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Poorly Wired Circuit
California native Sarah Bailey has been floating aimlessly for the past 10 years, jumping from IT job to IT job, and loving every second of it. Still, she feels like something is missing, and not having an answer to this one single question is making her more than anxious. But when a flyer catches her eye in the middle of a D.C. coffee shop, she sees an opportunity for a job doing tech support for the widely-known Heroes Organization. Alejandro “Alex” Alvarez was born into the superhero life. His powers can be traced back through the generations of his family, and now he leads the very group of heroes his grandparents helped start when they first came to America. But life as a superhero and a single dad to a non-powered teenage girl isn’t always easy, and when the pressure boils over his powers react in the most embarrassing of ways. His only choice is to call the IT help desk to replace his destroyed computers, bringing him face to face with the over-analytical Sarah. The two of them fall into a whirlwind romance, where Sarah is forced to confront her free-floating lifestyle while navigating the highs and lows of dating a superhero. But can Alex learn to balance the two halves of himself while also giving himself permission to love again? Or is he destined to watch the same ugly horrors repeat themselves despite his best efforts?
300 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2023
15 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this book....for the first 50 or so pages, and then I realized nothing was happening.
Now, I'll admit, I never read the original fic or watched the movie the fic (and thus this book) was based on and as a fanfic writer I'm definitely not here to diss fanfic. I don't want to go on about how this used to be a fic, but I find that I can't NOT mention it. This book isn't nearly as separated from the source material as it should be. And honestly? It still reads like fanfic to me.
But what makes a perfectly serviceable fic doesn't equate to a novel.
My biggest problem with this book is that there's no plot. Even a romance needs plot! But there's not even a romance to be found. Alex and Sarah get together basically from page one. From there on, they do nothing but seemingly drink coffee and have sex. It isn't until 74% of the way into the book that aliens suddenly show up out of nowhere.
Even though I knew aliens were part of the source material, it didn't fit in this book, and it all felt shoehorned in. The author lists out all the incredibly small details that lead the characters to come to the alien conclusion, but it felt very much like the author is a panster and forced said random details that should have been used to flesh out the world into being something they weren't.
Going back to the romance, as I said, there isn't one. The characters are head over heels for each other immediately. There's no tension, no buildup. There's no connection to the characters separately, and because they are always together, the fight they have felt forced and honestly out of character. Alex accuses Sarah of not wanting to commit to him and that she doesn't want to be a mother to Ally, but there's literally no evidence of this. It felt so out of place, I was expecting Alex to have been replaced by an imposter because it didn't feel like something he would say.
And because they get together so quickly, the characters aren't established as separate people with their own motivations and desires. Neither Sarah nor Alex have anyone else in their lives (besides Ally, and I'm not counting her too much because she's a child). They have no friends. Members of their family are barely mentioned or, in the case of Sarah's dad, a shitty parent with no connection to his kid.
Their lives aren't fleshed out. They don't exist beyond each other, and there are only a handful of (maybe less) moments where they aren't in each other's presence. And for a book about a leader of a bunch of superheroes, we never really learn anything about his life as a superhero. Alex barely interacts with his coworkers and the book is just filled with barely there mentions of him sitting in his office. Even Sarah's job in IT is practically ignored. I'm not trying to say I need the day-to-day goings on, but I need something to bring this world to life, and I didn't get it.
Even though this is a romance, and thus about these two characters getting and staying together, they shouldn't be the only characters in the book. There should also be worldbuilding, but I'm not a worldbuilding girlie so I don't have a lot to say other than that it just doesn't exist here. I know nothing about the heroes or what state the world is in that brought them about (or what's keeping them around). I will say that it is weird that it's vaguely mentioned their heroes' kids are being educated/trained in the headquarters (a building in the middle of a city) to take their parents' place from an extremely young age (the implications of which are kind of horrifying and would be so interesting in a different type of story). This is mainly a holdover from the children's movie this is based on, though, so I'm not surprised that it's still in here and wasn't explored.
And because the book is so focused on Alex and Sarah simply being together, the author glosses over what could have been really meaningful things. Sarah is at a bank while it’s being robbed, and ends up with a concussion and a broken hand. I was disappointed that this event was barely detailed despite the fact that there was a throwaway line stating that Sarah has to go to therapy because of the trauma of that event. We never actually see her in therapy, though, and even though the bank robbery takes place at the beginning of the book, the therapy mention doesn’t happen until over halfway through. Honestly, I feel like the only reason this happened was not to flesh out Sarah’s character but instead to give an excuse for Sarah to have a sleepover at Alex’s house so early on in their relationship.
Moving past the developmental issues, there were also technical issues. I’m usually a little more forgiving with books like this, but I’m genuinely left wondering if this book had an editor. There were a couple of instances where the point of view would change in the middle of a sentence, unnecessary commas, etc. I didn’t notice it happening so often that it truly bothered me but rather left me scratching my head at how something like that could be missed during the editing process.
