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A review by theknightgarden
Cake with A Slice of Vengeance by Johnna Dee
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
1.5
actual rating: 1.5 stars
tbh, I had very high hopes for this book. it has the witchy vibes mixed with baking and a cute romance with an age gap. I was hooked and placed a request for an arc.
I got barely any of that.
for starters, I thought the romance was lacking, and I couldn't really feel a spark with the two characters. it felt forced and went into a romance so quickly. I know we tend to make fun of romances where they only met for like three days, and they're already saying they love each other, and unfortunately, this was it. maybe it's me. maybe I realized I'm not a fan of insta love at first fuck.
the writing was... fine? the dialogue felt stilted and a little unnatural. I'm sorry, I don't believe a 22 year old would claim that she wants whisky to the ml's mother of all people and then be disappointed that she didn't get any. it just didn't sound believeable and made me cringe a little with how awkward the dialogue was throughout the book.
I also wasn't a fan of the characters. I would write more, but I just didn't get a sense that I got to <i>know</i> them. I understand it's a shorter story than I'm used to *stares at all the volumes of books I have on my shelf* but it's not really an excuse where we get to know the characters, even the minor ones. and it would be even nicer if we got the characters to know one another. like sitting down, having a chat, enjoying some nice cake that the local witch made, perhaps.
it felt disjointed, but I'm sure a little more editing can really help the book and maybe fleshing out the characters a little more. and adding more witchy bakes. those are always fun.