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A review by visceralreads
May Day Flowers by Faeri Sami
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
[3.75 stars rounded up]
TW: mentions of past emotional and physical abuse from family members, maladaptive daydreaming episodes, sex, temporary loss of limbs, fire-related wounds, loss of past loved ones (by illness)
Good stuff first: I love the fat and nonbinary representation in this book and how casual it is without bringing too much attention to it; maladaptive daydreaming representation! this is the first time I've heard about it honestly and I like that it's there (I wish it would be more consistent and not only coming up when the plot needs it to); I ADORE the illustrations in this book, it's so cute and ethereal (and sexy too hehe) and they helped with visualizing the characters as well; the writing is just golden, like many quotes stood out to me because they were just so beautiful and the way some scenes were written... *chef kiss*; and last but not least, a healthy sapphic relationship! there's consent, communication, and cuddles <3
Also, this book has smut, but the author underlined the chapter and put a symbol before the smut paragraph which is a thing I want in books now for when I don't feel like reading spicy scenes (sex-averse ace here). The scenes themselves were so well written too, and I didn't feel uncomfortable or grossed out while reading them! Some themes are explored likeanal play, bondage, toy play, shapeshifting but I didn't mind them too much (I just skimmed the parts lol)
Now, I'd like to talk about some other things in the book that didn't hit the mark for me. The relationship between Ainsley and Priscilla was so rushed, from the insta-love to that ending. I get that they're in love but that quick? But they're a cute couple though, so I have to let that slide for now (/lh). Another thing is that that climax-ending sequence left so many unanswered questions for me and it was all just too fast and dizzying. And also I would've liked more worldbuilding, especially with the fact that magical creatures live with humans. Maybe a little history of the place or background information would helped, and also yes, the place itself could've been less vague because all this time I thought they all were in some US town but they seem to be in Scotland or Ireland (sorry I'm that slow).
All other comments aside, this is a beautiful sapphic book on hope and new relationships (family, friends, and romantic ones). Thank you Faeri Sami for the free ARC copy! My opinion is my own.
TW: mentions of past emotional and physical abuse from family members, maladaptive daydreaming episodes, sex, temporary loss of limbs, fire-related wounds, loss of past loved ones (by illness)
Good stuff first: I love the fat and nonbinary representation in this book and how casual it is without bringing too much attention to it; maladaptive daydreaming representation! this is the first time I've heard about it honestly and I like that it's there (I wish it would be more consistent and not only coming up when the plot needs it to); I ADORE the illustrations in this book, it's so cute and ethereal (and sexy too hehe) and they helped with visualizing the characters as well; the writing is just golden, like many quotes stood out to me because they were just so beautiful and the way some scenes were written... *chef kiss*; and last but not least, a healthy sapphic relationship! there's consent, communication, and cuddles <3
Also, this book has smut, but the author underlined the chapter and put a symbol before the smut paragraph which is a thing I want in books now for when I don't feel like reading spicy scenes (sex-averse ace here). The scenes themselves were so well written too, and I didn't feel uncomfortable or grossed out while reading them! Some themes are explored like
Now, I'd like to talk about some other things in the book that didn't hit the mark for me. The relationship between Ainsley and Priscilla was so rushed, from the insta-love to that ending. I get that they're in love but that quick? But they're a cute couple though, so I have to let that slide for now (/lh). Another thing is that that climax-ending sequence left so many unanswered questions for me and it was all just too fast and dizzying. And also I would've liked more worldbuilding, especially with the fact that magical creatures live with humans. Maybe a little history of the place or background information would helped, and also yes, the place itself could've been less vague because all this time I thought they all were in some US town but they seem to be in Scotland or Ireland (sorry I'm that slow).
All other comments aside, this is a beautiful sapphic book on hope and new relationships (family, friends, and romantic ones). Thank you Faeri Sami for the free ARC copy! My opinion is my own.