Also, I’m disappointed to say that it truly feels like the author just did a quick find/replace to change Alex’s name and that’s it. After reading the wikipedia summary of We Can Be Heroes and seeing some videos on tiktok, I have a very basic understanding of the character he’s based on and it doesn’t seem like the author did anything to make Alex a separate character. I hate to say it, but this book is literally just fanfic with the serial numbers filed off (and even then, some of the numbers were left behind).
This review is a lot, but I really didn’t hate this book. I’m disappointed for sure. I was hoping that this book could be the romance equivalent of Hench Natalie Zina Walschots. But even though this book wasn’t my favorite, there were parts I enjoyed, and I really see the potential this author has.
I enjoyed the moments with Sarah and Alex in the beginning. They were cute and fluffy. While by the end, it was a little too much for me, I won’t forget how much I enjoyed them in the beginning.
This one is probably pretty niche, but I loved how the author included PR/pop culture gossip stuff that would inevitably surround superheroes if they were real. I’ve read a few romances involving someone famous, and none of them have written about someone getting papped in an airport and having the picture sold to tmz as well as this book did. I wish it more of it was included, but that’s just because I’m personally a sucker for gossip about famous people. It felt like the author understood some of what goes on when it comes to paparazzi and I appreciated seeing it done with some accuracy rather than a daydreamy version that I’m so used to.
I’m interested to see what else this author puts out in the future. Even though this book didn’t do it for me, I see the potential behind it all and I would be very interested to see what happens when not they're not building from a fanfic.
Now, I'll admit, I never read the original fic or watched the movie the fic (and thus this book) was based on and as a fanfic writer I'm definitely not here to diss fanfic. I don't want to go on about how this used to be a fic, but I find that I can't NOT mention it. This book isn't nearly as separated from the source material as it should be. And honestly? It still reads like fanfic to me.
But what makes a perfectly serviceable fic doesn't equate to a novel.
My biggest problem with this book is that there's no plot. Even a romance needs plot! But there's not even a romance to be found. Alex and Sarah get together basically from page one. From there on, they do nothing but seemingly drink coffee and have sex. It isn't until 74% of the way into the book that aliens suddenly show up out of nowhere.
Even though I knew aliens were part of the source material, it didn't fit in this book, and it all felt shoehorned in. The author lists out all the incredibly small details that lead the characters to come to the alien conclusion, but it felt very much like the author is a panster and forced said random details that should have been used to flesh out the world into being something they weren't.
Going back to the romance, as I said, there isn't one. The characters are head over heels for each other immediately. There's no tension, no buildup. There's no connection to the characters separately, and because they are always together, the fight they have felt forced and honestly out of character. Alex accuses Sarah of not wanting to commit to him and that she doesn't want to be a mother to Ally, but there's literally no evidence of this. It felt so out of place, I was expecting Alex to have been replaced by an imposter because it didn't feel like something he would say.
And because they get together so quickly, the characters aren't established as separate people with their own motivations and desires. Neither Sarah nor Alex have anyone else in their lives (besides Ally, and I'm not counting her too much because she's a child). They have no friends. Members of their family are barely mentioned or, in the case of Sarah's dad, a shitty parent with no connection to his kid.
Their lives aren't fleshed out. They don't exist beyond each other, and there are only a handful of (maybe less) moments where they aren't in each other's presence. And for a book about a leader of a bunch of superheroes, we never really learn anything about his life as a superhero. Alex barely interacts with his coworkers and the book is just filled with barely there mentions of him sitting in his office. Even Sarah's job in IT is practically ignored. I'm not trying to say I need the day-to-day goings on, but I need something to bring this world to life, and I didn't get it.
Even though this is a romance, and thus about these two characters getting and staying together, they shouldn't be the only characters in the book. There should also be worldbuilding, but I'm not a worldbuilding girlie so I don't have a lot to say other than that it just doesn't exist here. I know nothing about the heroes or what state the world is in that brought them about (or what's keeping them around). I will say that it is weird that it's vaguely mentioned their heroes' kids are being educated/trained in the headquarters (a building in the middle of a city) to take their parents' place from an extremely young age (the implications of which are kind of horrifying and would be so interesting in a different type of story). This is mainly a holdover from the children's movie this is based on, though, so I'm not surprised that it's still in here and wasn't explored.
And because the book is so focused on Alex and Sarah simply being together, the author glosses over what could have been really meaningful things. Sarah is at a bank while it’s being robbed, and ends up with a concussion and a broken hand. I was disappointed that this event was barely detailed despite the fact that there was a throwaway line stating that Sarah has to go to therapy because of the trauma of that event. We never actually see her in therapy, though, and even though the bank robbery takes place at the beginning of the book, the therapy mention doesn’t happen until over halfway through. Honestly, I feel like the only reason this happened was not to flesh out Sarah’s character but instead to give an excuse for Sarah to have a sleepover at Alex’s house so early on in their relationship.
Moving past the developmental issues, there were also technical issues. I’m usually a little more forgiving with books like this, but I’m genuinely left wondering if this book had an editor. There were a couple of instances where the point of view would change in the middle of a sentence, unnecessary commas, etc. I didn’t notice it happening so often that it truly bothered me but rather left me scratching my head at how something like that could be missed during the editing process.
