Scan barcode
jackiehorne's review
4.0
See full review at http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2017/09/playing-with-crush-on-your-older.html
ARC supplied by author
ARC supplied by author
lezreadalot's review
3.0
This was a cute, tropey read! It's a brother's best friend romance about two women volunteering at a camp. Van is a nerdy professor who loves video games and sci-fi movies; Willa is an avid tennis player, a bit of a jock, and pursuing her degree in geology. She's also Van's best friend's little sister, and she's had a crush on Van since she was young. That was adorable, and I really liked it, and how the tables are flipped now that Willa is now taller and buffer and more confident. They had good chemistry, and I liked the subplot about working in academia. Van is currently burnt out on it and hating her job, while Willa is hoping to enthusiastically plunge into the world of academia. So there's eventually a bit of tension there, as well as with the fact that Van's worried about hooking up with her best friend's little sister.
So this was a fun read, nothing wrong with it. I just didn't fall in love. The constant references were fun at first, but then just kinda got exhausting. The writing was also a little repetitive; like, how many times did we have to be told that Nate is a cool guy who doesn't mind if his little sister has a sex life? I didn't mind the conflict, but as with a lot of short books, the ending seemed abrupt.
Still, a fun time.
So this was a fun read, nothing wrong with it. I just didn't fall in love. The constant references were fun at first, but then just kinda got exhausting. The writing was also a little repetitive; like, how many times did we have to be told that Nate is a cool guy who doesn't mind if his little sister has a sex life? I didn't mind the conflict, but as with a lot of short books, the ending seemed abrupt.
Still, a fun time.
elenajohansen's review against another edition
3.0
For someone who loves nearly everything she's read of Tamsen Parker, I was disappointed by this one. It's good, but it's not what I would have expected at all.
Even if I'm glad to see more FF romance, which is thin on the ground, Van and Willa never convinced me their relationship was much more than lust. They were definitely both into each other physically, but their major emotional conflict--going into/being a part of academia--was so intense and personal compared to how well they actually knew each other that it felt grafted onto the story, rather than an organic part of it.
Even if I'm glad to see more FF romance, which is thin on the ground, Van and Willa never convinced me their relationship was much more than lust. They were definitely both into each other physically, but their major emotional conflict--going into/being a part of academia--was so intense and personal compared to how well they actually knew each other that it felt grafted onto the story, rather than an organic part of it.
netgyrl's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐ - audible version - It was okay.
The narration was good, but the book just didn't have much going on. I was not a fan of Van so that probably speaks to why I personally didn't jell with this book so much. I probably would not bother to listen to it again. I wish I could give it away to someone who much enjoy it better then me.
The narration was good, but the book just didn't have much going on. I was not a fan of Van so that probably speaks to why I personally didn't jell with this book so much. I probably would not bother to listen to it again. I wish I could give it away to someone who much enjoy it better then me.
kimily's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much. The main characters were fun, the sci-fi/80s references were cool, and the steam was at just the right level. I will be looking for more lesfic by Ms. Parker.
sherpawhale's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish. If Ready Player One was a wlw romance with all of the 80s pop culture references galore. Van was one of the most unlikable, least charismatic protagonists and it was impossible to see what Willa saw in her.
judeinthestars's review
4.0
What a fun read! I loved that one of the main characters was a total nerd, a Star Wars and Ghostbusters fan. If you’re in the mood for a joyful, fast-paced and easy read, this is it.
dealingwithdragons's review
5.0
I don't know where Tamsen Parker got a list of everything my "type" comprises--switchy, butchy sci-fi nerd with a mild hair-petting kink and a passion for good cosplay--but man, did she hit the nail on the head with this one. I love Van, and and I love how much she and Willa love each other. Additional props for positive bi rep from Willa!
I love that there was all the personal history of the typical "my brother's best friend" trope here and none of the older-brother possessiveness. I like Nate enough to look into whether he's in other books in the series.
Discussion of sex scenes under the cut.
I love that there was all the personal history of the typical "my brother's best friend" trope here and none of the older-brother possessiveness. I like Nate enough to look into whether he's in other books in the series.
Discussion of sex scenes under the cut.
Spoiler
I found the emphasis on consent and individualized pleasure to be not only ideal but highly realistic. There's some gentle, switchy D/s here, but it includes discussion of boundaries and preferences that I really appreciated. The characters meshed well but still needed to talk about what each other liked, which is a very real (but still hot!) thing that doesn't often come up in the romances I've read. Additionally, there's a fun f/f version of the ubiquitous (at least among my circles) Han Solo/Princess Leia cosplay fantasy. Love it.briarsreviews's review
4.0
In Her Court by Tamsen Parker is a goofy, geeky read filled with
Tamsen Parker is not one to stick to the same plot over and over in every read, and that's what makes this book so unique compared to the others. This time around, Tamsen has explored an F/F relation (or two females if you didn't understand the acronym). Two girls at a camp fulfill a beautiful romance, in short.
