Trope
Heat Factor: These teenage college first years get up to stuff, but the door is firmly closed.
Character Chemistry: Layered and complex, with a mutual forbidden desire and a rivalry for the top spot in the NHL draft
Plot: Mickey’s difficulty acknowledging his mental health struggles makes all of the burdens of his own and others’ expectations for him much, much heavier.
Overall: This book made me cry.
Heat Factor: Kisses!
Character Chemistry: It’s not like they’re without their problems, but this is a really lovely relationship
Plot: Bitty goes to college and learns how to be himself. And he falls in love with the NHL-bound hockey captain.
Overall: I read everything within 24 hours. Absolutely delightful.
Continue reading “Series Review: Check Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (2018-2020)”
Heat Factor: There’s a closed door scene that I’m not totally sure added anything
Character Chemistry: If not getting along most of the time is your love language then yes, there’s chemistry
Plot: Jasmine is in her early 20s and her life’s a mess
Overall: Women’s fiction marketed as romance strikes again!
Heat Factor: There’s one fairly explicit scene around the midpoint
Character Chemistry: They really like each other, but…it’s complicated
Plot: Poppy accidentally gets pregnant, decides to keep the baby, falls in love, and finds herself
Overall: Cute
Heat Factor: Kisses only
Character Chemistry: It is obviously destiny because they like the same kind of ice cream.
Plot: Winnie thought her ex was her destiny, but now she doesn’t. Shenanigans ensue.
Overall: I was having a blast until supposedly responsible adults told this high schooler to put her college plans in jeopardy for a boy.
The Smut Report 