Not a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a worNot a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a work party with no memory of what happened to her.
I don't have the brain space to write the review this book deserves, but it's a good companion piece to Consent, Know My Name, and The Female of the Species. Like TFOTS, this one delves into sensitive subjects under the guise of riveting fiction, and also explores racism, cultural identity, complicated parental bonds, and various relationships. (view spoiler)[The amount of dismay and rage I felt when she finally tells her boyfriend about her rape and she ends up comforting him. Unfortunately a familiar dynamic for many women, as well as all the fallout that follows. (hide spoiler)]
I was not at all prepared for this, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. Really well-written, and an author to watch.
Audio Notes: The audio performance by Rosa Escoda is absolutely perfect....more
Stupid and baffling title, really amazing Norway travelogue. I totally want to go and taste caramel cheese! And drink frozen cocktails in an ice hotelStupid and baffling title, really amazing Norway travelogue. I totally want to go and taste caramel cheese! And drink frozen cocktails in an ice hotel!
The romance keeps your interest and neither one of them is terrible (!!), though the H's problem could obviously be addressed sooner than it is. The writing is strangely not compelling, though--what happens is interesting, and you understand them both pretty well, but how it happens could be described in a more exciting way....more
I’m annoyed with this one, because it started out so good.
1. Architecture porn. The initial attraction is based on their shared interest in design, aI’m annoyed with this one, because it started out so good.
1. Architecture porn. The initial attraction is based on their shared interest in design, and all of that stuff is sharp and sparky and feels grounded and real. LOVED that.
2. Food porn. He’s super grumpy at first and cold because he’s attracted immediately to her (and it’s a problem because she works for him), but the ice begins to thaw because they both also really love food and get to know each other through that. I need tacos and pho and snacks after reading this.
3. I liked that there’s a bit of a role reversal here—Patrick is totally, totally into her and kinda loses his head. Can’t concentrate, gets irritable, misses her, and is unafraid of showing it. Andy is the reserved one. I also liked his POV, his chapters were endearing.
4. There are a lot of characters and history, as well as set-up for other books. But unlike many other series, it’s incorporated well here, everyone is memorable, and they’re in it a lot but not in a way that bogs down the romance, they actually help move it forward.
5. Andy is shittily condescending to her old girlfriends, and she’s actually called out for it.
6. The newer girl friendships are really nice. I liked this group.
7. The sexual chemistry is through the roof.
But.
1. Towards the end, some half-hearted obstacles and intrigue were thrown in. Seemingly for no reason, and certainly not well-seeded or carried out.
2. The back story with the Walsh family’s dad was not done as emphatically/emotionally well as it should have been. A lot of this, and other things (including some important turning points in the story) didn’t flow very smoothly.
3. My biggest problem, though, is that Andy suddenly becomes hugely entitled and unbending towards the end. I’ll grant you I’m not sure how architecture firms work, but how many recent 24–year-old college grads expect to make partner at the first firm they land in? There’s more to it than that, but that alone is so cuttingly done and she refuses to forgive him for so long (for not telling her how the family business was structured, after a few months) is mind-boggling. Yes, he has a momentary fuck-up. But hers lasts a long time and it’s skated over. Her whole deal with not wanting anyone to know she was sleeping with the boss and her career being important to her is at odds with her expectancy to make partner (or being able to), or being okay with them building her an office, etc.
3. Andy herself just isn’t that well sketched out, either. Initially I liked her strength and purpose and humor, as well the way she dressed. But eventually you realize there are gaps in her history and puzzles in why she behaves the way she does.
3.5 stars Not sure whether I want to round up the stars or down. So good for the first half or three quarters, but very disappointed in the end. I’ll definitely read the other books, though....more
*Salted caramel whiskey marshmallows *Butter *Christmas movie night *Apology crepe cake *Ice skating *Crown roast *TWO ovHow can you not be charmed by:
*Salted caramel whiskey marshmallows *Butter *Christmas movie night *Apology crepe cake *Ice skating *Crown roast *TWO ovens in his home kitchen * Ella Fitzgerald *The pie crust she’s built around her heart?
