the get go, but then in chapter 8 he tells Phoenix that they HAVE to forgive Sofia for the "fucks like a woman" comment. This is honestly the point in the book I decided to DNF it because NONE OF THE CHARACTERS' DECISIONS MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (not to mention their boss calling Sofia and Phoenix into his office and telling them to just fuck already and get on with their jobs - inappropriate much?)
So, yeah. In conclusion I found the writing style fine and easy to read, and I liked the concept of aerial silk sports romance, but the characters have no personality and are very judgemental and make really illogical decisions that only serve to forward the plot but make no sense realistically. If you're a non-binary or trans person don't read this, it's just going to upset you. Also please never date someone who says this kind of shit to you, it's not worth it.
I read a LOT of books about trans and non-binary people, and not ONCE have I ever had to read a story in which the main character is consistently getting misgendered and disrespected by their actual love interest!! Someone they're dating at the beginning of the book and then break up with to get with someone better? Sure! But to have to read the POV of the person doing the misgendering, and then be expected to root for these two to get together? Absolutely not.
Here's some of the passages as examples of what we're dealing with here:
Chapter one, Sofia's POV:
Phoenix? Was that really her name? Either this chick had some wacky hippies for parents or she wasn't being entirely honest. Sofia groaned inwardly. This "Phoenix" sounded like one of those "too cool for you" types who changed their name every month and got offended when everyone didn't instantly adjust.
Chapter 3, Sofia's POV:
"Oh." Sofia stopped. They. So it wasn't just that Phoenix had an edgy haircut and some piercings, she - they, they - were non-binary or non-conforming or whatever the latest term was. Well, whatever. Sofia didn't need to date them; she just had to work with them.
Part of Sofia wanted to ask why Phoenix insisted on making this even more difficult, why they wanted to make things extra complicated, extra annoying.
Chapter 6, Phoenix's POV:
"You know," Sofia said, "you claim you aren't a woman, but you sure fuck like one."
Then, this is Sofia's "apology" after the above statement was made, in chapter 7:
"I made a mistake,: Sofia said. "OK? It was a dumb joke. It was stupid. I get it. And if you hate me forever for it, so be it, but can we at least be professionals here? Can we at least not ruin this for everyone else just because we don't like each other?"
(this whole chapter before Sofia's "apology" - notice she never actually says the word sorry - is just Sofia complaining in her inner monologue about how it was just a JOKE, and Phoenix is the one to blame for taking it so seriously.
So like, if all of this had happened in the story from a character that the reader was suppose to dislike and they were someone Phoenix broke up with, then fine! I'd read that and be like "what an asshole, hope Phoenix dates someone better", but no Sofia is the main character here. Sofia has had the most POV chapters, and has the most personality - I could not actually describe Phoenix's personality in this book other than annoyed and anxious.
Another thing is that the two characters dislike each other from the get-go without much reason as to why. In chapter 2 Phoenix's best friend Jason (who the author feels the need to interject with "His real name was Kang-Dae, but he always introduced himself as Jason" which just felt incredible unnecessary??? And look at this non-binary person asking people to please respect their chosen name while looking down on their friend for also having a chosen name?? WHY) comes up to Phoenix and basically says "you're gonna hate Sofia because she's a gold-star lesbian, she's pretty old-fashioned and stuck in her ways" basically poisoning Phoenix's opinions of Sofia from the get go, but then in chapter 8 he tells Phoenix that they HAVE to forgive Sofia for the "fucks like a woman" comment. This is honestly the point in the book I decided to DNF it because NONE OF THE CHARACTERS' DECISIONS MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (not to mention their boss calling Sofia and Phoenix into his office and telling them to just fuck already and get on with their jobs - inappropriate much?)
So, yeah. In conclusion I found the writing style fine and easy to read, and I liked the concept of aerial silk sports romance, but the characters have no personality and are very judgemental and make really illogical decisions that only serve to forward the plot but make no sense realistically. If you're a non-binary or trans person don't read this, it's just going to upset you. Also please never date someone who says this kind of shit to you, it's not worth it.
mybigmessybookshelf's review
i had high hopes: ariel silks, circus, sapphic, non binary MC love interest BUT WHEN the FMC is intent on misgendering her supposed love interest i cannot keep reading
bea_readsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5!
enemies to lovers, sapphic, non-binary lead, sports romance
——
THAT is how you do enemies to lovers in a romance!
i came across laniee ash’s Duo Act during stuff your kindle day & wow did it not disappoint. i went out of my comfort zone a lot for this one with it being enemies to lovers (a trope i typically don’t love) AND written in third person POV, but none of that seemed to matter once i began reading.
meet Sofia, an aerial silks instructor and professional aerialist who strives for success. at the very beginning of Duo Act, what sofia said to cause our main conflict defiantly threw me for a loop at first. having a partner who is nonbinary, i could only imagine how hurtful her words would have been. that being said though, her character development & growth was wonderful.
then we have phoenix, our nonbinary professional aerialist who’s been hurt a few times too many to be able to trust sofia (and really anyone else for that matter). phoenix will forever and always now hold a special place in my heart. their drive to be the best was something i found myself falling in love with. this is also the first book i’ve personally read with a nonbinary lead and i’m officially begging for more.
in less than 300 pages these two not only had a beautiful love, but also tons of tension, a completely valid conflict, and some of the best spice i’ve read in a while. the club scene!? immediately yes.
fun fact about me, i used to train on aerial silks! this made connecting with sofia and phoenix that much more special. I’ll have to agree with them and say, being up in those silks is the most freeing and blissful feeling.
