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A review by kjanie
Sweet Surprise by Jenny Frame
2.0
2/5 stars
I wish I enjoyed this book more, and I really dislike giving critical reviews, but this certainly was not for me. I think this was at least partly a ‘it’s me not you’ situation, but I also think the story could have been improved in general. I say it’s partly me because I’m not a fan of romances where one character is clearly portrayed as a saviour/protector of the other. For me, it reads very much of toxic masculinity, with many of the ‘typical’ masculine characteristics you find books are embedded in Mack. She loves to eat but definitely not salad, she is all about chivalry/ being the one in charge, she uses violence to ‘protect’ Florals and she even says a quote along the lines of ‘she doesn’t know she’s beautiful’. While I’m not suggesting that any of this is problematic, for me it feels quite outdated and just isn’t what I’m looking for in my romance.
I think adding to me dislike of these characteristics is that it was included in a book about a character with mental illnesses, with Flora having OCD, PTSD and anxiety. As a woman with anxiety myself, I am always extra watchful of books that are representing this mental health condition. For me personally, the idea of a saviour character and the many moments in which other people speak for Flora, even without her consent (for example Sandra speaking to Mack about what Flora is feeling early in the book), is not something I like to see. In saying this, in general I think that the feelings of anxiety and struggling with a mental illness are portrayed quite honestly through Flora. I also like that this book didn’t fall into the trap of ‘curing’ mental health issues just because Flora found love, instead the idea of a process and avocation for therapy was a focus.
I would like to finish this review with some positives, because I certainly didn’t think the book was all bad. As I said, I enjoyed the mental health rep and advocation for therapy. I also loved the side characters in this book, they brought a real life and vibrancy to the story, especially little Dexter and Isy (as well as Mack’s other family). I also think Jenny Frame is really great at setting up a romance and making the reader hooked from the beginning.
I wish I enjoyed this book more, and I really dislike giving critical reviews, but this certainly was not for me. I think this was at least partly a ‘it’s me not you’ situation, but I also think the story could have been improved in general. I say it’s partly me because I’m not a fan of romances where one character is clearly portrayed as a saviour/protector of the other. For me, it reads very much of toxic masculinity, with many of the ‘typical’ masculine characteristics you find books are embedded in Mack. She loves to eat but definitely not salad, she is all about chivalry/ being the one in charge, she uses violence to ‘protect’ Florals and she even says a quote along the lines of ‘she doesn’t know she’s beautiful’. While I’m not suggesting that any of this is problematic, for me it feels quite outdated and just isn’t what I’m looking for in my romance.
I think adding to me dislike of these characteristics is that it was included in a book about a character with mental illnesses, with Flora having OCD, PTSD and anxiety. As a woman with anxiety myself, I am always extra watchful of books that are representing this mental health condition. For me personally, the idea of a saviour character and the many moments in which other people speak for Flora, even without her consent (for example Sandra speaking to Mack about what Flora is feeling early in the book), is not something I like to see. In saying this, in general I think that the feelings of anxiety and struggling with a mental illness are portrayed quite honestly through Flora. I also like that this book didn’t fall into the trap of ‘curing’ mental health issues just because Flora found love, instead the idea of a process and avocation for therapy was a focus.
I would like to finish this review with some positives, because I certainly didn’t think the book was all bad. As I said, I enjoyed the mental health rep and advocation for therapy. I also loved the side characters in this book, they brought a real life and vibrancy to the story, especially little Dexter and Isy (as well as Mack’s other family). I also think Jenny Frame is really great at setting up a romance and making the reader hooked from the beginning.