Author: Talia Hibbert

Category: Novel

Publisher: Piatkus

Publication date: 9 March 2021

Blurb: Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong—so she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins a wedding, her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she’s not entirely sure how…

Jacob Wayne is always in control. The uptight B&B owner expects nothing less than perfection from his employees, so when a purple-haired tornado of a woman applies for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else entirely…

Review: This book was recommended to me when I requested recommendations for books that feature neurodivergent women, and I didn’t know what to expect. I wish that someone had told me about the sex scenes!

I enjoyed most of this book, I honestly didn’t feel the sex scenes added to the story and could have been done with closed door scenes, however I know that isn’t everyone’s preference. The relationships Eve has with her family and the others around her were fun, as well as her quirky nature. I related to so many of her struggles.

If you’re looking for a fun romance that features neurodivergent characters, with a bit of spice, you’ll enjoy this one.

Since reading this book, I have read another in the series, and I’m positive that character is neurodivergent too, however it’s not stated.

The post Review: Act Your Age, Eve Brown appeared first on There's a J In there... Somewhere!.

Author: Helen Hoang

Category: Novel

Publisher: Berkley

Publication date: 5 June 2018

Blurb: Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Review: This book was recommended to me when I mentioned that I was wanting to read more books featuring positive representations of autistic women as well as those for children.

This was an interesting story, featuring an autistic character and was full of the usual social challenges that many neurodivergent people face. I really like that the main character was successful in her work and was doing well in the company too.

For the most part I enjoyed this book. I’m not a huge fan of sex scenes as a general rule as most leave me feeling like they aren’t well done. The sex scenes in this book were done well, however it may have been possible to tell the story without them (my own personal preference). Although, I can understand why they were there, given the nature of the story.

I did enjoy the autistic representation, even though Stella sees herself as having a disorder for most of the story, but that is also quite common as we get the message there is something wrong with us our entire lives! She had a strong internal narrative that is one that I know I am familiar with.

Overall I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author.

The post Review: The Kiss Quotient appeared first on There's a J In there... Somewhere!.

Category: Novel

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Publication date: 18 April 2023

Blurb: Phoenix Rose, a 35-year-old neurodivergent teacher, is at a crossroads in her career and in her relationship with her boyfriend, Zack. But when she receives an urgent plea from a friend in Tasmania who needs to rehome her beloved animals, Phoenix, who has always led with her heart, spontaneously decides to help.

When she suddenly finds herself the custodian of an eccentric dog, two cats, a clutch of chickens and a geriatric pony, she makes another snap decision – to provide a new home for them all herself. The trouble is, she will have to drive the menagerie all the way back to Brisbane in time to return to Zack and her job – and she cannot do it alone. She enlists the help of Lily – a colourful younger woman who is also neurodivergent – as well as resourceful members of their online community. Together the new friends must navigate unexpected twists, setbacks and moments of heartbreak and triumph as they both move towards a new identity and understanding of themselves.

The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose is a joyful and moving tale of a woman’s commitment to fulfilling a friend’s dying wish, while finding her own inner strength and power and sharing it with others along the way.

‘A beautifully written story that celebrates difference …and about learning how to stand out in a world that demands you fit in.’ Weekend Australian ‘A joyful celebration of diversity, friendship and animal magnetism.’ Kathy Lette

Review: I have read quite a few books by Josephine Moon before, and, while I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t my favourite of hers.

I enjoyed the road trip and all the twists along the way, as well as the variety of autistic characters. It also showed something that I know to be true – that online supports can be just as real as in real life supports. Given the main character hadn’t been diagnosed for very long, she seemed to have quite a solid understanding of how to unmask and what she needed for her sensory needs, which I found a bit strange, possibly because I’m still trying to figure it out nearly two years after diagnosis!

Overall, this was a good read with positive representation of autism in women, and a fun adventure.

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