Short, could have used a little more time with the actual romance, but sweet. I loved how much they both love baking and how much they appreciate that love in each other. If food is your love language and you love Christmas, don’t miss this one!
This was a solid 4 stars until the last third or so. My enjoyment dropped considerably towards the end, so I can’t ignore that, however. 3.5 stars.
ThThis was a solid 4 stars until the last third or so. My enjoyment dropped considerably towards the end, so I can’t ignore that, however. 3.5 stars.
The first half of this book is super cute. The culinary setting, which seems inspired by Buzzfeed/Tasty, is so great if you like food (YES TO PICKLE CHICKEN) and a rivals-to-romance type dynamic. It is encouraging to see a strong feminist point of view combined with realistic situations involving sexism and misogyny that women have to deal with in the workplace all the time.
Also great:
—Benny’s feelings for her —their funny nicknames for each other —the cooking segments are mostly done well —Reese’s very relatable self-doubt—everyone remembers your first real job and navigating how to be an adult in the world.
It does get a little bogged down by a lot of the serious subjects it tries to tackle, however. There are micro aggressions and sexism and slut-shaming and abusive internet trolls and Reese’s past history—and more. To be clear: I am so happy to see many of these subjects included, and was cheering Reese on for most of the book, but I think eventually the balance tipped too far into tackling too many issues for too much of the plot. And while it felt a little too intense with the vitriol and upset Reese experiences in the context of what is otherwise a fairly fluffy romance, these topics aren’t really explored in a really deep and meaningful way, either. Lots of ink and space and time, yes. Making you feel genuine anguish, no. It’s a lot, without real emotional payoff.
Benny also seems too good to be true (even the most emotionally connected guy isn’t this together at this age), and I actually really hated his supposed-to-be-sweet explanation about his grand gesture in the end. It felt like a very cheesy tv movie moment (view spoiler)[he might just as well have baked a giant Reese’s peanut butter cup in the shape of a heart and written a poem. Totally fine with the before and after, when she walks on camera and kisses him. I just hated the recitation about the layers of support correlating with the layers of cake he baked (hide spoiler)].
This is meant to be new adult, I guess, if that category name is still being used. The characters are 18, and in some ways the book tackles the work and family expectations stuff that comes at that age well. But while their ages are adult, and their jobs are those of youthful adults, this often felt pretty YA in the way it’s written and the way the characters relate to each other. It’s also squeaky clean and Reese seems sort of square. Nothing wrong with either, but not something I’d expected from a mainstream contemporary adult romance novel.
Still, the narrative voice feels fresh and I’d definitely be interested in reading more of this author’s books....more
It took me awhile to get into this one (view spoiler)[what kept them apart just wasn’t that convincing to me, and her father subplot felt bac3.5 stars
It took me awhile to get into this one (view spoiler)[what kept them apart just wasn’t that convincing to me, and her father subplot felt backburnered until the end (hide spoiler)] but I’ve liked Vlad the sensitive Russian hockey player since the first book, so it was nice to see him explored further. His friends are positive and supportive, and it’s so nice to see how this bromance book club continues to cheerfully challenge toxic masculine ideals.
Also. There is a secret cheese place (view spoiler)[that would be a SPEAK CHEESY (hide spoiler)] and a most delicious man who runs it.
His voice was smooth, warm, like a melted raclette, soft and creamy and hot. Elena felt herself sink into it like a crust of bread in a fondue pot.
Yeah. I’m gonna need a book about the Cheese Man, stat....more
As with the previous book in the series, the food stuff is lovely, and so is all the creative brainstorming that goes on in the bakery. As someone whoAs with the previous book in the series, the food stuff is lovely, and so is all the creative brainstorming that goes on in the bakery. As someone who reads obsessively about food daily, it’s a pleasure to nod approvingly at Sophie’s holiday cupcake ideas and so forth.
I’m dismayed to find that the romance is still my least favorite part, though. The men don’t really seem like real people and there’s just not a whole lot of tension and heat in the relationship, even when they’re full on making out and more. At least this time the sex scenes didn’t make me cringe?
