BookishMarginalia

Classic, Hijinks-Filled RomCom

Revisado: 12-16-24

Sometimes you think you need a holiday romance, but what you really need is a laugh-out-loud queer RomCom like Vengeance Planning for Amateurs. Lee Winter delivers a delightful mix of absurdity and heart, blending revenge plots, budding romance, and a wildly entertaining cast of characters.

The premise is gloriously ridiculous—a muffin maker hiring a henchperson to help her exact revenge—and the execution lives up to its promise. There’s humor in spades, from Olivia’s suggestion to name a cat Wednesday to the precocious young reader who seems to understand the adults better than they do themselves. But what really elevates this story is how it balances comedy with emotional depth. Olivia and Margaret might be plotting revenge, but their journey is as much about healing their own wounds as it is about delivering payback.

Every character, not just the leads, is a joy to spend time with. Whether it’s the origin of the name Trip, the caper-style antics, or the quietly tender moments between Olivia and Margaret, the story is packed with moments that will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Vengeance Planning for Amateurs isn’t just a romantic comedy; it’s a celebration of human quirks, connection, and growth. If you’re looking for a story that will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone, this one’s an absolute gem.

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Charlie Needs Therapy

Revisado: 06-01-24

There are things about the book I did not enjoy, such as Charlie’s pathological obsession with falling in love with someone who was 100% lesbian; which was offputting and made me wonder why her friends didn’t recommend therapy. However, it was the narrator that was the worst. I listened to the audiobook and was annoyed throughout, which I’m sure affected my appreciation of this one.

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Dated and Feeds on Stereotypes

Revisado: 03-31-24

The novel is dated, feeds on stereotypes, and features to very clueless and unethical library workers. Mira is a library director who kisses Chelle during a job interview, and Chelle just acts like a lust-addled teenage boy throughout the book. I should’ve stopped reading after the first scene gave me the icks or after several subsequent scenes gave me the icks.

I regret not bailing. The last scene shows that there has been no growth between these two characters.

I regret purchasing this book.

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Unflinching and sublime!

Revisado: 12-06-22

Unflinching and sublime! Usually a short story collection is a mixed bag containing a handful of stories I love and a bunch of stories I’ve forgotten by the time I close the book, but the characters in these stories all made an impact.

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Sapphic Fantasy Dream Come True

Revisado: 05-14-22

The story was incredibly frustrating in the best possible way. It was totally worth the wait.

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Ode to Cooking Competitions

Revisado: 02-26-22

My review of this book may be clouded by the fact that I read it two days after reading the phenomenal Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake.

I thought the beginning was weak and hated that the book "came full circle" in such a stupid way. As for the romance itself, it wasn't developed enough. I could see the attraction, but the fact that a character was in love so quickly was a bit of a stretch.

Overall, I feel as if I just read an homage to cooking competition shows instead of a romance novel.

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esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

Transphobic

Revisado: 11-24-21

Disappointed in Winterson and her editors for not running this through a sensitivity reader. I can’t believe I didn’t bail.

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Powerful Collection

Revisado: 07-28-21

This is my favorite 2021 poetry book. Hearing the author read the poems as I followed along with the book heightened my appreciation for this collection.

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I Thought It Would Be Funnier

Revisado: 08-06-18

I am not that familiar with Bee’s work, but this one barely made me chuckle. There were some relatable moments, though.

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An Absolute Must Read

Revisado: 04-29-18

There is a new wave of YA books in which every day high schoolers know what they have to do, are aware of the social consequences of doing what is right, face their fears, and go for it. Moxie joins the rank of books such as All-American Boys and The Hate U Give. It promotes social change as its characters tackle toxic school culture.

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