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Seraph's Burlesque Club #1
Show Up
A fake date … a real secret
An invitation to her ex's wedding is the icing on a crappy cake for burlesque dancer Yolande. Her ex ghosted her just as they were about to take the stage for their neo-burlesque act. Yolande’s friends at Seraph's Burlesque Club persuade her that attending will show her ex that she's moved on. She just needs a date.
Shy bartender Reiko has a secret, or two. She can't risk anyone discovering that her life as a penniless PhD student and bartender is a sham. And even though she's been in love with Yolande since forever, when Yolande needs a plus-one to save face at her ex’s wedding, Reiko knows any fantasy of romance is just that - fantasy. Yolande will never notice the way Reiko looks at her.
When the drama of the wedding reveals a spark of attraction between them, Reiko will have to risk her fake identity for the hope of real love.
- found family
- fake dating
- friends to lovers
- only one bed
- lesbian romance
An invitation to her ex's wedding is the icing on a crappy cake for burlesque dancer Yolande. Her ex ghosted her just as they were about to take the stage for their neo-burlesque act. Yolande’s friends at Seraph's Burlesque Club persuade her that attending will show her ex that she's moved on. She just needs a date.
Shy bartender Reiko has a secret, or two. She can't risk anyone discovering that her life as a penniless PhD student and bartender is a sham. And even though she's been in love with Yolande since forever, when Yolande needs a plus-one to save face at her ex’s wedding, Reiko knows any fantasy of romance is just that - fantasy. Yolande will never notice the way Reiko looks at her.
When the drama of the wedding reveals a spark of attraction between them, Reiko will have to risk her fake identity for the hope of real love.
- found family
- fake dating
- friends to lovers
- only one bed
- lesbian romance
230 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2021
25 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Renée Dahlia
75 books75 followersRenée Dahlia is an unabashed romance reader who loves feisty women and strong, clever men. Her books reflect this, with a side-note of awkward humour. Renée has a science degree in physics. When not distracted by the characters fighting for attention in her brain, she works in the horse racing industry doing data analysis. When she isn’t reading or writing, Renée spends time with her partner, four children, and volunteers on the local cricket club committee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 23, 2023
4.5 Stars Show Up: Seraph’s Burlesque Club, Book 1 (audiobook) by Renee Dahlia read by Kitty Mewl.
A Burlesque Club is a fun backdrop for this romance story. Two women meet while working at the club and ultimately find love while attending a wedding.
A Burlesque Club is a fun backdrop for this romance story. Two women meet while working at the club and ultimately find love while attending a wedding.
January 11, 2022
Yeah, nah... this just didn't really click for me. I liked the premise of the story though.
December 10, 2021
Gorgeous cover plus blurb drew me in willingly to the start of a new trilogy by the author and I read non-stop to the end. Our leads in this one are Yolande and Reiko and features a London burlesque club as a backdrop. For Yolande burlesque is an escape from the stresses of her job as a nurse and she looks on fellow performers and staff as family. Cruelly dumped by her ex Helen both personally and professionally, she struggles emotionally and as a solo burlesque act but can rely on Reiko (who loved her secretly for ages) to boost her spirits. Eventually Violet Alegria emerges as a solo act then an invitation to Helen's wedding arrives and Reiko volunteers to be her "plus one" for the designated high society affair. Reiko is hiding secrets, big ones and trust is so important. The die is cast for angst, family drama, heat and love with a large dose of comeuppance. The journey to love may be short or long depending on complications and recognition of a relationship's joy.
Enough said, enter Seraphs, read and enjoy. Please bring on book 2 quickly!
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout and this is a totally unbiased and voluntary review.
Enough said, enter Seraphs, read and enjoy. Please bring on book 2 quickly!
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout and this is a totally unbiased and voluntary review.
March 22, 2025
Searched up neo burlesque and I was shocked by the results LMAO. Why are they prancing around like that please? 😭
Idk I just really struggled. Especially at 80% because why are they getting touchy about interrupting each other? It’s really not that deep omg. It was a hard book to get into and get through overall.
