amberinpieces's review against another edition
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexism
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
This was fun and light-hearted, but I wanted a little more from the plot and the romance didn't really captivate me in the way that compelling romances usually do. I did enjoy the elements of workplace romance, but I just wish there had been more focus on how they managed their developing relationship in the office, instead of outside of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
2.0
This is a light, easy contemporary romance. It wasn't amazing, and I've docked another star because the two main characters read as incredibly immature, especially when they're around each other—they're supposed to be in their early 30s, but they behave like teenagers, inexplicably! I only kept listening because I love Natalie Naudus.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, and Sexism
cylite's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The book does an amazing job of highlighting two different Asian cultures that I've never seen represented in such detail. It also does a great job of having strong female characters that challenge female expectations in the workplace and shine light on corporate microaggressions. I loved and related to the contrasting familial dynamics as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
natalietan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
miayukino's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Cancer
Minor: Fatphobia
alyssajp's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- tropes: friends to lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity
- nosy families
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
klaragafvert's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
onthesamepage's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Steam level: 🌶🌶
This was a pretty cute romance. It reads a bit different because at the beginning of the book, Matt and Cadence already know each other, so we're dumped in the middle of an existing work relationship complete with some banter and teasing, which I liked. The way their relationship developed and the hesitancy on both sides made a lot of sense, and I never felt like things were happening too fast. There's nothing I particularly disliked about the story or the characters, but nothing that made me sit up and pay extra attention either. I am very happy to see a book with two Asian American characters from different backgrounds though, and everything that comes with that, like meddling families.
The book does touch on some heavier themes, like grief and sexism in the workplace, and while I do think the loss of a parent was explored here, the sexism is mentioned but never really dealt with in a way that I liked. Maybe that's intentional to make it feel more realistic, but I personally read romance primarily for escapism and would've liked to see a different outcome.
Steam level: 🌶🌶
This was a pretty cute romance. It reads a bit different because at the beginning of the book, Matt and Cadence already know each other, so we're dumped in the middle of an existing work relationship complete with some banter and teasing, which I liked. The way their relationship developed and the hesitancy on both sides made a lot of sense, and I never felt like things were happening too fast. There's nothing I particularly disliked about the story or the characters, but nothing that made me sit up and pay extra attention either. I am very happy to see a book with two Asian American characters from different backgrounds though, and everything that comes with that, like meddling families.
The book does touch on some heavier themes, like grief and sexism in the workplace, and while I do think the loss of a parent was explored here, the sexism is mentioned but never really dealt with in a way that I liked. Maybe that's intentional to make it feel more realistic, but I personally read romance primarily for escapism and would've liked to see a different outcome.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Sexism
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Circling Back to You was an enjoyable and lighthearted office rom-com, but I still wish both the 'rom' and 'com' elements were dialed up a notch.
I liked the main pair enough, and found Matt to be a charming male lead (and a Filo one at that). The workplace environment and politics were also believable; the diversity was delightfully refreshing; the family dynamics were realistic, relatable, and had surprising depth. I also appreciated how Tieu subtly tackled microaggressions and sexism.
My main issue, however, is probably the pacing. The book dragged at times and was a little slow especially up until the halfway mark; some parts could definitely be cut or tightened up more. I also would've liked some mention of Matt's life outside his work and family--currently it's like he didn't talk to anyone else but them. Where was his support system? Did he have any friends? Nothing related to this was mentioned. And while the book was certainly funny at times, it could have been more, including the 'romance' part towards the end. Currently there were also many typos and grammatical errors that I think would be sorted out through more proofreading and copyediting prior to the actual publication.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a fast, lighthearted read, though certain aspects could be dialed up a notch.
Circling Back to You was an enjoyable and lighthearted office rom-com, but I still wish both the 'rom' and 'com' elements were dialed up a notch.
I liked the main pair enough, and found Matt to be a charming male lead (and a Filo one at that). The workplace environment and politics were also believable; the diversity was delightfully refreshing; the family dynamics were realistic, relatable, and had surprising depth. I also appreciated how Tieu subtly tackled microaggressions and sexism.
My main issue, however, is probably the pacing. The book dragged at times and was a little slow especially up until the halfway mark; some parts could definitely be cut or tightened up more. I also would've liked some mention of Matt's life outside his work and family--currently it's like he didn't talk to anyone else but them. Where was his support system? Did he have any friends? Nothing related to this was mentioned. And while the book was certainly funny at times, it could have been more, including the 'romance' part towards the end. Currently there were also many typos and grammatical errors that I think would be sorted out through more proofreading and copyediting prior to the actual publication.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it was a fast, lighthearted read, though certain aspects could be dialed up a notch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
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