A bit too long. I felt like the ending was a bit unbelievable, especially with all the grief and daily life going on, for an extremely ambitious grovel. Definitely felt half women's fiction half romance, working through death of a loved one and the grief. Then an insta-yet-so-slow-burn friends to lover type relationship between two super hesitant leads. I wanted more of the romance, relationship, good stuff and a lot less of the grief, sadness, and avoiding emotions. This also was just so cishet white family for me. 

Sherry Thomas is a gem, and I really appreciated her take on this YA retelling of Mulan. I found myself questioning my own biases on ethics, East Asian Countries, colonization, and war while reading this. Thomas has a way of throwing in little breadcrumbs of historical significance and philosophical questions in the book. The note at the end talking on the research that went into this book was also very awesome, and makes me roll my eyes at Disney and the oversimplification of their take on Mulan. 

This wasn't my favorite of the series, but also wasn't the worst. 
I enjoyed the view into the life of a single parent with a chronically ill child, and how exhausting it is mentally, emotionally, monetarily, and physically on the family. I would also lose my sense of self if I juggled a 9-5 to pay off medical bills, all while juggling a child with CF. I would eat-sleep-breathe my child and their needs, just like the hero did. I love this little found family in CO and how loving they are to one another, and I so wished they were introduced to this family so much sooner than when they did. They would have helped. 
I think once the heroes just TALKED to one another, so much of their conflicts and issues were solved, this was a big miscommunication trope, but I also get how the BPD and single parent mentalities could put up walls from having that open communication. They were a good fit for one another, and I loved how in our little tattoo boy was, and how sweet he was with the daughter. 

Oh Miguel, sweet sweet Miguel. And Amit. I loved these two characters. They were good for one another, and I liked how they both matched what the other wanted and desired. Make lace panties sexy again! I was a bit annoyed with the "conflict" in this book, unless this would have been a 5 star emotionally intense book for me. I loved the little MC thrown in along with therapy. I'm a sucker for therapy in romance. The side plot with Amit's family came from left field though, and felt forced for conflict. Also, fuck his sister. Overall, still in love with this one, and loved the super femme and super gruff yet so supportive and caring chemistry pairing. 

I really did enjoy Wyatt and Mat's romance. Seeing Mat's TBI play out, and how his disability wasn't one you could see, but had an immensely huge impact on his life. I felt that bi-hesitation too. Not feeling "queer" enough, and not wanting to take up space in a community where you've been in a cishet marriage. Wyatt's life made me want to cry. That poor sweet man didn't deserve half the bullshit that got sent his way. With overbearing and also toxic family members and a trash toxic awful ex husband. These two healed one another, and I really had a great time reading this book. 

Really enjoyed the childhood friends to lovers chemistry going on, the forced proximity and fake dating. There was good commentary on microaggressions. I'm not sure how i'd classify steam on this one, there's flirting and some kinda sexy moments (only one bed!), but it was lacking a bit. Not quite fade to black/open door, not quite explicit. But, the point of the book isn't the steam. The "conflict" was also annoying, especially with childhood friends to lovers and parents meddling. Very light and fluffy rom com style contemporary, interracial romance, cosplay and reality show plot. 

Sherry Thomas is so stinking smart! The marriage of convenience was sexy, so was the wit of the leads and how they figured out the others angle and game. Enjoyed this one!