Also who the hell breaks up with someone, wipes their flat clean out and then leaves a note to attend their Inpromptu wedding with dare I say it… a MAN (no biphobia, just wow) This is evil!!
Reiko sounded slightly robotic at times, almost inhuman. Expletives were overused for no valid reason and didn’t add anything to the plot. Pinky boom boom. As a stage name? That’s so cringey.
Okay, okay Helen had great tits we get it!! This was brought up soo many times and for what 🤣
Now for the good bits. I liked that Yolande brought the happiness out of Reiko, despite her own self-doubt. She made her feel more confident over time and that’s so so beautiful.
Side note: the height difference was really cute 🥹🥹🥹
Idk I just really struggled. Especially at 80% because why are they getting touchy about interrupting each other? It’s really not that deep omg. It was a hard book to get into and get through overall.
Also who the hell breaks up with someone, wipes their flat clean out and then leaves a note to attend their Inpromptu wedding with dare I say it… a MAN (no biphobia, just wow) This is evil!!
Reiko sounded slightly robotic at times, almost inhuman. Expletives were overused for no valid reason and didn’t add anything to the plot. Pinky boom boom. As a stage name? That’s so cringey.
Okay, okay Helen had great tits we get it!! This was brought up soo many times and for what 🤣
Now for the good bits. I liked that Yolande brought the happiness out of Reiko, despite her own self-doubt. She made her feel more confident over time and that’s so so beautiful.
Side note: the height difference was really cute 🥹🥹🥹
November 23, 2021
Reiko has been pinning for Yolande for years. They are good friends and Yolande really needs one when her girlfriend Helen leaves her. Reiko has issues with her family and the fact that she comes from money. The whole crew at the burlesque club are like a family which is great. I look forward to the next book in the series. I like the characters and the setting.
November 11, 2021
I know some fast-paced lesbian novels, but this one takes the cake and eats it too. The book felt a wee bit like a maze that had no map and just left you lost amongst the hedges when it came to how these two MC's felt about one another. Between the family angst, the up and down between the leading ladies, the ex-gf wedding, it jus felt like a hodgepodge of plots that never resolve and are instead covered up with steamy sex scenes. The dialogue was fun at times and at others it was cumbersome to get through. The concept of Reiko and her mixed up psyc profile regarding her wealth and different personas for different situations wasn't fleshed out enough while simultaneously took too much of the spotlight. Yolande and her abandonment and then falling right into Reiko, a bummer of a lesbian trope if I ever read one. I wanted so much to really love this book- it has a fun premise, I liked the setting, but the forcefulness of the two coming together and the way in which they explore their budding relationship, it left me with a cringey feeling rather than a warm happy one. It is one of those relationships that you see budding and know LBD and incompatibility will be writ on the divorce papers with all their friends shaking their heads and admitting they saw the breakup coming before they even were together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
This was the first Renee Dahlia book I have read, which also means I skipped the first two in the Seraphs Burlesque Club series. However, it didn't seem to take away from the end product which I really enjoyed. I will go back and check out the previous books though because this story was original, fun and represented a few different people of the LGTBQI+ spectrum.
November 23, 2021
This was a quick read with likable characters. Events happen fast. The two main characters work together at a club. One, Reiko, is hiding her background, keeping to herself, even though she considers the people at the club her family. Yolande has unexpectedly been dumped so her lover can marry a rich man. Helen, the ex, invited Yolande to the wedding, so Yolande took Reiko as her plus one. Surprise, Reiko’s family is there, too, so her secret is out.
Things move really quickly between the two women. The good part is they do let the other in, sharing some of their secrets. Unfortunately, a lot happens rapidly. Side characters come and go quickly, with just enough interaction to provide the other woman a little insight into her friend, but it was frustrating to get a deeper glimpse at a secondary character but not have that thread go anywhere. I enjoyed it for what it was - a short, quick romance.
Things move really quickly between the two women. The good part is they do let the other in, sharing some of their secrets. Unfortunately, a lot happens rapidly. Side characters come and go quickly, with just enough interaction to provide the other woman a little insight into her friend, but it was frustrating to get a deeper glimpse at a secondary character but not have that thread go anywhere. I enjoyed it for what it was - a short, quick romance.