Also, I’m disappointed to say that it truly feels like the author just did a quick find/replace to change Alex’s name and that’s it. After reading the wikipedia summary of We Can Be Heroes and seeing some videos on tiktok, I have a very basic understanding of the character he’s based on and it doesn’t seem like the author did anything to make Alex a separate character. I hate to say it, but this book is literally just fanfic with the serial numbers filed off (and even then, some of the numbers were left behind).
This review is a lot, but I really didn’t hate this book. I’m disappointed for sure. I was hoping that this book could be the romance equivalent of Hench Natalie Zina Walschots. But even though this book wasn’t my favorite, there were parts I enjoyed, and I really see the potential this author has.
I enjoyed the moments with Sarah and Alex in the beginning. They were cute and fluffy. While by the end, it was a little too much for me, I won’t forget how much I enjoyed them in the beginning.
This one is probably pretty niche, but I loved how the author included PR/pop culture gossip stuff that would inevitably surround superheroes if they were real. I’ve read a few romances involving someone famous, and none of them have written about someone getting papped in an airport and having the picture sold to tmz as well as this book did. I wish it more of it was included, but that’s just because I’m personally a sucker for gossip about famous people. It felt like the author understood some of what goes on when it comes to paparazzi and I appreciated seeing it done with some accuracy rather than a daydreamy version that I’m so used to.
I’m interested to see what else this author puts out in the future. Even though this book didn’t do it for me, I see the potential behind it all and I would be very interested to see what happens when not they're not building from a fanfic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2023
Love the idea behind this book, and the cover is really cool- I just think the writing needed a bit more work, as well as content editing.
July 11, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Poorly Wired Circuit, and it did not disappoint. Cat has written characters that jump off the page. I love how smart and capable Sarah is. I love her passion for problem solving and computers.
Alex is a devoted, loving father who is learning to navigate life as a single dad. The relationship he develops with Sarah over the course of the book is loving and healing. It’s fun to watch them grow as the relationship develops.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend it!
Alex is a devoted, loving father who is learning to navigate life as a single dad. The relationship he develops with Sarah over the course of the book is loving and healing. It’s fun to watch them grow as the relationship develops.
I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend it!
January 12, 2024
3.75 - Look I came for a fun girlie pop time and I got a fun girlie pop time.
July 3, 2023
Thank you to Cate for the ARC of Poorly Wired Circuit!
PWC follows the relationship between an IT genius and a literal superhero. With love (or at least very obvious attraction) at first sight, it might seem like a fantasy but trust me, this book is grounded in reality (well, with some sci-fi/superhero plotlines rolled in). We follow the growing relationship between IT-support-to-the-superheroes, Sarah, and metal-manipulator and team leader, Alex, as they meet, begin dating, and fall in love.
Alex and Sarah are characters that are rooted in our basest needs and desires. Alex battles the difficulties of getting back into dating as a widower with a tween-aged daughter while Sarah's walls are sky-high and her desire to run from commitment battles her serious feeling for Alex.
Both characters push each other to communicate better and work through the hurdles of a real relationship while tackling their own issues. All while they have super hot, steamy, romantic, dirty sex.
Seriously, the middle section of the book had me sweating. And while the smut is definitely smutting, what I really took away from this book was the very real growth that the two characters went through because they knew it was worth it to make their relationship work. And with some serious supervillains to battle in the middle of all of that.
Even when we feel like we're too broken to love someone, or to be loved in return, if we open ourselves up to being vulnerable, the trust and deepening of a relationship can be so worth it.
It's wild that this is Page's debut novel. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
PWC follows the relationship between an IT genius and a literal superhero. With love (or at least very obvious attraction) at first sight, it might seem like a fantasy but trust me, this book is grounded in reality (well, with some sci-fi/superhero plotlines rolled in). We follow the growing relationship between IT-support-to-the-superheroes, Sarah, and metal-manipulator and team leader, Alex, as they meet, begin dating, and fall in love.
Alex and Sarah are characters that are rooted in our basest needs and desires. Alex battles the difficulties of getting back into dating as a widower with a tween-aged daughter while Sarah's walls are sky-high and her desire to run from commitment battles her serious feeling for Alex.
Both characters push each other to communicate better and work through the hurdles of a real relationship while tackling their own issues. All while they have super hot, steamy, romantic, dirty sex.
Seriously, the middle section of the book had me sweating. And while the smut is definitely smutting, what I really took away from this book was the very real growth that the two characters went through because they knew it was worth it to make their relationship work. And with some serious supervillains to battle in the middle of all of that.
Even when we feel like we're too broken to love someone, or to be loved in return, if we open ourselves up to being vulnerable, the trust and deepening of a relationship can be so worth it.
It's wild that this is Page's debut novel. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
December 30, 2023
5/5 stars
4/5 spice
This book destroyed me and pieced me back together again; I got lost in the emotional rollercoaster that is this masterpiece of a novel.
The emotional depth of this novel is like no other. It's so obvious how much Cate cares about the characters in this book. She gave these characters so much depth, highlighting both strengths and flaws in such an effortless way. They come alive off each page; they feel like tangible, real people who I would want to know and be friends with.
