raindrops333's Reviews (1.96k)

3/5 🌶️ 

Tropes
- WLW
- Women in STEM
- Found family
- Out and joyful 

My Thoughts
I thought this book was a sweet story of a found family where not everyone has it all together. These are younger adults who are still trying to figure out what life is. If one thing I would say, the focus was one of the character's insecurities and mentioning it too many times about how bad she's going to mess up, although I can completely understand it is close to what happens in real life.  She had anxiety over her student loans, and it was mentioned a little too much. To the point that I felt the character should've spent more time working on healing the anxiety before the resolution of the story. The author did spend quite a bit of time building the story and not getting to the essence until later. Other than that, this is a delightful read of real people with real issues. I will read this author again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Triggers
Fires
Fire injury
Love triangle 

LGBTQ+ representation 
Author and main characters are LGBTQ+. 

This author has a gift to make you love the emotions of her characters. Without giving much away there are some very teary passages. 
He ghosted her on prom, but we don't know why until later. He's pining for her and always has since they were kids. He's got a tattoo with something dear to her. The happiest memories of his childhood is the time he spend with her. He fights because he thinks is the only way to control rage. 
Be ready to swoon over this story. The audiobook version is superb. The side characters, especially his brothers, are loving and kind. They are what a family ought to be.

This book was an absolute delight of a retelling that was very well adapted. Colin being the green card guy was perfect! 
Loved how the author used the poster having the First Latina Princess as an issue for our Lizzie, it's always an issue isn't it? First you are the x (woman, latina, black, brown, etc), then the accomplishment. Instead of just our Princess. But I loved how Gabriela used Lizzie's mentor to bring her back to reality and the scene with the little kids that saw themselves in her was super sweet.
I'm a sucker for romances that have a slamming against the door and keep your hands up kinda bossiness.
My favorite quote: “I don’t trust myself around you, and I have to hold back because I don’t know if I’ll be able to control my feelings once I give in.” --Melted.

Looking forward to another book by this author.