June 30, 2025
zakończenie udowodniło, że jednak może być - jeszcze gorzej. sadly, lesbian smuts are as disappointing as hetero ones.
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March 4, 2024rtc (probably, hopefully)
June 22, 2023
an ok read. i liked the characters and the premise but it had too many plot points without any resolution (look at me actually reviewing a book). things happened VERY fast!!
April 26, 2024
DNF
Well, this was disappointing. First, if you're not familiar with any of my other reviews, I hate mentions of the pandemic. The author forewarns of it, but only in the foreward, which obviously I didn't read until I'd bought it. Yay. But she says the pandemic is mentioned through the story, which is a straight up lie. The whole story is about it. How the dancers were out of work during the pandemic, how everyone is vaccinated now, how Yolande is a nurse and saw so much of it, how Reiko couldn't visit her family because of it, how they all know multiple people who died. Like, fuck, man, I know, we all know. We all lived it! I do not want it in my fiction! One mention I will let go, but that is it, hard line.
But that isn't why I gave it one star. It got that after about a third of the book for, let's see, the repeat mentions of Helen's huge boobs, because...the author assumed men would be reading this? I mean, seriously, she is the character known for her boobs, which would make me feel bad for her even when I don't like her, but I kid you not, it was mentioned four times in the first three chapters. And that is just a taste of how underdeveloped these characters were. Reiko is from a rich family and has a complex over her lack of a desire to be a part of said society, but she sure falls easily into those habits when the time comes, and it didn't endear her. Yolande is lonely and has abandonment issues, and we don't actually see her work on them in the portion I read, because she is too busy feeling sorry for herself, pretending to be someone she isn't, and lusting after Reiko, who she has just realized exists. In fact, neither Yolande nor Helen seemed to know Reiko existed, which makes Reiko's I-grew-up-rich snottiness more tolerable. At least she has an excuse. Helen has her head so far up her own ass she doesn't even believe Reiko when she reminds her they used to work together. The dialogue is stilted and weird, and no one seems to say what they mean. They contradict themselves or at least their thoughts, and there is constant back-and-forth in behavior. And for a fake dating trope, there was nothing at all partner-like even displayed until almost halfway through the book. And they were alone when they kissed! That is NOT fake dating, FYI.
All in all, the writing just held no substance, the characters were tits and ass, and I gave up before I even got to a sex scene, which MIGHT have made it worthwhile. Maybe.
Well, this was disappointing. First, if you're not familiar with any of my other reviews, I hate mentions of the pandemic. The author forewarns of it, but only in the foreward, which obviously I didn't read until I'd bought it. Yay. But she says the pandemic is mentioned through the story, which is a straight up lie. The whole story is about it. How the dancers were out of work during the pandemic, how everyone is vaccinated now, how Yolande is a nurse and saw so much of it, how Reiko couldn't visit her family because of it, how they all know multiple people who died. Like, fuck, man, I know, we all know. We all lived it! I do not want it in my fiction! One mention I will let go, but that is it, hard line.
But that isn't why I gave it one star. It got that after about a third of the book for, let's see, the repeat mentions of Helen's huge boobs, because...the author assumed men would be reading this? I mean, seriously, she is the character known for her boobs, which would make me feel bad for her even when I don't like her, but I kid you not, it was mentioned four times in the first three chapters. And that is just a taste of how underdeveloped these characters were. Reiko is from a rich family and has a complex over her lack of a desire to be a part of said society, but she sure falls easily into those habits when the time comes, and it didn't endear her. Yolande is lonely and has abandonment issues, and we don't actually see her work on them in the portion I read, because she is too busy feeling sorry for herself, pretending to be someone she isn't, and lusting after Reiko, who she has just realized exists. In fact, neither Yolande nor Helen seemed to know Reiko existed, which makes Reiko's I-grew-up-rich snottiness more tolerable. At least she has an excuse. Helen has her head so far up her own ass she doesn't even believe Reiko when she reminds her they used to work together. The dialogue is stilted and weird, and no one seems to say what they mean. They contradict themselves or at least their thoughts, and there is constant back-and-forth in behavior. And for a fake dating trope, there was nothing at all partner-like even displayed until almost halfway through the book. And they were alone when they kissed! That is NOT fake dating, FYI.