I want to point out that my favorite relationship was between Sarah and Ally, they were the cutest, and Ally calling Sarah "Mom" had me in tears.
Not only are there emotions, there is PINING! God, how I love mutual pining. Both Alex and Sarah are so head over heels for each other since their first meeting, and it has me swooning. The hurt/comfort of it all was RAHHHHH. I am a sucker for some hurt/comfort, and Cate really delivered. And normally, I'm not big on miscommunication/arguing, but it was so well done in PWS. AND THE HEALING!!!! We love a good healing arc, and Cate really put her writing hat on for this one. Both Sarah and Alex had wounds and trauma to heal from, and it's handled so delicately.
The romance of everything was everything, and I would die for a relationship like Alex and Sarah's. Though there was some miscommunication, they eventually talked and understood each other, and you can tell it made them love each other even more. RAH, their love is so cute, and I will never get over it.
The superhero aspect of the novel isn't a major deal until the last half of the book, but it's still an amazing superhero read. The action was interesting but not the main point of the novel, which I LOVE; as much as I love some action, I love the emotions and the depth that the action gave to the characters.
Finally, the SPICE!!! The smut in this book is top-tier, a little bit of everything for everyone. And it isn't a cringy smut; it's a heartfelt, loving spice that had me both melting and feeling frisky.
All-in-all, this was a perfect read, and I wish I could go back and read it again for the first time.
4/5 spice
This book destroyed me and pieced me back together again; I got lost in the emotional rollercoaster that is this masterpiece of a novel.
The emotional depth of this novel is like no other. It's so obvious how much Cate cares about the characters in this book. She gave these characters so much depth, highlighting both strengths and flaws in such an effortless way. They come alive off each page; they feel like tangible, real people who I would want to know and be friends with.
I want to point out that my favorite relationship was between Sarah and Ally, they were the cutest, and Ally calling Sarah "Mom" had me in tears.
Not only are there emotions, there is PINING! God, how I love mutual pining. Both Alex and Sarah are so head over heels for each other since their first meeting, and it has me swooning. The hurt/comfort of it all was RAHHHHH. I am a sucker for some hurt/comfort, and Cate really delivered. And normally, I'm not big on miscommunication/arguing, but it was so well done in PWS. AND THE HEALING!!!! We love a good healing arc, and Cate really put her writing hat on for this one. Both Sarah and Alex had wounds and trauma to heal from, and it's handled so delicately.
The romance of everything was everything, and I would die for a relationship like Alex and Sarah's. Though there was some miscommunication, they eventually talked and understood each other, and you can tell it made them love each other even more. RAH, their love is so cute, and I will never get over it.
The superhero aspect of the novel isn't a major deal until the last half of the book, but it's still an amazing superhero read. The action was interesting but not the main point of the novel, which I LOVE; as much as I love some action, I love the emotions and the depth that the action gave to the characters.
Finally, the SPICE!!! The smut in this book is top-tier, a little bit of everything for everyone. And it isn't a cringy smut; it's a heartfelt, loving spice that had me both melting and feeling frisky.
All-in-all, this was a perfect read, and I wish I could go back and read it again for the first time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2023
Effing adorable, I loved it.
July 28, 2023
The world that Cate Page has built here is unlike anything else I've ever read. Reading a superhero story that includes workplace love, found family, real relationship problems/solutions, action, among many other things was incredibly refreshing and sooooo much fun. The love between Alex, Sarah, and of course Ally, was so relatable and fun to watch develop and change over the course of the book. Definitely a great summer read with a lot of heart and spice!
June 3, 2023
I’m so lucky to have had a chance to read this early 😍
This book has something for literally everyone. Romance! Super heroes! MUTUAL PINING! Hurt/comfort! Fully realized and emotionally complex characters and relationships!! *swoons*
This book has something for literally everyone. Romance! Super heroes! MUTUAL PINING! Hurt/comfort! Fully realized and emotionally complex characters and relationships!! *swoons*
August 11, 2023
Oh, where do I even begin? This book was an absolute gem and hands down one of the highlights of my reading year! From the moment I cracked open the pages, I was utterly captivated. The anticipation leading up to its release had me on the edge of my seat, and let me tell you, it delivered in spades!
The writing style had me swooning. It was as if every word on those pages was meticulously crafted to tug at my heartstrings and transport me into the lives of the characters. I loved witnessing Sarah’s and Alex’s relationship bloom. The dynamic between them was so beautifully portrayed, it felt like I was right there with them, experiencing every up and down.
I loved the premise of a superhero needing to protect those around him but not being able to anymore or holding himself back due to his daughter. The way the author wove in this internal struggle, portraying the conflict between duty and personal responsibilities, added layers of depth that I couldn't get enough of.
A debut novel that managed to strike such a perfect balance between heart, heat, and thrills is truly something special.
In a nutshell, this book is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable experience between the pages. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down, and the characters and their journey will stay with you long after you've reluctantly turned the last page. Kudos to the author for crafting such a mesmerizing tale, and I'm eagerly awaiting their next masterpiece!
