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A review by the_vegan_bookworm
Sweetest in the Gale by Olivia Dade
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This collection of 3 short stories set in the Marysburg universe has its ups and its downs.
Story 2, featuring Poppy and Simon, was adorable and peak grumpy x sunshine slash opposites attract. I had a lot of fun reading it!
In contrast, Story 1 was not great. It waxed poetic about grief (seemingly endlessly), but it struggled to say anything really meaningful about it. Plus, Griff's lusting after Candy during her intense periods of grief comes off so creepy and predatory in my opinion.
Story 3, featuring Elizabeth and James, was fine but under-baked. It could have been fleshed out much better but just felt rushed to get into the romance and chemistry between the two.
I was also disappointed by the fact that all of the MMC were thin men (though references to James seem to suggest he may be fat, it's not explored at all). Dade explores fatness well in her other works, but I'd like to see that extended to all her characters instead of just her FMC.
Story 2, featuring Poppy and Simon, was adorable and peak grumpy x sunshine slash opposites attract. I had a lot of fun reading it!
In contrast, Story 1 was not great. It waxed poetic about grief (seemingly endlessly), but it struggled to say anything really meaningful about it. Plus, Griff's lusting after Candy during her intense periods of grief comes off so creepy and predatory in my opinion.
Story 3, featuring Elizabeth and James, was fine but under-baked. It could have been fleshed out much better but just felt rushed to get into the romance and chemistry between the two.
I was also disappointed by the fact that all of the MMC were thin men (though references to James seem to suggest he may be fat, it's not explored at all). Dade explores fatness well in her other works, but I'd like to see that extended to all her characters instead of just her FMC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol