Did I enjoy reading this book? Yes, I did. Did I wanted more from these characters? Yes, I did.

This book has its potential in being a great romance book but there were some lacking parts. Let me explain. In the beginning of the book, I struggled in paying attention. I kept getting distraction that I lose focus on the characters journey together. Or they chemistry for each other when they reunited again. But I kept on reading, and it improved so much more. I just wished that the pace in the beginning match the middle pace. You lose a lot of readers in the beginning who isn't ready to push through. Just saying.

For the characters, I truly enjoy them. They have spark for each other after so long. They may want something different in the beginning but opposite do attracts each other.

I was drawn to this book because of its luscious cover and the blurb, but it didn’t hold my attention enough for me to get through it. Dnf unfortunately.

Unfortunately as much as I wanted to love this book, I couldn't finish or get through the first half. The synopsis and cover. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with the story and it has a lot to offer but the writing style for me, didn't live up to the promise in the synopsis.

I read quite a lot in this genre and tend to know what to expect but there was something about the writing that I couldn't get into. It felt quite forced and sadly fell flat so in a romance novel where you'd usually root for the protagonists and feel invested in their love story, it had quite the opposite effect.

This one was a DNF for me. I will not be posting a review of it but thank you for sending I think people would like this one it just wasn't for me. Thank you again for the copy.

This arc took me a minute to get through but you know I love to read how authors conceptualize the impact of gentrification in romance (how it impacts relationships family, friendships, and of course romance). I didn't always connect with the writing but I still think it was an interesting story to tell.

This book is definitely one that people sound give a try and I think so many people will love it! I really wanted to enjoy this story, but unfortunately it wasn't for me. There was nothing wrong with it, I just struggled to get into the writing style and to connect to the characters. I think this could be a book that so many people love! I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good sapphic romance!

While I was actively looking for a diverse sapphic romance to dive into, "Can't Resist Her" didn't quite live up to the hype I had, especially after both seeing the cover and reading the synopsis. I enjoyed the idea of the romance itself, but the dialogues were badly written and unrealistic a lot of the times. The character don't read as being really flashed out, and this makes the audience uncapable of relating to them fully.
I was really keen on getting into it because I had read that it was a novel focusing on black joy, and black women living and loving without experiencing losses and trauma within the pages, but while I appreciated the conversation about gentrification for example, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

3.5/5

This was really cute, but didn't meet the expectations I had for it unfortunately. I liked both of the characters individually but felt like we only got to scratch the surface of their attraction to each other and their relationship. I thought the conversations in the book were really important and handled really well, but did start to take away from the story as a whole, leaving it feeling kind of imbalanced.

The dialogue felt unnatural a lot of the time and I don't know if that's because we were swapping POV in the middle of chapters, but because of that I felt it hard to stay in the story and connect with the characters in the way that author was wanting. I think this book could have benefitted from maybe another round of edits to help it seem less stiff? There's a lot of potential and i think the story has a decent foundation, but when it comes to the characters and their relationship it felt very underdeveloped.

(ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.)

dnf @ 36%

i just couldn't get into this, though i did appreciate the conversation about gentrification, and the queer-ness. i might go back to it one day, but right now i'm just not in the mood. ah well!

DNF - The synopsis was obviously what intrigued me about this story & the cover art is warm & welcoming - with the promise of a great story within. Unfortunately, I should have known better than to request this. The genre isn't one I typically enjoy reading; I find it difficult to come across great books because of the way in which I approach reading. I really wanted to love this & was hopeful but ultimately this wasn't my cup of tea. I struggled to engage or care - no one seemed very deep so it made it difficult for me to care. I'm sure there is an audience for this book though.

I was disappointed with this one. I appreciated the themes, the premise, and the cover is beautiful. I didn’t really have any issues with the story itself, but the lack of chemistry between the characters (all of them) and the formality in the conversations really shook me. These are black people from the south and I really didn’t get a feel of that at all.

That was... Underwhelming. I was hoping for a cute romcom but everyone annoyed me and everything felt too robotic

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.

Tropes:
Small town romance
A dash of second chance? (They never dated in high school, but a kiss at the graduation party)
High School Crush
Rivals to lovers (One MC is trying to save the abandoned school the other MC is working with the company who is spearheading the redevelopment of the school’s plot)
Elementary School Teacher x Architect/Planner

It’s a slow start, the dialogue feels robotic. Everything is almost too open, what everyone thinks they say and problems instantly arise and then lead nowhere.


Summer was mad that Aiko is working on the project to redevelop the abandoned school, but she “got over it” in like a blink of an eye.

Both FMCs flip flopped between forgetting/ignoring that they are on opposite sides of a situation, and then being mad at the other for either doing what she thinks is right or doing their actual job. When they were mad, the anger fizzed out VERY quickly.