while i feel as though sometimes it’s hard to truly connect with characters in 3rd person, Ash does an amazing job of still putting you inside the characters heads and for that i am in love.
i can’t wait to get my hands on more!
enemies to lovers, sapphic, non-binary lead, sports romance
——
THAT is how you do enemies to lovers in a romance!
i came across laniee ash’s Duo Act during stuff your kindle day & wow did it not disappoint. i went out of my comfort zone a lot for this one with it being enemies to lovers (a trope i typically don’t love) AND written in third person POV, but none of that seemed to matter once i began reading.
meet Sofia, an aerial silks instructor and professional aerialist who strives for success. at the very beginning of Duo Act, what sofia said to cause our main conflict defiantly threw me for a loop at first. having a partner who is nonbinary, i could only imagine how hurtful her words would have been. that being said though, her character development & growth was wonderful.
then we have phoenix, our nonbinary professional aerialist who’s been hurt a few times too many to be able to trust sofia (and really anyone else for that matter). phoenix will forever and always now hold a special place in my heart. their drive to be the best was something i found myself falling in love with. this is also the first book i’ve personally read with a nonbinary lead and i’m officially begging for more.
in less than 300 pages these two not only had a beautiful love, but also tons of tension, a completely valid conflict, and some of the best spice i’ve read in a while. the club scene!? immediately yes.
fun fact about me, i used to train on aerial silks! this made connecting with sofia and phoenix that much more special. I’ll have to agree with them and say, being up in those silks is the most freeing and blissful feeling.
while i feel as though sometimes it’s hard to truly connect with characters in 3rd person, Ash does an amazing job of still putting you inside the characters heads and for that i am in love.
i can’t wait to get my hands on more!
victoriabridges's review
The misgendering by the main character of her non-binary friend
nomonbooks's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
DNF at 24%
Reasons for DNF: Misgendering and disregarding of NB identity by FMC, a key POV character for a substantial portion of the book. Poor set up of motivations and main plot points. Flat characters. Showing but not telling backstory.
This is an enemies to lovers book with a limited basis for the enemies to lovers.
Sofia hates Phoenix because she thinks Phoenix hates her. She's also very judgemental about their name for no real reason at the outset.
Phoenix hates Sofia because their friend Jason said Sofia 'would be the sort of person to misgender Phoenix' because she's a lesbian who has only slept with women.
These are silly reasons to hate people bearing in mind that at this set up point there is zero evidence for any of these views.
However, it turns out Sofia is just as bad as Phoenix thought. Very early in Sofia makes some comments that are in my view beyond the line and uncomfortable at best. But I kept reading because I guess I was hoping for a really quick epiphany as the issues were in Sofia's mind but not her behaviour.
And, I think broadly speaking I support learning and growth and becoming less bigoted.
But, not in a romance book where there's no improvement by 24%.
Not in a romance book where I'm reading the NBMC being actively harmed by the FMCs views and the FMC "not knowing" they are wrong or offensive and thinking it's a 'joke'.
I wasn't sure whether I was being overly sensitive to these issues until the really offensive incident during a sex scene. I then skimmed on to see the FMC positioned it as a "joke" and was just annoyed by the NBMC being angry with her. At this point I was done because I don't see how the FMC can come back from this point with this person. Phoenix does not deserve to be treated like this. Sofia doesn't need any chances. She needs to grow up and examine her own prejudice.
It was so uncomfortable to read. I will not ever root for this couple. Phoenix deserves better.
Reasons for DNF: Misgendering and disregarding of NB identity by FMC, a key POV character for a substantial portion of the book. Poor set up of motivations and main plot points. Flat characters. Showing but not telling backstory.
This is an enemies to lovers book with a limited basis for the enemies to lovers.
Sofia hates Phoenix because she thinks Phoenix hates her. She's also very judgemental about their name for no real reason at the outset.
Phoenix hates Sofia because their friend Jason said Sofia 'would be the sort of person to misgender Phoenix' because she's a lesbian who has only slept with women.
These are silly reasons to hate people bearing in mind that at this set up point there is zero evidence for any of these views.
However, it turns out Sofia is just as bad as Phoenix thought. Very early in Sofia makes some comments that are in my view beyond the line and uncomfortable at best. But I kept reading because I guess I was hoping for a really quick epiphany as the issues were in Sofia's mind but not her behaviour.
And, I think broadly speaking I support learning and growth and becoming less bigoted.
But, not in a romance book where there's no improvement by 24%.
Not in a romance book where I'm reading the NBMC being actively harmed by the FMCs views and the FMC "not knowing" they are wrong or offensive and thinking it's a 'joke'.
I wasn't sure whether I was being overly sensitive to these issues until the really offensive incident during a sex scene. I then skimmed on to see the FMC positioned it as a "joke" and was just annoyed by the NBMC being angry with her. At this point I was done because I don't see how the FMC can come back from this point with this person. Phoenix does not deserve to be treated like this. Sofia doesn't need any chances. She needs to grow up and examine her own prejudice.
It was so uncomfortable to read. I will not ever root for this couple. Phoenix deserves better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
hailstorm3812's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
3.25
I was disappointed with this. I thought it was going to be a fun spicy romance with aerialists, but the plot is a real bummer. The spice is really good but I wish it didn't interrupt itself to remind me of the perils of being queer. I know them! It was fun enough but not to my taste. Also even though the spice was good, they didn't take advantage of the fact that they were aerialists at all. Nothing happens in the air at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
nmuels's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
a_bookish_sapphic's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0