Also, docking points for zero effort put into making the New Yorkers sound American. Just about every one of them repeatedly uses British terms or turns of phrase. It’s distracting and annoying that neither the author nor the editors felt this was something that deserved attention....more
I’m attracted to cozy picturesque settings, but honestly most of them don’t fulfill their promise on anything o3.5 stars bumped up, because FOOD PORN.
I’m attracted to cozy picturesque settings, but honestly most of them don’t fulfill their promise on anything other than the barest surface level. With this one, you feel the cobblestone under your feet and you know exactly what it is like to stand inside the charming Varme cafe, wistfully smelling flaky cinnamon pastries and inhaling coffee served in mismatched china cups. I say wistfully, because as much pleasure there is in travel, there’s also pain in knowing it’s a fleeting experience, to know that this place that feels so familiar and right is one you might never see again.
All this is to say: few romances with settings abroad capture this sense of time and place as well as this one. The secondary characters are thoughtfully rendered and memorable (I have such a peeve about ragtag groups of characters that are supposed to be endearing and funny but aren’t—these journalists are nuanced and interesting). And the job and pr parts are done well and all the hygge descriptions make me want to curl into a woolly blanket nest with a cup of tea.
Strangely enough, for a book that does the hardest parts so well, the romantic parts felt uneven. Sometimes the connection seemed there, but large sections passed without any sort of spark, and the romance took a back seat to the rest of the story for much of the book. It also felt jarring once they do get together, because the sex scenes were so weirdly and awkwardly written. I literally laughed in embarrassment and disbelief a couple of times.
I think this book would have also benefited from more of a glimpse into Kate’s internal dialogue as well. She mostly thinks about her job and her duties and her family—all important and good, but strangely not balanced by enough romance or passion or excitement.
But I do love the setting and drool-worthy food and the journalists and the way Kate instinctively understands and embraces the concept of hygge. Hopefully the other books in the series amps up the romance some more....more
I don’t love romances that center strongly on a big farfetched, cinematic marketing hook. But once you get past the initial gross book thing3.5 stars
I don’t love romances that center strongly on a big farfetched, cinematic marketing hook. But once you get past the initial gross book thing and takedown plan thing, it’s pretty cute. His POV is really well done and the writing is light-hearted and funny—I mean, the idea of a bunch of girls dressed like cats delivering lunches around Manhattan is pure gold. I love that she vengefully (view spoiler)[and later, apologetically (hide spoiler)] woos him with sandwiches, too....more
I looovvveee herrrrrrr. Emily is probably my favorite HP heroine ever.
I disliked the beginning of the book so much, but once I glanced at the synopsiI looovvveee herrrrrrr. Emily is probably my favorite HP heroine ever.
I disliked the beginning of the book so much, but once I glanced at the synopsis again, I realized that the female POV in the beginning is the POV of the amoral other woman Gina (along with Luke’s POV), not the heroine’s. The two of them are having an affair behind her husband’s Charles’ back, complicated by Luke’s being Charles’ right hand man. They are blackmailed and maneuver themselves into a situation where Luke will marry Gina’s school friend Emily to cover up the affair, and will stay married until Charles dies.
Emily sweeps into this distasteful scenario like a breath of fresh air. She’s direct, kind, funny, and too smart for her own good, plus she has beautiful grey eyes and enjoys her food and creature comforts. (How nice it is to have a HP heroine actually relax and enjoy the expense account her husband can well afford, too. All the shopping in Paris and haircut talk was really fun.) She accepts the proposition because she needs to money to help her cousin, but as she gets to know Luke, she develops feelings for him and decides she’s going to try to see if he’d be interested in her for real. But on their wedding day, she finds out about his real relationship with Gina, and is devastated that he isn’t the man she thought he was. I felt such kinship and sympathy with her throughout the story.
Some spoilers:
This is one of the few HPs that truly shows a believable gradually falling in love scenario. You can’t help but adore Emily and despite Gina’s femme fatale appeal and history with Luke, it’s not hard to see why he starts to have feelings for Emily, too. This is a case where the hero isn’t a jerk—he deceived his employer and mentor for years, but he truly thought he loved Gina and had been willing to do things above board—and when the blinders are lifted, he’s filled with self-contempt and loathing for what he did to Charles, and to Emily. Luke’s POV is done so well. You never see this kind of self-reflection and acknowledgment of his own bad behavior in HP men, so to see it done so thoroughly—and because of a girl as amazing as Emily—is so satisfying to see. (view spoiler)[It’s icky that he was still sleeping with Gina after he and Emily got married, but I suppose it’s realistic. What I do like is that Luke and Emily never sleep together until towards the end, after he’s dumped Gina and declared his feelings for Emily. I like that their relationship is kept above all that, and he truly knows and loves her as a person first. (hide spoiler)]
I adore Emily. And I ended up loving this book. I’ve read this author a few times before and enjoyed her well enough, but didn’t know she had this in her. I’m looking forward to reading some more of her novels! Closing this one with a happy sigh....more
—charming English countrysides, villages, and old country houses —ceramics —picnics —bookshops —witty banter —handsome artists —warm, capable hIf you like:
—charming English countrysides, villages, and old country houses —ceramics —picnics —bookshops —witty banter —handsome artists —warm, capable heroines —vibrant chemistry —delicious dinners cooked by motherly housekeepers
you will probably enjoy this book. I know I did, the setting is so wonderfully detailed and charming! I want to live there! It looks like this was part of some sort of Welcome to Europe series, with this book focusing on Wales.
I had trouble with the ethics of Naomi’s breach in trust, partly because it’s not done for very good reason and it goes on for so long. But I really liked her, as I like Catherine George heroines in general—they’re smart and kind and helpful and I would most certainly be friends with them IRL.
This is such a good example of why I like HPs as well. In the short span of under 200 pages, you get completely immersed in a different life, with all the joys and troubles that go along with it—with lots of emotion and plot in such a short amount of time. Nothing better for troubled times than a quick escape like this one.
3.5 stars The heroine behaves incredibly impulsively, probably even foolishly, at the beginning. The second rash decision puts her on a boat as cook a3.5 stars The heroine behaves incredibly impulsively, probably even foolishly, at the beginning. The second rash decision puts her on a boat as cook and crew, even though she isn’t a cook and hasn’t even been on a boat for ten years—and means she will be traveling alone with a man she’s never met before.
Once all that is out of the way, however (she adapts weirdly well and quickly to cooking even without experience), I enjoyed the way she takes on her new job, as well as her interactions with the guests. The relationship also unfolds in a compelling way, and develops into an unexpectedly poignant part of his history. (view spoiler)[Being a Harlequin man, he of course lashes out and doesn’t want to share his feelings with her at first, but circumstances cut her journey short and he has to chase her. She’s frozen him out by this point but he is determined and realizes what he lost when she walked away, so there is a very satisfying pursuit and apology and resolution. (hide spoiler)] I liked how their relationship comes together in the end, and I liked how she develops a better relationship with her mother and sisters as well.
This one is interesting in that a direct sequel was released just a few months afterwards. I read it directly after this one, so I’ll put some thoughts on that review. ...more
Unexpectedly cute! It takes awhile to warm up to the guy (view spoiler)[he is inexcusably rude to his waitress, a shitty tipper, AND he does one of thUnexpectedly cute! It takes awhile to warm up to the guy (view spoiler)[he is inexcusably rude to his waitress, a shitty tipper, AND he does one of the worst things I’ve ever heard of that isn’t abuse/violence or infidelity (hide spoiler)], but he and they really got there in the end. Nice build-up, great apology, and perfect Christmas gift(s).
I also enjoyed the ranch setting and alllllll the food. :D I got so munchy reading this, I’m happy there are leftover mashed potatoes and cookie dough in my fridge....more
3.5 stars Lose the tedious Greg bookends and this would be rounded up in a stars.
One of the "career romances" of the fifties, this one is the surpris3.5 stars Lose the tedious Greg bookends and this would be rounded up in a stars.
One of the "career romances" of the fifties, this one is the surprisingly engaging story of a girl who wants to be a sculptor and her various trials and tribulations in getting there. A slight but enjoyable story, though one that's light on the romance and characterization.
It was fun reading about Debra working with clay and sculpting animals, however--and I'm always going to read chapters with fried chicken and ice cream with great interest!...more
Wendy Darling
>
Books:
food-porn
(133)
Loading...