It also felt like every time Summer and Aiko went on a date, Summer was using it to tell Aiko why her project shouldn’t happen. Summer told Aiko about her grandma (first date), the school’s founder, and then how hard it is for Summer coming back and seeing all the changes (third date). It seems as if Summer isn’t even considering that this is Aiko’s job, or considering Aiko’s side, she’s only interested in bringing Aiko to her side.

Summer’s POV is difficult for me to get into. Summer is quite selfish, and when she asked Aiko about her side she still was guilt tripping Aiko. “Tell me why you’re so invested in seeing our old school, and my grandmother’s legacy, turned into yet another corporate development.” Summer doesn’t even care that even if Aiko COULD do something, doing something could cost her her job, and it would be difficult to find another one because she was fired. Aiko provides precedent that the redevelopment would help the city rather than the abandoned school staying as is. Summer got very defensive when Aiko started questioning Summer’s job (as Summer has been doing for Aiko’s job) teaching TWO year olds at a private school, rather than teaching at a public school.

They seem to constantly ignore the fact that they are on opposing sides(at their cores) to give into the attraction/lust they feel for each other. The thing is, is that they are self aware about this. They mention it to their friends. They acknowledge it and then they keep repeating the cycle.

Peach is literally my favorite character. The only voice of reason.

Maybe its just me but the chemistry of Aiko and Summer feels surface level. It’s not deeper than the fact that they find each other attractive and that’s it.

This book was definitely not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Can’t Resist Her is now available for purchase and at your local libraries.

Summer and Aiko had a Cinderella-esque meet-cute at their senior prom but quickly lost contact with each other (pretty easy when only one of them knew who the other was); over a decade later they find each other again and decide to pursue a relationship with their respective one who got away. However, in a Shakespearean turn of events, they quickly find themselves on opposite sides of the major redevelopment plan for their own alma mater.

I absolutely adore the premise of this story and its execution; seeing how Summer and Aiko’s dual relationships with each other play out simultaneously is very entertaining to watch and incredibly well written; one minute, they’re thirsting after each other in the middle of a bar and the next they’re facing off live on the local news. These women are funny and complex and you can’t help but root for them.

One thing that didn’t sit right with me throughout the story was the overt descriptions of literally every food item that appeared in the book. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good food moment, but in this particular book it just felt so forced and out of place and I just could not look past it. Aiko does this with both food and buildings, but she works in architecture so when she has moments describing the buildings they visit and why they are the way they are it makes sense and it feels much more natural (and it happens far less frequently). This doesn’t take anything away from the story at all, but it doesn’t add much to it either; instead it just affects the reading experience.

Another moment I had an issue with was the introduction of the relationship conflict and doubt outside of the whole Romeo + Juliet-ness of the situation; it was like someone exhaled and somehow that knocked down an entire sandcastle. Come on, have a little faith in your girlfriend, she deserves better than that. However, when it was time to call people out, people were *called out* and I loved it.

All in all, this was a fun, romantic, spicy sapphic read perfect for anytime of year (although, Summer and Aiko’s relationship could melt an igloo).

This was enjoyable, but I found the chemistry to be lacking quite a bit in the lead characters, I think if that it improved it would definitely be a 4-5 star read for me, but without this I can’t rate higher

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I am a little late on this one. I got it from Net Galley but I was deep in writing mode when it came out. I finally got around to reading it and it was so good! Black sapphic romances are not plentiful out here so I'm very glad I got to enjoy this one.

Summer and Aiko's meet-cute was great. Then when they met up the second time it was just as cute. Crushes can be deep and they both had been holding onto it for so long. I loved the way their relationship progressed.

They were at odds about the old school and that was present the entire time. I wasn't even mad when things came to a head. It was expected and a very necessary part of the plot. I usually don't like that sort of drama (third act breakup) but it was done really well in this book.

The end was super cute and super sweet which is just what I like. Definitely a five-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is amazing book I loved. I love the story of the book you feel you in the book with the characters. The writing style is amazing. It’s fast paced enjoyable read loved every paged.

This was a great read and I have been recommending it whenever I thought of it. I loved the dual perspectives and it gave plenty of spice along with laughs and emotions. I love the build up to their relationship. I ate this book up pretty quickly. I just loved reading Black/POC Love, especially when I've been starved for it in literature.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I got about 20% into this one, but couldn't finish. It just wasn't for me. The story just wasn't grabbing my attention. Doesn't mean it won't be great for others, I just couldn't get into it.

A slow burn, second chance, sapphic romance between two women of color that deal with their own insecurities, estranged family and gentrification. My only critique is that the two heroines relationship and chemistry was off. I would read more from this author in the future.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.