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A review by nomonbooks
Duo Act by Lainee Ash
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
DNF at 24%
Reasons for DNF: Misgendering and disregarding of NB identity by FMC, a key POV character for a substantial portion of the book. Poor set up of motivations and main plot points. Flat characters. Showing but not telling backstory.
This is an enemies to lovers book with a limited basis for the enemies to lovers.
Sofia hates Phoenix because she thinks Phoenix hates her. She's also very judgemental about their name for no real reason at the outset.
Phoenix hates Sofia because their friend Jason said Sofia 'would be the sort of person to misgender Phoenix' because she's a lesbian who has only slept with women.
These are silly reasons to hate people bearing in mind that at this set up point there is zero evidence for any of these views.
However, it turns out Sofia is just as bad as Phoenix thought. Very early in Sofia makes some comments that are in my view beyond the line and uncomfortable at best. But I kept reading because I guess I was hoping for a really quick epiphany as the issues were in Sofia's mind but not her behaviour.
And, I think broadly speaking I support learning and growth and becoming less bigoted.
But, not in a romance book where there's no improvement by 24%.
Not in a romance book where I'm reading the NBMC being actively harmed by the FMCs views and the FMC "not knowing" they are wrong or offensive and thinking it's a 'joke'.
I wasn't sure whether I was being overly sensitive to these issues until the really offensive incident during a sex scene. I then skimmed on to see the FMC positioned it as a "joke" and was just annoyed by the NBMC being angry with her. At this point I was done because I don't see how the FMC can come back from this point with this person. Phoenix does not deserve to be treated like this. Sofia doesn't need any chances. She needs to grow up and examine her own prejudice.
It was so uncomfortable to read. I will not ever root for this couple. Phoenix deserves better.
Reasons for DNF: Misgendering and disregarding of NB identity by FMC, a key POV character for a substantial portion of the book. Poor set up of motivations and main plot points. Flat characters. Showing but not telling backstory.
This is an enemies to lovers book with a limited basis for the enemies to lovers.
Sofia hates Phoenix because she thinks Phoenix hates her. She's also very judgemental about their name for no real reason at the outset.
Phoenix hates Sofia because their friend Jason said Sofia 'would be the sort of person to misgender Phoenix' because she's a lesbian who has only slept with women.
These are silly reasons to hate people bearing in mind that at this set up point there is zero evidence for any of these views.
However, it turns out Sofia is just as bad as Phoenix thought. Very early in Sofia makes some comments that are in my view beyond the line and uncomfortable at best. But I kept reading because I guess I was hoping for a really quick epiphany as the issues were in Sofia's mind but not her behaviour.
And, I think broadly speaking I support learning and growth and becoming less bigoted.
But, not in a romance book where there's no improvement by 24%.
Not in a romance book where I'm reading the NBMC being actively harmed by the FMCs views and the FMC "not knowing" they are wrong or offensive and thinking it's a 'joke'.
I wasn't sure whether I was being overly sensitive to these issues until the really offensive incident during a sex scene. I then skimmed on to see the FMC positioned it as a "joke" and was just annoyed by the NBMC being angry with her. At this point I was done because I don't see how the FMC can come back from this point with this person. Phoenix does not deserve to be treated like this. Sofia doesn't need any chances. She needs to grow up and examine her own prejudice.
It was so uncomfortable to read. I will not ever root for this couple. Phoenix deserves better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia