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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had really high hopes for this book, but it wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. I thought the storyline about Hesper's past was really interesting and kept the story going, but the relationship part was a bit of a let-down for me. Hesper had very firm beliefs and struggled with internal acephobia, and the way she dealt with that just got on my nerves. It was a lot of her making assumptions about Felix and his wants/needs, but god forbid we actually talk about things and ask him what he wants. Also the synopsis of the book mentions 'Felix must reassess everything he thinks about love, and ask himself what he’s willing to sacrifice for a future with Hesper' but this isn't actually something that is a *major* plot point, since most of it seems to be happening off-screen? The romantic scenes also felt quite repetitive, because they all seemed to be the same, but just worded a bit differently (He's beautiful, but he doesn't know it, okay?). I don't know, it was a interesting read and I'm glad there's more ace representation out there with this book, but I would have loved more communication about expectations and futures and whatnot.
Cute af romance, marriage of convenience and friends to lovers
Also great ace rep !!! Loved how the mc was sex repulsed and her bf (husband idk 😭) didn’t really complain about the lack of sex or kissing as someone who Is also sex repulsed this was so great to read 🫶🫶🫶🫶
Also great ace rep !!! Loved how the mc was sex repulsed and her bf (husband idk 😭) didn’t really complain about the lack of sex or kissing as someone who Is also sex repulsed this was so great to read 🫶🫶🫶🫶
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A split POV contemporary romance story, featuring an ace-allo friends-to-lovers relationship. I found this really easy to read, keeping my attention and making me want to pick it back up each time. Both of the main characters were likeable, although for my personal taste the use of puns was excessive! The split POV worked well to show how their thoughts and feelings each changed over the book. I also thought the secondary plot around Hester's abuse from her father worked well, and gave an outside source of tension and conflict to bring them closer together (although check TWs for this part as it was quite dark). The representation felt true and important, showing a solid ace-allo relationship with strong boundaries, and how that fit with Hester's sex-repulsion but desire for touch. I would have liked to see more discussion of if they needed different things and if not have that more explicitly discussed on page (as in these sorts of relationships communication is really important), but as their relationship is still in its early stages it does make sense that they are still stepping somewhat delicately around each other. I also note that while it was potentially realistic, Hester's internalised Ace-phobia (which persisted for a lot of the book) was really hard to read and stopped this being a nice heart-warming story. Would recommend for easy read with ace-rep!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Stalking, Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
I have never read a book that has made me feel so SEEN.
I'm a sex-repulsed asexual whose love language is physical touch, so trying to navigate life and relationships has always been a challenge that Lucy Mason captures so poignantly in this book. It's a raw look into the discussions regarding sex and its place in love.
I'm also a sex-positive individual, but I think we need to understand asexuals existing beyond just "they can have sex if they want to," as if the only "consolation" to their existence is reliant upon their willingness to put out in some capacity.
I also really enjoyed the dual-POV - the reader is offered an intimate look into exactly what Hesper feels about touch and her sexuality, while also gaining an understanding that just because Felix isn't initially understanding about everything, doesn't mean he wasn't willing to learn. It's fine if sex is an integral part of a person's relationship, but I think we need more books showing that it's OKAY for an ace person to have strict boundaries in their relationships with an allo person. That people aren't set in stone, and they can change and compromise and still love someone even if they have to go without certain things.
It's a very short read, but that doesn't mean it doesn't pack a punch. Highly recommend to anyone - not just aces, obviously.
I'm so glad this exists, because while we do have some amazing books with aspec characters, there's some things that this book GETS that others might not.
I'm a sex-repulsed asexual whose love language is physical touch, so trying to navigate life and relationships has always been a challenge that Lucy Mason captures so poignantly in this book. It's a raw look into the discussions regarding sex and its place in love.
I'm also a sex-positive individual, but I think we need to understand asexuals existing beyond just "they can have sex if they want to," as if the only "consolation" to their existence is reliant upon their willingness to put out in some capacity.
I also really enjoyed the dual-POV - the reader is offered an intimate look into exactly what Hesper feels about touch and her sexuality, while also gaining an understanding that just because Felix isn't initially understanding about everything, doesn't mean he wasn't willing to learn. It's fine if sex is an integral part of a person's relationship, but I think we need more books showing that it's OKAY for an ace person to have strict boundaries in their relationships with an allo person. That people aren't set in stone, and they can change and compromise and still love someone even if they have to go without certain things.
It's a very short read, but that doesn't mean it doesn't pack a punch. Highly recommend to anyone - not just aces, obviously.
I'm so glad this exists, because while we do have some amazing books with aspec characters, there's some things that this book GETS that others might not.