These girls (Van and Willa) have character - one of them is getting a PhD, they are working at a tennis camp, and they aren't your typical character without flaws and full of perfection. They seem realistic in the setting of this story! That's a nice change from some of the F/F books I have read in the past - I like seeing characters who slowly build and get better throughout the story.
There is some R-rated language (a few F bombs) so if you don't like any swears, beware! They aren't dropped for no reason, they fit within the story, but know this book isn't G rated. If you thought it was, you don't know Tamsen's writing very well...
Personal opinion: I felt like Nate and his character could have not been in the story and it would have moved just as well. Yes, he's an introduction for both characters, but he didn't seem wildly important - at least not to me. I would have liked to see a more interesting story line with him (a non romantic subplot, or something). I felt like there was more potential hiding in there. That being said, it wasn't like he was supposed to be the main character of the story.
This wasn't my favourite Tamsen Parker book (and by that I mean her super steamy romances), but it definitely ranks up in my favourite romances. I felt the introduction to the characters wasn't the best (we found out a bit to much to fast, in my opinion) but it was still fitting and made the story work. That's me being a picky Tamsen Parker/romance fan and nothing more. It doesn't hurt the story, I just feel like it wasn't Tamsen's best out of all of her books (I remember a time when she only had three books out...just saying..now she's all busy writing and forming a career ;D).
I found this was definitely a step out of Tamsen's wild BDSM/crazy sexual books and more of a contemporary romance (as it says on Goodreads, which I noticed AFTER I read it - do your research first guys! Then you'll know what you're getting!). As a contemporary romance, it's fantastic! It's not the best romance in all of the world that I've ever read, but it's a worthy read. A very worthy read indeed! There is still some steamy sexy scenes, just not as crazy wild as her other novels. But it's still uber sexy and well written! And there is LOTS of it...Almost to much. At one point, there seems to be sex scenes in every single chapter!
Side Notes: I love geeky references and Star Wars, Wonder Woman, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day Off was present in this novel. Bonus points for Tamsen!
Overall, this book was great - it just wasn't my favourite Tamsen Parker book (but can they all really be my favourite? Let's be honest). This book is still a worthy read and I would suggest it to those looking for some steamy romances, but definitely pick up Tamsen's other books while you're at it. These books show how she can not only write crazy steamy BDSM, but lovely contemporary romances and some not so safe for work styled novels.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you Tamsen Parker for being amazing (as always!) and sending me a copy of this book!!
Tamsen Parker is not one to stick to the same plot over and over in every read, and that's what makes this book so unique compared to the others. This time around, Tamsen has explored an F/F relation (or two females if you didn't understand the acronym). Two girls at a camp fulfill a beautiful romance, in short.
These girls (Van and Willa) have character - one of them is getting a PhD, they are working at a tennis camp, and they aren't your typical character without flaws and full of perfection. They seem realistic in the setting of this story! That's a nice change from some of the F/F books I have read in the past - I like seeing characters who slowly build and get better throughout the story.
There is some R-rated language (a few F bombs) so if you don't like any swears, beware! They aren't dropped for no reason, they fit within the story, but know this book isn't G rated. If you thought it was, you don't know Tamsen's writing very well...
Personal opinion: I felt like Nate and his character could have not been in the story and it would have moved just as well. Yes, he's an introduction for both characters, but he didn't seem wildly important - at least not to me. I would have liked to see a more interesting story line with him (a non romantic subplot, or something). I felt like there was more potential hiding in there. That being said, it wasn't like he was supposed to be the main character of the story.
This wasn't my favourite Tamsen Parker book (and by that I mean her super steamy romances), but it definitely ranks up in my favourite romances. I felt the introduction to the characters wasn't the best (we found out a bit to much to fast, in my opinion) but it was still fitting and made the story work. That's me being a picky Tamsen Parker/romance fan and nothing more. It doesn't hurt the story, I just feel like it wasn't Tamsen's best out of all of her books (I remember a time when she only had three books out...just saying..now she's all busy writing and forming a career ;D).
I found this was definitely a step out of Tamsen's wild BDSM/crazy sexual books and more of a contemporary romance (as it says on Goodreads, which I noticed AFTER I read it - do your research first guys! Then you'll know what you're getting!). As a contemporary romance, it's fantastic! It's not the best romance in all of the world that I've ever read, but it's a worthy read. A very worthy read indeed! There is still some steamy sexy scenes, just not as crazy wild as her other novels. But it's still uber sexy and well written! And there is LOTS of it...Almost to much. At one point, there seems to be sex scenes in every single chapter!
Side Notes: I love geeky references and Star Wars, Wonder Woman, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day Off was present in this novel. Bonus points for Tamsen!
Overall, this book was great - it just wasn't my favourite Tamsen Parker book (but can they all really be my favourite? Let's be honest). This book is still a worthy read and I would suggest it to those looking for some steamy romances, but definitely pick up Tamsen's other books while you're at it. These books show how she can not only write crazy steamy BDSM, but lovely contemporary romances and some not so safe for work styled novels.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you Tamsen Parker for being amazing (as always!) and sending me a copy of this book!!