The writing style had me swooning. It was as if every word on those pages was meticulously crafted to tug at my heartstrings and transport me into the lives of the characters. I loved witnessing Sarah’s and Alex’s relationship bloom. The dynamic between them was so beautifully portrayed, it felt like I was right there with them, experiencing every up and down.
I loved the premise of a superhero needing to protect those around him but not being able to anymore or holding himself back due to his daughter. The way the author wove in this internal struggle, portraying the conflict between duty and personal responsibilities, added layers of depth that I couldn't get enough of.
A debut novel that managed to strike such a perfect balance between heart, heat, and thrills is truly something special.
In a nutshell, this book is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable experience between the pages. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down, and the characters and their journey will stay with you long after you've reluctantly turned the last page. Kudos to the author for crafting such a mesmerizing tale, and I'm eagerly awaiting their next masterpiece!
January 29, 2024
This is a great superhero romance. The romance is sweet and cozy, but the intimate scenes are very spicy.
I loved how Sarah's personality fit in so well with her job in IT and how the author described all things computer in a sort of cozy way: the hum of the processor, the organization of cords. I don't know if the author actually works in IT, or she did a lot of research, but I was definitely convinced Sarah loved to work with computers.
The comedic relief was hilarious. I don't want to spoil much but the mentions of tentacle porn and press on nails were absolute gold.
I also love how the fantasy elements of this story didn't need a lot of explaining for you to understand how it all works. I didn't feel bogged down in all the world-building.
The writing overall, was incredible. Even just showing the passing of time was poetic to me. "The weeks blur together for a little bit after that, March passing easily into April...They both seem to bite their tongues when the call comes to an end, goodbyes exchanged in a whispered rush to keep other admissions softly at bay." How beautiful is that? And that's the way most of the book is. It almost has a lyrical way about it, while still being very approachable. It's quite clever.
My favorite quote was when the hero was getting ready to fight a formidable foe: Alex didn't feel like a god. He barely felt like a man.
I thought these sentences were so simple but conveyed such a human response to fear.
Overall, this read was highly entertaining. If you are a fan of Marvel/DC but you could stand a little more romance, you can't miss this book.
I loved how Sarah's personality fit in so well with her job in IT and how the author described all things computer in a sort of cozy way: the hum of the processor, the organization of cords. I don't know if the author actually works in IT, or she did a lot of research, but I was definitely convinced Sarah loved to work with computers.
The comedic relief was hilarious. I don't want to spoil much but the mentions of tentacle porn and press on nails were absolute gold.
I also love how the fantasy elements of this story didn't need a lot of explaining for you to understand how it all works. I didn't feel bogged down in all the world-building.
The writing overall, was incredible. Even just showing the passing of time was poetic to me. "The weeks blur together for a little bit after that, March passing easily into April...They both seem to bite their tongues when the call comes to an end, goodbyes exchanged in a whispered rush to keep other admissions softly at bay." How beautiful is that? And that's the way most of the book is. It almost has a lyrical way about it, while still being very approachable. It's quite clever.
My favorite quote was when the hero was getting ready to fight a formidable foe: Alex didn't feel like a god. He barely felt like a man.
I thought these sentences were so simple but conveyed such a human response to fear.
Overall, this read was highly entertaining. If you are a fan of Marvel/DC but you could stand a little more romance, you can't miss this book.
July 23, 2023
Started reading this masterpiece early and lost track of it over time because life caught up with me. I hated that, because this is an absolute masterpiece and always wondered about it.
Had to buy a new Kindle last week because my old one died, and around the same time, I caught wind of my old love being on Goodreads and so with my shiny new Kindle I hopped on over and blew through this in two days like i wanted to do to begin with. Was, still am and will forever be in love with this book! It's one of the best things I've read, how well the words are all strung together paints literal masterpieces in my brain that pull raw emotion from me that no other book can. Will 100% re-read as many times as I can.
Had to buy a new Kindle last week because my old one died, and around the same time, I caught wind of my old love being on Goodreads and so with my shiny new Kindle I hopped on over and blew through this in two days like i wanted to do to begin with. Was, still am and will forever be in love with this book! It's one of the best things I've read, how well the words are all strung together paints literal masterpieces in my brain that pull raw emotion from me that no other book can. Will 100% re-read as many times as I can.
November 13, 2023
I posted about this novel on my instagram, but I'll rehash here.
I absolutely loved it! Alex and Sarah's love was so endearing and joyful. They both brought joy to my life and the writing of the novel was amazing. I was entranced with every word and detail to the point of reading until 2am.
It was a wonderful experience and this novel will live in my heart.
Plot: 3/5
Romance: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Fun/Reading Experience: 5/5
I absolutely loved it! Alex and Sarah's love was so endearing and joyful. They both brought joy to my life and the writing of the novel was amazing. I was entranced with every word and detail to the point of reading until 2am.
It was a wonderful experience and this novel will live in my heart.
Plot: 3/5
Romance: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Fun/Reading Experience: 5/5
June 1, 2023
What do you get when you mix a widowed dad and a brilliant IT mind with superheroes and add a healthy dose of spice? You get Alex and Sarah and their amazing love story.
