Okay. Let's start with the elements I enjoyed.

Smudge. 🐱 The tree scene, the cute kitty 'round the apartment moments, the conversations between Chloe and Smudge - all super cute. But don't steal someone else's pet. Lol.

Chloe's relationship with her sisters & family - sweet and caring and made me at least a little interested in their stories.

I felt that Red's past abusive relationship was integrated and handled with thoughtfulness. This added some much-needed depth to the story for me.

That's ... maybe ... it?

I know this is an own voices story re: chronic illness, and I don't want to diminish the author's personal experience with fibromyalgia or the inclusion of a main character with chronic pain. We need more stories with that rep.

However ... as an own voices reviewer, I really, really struggled here. With a lot of elements.

Chloe was fully described by her illness. It was her whole personality.

The plot was: sexy mindreading perfect man takes care of every single need for Chloe? Chloe pretty much explains nothing about her fibromyalgia to Red. But Red just FEELS her VIBES or whatever and knows about her symptoms instantly. He acts as a glorified caretaker instead of an equal and partner. 

At least he believes her.

She's also incredibly privileged. She works from home and creates her own schedule. She's given what seems to be an endless amount of medical remedies. The majority of folks do not have this access to this kind of treatment and also have to work every day (through intense pain) or risk not being able to support themselves.

Speaking of ... she medicates with opioids and even quips about having to elevate dosages because of her high level of tolerance. This is a pretty controversial issue (at least here in the US; I know this book is British) considering the huge risk for addiction AND as far as I know, it's not generally considered an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Chronic illness is complicated and sneaky and ebbs and flows with no warning at all. But Chloe is able to put on her pain patch and travel the world? 

Other things I didn't love:

I didn't buy the rapid fire development of their relationship or the chemistry. Red felt like a creep and Chloe was just so icy.

The banter was a little too cheesy for me. And the "steamy" language that was used was just ... too much of a cringefest for my personal taste. ALSO there's a moment where Chloe basically says her chronic illness makes sex better which is ... what?!?!?

CW: explicit sexual content, chronic illness, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, domestic abuse, physical abuse, car accident, near-death experience