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sage_alexandra's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
The audiobook narratorššš She really makes Nar come alive.
Despite her flaws, or because of them, Nar was an extremely relatable character. I understand the stress she carries, not wanting her sexuality to affect how her family is perceived in a small community. She makes a lot of mistakes, but grows from them, blossoming into her true self with the help of Erebuni.
Erebuniš
Also I'm obsessed with Nar's grandmother, her Nene (unsure about spelling because of audiobook). So many strong women in this book!
Despite her flaws, or because of them, Nar was an extremely relatable character. I understand the stress she carries, not wanting her sexuality to affect how her family is perceived in a small community. She makes a lot of mistakes, but grows from them, blossoming into her true self with the help of Erebuni.
Erebuniš
Also I'm obsessed with Nar's grandmother, her Nene (unsure about spelling because of audiobook). So many strong women in this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Biphobia, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Car accident, and Death of parent
Despite the characters being 27 and 31 (if I'm remembering correctly), there are no sex scenes, just mentions of them occuring. This isn't a steamy read because the focus is on Nar's journey to loving and accepting all parts of her identity.grace_b_3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
mattyb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Body shaming, Genocide, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Domestic abuse and Alcohol
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i really wanted to like this. i would say the best parts (by far) are the bits about Armenian culture. that was very enjoyable to read about and is a culture that i have not encountered in a lot of books. but the main character is so insufferable and kinda gave YA vibes? she makes MANY bad decisions and nothing ever really comes from them? also the fact that her boyfriend proposed to her, she said she needed time to think, and then while he was away he was thinking about her and awaiting her response she was out matchmaking and dating someone else??? like at least tell your boyfriend no first. that rubbed me wrong there were also way too many pop culture references and jokes that donāt really land anymore and a lot of the dialogue was very unrealistic. this had so much potential!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and War
lunep's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I liked learning about Armenian culture, and I saw myself in the main character a little bit, but I didn't fall in love with the characters or their romance, I was left feeling very "eh" about it, which makes me sad because I seem to have no luck with sapphic romances.
It was cute, but overall I didn't feel super invested. Nareh stressed me out sometimes, and Erebuni felt too perfect, and the other suitors and some other secondary characters felt like they were designed to be shitty so Erebuni could look like the perfect woman:
-Trevor: misogynist, subconsciously racist/xenophobic, didn't seem to pay attention to the person Nareh actually was and what she liked.
-Raffi: misogynist, self obssesed.
-Arek: ok, nothing wrong with him. But Nareh didn't feel attracted to him (which is fair)
-The engineer guy: makes a joke about how he feels pain by proxy when cutting up an eggplant bc eggplant emoji.
-Artur: misogynist.
-Sako: nothing wrong with him either, just gay.
-Ara: self-obssesed, interrupting Nareh every time she talks.
-Kevork: pedantic.
-Kiki: sexist, very conservative, rude, she believes she's better than everyone.
Also, the cover says "From wingwoman to the woman of her dreams", and the synopsis says "Suddenly, with Erebuni as her wingwoman, the events feel like far less of a chore, and much more of an adventure." but there wasn't much wingwoman-ing, and I expected more overall. It ended up being a just-ok book for me, which again, sad about that.
It was cute, but overall I didn't feel super invested. Nareh stressed me out sometimes, and Erebuni felt too perfect, and the other suitors and some other secondary characters felt like they were designed to be shitty so Erebuni could look like the perfect woman:
-Trevor: misogynist, subconsciously racist/xenophobic, didn't seem to pay attention to the person Nareh actually was and what she liked.
-Raffi: misogynist, self obssesed.
-Arek: ok, nothing wrong with him. But Nareh didn't feel attracted to him (which is fair)
-The engineer guy: makes a joke about how he feels pain by proxy when cutting up an eggplant bc eggplant emoji.
-Artur: misogynist.
-Sako: nothing wrong with him either, just gay.
-Ara: self-obssesed, interrupting Nareh every time she talks.
-Kevork: pedantic.
-Kiki: sexist, very conservative, rude, she believes she's better than everyone.
Also, the cover says "From wingwoman to the woman of her dreams", and the synopsis says "Suddenly, with Erebuni as her wingwoman, the events feel like far less of a chore, and much more of an adventure." but there wasn't much wingwoman-ing, and I expected more overall. It ended up being a just-ok book for me, which again, sad about that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Genocide, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
hullomoon's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
The first 3/4 of this book was a swoon-worthy romance and then two major things happened that threw me for a loop. I think since it was advertised as a rom-com I would be prepared for maybe one of these things to happen but not both since rom-coms imply more light hearted fare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Xenophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide
mcstressy's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book really suffered being from Nar's point of view because her head was an unpleasant place to be in. She was not a character that felt relatable or loveable. And that made it especially hard because Erebuni was so *cool* and I just could not understand their chemistry. Why would she like Nar? What connection did they have?