These two will make you laugh, cry and groan as they save the world, and each other.
These two will make you laugh, cry and groan as they save the world, and each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2023
Ugh I love this story. Alex and Sarah are perfect in every way, they are beyond. And add Ally, they're the perfect little family 😊
July 25, 2023
“Poorly Wired Circuit” by Cate Page
5⭐️/5⭐️
4🌶/5🌶
“It could have gone on forever, the two of them content to lay against one another all night, like a song that never ends, hitting the replay button again and again just to keep the moment going a little longer.”
Sarah Bailey has hopped from job to job for years, never settling for too long in one place. After taking a job as technical support for Heroes Headquarters, she has found a semblance of contentment. Alex Alvarez, leader of the Heroes, calls IT one morning after accidentally frying all of his computer equipment. When Alex and Sarah meet face-to-face, it’s an electrifying connection, one that can’t be ignored. But navigating a relationship with a superhero is tricky business, is Sarah up for the task?
-I think this was my first superhero romance, and it certainly did not disappoint! I appreciate the way this story was written, because the heart of the plot is the romance between Alex and Sarah. Readers will get to know each character as individuals, but will also witness a touching love story. It’s filled with bumps and swerves, and at times heartbreak, but there’s a lot of sweet moments. The writing is absolutely beautiful, Cate Page’s talent as a writer is quickly evident once you start reading. I’m so looking forward to reading her future books!
Now, on to the review…
-While Alex is the leader of the Heroes, the book doesn’t really focus on the action and adventures the Heroes get into. Alex works behind a desk managing his team, his days of working in the field ended when his wife passed away. I was really pleased with how the story approached what the role of a superhero would look like within society. What difficulties and stresses would they encounter as they navigate fatherhood? Romantic relationships? “Poorly Wired Circuit” is a great character study of a superhero.
-Alex is a true sad boi, which are some of my favorite MMCs to read about. He is still navigating his role as a widower, in addition to father and superhero. It’s a lot to take on, and he definitely isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, he screws up, but ultimately he’s not a bad person. His shortcomings really humanize an extraordinary individual, and I found myself continually impressed with how his character is portrayed.
-Sarah is a fantastic partner for Alex, she balances him so well. She provides a calming presence in a rather tumultuous moment in his life. She is steady, reliable, and represents a hopeful future for Alex. And she’s very strong! She is considerate of Alex’s complicated feelings (understandably so, given that he’s a widower), but that doesn’t mean she’s a doormat.
-I need to talk about the smut, because there’s quite a bit! Alex and Sarah take some time getting to know one another before they take the next step in their relationship, but once they do…they literally can’t keep their hands off each other. Their physical compatibility is off the charts, and every time they’re together they’re able to effectively express their affection without words.
-Sometimes when there are kid characters in romance novels, authors completely miss the mark and write them unrealistically. But that’s not the case in “Poorly Wired Circuit”. Ally is a joy to read about. She’s perceptive without being arrogant, she’s kind without being cloyingly sweet, and she has a genuine relationship with Sarah that’s separate from what her father has.
-I would recommend this story if you’re interested in reading a superhero romance, love workplace romances, are in the mood for a really smutty romance, or want to read a book with a unique writing style.
5⭐️/5⭐️
4🌶/5🌶
“It could have gone on forever, the two of them content to lay against one another all night, like a song that never ends, hitting the replay button again and again just to keep the moment going a little longer.”
Sarah Bailey has hopped from job to job for years, never settling for too long in one place. After taking a job as technical support for Heroes Headquarters, she has found a semblance of contentment. Alex Alvarez, leader of the Heroes, calls IT one morning after accidentally frying all of his computer equipment. When Alex and Sarah meet face-to-face, it’s an electrifying connection, one that can’t be ignored. But navigating a relationship with a superhero is tricky business, is Sarah up for the task?
-I think this was my first superhero romance, and it certainly did not disappoint! I appreciate the way this story was written, because the heart of the plot is the romance between Alex and Sarah. Readers will get to know each character as individuals, but will also witness a touching love story. It’s filled with bumps and swerves, and at times heartbreak, but there’s a lot of sweet moments. The writing is absolutely beautiful, Cate Page’s talent as a writer is quickly evident once you start reading. I’m so looking forward to reading her future books!
Now, on to the review…
-While Alex is the leader of the Heroes, the book doesn’t really focus on the action and adventures the Heroes get into. Alex works behind a desk managing his team, his days of working in the field ended when his wife passed away. I was really pleased with how the story approached what the role of a superhero would look like within society. What difficulties and stresses would they encounter as they navigate fatherhood? Romantic relationships? “Poorly Wired Circuit” is a great character study of a superhero.
-Alex is a true sad boi, which are some of my favorite MMCs to read about. He is still navigating his role as a widower, in addition to father and superhero. It’s a lot to take on, and he definitely isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, he screws up, but ultimately he’s not a bad person. His shortcomings really humanize an extraordinary individual, and I found myself continually impressed with how his character is portrayed.
