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mjwhitlock18's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5
This sapphic, age-gap, slow burn, forbidden Hollywood romance hooked me from the beginning. When I say this book is slow-burn, it’s slooooooow, and I might’ve appreciated getting to see more of them as an actual couple. I am usually really irked by a miscommunication trope, and while it still bothered me at points here, overall I found it understandable in the situation. I liked the main characters, including their banter and building friendship, and there’s also a good cast of dynamic supporting women side characters. It handles the topic of sexual harassment in Hollywood in a blunt respectful way. Overall, this book is sweet, delightful, and definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism
colorful_lulu's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
india_pullinger's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Biphobia and Racism
whimsykat'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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Outing
hannibanani29's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Racism, Vomit, and Lesbophobia
vaniavela's review
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Jo, famous star. Emma, her personal assistant. When the media proclaims them a couple after a photo of Jo making Emma laugh is circulated, a scandal is created. Now Emma's promotion and the release of Jo's new movie are in jeopardy.
This book is set in Hollywood, which created many elements in the plot. Among some of those, we can find issues that are often ignored or erased by the media or the celebrities themselves. Issues such as sexual harassment in Hollywood are addressed and I loved the way this event was dealt with and resolved in the plot.
I loved that rather than a boss-employee relationship, Jo and Emma have built over time a relationship of trust and friendship, where there is affection and concern for each other. This allowed the romantic relationship to work even better.
I liked seeing two main characters who are not white women (Jewish-American and Chinese-American). This novel does a good job of making their identities part of the plot, and while they aren't the most talked about aspect, they still bring great elements to the table. As for how realistic or good the portrayal is, I can't speak, but I was pleased to be able to read something more diverse.
Personally, I don't like the big age differences at all. I've never been a fan of these types of romances. However, the author does a good job of explaining how lesbians sometimes feel predatory towards women. She had a good way of addressing this age and power difference.
All in all, I was very pleased with this book. Although, there were a lot of problems that could have been solved with communication but I'll let it go because I liked the romance.
rep: bi Jewish mc, Chinese American lesbian mc, Chinese American side characters, Jewish side characters
tw: sexual harassment, homophobia & racism (mentioned)
This book is set in Hollywood, which created many elements in the plot. Among some of those, we can find issues that are often ignored or erased by the media or the celebrities themselves. Issues such as sexual harassment in Hollywood are addressed and I loved the way this event was dealt with and resolved in the plot.
I loved that rather than a boss-employee relationship, Jo and Emma have built over time a relationship of trust and friendship, where there is affection and concern for each other. This allowed the romantic relationship to work even better.
I liked seeing two main characters who are not white women (Jewish-American and Chinese-American). This novel does a good job of making their identities part of the plot, and while they aren't the most talked about aspect, they still bring great elements to the table. As for how realistic or good the portrayal is, I can't speak, but I was pleased to be able to read something more diverse.
Personally, I don't like the big age differences at all. I've never been a fan of these types of romances. However, the author does a good job of explaining how lesbians sometimes feel predatory towards women. She had a good way of addressing this age and power difference.
All in all, I was very pleased with this book. Although, there were a lot of problems that could have been solved with communication but I'll let it go because I liked the romance.
rep: bi Jewish mc, Chinese American lesbian mc, Chinese American side characters, Jewish side characters
tw: sexual harassment, homophobia & racism (mentioned)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
internationalreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
maddietsteele's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
honestly I loved this book. It was super easy to read and jo & Emma had me stupid grinning by the end of the book. While this couple had their share of issues, I still got invested in their lives for the duration of the read. Good if you like slow burn books, otherwise you might find not as much happens between the pair as you would like.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
ladythana's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism and Sexism
cjblates's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment