Dueling Review, Rant

Dueling Review: I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson (2022)

Holly’s Take

Heat Factor: The first kiss happened around halfway, and then I called it quits.

Character Chemistry: Textbook definition of a toxic relationship.

Plot: Hudson bribes Kian into doing a fake relationship with him by promising an introduction to a guy who can get Kian his dream job.

Overall: DNF at the halfway point.

Ingrid’s Take

Heat Factor: I mean, it was nice and steamy. 

Character Chemistry: I could see the chemistry but there were so many aspects that didn’t seem to get worked out, that I didn’t necessarily buy in all the way.

Plot: Kian agrees to pretend to be Hudson’s boyfriend again despite his better judgment so that Hudson can get Kian a job that is supposed to launch his journalism career.

Overall: I ended up with very mixed feelings about this one.

Erin’s Take

Heat Factor: They have very playful sex.

Character Chemistry: Horny, not healthy.

Plot: Hudson inexplicably dumped Kian three months ago, but now he’s back asking Kian to fake being his boyfriend again because he never got around to telling his parents they broke up.

Overall: This should have been a 300 page grovel and IT WAS NOT.

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Recommended Read, Review

Review: The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett (2022)

Heat Factor: Sex, then denying it has any meaning.

Character Chemistry: They have alllllll the feelings.

Plot: Amy keeps making decisions for everyone else.

Overall: Look, this is a sexy, bi-awakening, f-f chef story. How could I not love it?

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Rant, Review

Review: By the Book by G.B. Gordon (2022)

Follow the Money, Book #1

Heat Factor: Somehow the second time is more explicit and elaborate than the first time? (What?) But not by much – it’s very much a “just the highlights” situation

Character Chemistry: Did not work for me

Plot: Ben discovers a quarter million accounting error at his company, tells his boss, and then his boss gets murdered

Overall: The characterizations were so muddy I eventually got a headache

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Review

Review: Lies & Lullabies by Sarina Bowen (2020)

Hush Note, Book #1

Heat Factor: They have very gentle loving sex because of Kira’s past

Character Chemistry: I got sucked in by all their drama, so I guess it worked

Plot: “OMG I am SO happy to see you again!” → “WTF I have a CHILD?!” → “Let’s be together forever, I promise that me being a rock star who tours for months every year will not be a problem.”

Overall: I was expecting to get bent out of shape about the secret baby drama, but I got some bonus annoyance as well.

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Review

Review: Unexpected Goals by Kelly Farmer (2021)

Out on the Ice, Book #2

Heat Factor: At the point I stopped reading, Maisey was thinking a lot about how women have sex, but my understanding is that it’s a slow burn (so I’m guessing at least one scene toward the end)

Character Chemistry: There were plenty of cute moments

Plot: I think this is what people are referring to when they say they want “no plot just vibes”

Overall: Once they stopped being enemies at the 25% mark, all tension driving me to read was lost, so this one’s a DNF

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