-Sarah is a fantastic partner for Alex, she balances him so well. She provides a calming presence in a rather tumultuous moment in his life. She is steady, reliable, and represents a hopeful future for Alex. And she’s very strong! She is considerate of Alex’s complicated feelings (understandably so, given that he’s a widower), but that doesn’t mean she’s a doormat.
-I need to talk about the smut, because there’s quite a bit! Alex and Sarah take some time getting to know one another before they take the next step in their relationship, but once they do…they literally can’t keep their hands off each other. Their physical compatibility is off the charts, and every time they’re together they’re able to effectively express their affection without words.
-Sometimes when there are kid characters in romance novels, authors completely miss the mark and write them unrealistically. But that’s not the case in “Poorly Wired Circuit”. Ally is a joy to read about. She’s perceptive without being arrogant, she’s kind without being cloyingly sweet, and she has a genuine relationship with Sarah that’s separate from what her father has.
-I would recommend this story if you’re interested in reading a superhero romance, love workplace romances, are in the mood for a really smutty romance, or want to read a book with a unique writing style.
September 12, 2023
**3.75 star rating**
As someone who grew up watching Justice League, Marvel movies, Smallville, Batman, and all the superhero things, I was very excited to read this spicy superhero romance novel -- and it did not disappoint!
**Mild Spoilers Ahead**
What I loved about this book:
*THE MAIN CHARACTERS 5/5
Cate Page has such a wonderful, BEAUTIFUL way of writing her characters. They come alive on the page and I swear to god they actually breathe. I loved both of her MCs to pieces. I'm a sucker for a sad boi like Alex Alvarez and Sarah's logical brain made her a VERY intriguing person to follow (because I'm very much the opposite lolol). Their motivations were clear, their decisions always in tandem with these motivations, and THAT'S why they compelled me so easily and quickly.
*THE ROMANCE 4/5
I swooned so hard for this couple. I'm not usually an insta-lovey type of reader, but I found myself giggling with glee as their romance began to blossom and then I was gaping in sheer delight when things got spicy. And let me tell you, this get SPICY (this is also from the perspective of a reader who hasn't read fanfic before, lol!). Again, their motivations behind their decisions drove the story, including the romance, and I thought it was very well done. There was one part at the end that made me a little frustrated because they seemed way too focused on their relationship in the middle of a very dangerous situation, but other than that, I was rooting for them from start to finish!
Why I didn't give it a full 4 or 5 star rating
*PLOT 3/5
By the time we got to about 50%, things were slowing down, and I was totally ok with it for a while. It started to pick up at 65% with the romance plot (love it) and again at 75% with the overarching plot. For the overarching plot, I found the twist to be a little bit out of nowhere; there were hints dropped throughout, yet it still felt jarring. I think a part of this is because I honestly forgot this was a superhero genre story from the 10%-75% mark due to Alex not using his powers all that much. I know him and Sarah work at a Hero organization and it's mentioned often, but I didn't see a lot of the superhero stuff in action. So when the disaster struck, I felt thrown into a world I forgot I was a part of.
*WORLD BUILDING 3/5
The world building at the beginning was great! It's set in modern time so when markers were mentioned, I knew what to picture in my head and where we were. Once the disaster happened, as mentioned above, I got a bit lost setting-wise.
*OVERALL
I thought this was a fantastic debut novel! The most important parts for me in books are the characters, and I will say it again, CATE PAGE KNOWS HOW TO WRITE CHARACTERS! Alex and Sarah brought me into the story and it's why I stayed to the end. Also knowing that this was originally a much longer fanfic = so impressive she condensed this into a novel. I had such a great time reading it and I've already recommended it to a ton of my superhero-loving friends :)
I'm very excited to see what this author brings to us in her future works!
As someone who grew up watching Justice League, Marvel movies, Smallville, Batman, and all the superhero things, I was very excited to read this spicy superhero romance novel -- and it did not disappoint!
**Mild Spoilers Ahead**
What I loved about this book:
*THE MAIN CHARACTERS 5/5
Cate Page has such a wonderful, BEAUTIFUL way of writing her characters. They come alive on the page and I swear to god they actually breathe. I loved both of her MCs to pieces. I'm a sucker for a sad boi like Alex Alvarez and Sarah's logical brain made her a VERY intriguing person to follow (because I'm very much the opposite lolol). Their motivations were clear, their decisions always in tandem with these motivations, and THAT'S why they compelled me so easily and quickly.
*THE ROMANCE 4/5
I swooned so hard for this couple. I'm not usually an insta-lovey type of reader, but I found myself giggling with glee as their romance began to blossom and then I was gaping in sheer delight when things got spicy. And let me tell you, this get SPICY (this is also from the perspective of a reader who hasn't read fanfic before, lol!). Again, their motivations behind their decisions drove the story, including the romance, and I thought it was very well done. There was one part at the end that made me a little frustrated because they seemed way too focused on their relationship in the middle of a very dangerous situation, but other than that, I was rooting for them from start to finish!
