felishacb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Homophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Outing
greatestheights's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 stars for Asa, Lauren, and everything about their rivals to lovers arc. Love a bi main character, and especially love a bi male main character. Also, as a former CASA (known as guardians ad litem in Florida), I loved how realistic and well-done Lauren's volunteer work storyline was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Outing, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, and Sexual harassment
Important to note foster care plays a huge role in this book. CW for foster care and the family court system.thelibbyshow's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Took me less than 24 hours to read this whole book because I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want to. Loved it. 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Drug abuse
Minor: Cursing, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment
sydmac's review
4.5
I cannot stop thinking about this book. Asa is actually my exact type from when I was in high school. Slightly emo, blue hair, not afraid of his emotions and sarcastic quick wit but still has biceps. And Lauren is the eldest daughter stereotype uptight, controlling and uses rules to keep herself safe.
The author deals with religious trauma and coming out to a family who won’t accept you with such realism and care. She also takes the same care with addiction and the foster care system. I don’t always like dual pov because I think single can create more tension in contemporary romance. But without dual pov I don’t think this book would shine the same, each character has their own distinct voice that feels so real and their choices feel completely within the realm that the author has created.
I think this could be a top romance of the year without a doubt.
The author deals with religious trauma and coming out to a family who won’t accept you with such realism and care. She also takes the same care with addiction and the foster care system. I don’t always like dual pov because I think single can create more tension in contemporary romance. But without dual pov I don’t think this book would shine the same, each character has their own distinct voice that feels so real and their choices feel completely within the realm that the author has created.
I think this could be a top romance of the year without a doubt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
Absolutely lovely! The romance was adorable and well-written, complete with solid communication, fantastic character development, and even (mostly) lovable side characters. I flew through this one, and I can honestly say I'll keep reading Alicia Thompson's romances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual harassment, and Religious bigotry
maaikemia's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Religious bigotry, and Outing
junipermooniper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, Biphobia, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual harassment
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This romance is set in Orlando, Florida at a worn down amusement park called "Cold World". I never read premises before reading books because I love to be surprised. Right off the gate, the dedication "to found family" and the content warnings had me immediately SAT. *cue tiktok audio of euphora: is this fucking play about us?*
I liked this so much more than Love In The Time of Serial Killers (and I enjoyed that one a lot)! It just *hits different* and I adored my cinnamon roll love interest, Asa. Lauren is easy to root for, because we love a hardened main character who needs to unwind (hi, hello, are the burnt out millennials in the room?) & their dynamic was perfect! I would love to see this get adapted on screen as a lil 25 Days of Christmas romcom on Freeform haha.
*coming back to post my favorite quotations and a few more thoughts, but right now I'm just gushing over this sweet lil romance*
tropes:
grumpy x sunshine
forced proximity
workplace rivals to lovers
cinnamon roll love interest
found family
save-the-small-business
closed-off-main-character-believes-in-love-again
holiday/Christmas romance
cw: biphobia, bomophobia, religious bigotry, child abuse, domestic abuse, estranged relationship with parents
This romance is set in Orlando, Florida at a worn down amusement park called "Cold World". I never read premises before reading books because I love to be surprised. Right off the gate, the dedication "to found family" and the content warnings had me immediately SAT. *cue tiktok audio of euphora: is this fucking play about us?*
I liked this so much more than Love In The Time of Serial Killers (and I enjoyed that one a lot)! It just *hits different* and I adored my cinnamon roll love interest, Asa. Lauren is easy to root for, because we love a hardened main character who needs to unwind (hi, hello, are the burnt out millennials in the room?) & their dynamic was perfect! I would love to see this get adapted on screen as a lil 25 Days of Christmas romcom on Freeform haha.
*coming back to post my favorite quotations and a few more thoughts, but right now I'm just gushing over this sweet lil romance*
tropes:
grumpy x sunshine
forced proximity
workplace rivals to lovers
cinnamon roll love interest
found family
save-the-small-business
closed-off-main-character-believes-in-love-again
holiday/Christmas romance
cw: biphobia, bomophobia, religious bigotry, child abuse, domestic abuse, estranged relationship with parents
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
So fun and sweet! Asa and Lauren are such lovable, complex characters, and their story is funny and entertaining. I liked the set-up of Cold World and the plans to revamp it — it gave this book almost a Hallmark-esque feel, just with a lot more depth and good writing. We get a good look at the characters’ backstories and how they can grow together as a couple. This book also has some fun side characters and a great found-family element. Would highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Biphobia
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Depictions of the foster care system are handled well but could be triggering for some
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