The scene with the coffee was honestly really good, but it was like 40-50% through the book so it was the sole reason for me not DNF-ing. It was a really sensual and enticing scene that if it had been in another book would have felt at home. But after the scene everything went back to the way it was before.
I also don't normally say this but the side characters were not necessary. There were so many suitors and side friends and I just got so confused.
I also...don't think some of the more serious topics were handled very tactfully. I think it had some really important things it wanted to say that could have been really enhanced through a couple more edits.
A bit disappointed in this one tbh. Like the bisexual MCs but...yeah.
The cover is stunning tho. 10/10
The scene with the coffee was honestly really good, but it was like 40-50% through the book so it was the sole reason for me not DNF-ing. It was a really sensual and enticing scene that if it had been in another book would have felt at home. But after the scene everything went back to the way it was before.
I also don't normally say this but the side characters were not necessary. There were so many suitors and side friends and I just got so confused.
I also...don't think some of the more serious topics were handled very tactfully. I think it had some really important things it wanted to say that could have been really enhanced through a couple more edits.
A bit disappointed in this one tbh. Like the bisexual MCs but...yeah.
The cover is stunning tho. 10/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Xenophobia, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
novella42's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Beautiful and soothing to read. The audiobook narration truly brings this story to life, to hear this very Armenian love story in the voice of a narrator who can do justice to that accent and dialect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Sexual content
bookcasey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a beautifully written book about discovering or reclaiming your identities. In many ways, the romance is secondary to this theme of loving yourself.
Unfortunately, this is one of the many recent releases where the title is based on an insignificant, throwaway comment and makes no sense. It is, most assuredly, not about obnoxious Bay Area bros (okay, maybe one or two), so donāt let that turn you away.
Do check the content warnings, but donāt let that scare you off. Nothing is graphic.
Unfortunately, this is one of the many recent releases where the title is based on an insignificant, throwaway comment and makes no sense. It is, most assuredly, not about obnoxious Bay Area bros (okay, maybe one or two), so donāt let that turn you away.
Do check the content warnings, but donāt let that scare you off. Nothing is graphic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Consistent reference to the Armenian genocide with very brief references to rape and murder. Contains a lot of baby gay angst. Fade to black romance, some vague sexual references.booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you Berkley for an arc in exchange for an honest review
A beautiful story about what it means to accept yourself within your sexuality and community.
Not only weāre tough topics discussed, the love story that was interwoven was brilliant. Nar has to learn to be herself. Her boyfriend of five years, and the man her father would have wanted to marry proposes to her in the worst way possible. Which makes her realize this isnāt what she wants.
Telling him they need to go on a break while he is away for a month, her mom convinces her to participate in a month long celebration called Explore Armenia that only happens every 3 years, to set her up with men from her community. On the first night Nareh meets the enchanting Erebuni. She helps her navigate the men at these events. But what Nar doesnāt expect is to start falling for this bewitching woman who is helping her both accept her sexuality and her Armenian heritage.
Voskuni tackled tough subjects like assimilating into American culture as immigrants, the genocide in Armenia and resulting diaspora, what it means to be a woman in a man dominated work place, and so much more. You see Nar go through being a part of her culture but also feeling so outside of it because her dad wanted more for her. This was done with such care and passion for her culture and tradition.
Cw
Genocide discussed
Outing
Homophobia
Misogyny
Biphobia
Alcohol
Grief
Sexism
Sexual harassment
Mild sexual content
Death of a parent off page
Toxic relationship
A beautiful story about what it means to accept yourself within your sexuality and community.
Not only weāre tough topics discussed, the love story that was interwoven was brilliant. Nar has to learn to be herself. Her boyfriend of five years, and the man her father would have wanted to marry proposes to her in the worst way possible. Which makes her realize this isnāt what she wants.
Telling him they need to go on a break while he is away for a month, her mom convinces her to participate in a month long celebration called Explore Armenia that only happens every 3 years, to set her up with men from her community. On the first night Nareh meets the enchanting Erebuni. She helps her navigate the men at these events. But what Nar doesnāt expect is to start falling for this bewitching woman who is helping her both accept her sexuality and her Armenian heritage.
Voskuni tackled tough subjects like assimilating into American culture as immigrants, the genocide in Armenia and resulting diaspora, what it means to be a woman in a man dominated work place, and so much more. You see Nar go through being a part of her culture but also feeling so outside of it because her dad wanted more for her. This was done with such care and passion for her culture and tradition.
Cw
Genocide discussed
Outing
Homophobia
Misogyny
Biphobia
Alcohol
Grief
Sexism
Sexual harassment
Mild sexual content
Death of a parent off page
Toxic relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Outing
Moderate: Genocide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content