Why I didn't give it a full 4 or 5 star rating
*PLOT 3/5
By the time we got to about 50%, things were slowing down, and I was totally ok with it for a while. It started to pick up at 65% with the romance plot (love it) and again at 75% with the overarching plot. For the overarching plot, I found the twist to be a little bit out of nowhere; there were hints dropped throughout, yet it still felt jarring. I think a part of this is because I honestly forgot this was a superhero genre story from the 10%-75% mark due to Alex not using his powers all that much. I know him and Sarah work at a Hero organization and it's mentioned often, but I didn't see a lot of the superhero stuff in action. So when the disaster struck, I felt thrown into a world I forgot I was a part of.
*WORLD BUILDING 3/5
The world building at the beginning was great! It's set in modern time so when markers were mentioned, I knew what to picture in my head and where we were. Once the disaster happened, as mentioned above, I got a bit lost setting-wise.
*OVERALL
I thought this was a fantastic debut novel! The most important parts for me in books are the characters, and I will say it again, CATE PAGE KNOWS HOW TO WRITE CHARACTERS! Alex and Sarah brought me into the story and it's why I stayed to the end. Also knowing that this was originally a much longer fanfic = so impressive she condensed this into a novel. I had such a great time reading it and I've already recommended it to a ton of my superhero-loving friends :)
I'm very excited to see what this author brings to us in her future works!
June 4, 2023
I was fortunate enough to get an early read of this wonderful story, and it did not disappoint!
Cate cares about the characters in this book, and it shows in how she writes them. I want to be swept off my feet by Alex. I want to share a bottle of wine with Sarah. I want to help Ally with her homework. Cate gave these characters so much depth, unafraid to delve deep into the core of who they are, highlighting strengths AND flaws with such effortless grace. They come alive off each page, which I couldn't turn fast enough so I could gobble this story up.
There is something for everyone here: fully realized characters with incredible emotional depth, mutual pining, romance, SPICEEEEE, superheroes (!!), action, hurt/comfort, healing, and MORE!!
Cate cares about the characters in this book, and it shows in how she writes them. I want to be swept off my feet by Alex. I want to share a bottle of wine with Sarah. I want to help Ally with her homework. Cate gave these characters so much depth, unafraid to delve deep into the core of who they are, highlighting strengths AND flaws with such effortless grace. They come alive off each page, which I couldn't turn fast enough so I could gobble this story up.
There is something for everyone here: fully realized characters with incredible emotional depth, mutual pining, romance, SPICEEEEE, superheroes (!!), action, hurt/comfort, healing, and MORE!!
April 21, 2024
Yall, I am so so easy to please LOL. Sure, the insta-love was strong in this one. The whole thing was basically just fluff so sickeningly sweet that I wanted to gag (in a good way), and usually that’s not my thing (I’m cynical and have never experienced love LOL) but it was just so cute 😭 it was only slightly weird for me to know I was reading a romance book where the main character was heavily inspired by the dad from the shark boy and lavagirl sequel…. 😂 but i did buy it specifically for that reason, so… 😬 I THINK THERE NEED TO BE MORE SUPERHERO ROM COM BOOKS. I love themmmmm
December 17, 2023
Warm. Funny. Spicy. The humor is so entertaining and I LOVE the main characters, they have great chemistry. The Heroes thing is SO cool. This made me more interested in romance as a genre. This would be great for someone who wants a lighthearted, intriguing, yet spicy read with a touch of action. I'm excited to see how this author progresses in her future works!
April 24, 2024
Squeeeeee!!!
Swoon. Eek. Swoon. Oh my. Nooooo. Oh, thank the gods. Swoon.
These are basically what Cate Page's book made me feel in a little over 400 pages. Action, spice, emotional upheaval, freaking aliens, and more upheaval. All melded together with smooth, beautifully written prose. Highly recommend, because I will definitely be coming back to this one again!
Swoon. Eek. Swoon. Oh my. Nooooo. Oh, thank the gods. Swoon.
These are basically what Cate Page's book made me feel in a little over 400 pages. Action, spice, emotional upheaval, freaking aliens, and more upheaval. All melded together with smooth, beautifully written prose. Highly recommend, because I will definitely be coming back to this one again!
Read
August 2, 2024Such a fun story and very very spicy! Alex and Sarah are so sweet together and this story makes you cheer and cross your fingers for these two adorable characters. With pop culture references and some dramatic twists, this is a great summer read for anyone who loves romance, comics and action movies, and reading for the joy of it.
September 2, 2024
This book was fun from beginning to end. Flavoured with superhero lore and tropes, this love story felt like a comic book in the best possible way. Steamy yet sweet, this is a great recommendation for anyone who loves the Avengers and has browsed through its spicier fanfiction ;)
July 13, 2023
An absolutely gorgeous love story that kept me turning the pages. I loved this concept. Never read anything like it before in romance novels. Cate's writing makes me smile so big.
September 6, 2023
2.5 stars
December 12, 2023
I will say that you do not read this story for the plot. The story line was pretty bad and the writing isn’t that great, but it’s really fkn spicy lol no more comment
March 11, 2025
found Cate through her Insta. This was funny and hot. Sarah is a great character.
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