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A review by lassarina
Simply Sexual by Kate Pearce
2.0
I am of very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the sexy content is excellent and plentiful, and rather edgier than one often finds in mass market romances. I enjoyed that (including the threesome), and I also enjoyed that Sara specifically has her own desires and curiosity and that Valentin encourages her to explore what appeals to her and broaden her horizons.
On the other hand, I didn't feel like the mystery plot meaningfully connected with the romance plot in any way. I also didn't think Sara was much of an individual when it wasn't sexytimes--she was more of a useful prop for resolving Valentin's angst and Backstory Trauma. She didn't appear to go through any personal growth or transformation, and she existed largely as a target for Valentin's desires. That's frustrating to me because I think there was an excellent story to be told around the intersection of her feelings for him, her abilities (that come up only when plot relevant and are discarded otherwise, which contributes to her coming across as a cardboard cutout), and her growing relationships with the people around her.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I wonder if Sara is meant to be a blank slate so the (presumed female) reader can project herself into the story, but maybe that's me overthinking it.
On the other hand, I didn't feel like the mystery plot meaningfully connected with the romance plot in any way. I also didn't think Sara was much of an individual when it wasn't sexytimes--she was more of a useful prop for resolving Valentin's angst and Backstory Trauma. She didn't appear to go through any personal growth or transformation, and she existed largely as a target for Valentin's desires. That's frustrating to me because I think there was an excellent story to be told around the intersection of her feelings for him, her abilities (that come up only when plot relevant and are discarded otherwise, which contributes to her coming across as a cardboard cutout), and her growing relationships with the people around her.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I wonder if Sara is meant to be a blank slate so the (presumed female) reader can project herself into the story, but maybe that's me overthinking it.