The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
a_pisco's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
This book was the comfort hug I didn't knew I needed!
It is a cozy, slow burn, fake dating, dual POV, Latinx romance, with all the feels, connection, and care that Leonor always delivers.
Lina and Gabe are both extremely committed to their work, and put their career at the forefront for the years to come, not worrying about love for now. And that goal is what leads them to start a fake relationship, since a partnership can help boost them both in each of their companies.
But the tension was there all along, and with each 'fake' interaction, the attraction keeps growing and feelings start to develop.
Lina and Gabe are both workaholics, and when feelings start to show, they both fight it, because they believe that romance will slow their careers and stop them from reaching what they aim for professionally.
As we are already beginning to expect with Leonor's work, the communication between this two characters is #goals - they are open and honest, do regular check-ins, and discuss their emotions in a truly wonderful way.
And since I am talking about the attention to detail and the genius of Leonor's writing, I have to commend the intentional use of language about gender, the natural depiction of queerness, and the fat representation - she always nails it beautifully, and this and other topics are always depicted with care and thoughtfulness.
Machismo and misoginy play a big part in this book, being something that Lina has been fighting against her entire life, and her uncle is the ultimate depiction of the obnoxious Latino middle-aged man, who sees no-worth in a woman besides marrying and having kids, and this had me in the edge of my seat, ready to punch him at all times he showed up and opened his mouth. But unfortunately this is still a reality for a lot of families, and I think it is really well written. And the way that Gabe shows Lina that things can be different is a great way to show how it should all be in the future. Oh, and the letter and reconciliation between Lina and her father in the end make up for all the frustration along the way.
And the food, OMG, the food! Mexican and Chilean food and culture are a constant throughout the book, and they bring everything together. You will find yourself craving alfajores and wondering where you can find some in your corner of the world!
The friend-group and family dynamics in Gabe's side are amazing, and I can't wait for the next stories about this chosen family and their shenanigans.
I received an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, and the opinions are all mine.
It is a cozy, slow burn, fake dating, dual POV, Latinx romance, with all the feels, connection, and care that Leonor always delivers.
Lina and Gabe are both extremely committed to their work, and put their career at the forefront for the years to come, not worrying about love for now. And that goal is what leads them to start a fake relationship, since a partnership can help boost them both in each of their companies.
But the tension was there all along, and with each 'fake' interaction, the attraction keeps growing and feelings start to develop.
Lina and Gabe are both workaholics, and when feelings start to show, they both fight it, because they believe that romance will slow their careers and stop them from reaching what they aim for professionally.
As we are already beginning to expect with Leonor's work, the communication between this two characters is #goals - they are open and honest, do regular check-ins, and discuss their emotions in a truly wonderful way.
And since I am talking about the attention to detail and the genius of Leonor's writing, I have to commend the intentional use of language about gender, the natural depiction of queerness, and the fat representation - she always nails it beautifully, and this and other topics are always depicted with care and thoughtfulness.
Machismo and misoginy play a big part in this book, being something that Lina has been fighting against her entire life, and her uncle is the ultimate depiction of the obnoxious Latino middle-aged man, who sees no-worth in a woman besides marrying and having kids, and this had me in the edge of my seat, ready to punch him at all times he showed up and opened his mouth. But unfortunately this is still a reality for a lot of families, and I think it is really well written. And the way that Gabe shows Lina that things can be different is a great way to show how it should all be in the future. Oh, and the letter and reconciliation between Lina and her father in the end make up for all the frustration along the way.
And the food, OMG, the food! Mexican and Chilean food and culture are a constant throughout the book, and they bring everything together. You will find yourself craving alfajores and wondering where you can find some in your corner of the world!
The friend-group and family dynamics in Gabe's side are amazing, and I can't wait for the next stories about this chosen family and their shenanigans.
I received an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, and the opinions are all mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia
rickireadss's review
4.5
omfg this put my heart THROUGH IT!! i simply wanted to fight catalina's family throughut the entire book BUT THE ENDING WITH HER DAD?!?!? that had me crying ngl because i know too many men who would have just continued to stay silent, but the way he communicated with her the only way he knew how :,) i was absolutely eating up the fake dating in this & all the "it's just for show" moments. GABRIEL IS SUCH A MAN!!! he is literally a golden retreiver in the streets and a daddy in the sheets i would let him tie me up ANY day of the week ;) AND LINA?!!? i LOVE that woman. she's bi. she's hot af. I WANT HER. that's it, that's the review.
⚠️: misogyny, sexism, gaslighting, ableism, biphobia
⚠️: misogyny, sexism, gaslighting, ableism, biphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Minor: Ableism and Biphobia
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a warm, genuine romance and I adored it!
