hhushaw's review against another edition
5.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This book was amazing; Bartlett has a knack for being able to create characters that just jump off the page and immerse themselves into your heart. I don't think I have read a single book of hers that didn't leave me a little bit teary eyed as I felt for every part of her characters. Cash is amazing in her way, but she says it best with this line, "My moral compass wasn't shaky. It just pointed in a different direction than everyone else's." Drug dealing, love, lust, betrayal, intrigue, and the constant thought of what is right and wrong will follow you in this book. True Ashley Bartlett is my favorite lesbian author, and it feels like I have been waiting for decades for a new book to come out, but I am about to fall apart with the fact that I am going to have to wait this long for the next cash book to come out! You will fall madly in love with this book and if you haven't read Bartlett before, read some of her others, her Dirty series and sex and skateboards are my favorite books of all time!
elvang's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. Caught by surprise even by how much I enjoyed this read. To quote a line from Laurel, “You, Cash Braddock, are nothing like I expected.”
Cash Braddock is a soft drugs dealer. She sells prescription drugs like Xanax and Vicodin to her regular customers and keeps the college kids happy with amphetamines. I am normally against drug use and those who push drugs but Ashley Bartlett gives us a character so endearing she is impossible not to love. Cash is clever and street savvy. She does what she does to support herself and others she cares about. When she and her partner Nate are not working dorm parties she hangs out with her cat Nickels, and trades wisecracks with her neighbours teenage daughter. Andy is fifteen and a baby dyke in training. The scene when Cash takes Andy for her first barber shop haircut (with her mother's blessing) was a sweet example of the friendship these two non conformers share.
Andy also has more success with the ladies than Cash. Her chosen profession tends to scare the good ones away. One night at a frat party she and Nate are working she meets Laurel Collins. They hit it off and Laurel is both charmed by and tolerant of Cash and her lifestyle. Cash cannot believe her good fortune. Laurel does seem to keep things to herself and is slow to reveal a lot of personal information but Cash knows how to be patient.
This story builds and builds until you find yourself unable to stop reading. It is rare that a book told in first person doesn't grate and annoy me but Cash Braddock is the exception. The reader only knows Laurel through Cash. When Laurel is off page she is a mystery. Tension builds because their connection and conversations are almost too perfect. You can't help but wonder how this perfect match for Cash, this “gorgeous dyke” can progress from beers in a bar to helping Cash battle a rival drug dealer. You know something is about to happen. Bartlett excels at keeping the reader guessing while watching Cash act and react to threats on her operation. The author could give lessons on how to write raw emotions. I was so caught up in the lives of these women and their friends and the strong dramatic ending that I look forward to another chance to connect with these characters. There are scores to be settled and explanations to be offered. I can't wait to read what happens next.
5 happy stars
eARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
Cash Braddock is a soft drugs dealer. She sells prescription drugs like Xanax and Vicodin to her regular customers and keeps the college kids happy with amphetamines. I am normally against drug use and those who push drugs but Ashley Bartlett gives us a character so endearing she is impossible not to love. Cash is clever and street savvy. She does what she does to support herself and others she cares about. When she and her partner Nate are not working dorm parties she hangs out with her cat Nickels, and trades wisecracks with her neighbours teenage daughter. Andy is fifteen and a baby dyke in training. The scene when Cash takes Andy for her first barber shop haircut (with her mother's blessing) was a sweet example of the friendship these two non conformers share.
Andy also has more success with the ladies than Cash. Her chosen profession tends to scare the good ones away. One night at a frat party she and Nate are working she meets Laurel Collins. They hit it off and Laurel is both charmed by and tolerant of Cash and her lifestyle. Cash cannot believe her good fortune. Laurel does seem to keep things to herself and is slow to reveal a lot of personal information but Cash knows how to be patient.
This story builds and builds until you find yourself unable to stop reading. It is rare that a book told in first person doesn't grate and annoy me but Cash Braddock is the exception. The reader only knows Laurel through Cash. When Laurel is off page she is a mystery. Tension builds because their connection and conversations are almost too perfect. You can't help but wonder how this perfect match for Cash, this “gorgeous dyke” can progress from beers in a bar to helping Cash battle a rival drug dealer. You know something is about to happen. Bartlett excels at keeping the reader guessing while watching Cash act and react to threats on her operation. The author could give lessons on how to write raw emotions. I was so caught up in the lives of these women and their friends and the strong dramatic ending that I look forward to another chance to connect with these characters. There are scores to be settled and explanations to be offered. I can't wait to read what happens next.
5 happy stars
eARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
minareadss's review against another edition
DNF @ 50%
This novel is about a butch lesbian named Cash who’s also a drug dealer. We start off getting to know her, how she conducts business as a low level dealer and we get to know the baby gay she’s neighbors with Andy. The best part of this story was definitely Cash and Andy’s mentor mentee relationship as well as Cash’s friendship with Robin, Andy’s mother. Lots of great scenes with them, funny and heartwarming.
However, the writing in this novel just doesn’t work for me. I feel so distant from most of the characters and that’s frustrating. In addition to that I hate the romance in this, now the romance isn’t the focus of the story more of a side plot but I just don’t like Laurel. I don’t get why Cash likes her and all their interactions are so boring and dry. Literally all the do is say condescending shit to each other and speak through drily witty banter. It’s just not a compelling romance at all in my opinion.
Finally the plot is just........I just don’t care because I don’t care about the characters and this authors writing style evokes no emotion or even a sense of urgency. How do you make a book about a drug dealing lesbian boring? But maybe it’s just me, if the concept interests you try it out.
I really just don’t wanna waste time on this since I’m not enjoying it.
This novel is about a butch lesbian named Cash who’s also a drug dealer. We start off getting to know her, how she conducts business as a low level dealer and we get to know the baby gay she’s neighbors with Andy. The best part of this story was definitely Cash and Andy’s mentor mentee relationship as well as Cash’s friendship with Robin, Andy’s mother. Lots of great scenes with them, funny and heartwarming.
However, the writing in this novel just doesn’t work for me. I feel so distant from most of the characters and that’s frustrating. In addition to that I hate the romance in this, now the romance isn’t the focus of the story more of a side plot but I just don’t like Laurel. I don’t get why Cash likes her and all their interactions are so boring and dry. Literally all the do is say condescending shit to each other and speak through drily witty banter. It’s just not a compelling romance at all in my opinion.
Finally the plot is just........I just don’t care because I don’t care about the characters and this authors writing style evokes no emotion or even a sense of urgency. How do you make a book about a drug dealing lesbian boring? But maybe it’s just me, if the concept interests you try it out.
I really just don’t wanna waste time on this since I’m not enjoying it.
ksil's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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