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clairelisebella's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
ladythana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Slavery
callidoralblack's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Outing, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Abandonment
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
1.5/5 spice
OMG, whyyyyyy can't this be real 😭
Tropes:
Hate to friends to lovers
Prince/First Son
Forbidden romance
Secret relationship
Grumpy/sunshine
Political scandal
Close proximity
Bi-awakening
Sweet love emails
LGBTQIA rep
Single POV
I went in with no expectations simply because it's been hyped up so much and that now is also a movie, I didn't want to be disappointed. But OMG, was this the sweetest! Funny, swoon worthy, and overall a full-on fairytale. "Fairytale," meaning it's so unrealistic in these cursed times it hurts its not real 💔
I loved the whole "I hate you" vibes it started out with that quickly turned to, "you're my new bestie", and finally to "You're the one...I love you so much." 🥲🫶🏽 I did not expect so many sweet moments, especially the love emails they would send to each other with historical references. Uuuugh my heart.
I also loved that both MCs had a circle of friends and family that were supportive and loving. I know the reality is so different for a lot of LGBTQIA people, and it was heartwarming to read something positive... even though it's fiction.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of forbidden romance in a romcom setting.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Minor incidents of bigotry with a few mentions of forced heternormative familial obligations. Fade to black spice but lots of kissing and alluding to sexual acts. Invasion of privacy and public outing without permission.
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
cassielaj's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexual harassment
akvolcano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mental illness
xkwright's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
Minor: Slavery, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
rubadubindabathtub's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Religious bigotry, and Stalking