Very rarely do we get a fat lead whose body is celebrated and fatphobia isn't a part of the plot. It was so gorgeous to see a bisexual fat woman validated for all she is.
Leonor balanced cosy romance and all important conversations about mashismo perfectly, making this a wonderfully sweet and valuable read.
I have read a few fake dating books this year, and this was a really unique heartful spin on the trope.
Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend. This is my first read by the author but definitely won't be my last.
This book was such a warm, genuine romance and I adored it!
Very rarely do we get a fat lead whose body is celebrated and fatphobia isn't a part of the plot. It was so gorgeous to see a bisexual fat woman validated for all she is.
Leonor balanced cosy romance and all important conversations about mashismo perfectly, making this a wonderfully sweet and valuable read.
I have read a few fake dating books this year, and this was a really unique heartful spin on the trope.
Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend. This is my first read by the author but definitely won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
Minor: Biphobia and Alcohol
yeriwithaj_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I love a book with a plus-size woman who doesn't hate herself because she's fat.
Lina and Gabe were so damn sweet and perfect for each other.
The book is cozy, loving, sweet, heartwarming, and just what I needed. The spice was mid but it fit the story and the mood. There's nothing about this book I can complain about.
You have two people that both know what they want in life but, they have a one-track mind and the pressure of what it means to be the children of immigrant parents who moved from their homeland to better their lives and worked hard for it. You also have heavy latine misogyny and sexism (by Lina's uncle towards her), something that is known to be in the latine community but we do not talk about it, we live with it.
I also really enjoyed how Gabe loved Lina and her existence as a bisexual queer human wasn't negated because she now was in a "fake" relationship with a cishet man.
The author really did her characters justice with her writing of them. There is so much to appreciate, value, and love in this story. I read it in one sitting.
I loved this book.
Lina and Gabe were so damn sweet and perfect for each other.
The book is cozy, loving, sweet, heartwarming, and just what I needed. The spice was mid but it fit the story and the mood. There's nothing about this book I can complain about.
You have two people that both know what they want in life but, they have a one-track mind and the pressure of what it means to be the children of immigrant parents who moved from their homeland to better their lives and worked hard for it. You also have heavy latine misogyny and sexism (by Lina's uncle towards her), something that is known to be in the latine community but we do not talk about it, we live with it.
I also really enjoyed how Gabe loved Lina and her existence as a bisexual queer human wasn't negated because she now was in a "fake" relationship with a cishet man.
The author really did her characters justice with her writing of them. There is so much to appreciate, value, and love in this story. I read it in one sitting.
I loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
lifeofmavsgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
5/5 stars
2/5 spice
Leonor Soliz did it again! The slow burn was killing me... but it was worth it.
Tropes:
Fake dating
Work romance
Billionaire MMC
Plus size heroine
Close proximity
Latinx rep
Queer rep
One bed
Slow burn
Dual POV
I loved both the MCs and what they brought to the relationship. I couldn't get over how considerate and supportive Gabriel was in regards to Lina's goals for her career and the way she handled the pressures. Honestly, I can't find anything to complain about... it was just so heartwarming and beautiful to see such a healthy, non-toxic relationship. The machismo was abundant in Lina's family, and it was really hard to see her go through that... I wanted to scream so badly! And even though it's nice to have that supportive partner, Gabe didn't try to save her. He knew she was strong enough to handle her business but was also willing to be her safe space whenever she needed it. Uuuugh, these two had me all wrapped up in a gooey mess of emotions. I loved it!
And really, the slow burn was killing me. But it was well worth the wait. When they finally gave in to their growing feelings, I was so happy.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Sexism, misogyny, sexual content and explicit language
2/5 spice
Leonor Soliz did it again! The slow burn was killing me... but it was worth it.
Tropes:
Fake dating
Work romance
Billionaire MMC
Plus size heroine
Close proximity
Latinx rep
Queer rep
One bed
Slow burn
Dual POV
I loved both the MCs and what they brought to the relationship. I couldn't get over how considerate and supportive Gabriel was in regards to Lina's goals for her career and the way she handled the pressures. Honestly, I can't find anything to complain about... it was just so heartwarming and beautiful to see such a healthy, non-toxic relationship. The machismo was abundant in Lina's family, and it was really hard to see her go through that... I wanted to scream so badly! And even though it's nice to have that supportive partner, Gabe didn't try to save her. He knew she was strong enough to handle her business but was also willing to be her safe space whenever she needed it. Uuuugh, these two had me all wrapped up in a gooey mess of emotions. I loved it!
And really, the slow burn was killing me. But it was well worth the wait. When they finally gave in to their growing feelings, I was so happy.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Sexism, misogyny, sexual content and explicit language
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
cover2covertx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
RTC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Gaslighting and Ableism
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