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A review by luluwoohoo
Single Player by Tara Tai
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Single Player by Tara Tai (audiobook narrated by Natalie Naudus)
☀️☀️☀️⛅
Big thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC audiobook!
This sapphic enemies-to-lovers rom-com balances lighthearted and earnest moments with darker backstory well, though it doesn't stray from the predictable trope-laden path enough to really stand out. I found certain elements of the plot more enjoyable than others - the fake dating element felt a bit unnecessary and overcomplicated in the face of everything else going on, so it also made the second act drag quite significantly in a pacing sense. The end was a little too perfect and saccharine for me but generally I liked the tone.
Cat and Andi were well fleshed out with distinguishable characteristics (further aided by Naudus's superb narration). I especially enjoyed Andi's difficult backstory being the reason behind her grumpy exterior and narrow-minded focus on work. Cat's family situation felt a bit shoehorned in, which alongside the fake dating element didn't work for me in furthering the story when they weren't actually resolved or addressed adequately in the final act. I also found the on-page sex a little jarring with the rest of the book; it struck me as a fade to black sort of book.
There was fantastic representation for queer and non-cis and non-white folks throughout this, and although the nature of racism and sexism were addressed throughout the plot, it felt entirely natural to have a majority queer + BIPOC cast for this story.
For anyone seeking a relatively lighthearted, emotional and rewarding romance arc, this is definitely one to check out.
☀️☀️☀️⛅
Big thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC audiobook!
This sapphic enemies-to-lovers rom-com balances lighthearted and earnest moments with darker backstory well, though it doesn't stray from the predictable trope-laden path enough to really stand out. I found certain elements of the plot more enjoyable than others - the fake dating element felt a bit unnecessary and overcomplicated in the face of everything else going on, so it also made the second act drag quite significantly in a pacing sense. The end was a little too perfect and saccharine for me but generally I liked the tone.
Cat and Andi were well fleshed out with distinguishable characteristics (further aided by Naudus's superb narration). I especially enjoyed Andi's difficult backstory being the reason behind her grumpy exterior and narrow-minded focus on work. Cat's family situation felt a bit shoehorned in, which alongside the fake dating element didn't work for me in furthering the story when they weren't actually resolved or addressed adequately in the final act. I also found the on-page sex a little jarring with the rest of the book; it struck me as a fade to black sort of book.
There was fantastic representation for queer and non-cis and non-white folks throughout this, and although the nature of racism and sexism were addressed throughout the plot, it felt entirely natural to have a majority queer + BIPOC cast for this story.
For anyone seeking a relatively lighthearted, emotional and rewarding romance arc, this is definitely one to check out.
"I believe hope is our beating hearts reminding us that there is still life in this world worth fighting for. That there is still love in this world worth feeling."