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odunayo_y's review against another edition
3.75
The prose was better than expected compared to the average contemporary romance. Not sure how to feel about the age gap. Like they’re both grown adults but damn why is it so hard/impossible to find a twink top/bigger bottom pairing that isn’t some age gap shenanigans.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Child abuse and Homophobia
amarreth's review
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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
madscientistcat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
wildatheart1339's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Cursing
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent
friends2lovers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was sweet and felt pretty low angst compared to Fool Hearts. I like Sanders' writing for the most part. Her characters aren't flat or underdeveloped and their actions and motivations make sense. But, they seem too perfect, like Sanders is trying hard to be inoffensive. I prefer more flawed and messy characters and I think they make for more interesting plot conflict and emotional tension. For example, Hawthorne doesn't bat an eye about Mateo being a porn star. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's a bit refreshing that Hawthorne doesn't become super jealous or possessive. But he's weirdly blasé and incurious about what Mateo's day-to-day job is like or how Mateo feels about his work. Sanders sanitizes the porn industry and sex work in a way that made the story kind of bland. Also, she is often too on the nose (there is an actual conversation where Hawthorne tells Mateo he has a "virgin heart"), and the ending drags on way too long. There are exceptions, but most of the time I don't need to see proposals, weddings, or kids in an HEA. If those things are included I think they should stay in an epilogue. Anyway, I still plan to read more of Sanders' books, and am especially curious to see how she handles the porn industry in the spin-off series Elite 8 Studios. I will just have to wait until I'm in the mood for Sanders' particular style.
Endnotes: M/M, contemporary romance, sex worker (porn actor) MC, cowboy MC, opposites attract, age gap (12 years, 24 & 36), virgin/inexperienced MC, small town, long-distance relationship, lite Dom/sub elements, 1st-person dual POV (present tense), novel (93k words), Kindle Unlimited
Endnotes: M/M, contemporary romance, sex worker (porn actor) MC, cowboy MC, opposites attract, age gap (12 years, 24 & 36), virgin/inexperienced MC, small town, long-distance relationship, lite Dom/sub elements, 1st-person dual POV (present tense), novel (93k words), Kindle Unlimited
Heat Index: 4/5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse
readingtotravel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
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