Summary
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GENRE
AO3 TAGS
Joy is in love with Malcolm.
But Malcolm really likes Summer.
Summer is in love with love.
And Fox is Summer’s ex-boyfriend.
Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he’s met the love of his life—and no, it’s not Joy—she’s heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox.
Fox sees a kindred spirit in Joy—and decides to help her. He proposes they pretend to fall for each other on the weekend trip to make Malcolm jealous. But spending time with Fox shows Joy what it’s like to not be the third wheel, and there’s no mistaking the way he makes her feel. Could Fox be the romantic partner she’s always deserved?
Hot Takes
What We Liked
Apers
I won’t lie, I considered giving up reading once or twice but I was always like nah it’s not that bad and Jems says it gets better. Despite its issues with pacing and some of the character’s discussions and even exposition reading more like baby’s first LGBTQ+ alliance, the queer representation was really good. As someone who is ace, I love that both Joy and Malcolm are different kinds of ace because there’s a lot of nuance in it. Some people, like me and Joy, love those big sweeping romantic gestures but it’s all a spectrum, after all.
What We Didn’t Like
Jems
I’ll be honest, this book was written in that contemporary romance style that personally drives me UP the wall, but the characters were strong enough that I still wanted to see how it all played out. Also, I straight up did not like Malcolm. Like at all. I found him super manipulative toward Joy, and I really couldn’t see why she loved him so much?? BUT to be fair, the whole point of the book is her realizing that the relationship wasn’t good for her and choosing herself and her own happiness, so I can’t be too mad about it in the end (still though, every time he was talking with Joy I wanted to strangle him).
Review
Apers
The pacing of this book was not even a kiddie roller coaster, it was inconsistent in so many places that I about gave up. But Joy and Fox are so cute and Summer is out here doing her best. I love the way they reacted truthfully to Malcolm, who isn’t like the villain in this because this type of book doesn’t have one, but him and his surprise schedule are the primary source of conflict in what is otherwise four people having a nice weekend together.
Jemms
This is a lower spice book for sure — we’re talking some very fun, very satisfying heavy petting and makeout seshes, but no full-on penetration scenes. That said, I’m still giving it a solid 3 peppers because the chemistry between Joy and Fox was absolutely earned and palpable. The spice felt true to the characters and their relationship, which honestly made it even hotter. Plus, the ace rep here was excellent and authentic. It’s truly refreshing to see intimacy portrayed in a way that feels real without centering everything around sex.
