amichelle515's review against another edition
2.0
It’s taken me a while to write this review, because I wasn’t sure how to articulate why I didn’t enjoy the book.
The premise of the book seemed promising - a queer love story between two women of color. Sign me up. However, the plot moved too slowly to keep my attention. And, for as slowly as the plot moves, I never became invested in the characters. I don’t feel like I learned enough about them to become invested. Also, the way the dialogue was written felt dated. I had to remind myself that the main characters were supposed to be in there late 20s-early 30s. It felt like an attempt to write from the perspective of a demographic that writer didn’t actually understand.
Suffice it to say, I DNF this one at about 30%. I wanted so badly to enjoy it.
The premise of the book seemed promising - a queer love story between two women of color. Sign me up. However, the plot moved too slowly to keep my attention. And, for as slowly as the plot moves, I never became invested in the characters. I don’t feel like I learned enough about them to become invested. Also, the way the dialogue was written felt dated. I had to remind myself that the main characters were supposed to be in there late 20s-early 30s. It felt like an attempt to write from the perspective of a demographic that writer didn’t actually understand.
Suffice it to say, I DNF this one at about 30%. I wanted so badly to enjoy it.
kchristinej's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was really enjoyable to read. I started out not really caring for Summer as a character but really appreciated her character development by the end of the book.
Can’t Resist Her spends some time touching on various aspects of Summer and Aiko’s individual lives, which left me yearning for more one on one time of them together. Everything does come together really well and the ending was very happy and satisfying.
Can’t Resist Her spends some time touching on various aspects of Summer and Aiko’s individual lives, which left me yearning for more one on one time of them together. Everything does come together really well and the ending was very happy and satisfying.
turtleberry's review against another edition
5.0
I am a little late on this one. I got it from Net Galley but I was deep in writing mode when it came out. I finally got around to reading it and it was so good! Black sapphic romances are not plentiful out here so I'm very glad I got to enjoy this one.
Summer and Aiko's meet-cute was great. Then when they met up the second time it was just as cute. Crushes can be deep and they both had been holding onto it for so long. I loved the way their relationship progressed.
They were at odds about the old school and that was present the entire time. I wasn't even mad when things came to a head. It was expected and a very necessary part of the plot. I usually don't like that sort of drama (third act breakup) but it was done really well in this book.
The end was super cute and super sweet which is just what I like. Definitely a five-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summer and Aiko's meet-cute was great. Then when they met up the second time it was just as cute. Crushes can be deep and they both had been holding onto it for so long. I loved the way their relationship progressed.
They were at odds about the old school and that was present the entire time. I wasn't even mad when things came to a head. It was expected and a very necessary part of the plot. I usually don't like that sort of drama (third act breakup) but it was done really well in this book.
The end was super cute and super sweet which is just what I like. Definitely a five-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
dianasbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
As I started reading I initially thought the chemistry between the main characters would surely start to form the more I kept reading, but I didn't feel any type of way about their relationship.
I didn't find myself rooting for them to be together or vise versa. I think the problem for me was the dialogue, it was very bland and it did not flow like it should.
I really love the cover and I do believe the story line has potential but in the end the book fell flat for me.
As I started reading I initially thought the chemistry between the main characters would surely start to form the more I kept reading, but I didn't feel any type of way about their relationship.
I didn't find myself rooting for them to be together or vise versa. I think the problem for me was the dialogue, it was very bland and it did not flow like it should.
I really love the cover and I do believe the story line has potential but in the end the book fell flat for me.
poissonrouge's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
je n’écris pas souvent de critiques mais j’ai tellement été déçue de ce livre qu’il fallait le dire.
ce livre n’est vraiment pas incroyable, les personnages ne sont pas vraiment développés, les dialogues ressemblent à ceux d’un téléfilm qui passerai sur france 3
la fin du livre beaucoup trop rapide. les problèmes de tous les personnages vont être résolus dans les 30 dernières pages et certains passages sont absolument illogiques
bref déçue
ce livre n’est vraiment pas incroyable, les personnages ne sont pas vraiment développés, les dialogues ressemblent à ceux d’un téléfilm qui passerai sur france 3
la fin du livre beaucoup trop rapide. les problèmes de tous les personnages vont être résolus dans les 30 dernières pages et certains passages sont absolument illogiques
bref déçue
thebookedbamlet's review against another edition
3.0
This book fell flat for me. I felt like the characters weren't as developed as I would have expected, and their dialogue was a bit prosaic. I loved the wide range of personalities and preferences display in the prose, but overall, the story was lacking in substance.
Sidenote: this book reads like a love letter to Austin's food scene. There are so many places that get called out by name (that sound delicious!).
Sidenote: this book reads like a love letter to Austin's food scene. There are so many places that get called out by name (that sound delicious!).
teesbookjourney's review against another edition
4.0
I love to read about black love. I've never read a lesbian black couple and I am here for it. I am unsure if I've been living under a rock or if this is an underdeveloped genre. I loved the both characters Summer and Aiko, they were so genuine. Although they were clearly on two different sides of an issue they still tried to go for it. These types of books so easily turn into enemies to lovers. But the fact that the relationship was able to move forward despite showing depth to me, of course, didn't end there. All around a cute romance with some awesome spicy scenes.
littlebookterror's review
fast-paced
1.5
The dialogue...
The way these people talk is so unrealistic. At times stilted, at times oversharing, always unnatural. I would not have finished this book if not for the audio.
This is a very unpolished debut. The bones are there: two characters reconnecting find out there an opposites sides of a reconstruction project. But there is nothing else there? They go on dates, fight, makeup; rinse and repeat.
The way these people talk is so unrealistic. At times stilted, at times oversharing, always unnatural. I would not have finished this book if not for the audio.
This is a very unpolished debut. The bones are there: two characters reconnecting find out there an opposites sides of a reconstruction project. But there is nothing else there? They go on dates, fight, makeup; rinse and repeat.
mrspegz's review against another edition
3.0
I will start with what I loved! I loved the premise of the book, the well written blurb and the adorable cover! I enjoyed that this is a story of two women exploring issues of gentrification and community.
I didn't feel drawn into the characters and didn't feel like this was a proper representation of conversations. I found this fell flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I didn't feel drawn into the characters and didn't feel like this was a proper representation of conversations. I found this fell flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
etinni's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25