M. Hollis

This is my first f/f romance with a fake marriage trope and I was excited to read it. And though the story took some unexpected turns, it was a pleasant and sweet experience.

Dora is a very confusing protagonist and I’m not exactly sure what I feel about her. I could totally feel her anxiety about the deportation and about not wanting to go back home because she has already come to love Toronto like her own. However, she seemed very resigned to her fate and didn’t seem very proactive in trying to change her visa situation. I really liked Abby more and would have loved to read her POV. She could be both assertive and shy, and I could totally see that she was developing genuine feelings for Dora, despite Dora’s own cluelessness. And I just felt that Abby was more concerned about Dora’s visa situation than she was herself, which just made me slightly angry. However, I liked the way the uncertainty was resolved and the ending was very cute and optimistic.

The writing is very easy to read and I finished it pretty much in a single sitting. I think the author did a good job bringing Dora’s resignation (which almost felt like laziness) to life and then gave her that touch of inspiration to move forward with her future plans. It’s always great when the author is able to make me change my opinion about the main character and it definitely helped me come to agree with the direction the author took this story in. I also loved that both our main characters have supportive friends who always have their back. I always enjoy good female friendships.

Overall, this is a cute story of falling in love but I would have definitely loved to get to know the two MCs better. Give this a try when you want something short and fluffy.… (altro)

This got a little personal towards the end and I'm not sure I can do full sentences, so quick list of the many great things in this book:

- cute f/f romance with artistic girls!!
- multiple girls of colour and discussion of latinx people being all kinds
- almost entirely female cast!
- female friendships, and several sapphic sidecharacters besides the main two
- clear discussion of boundaries in sex, character not being shamed for saying something doesn't do it for her
- 24-year-old virgin character who is not shamed by her friends
- girls leaves toxic family and is happy, but also reconciling siblings

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the only things I didn't like are really "it's not you, it's me" things so I'm not even going to go into it.… (altro)