All in all, the writing just held no substance, the characters were tits and ass, and I gave up before I even got to a sex scene, which MIGHT have made it worthwhile. Maybe.
December 8, 2021
I received an ARC from the author via BookSprout and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Show Up is the first in a cool new series, Seraph’s Burlesque Club, by Renee Dahlia. I was instantly drawn to the setting, a queer friendly London burlesque club, especially with the found-family vibes.
I also appreciate the sense of “contemporary fantasy” world building in a sense, imagining a post-COVID world. Dahlia acknowledges the impact of what people have and still are going through, keeping in-text references subtle, but also provides hope for this future to readers.
I easily became invested in the characters. Reiko has been in love with Yolande for years, although it has always gone unrequited. But when Yolande needed a date for her ex’s wedding, I loved seeing sparks fly between them as Yolande finally began to reciprocate Reiko’s feelings.
I did feel like there were some elements that didn’t get proper time to be fully resolved, but in some cases, like the family drama, I could understand things feeling a bit unresolved, especially if the leads have a surrogate family in the club that compensates.
I enjoyed this book, and am excited for the next few books in the series. If you’re looking for a fun queer contemporary romance, I recommend picking this up.
Show Up is the first in a cool new series, Seraph’s Burlesque Club, by Renee Dahlia. I was instantly drawn to the setting, a queer friendly London burlesque club, especially with the found-family vibes.
I also appreciate the sense of “contemporary fantasy” world building in a sense, imagining a post-COVID world. Dahlia acknowledges the impact of what people have and still are going through, keeping in-text references subtle, but also provides hope for this future to readers.
I easily became invested in the characters. Reiko has been in love with Yolande for years, although it has always gone unrequited. But when Yolande needed a date for her ex’s wedding, I loved seeing sparks fly between them as Yolande finally began to reciprocate Reiko’s feelings.
I did feel like there were some elements that didn’t get proper time to be fully resolved, but in some cases, like the family drama, I could understand things feeling a bit unresolved, especially if the leads have a surrogate family in the club that compensates.
I enjoyed this book, and am excited for the next few books in the series. If you’re looking for a fun queer contemporary romance, I recommend picking this up.
June 23, 2022
The main characters were basically good people but also very navel-gazey. Sometimes it felt like every single action and conversation was filtered through an internal (or sometimes external) consideration of whether it violated consent. I enjoyed the scenes with the (awful) ex the most because they were more immediate. I was surprised that we didn’t see more actual burlesque in a story about burlesque dancers. The sex scenes were definitely hot, though. I probably would have given this book a 3.5 or 3.75 rating before it decided to dump on vegans near the end for no narrative reason.
December 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The premise and story were original and I love reading books that are on the outskirts of the popular tropes.
The story hooked me in straight away and I really liked both MC’s. The class difference was well described and the vegan part was very interesting and something I’d never considered.
I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story hooked me in straight away and I really liked both MC’s. The class difference was well described and the vegan part was very interesting and something I’d never considered.
I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2021
This is an easy read book about Yolande, who works as a burlesque dancer and has just split up with her girlfriend. Reiko works at the club and has fancied Yolande for ages. When Yolande needs a fake girlfriend for her ex’s wedding Reiko steps up. The story has good flow and is an easy read.
December 15, 2021
This is a great story of finding love in the unlikeliest of places and finding out that a person near you has loved you from afar
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2022
Book 9 of 10 for my Fauxmance Bookathon, a challenge in which I read 10 fake relationship sapphic books one after the other!
