gothbaby's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sizzle Reel was a lighthearted rom-com surrounding coming out and coming to terms with one’s own sexuality. There were several things about this book that intrigued me, so much so that I was very excited about this ARC, but I ultimately don’t think it was for me.
The book itself is cute in its premise. There was something genuinely sweet about the idea of reading about a twenty-four year-old who calls herself a late bloomer when it comes to her bisexuality. She goes through all the stages of coming to terms with one’s sexuality, but her hyperfixation with losing her virginity—specifically categorising sex as needing to be penetrative in order to count—did not sit right with me. Like her roommate, Romy, I just grew annoyed with this bizarre quest of her that ultimately ignored the beauty of intimacy between two women and all of the ways in which sex with non-men can still be sex.
Writing and pacing wise I felt like something was just a little off. I wasn’t super into the writing in the beginning but grew accustomed to it as it really fit Luna’s personality. Pacing, however, I could not get into. I could not figure out transitions and I felt generally lost as to where we were in terms of timing and locality. I am still wondering how long it took Valeria and Co. to film her directorial debut feature.
Overall it was a super quick and easy read. It was lighthearted and almost conflict-free which can be a great read for some! I wish the story was just a little more thought out and detailed; I would have loved to have learned more about the characters and I think there were so many chances for the author to really show us the longing between the characters that were just missed based on awkward pacing.
I wish the author nothing but the best and will happily pick up their upcoming works. Thank you NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor, and Carlyn Greenwald for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The book itself is cute in its premise. There was something genuinely sweet about the idea of reading about a twenty-four year-old who calls herself a late bloomer when it comes to her bisexuality. She goes through all the stages of coming to terms with one’s sexuality, but her hyperfixation with losing her virginity—specifically categorising sex as needing to be penetrative in order to count—did not sit right with me. Like her roommate, Romy, I just grew annoyed with this bizarre quest of her that ultimately ignored the beauty of intimacy between two women and all of the ways in which sex with non-men can still be sex.
Spoiler
I found that the love triangle (that really wasn’t a love triangle) wasn’t all that satisfying on either end. Both Valeria and Romy were great as their own characters but I did not care for either for Luna. The chemistry between them all (in every capacity) felt very flat for me. I wasn’t all that convinced in the romance (and I believe that is because of Luna’s hyperfixation with her virginity).Writing and pacing wise I felt like something was just a little off. I wasn’t super into the writing in the beginning but grew accustomed to it as it really fit Luna’s personality. Pacing, however, I could not get into. I could not figure out transitions and I felt generally lost as to where we were in terms of timing and locality. I am still wondering how long it took Valeria and Co. to film her directorial debut feature.
Overall it was a super quick and easy read. It was lighthearted and almost conflict-free which can be a great read for some! I wish the story was just a little more thought out and detailed; I would have loved to have learned more about the characters and I think there were so many chances for the author to really show us the longing between the characters that were just missed based on awkward pacing.
I wish the author nothing but the best and will happily pick up their upcoming works. Thank you NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor, and Carlyn Greenwald for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing
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