I'm sure there's a law somewhere that says that books shouldn't be allowed to have covers that oversell them. That sexy and dashing cover was the primary reason why I chose this book and it sucks because (a) the burlesque dancing depicted in the cover isn't even part of the plotline, the burlesque club isn't plot relevant at all as I'd hoped it would be because a burlesque club sounds like the perfect sexy place to have a steamy romance in and, (b) the book isn't a third as erotic as the cover is.
But regardless of these qualms, I wouldn't have minded it if the book had a good romance to hook me. The premise sounds so cliche but I'm always up for cliche! Just let it be good.
First thing which irked me about this book is that it's hella preachy. Look, I'm a brown girl from a third world nation. I love to see an awareness about racism in the characters of my book and the author too. But a full two pages on how the vegan movement is racist? I mean okay, a lot of things America does is racist. Even at the Ukraine border there's racism going unreported by international new channels wherein only white skinned Indians are being allowed to cross the border to safety. Do I want a random two pages of it inserted in my book? No.
Most importantly, while the author has made an effort to highlight racism as an issue, the biggest racism in this book hasn't been pointed out at all: The Japanese do not write their names the same way the British/Americans do. Of course, Japanese Brits/Americans may write their names in the common format but Reiko’s family are not Japanese British. Reiko is a Japanese who is came to London for her studies. With all the racism being discussed in this book, the most important issue wasn't mentioned at all. Japanese write their "second name" first.
Secondly, the romance. Reiko, who has been forever in love with Yolande, a dancer at the burlesque club, partners with Yolande to make her ex jealous by making a joint appearance at her ex's wedding. But Yolande broke up with Helen just a few days ago? And suddenly Yolande is getting feelings for Reiko too?? And they're already talking about moving in together???
[Reiko] had never given any indication that she might feel something different than friendship.
And then...
Occasionally, Yolande had caught Reiko staring at her with desire in her gaze, but each time, Reiko looked away quickly and Yolande was never certain of what she thought she’d seen.
What happened to the "no indication" at all thing???
Previous book in my fauxmance project
I'm sure there's a law somewhere that says that books shouldn't be allowed to have covers that oversell them. That sexy and dashing cover was the primary reason why I chose this book and it sucks because (a) the burlesque dancing depicted in the cover isn't even part of the plotline, the burlesque club isn't plot relevant at all as I'd hoped it would be because a burlesque club sounds like the perfect sexy place to have a steamy romance in and, (b) the book isn't a third as erotic as the cover is.
But regardless of these qualms, I wouldn't have minded it if the book had a good romance to hook me. The premise sounds so cliche but I'm always up for cliche! Just let it be good.
First thing which irked me about this book is that it's hella preachy. Look, I'm a brown girl from a third world nation. I love to see an awareness about racism in the characters of my book and the author too. But a full two pages on how the vegan movement is racist? I mean okay, a lot of things America does is racist. Even at the Ukraine border there's racism going unreported by international new channels wherein only white skinned Indians are being allowed to cross the border to safety. Do I want a random two pages of it inserted in my book? No.
Most importantly, while the author has made an effort to highlight racism as an issue, the biggest racism in this book hasn't been pointed out at all: The Japanese do not write their names the same way the British/Americans do. Of course, Japanese Brits/Americans may write their names in the common format but Reiko’s family are not Japanese British. Reiko is a Japanese who is came to London for her studies. With all the racism being discussed in this book, the most important issue wasn't mentioned at all. Japanese write their "second name" first.
Secondly, the romance. Reiko, who has been forever in love with Yolande, a dancer at the burlesque club, partners with Yolande to make her ex jealous by making a joint appearance at her ex's wedding. But Yolande broke up with Helen just a few days ago? And suddenly Yolande is getting feelings for Reiko too?? And they're already talking about moving in together???
[Reiko] had never given any indication that she might feel something different than friendship.
And then...
Occasionally, Yolande had caught Reiko staring at her with desire in her gaze, but each time, Reiko looked away quickly and Yolande was never certain of what she thought she’d seen.
What happened to the "no indication" at all thing???
Previous book in my fauxmance project
June 21, 2023
I like the concept of having a burlesque dance club tie a trilogy of books together. Straight away there is a sense of risque mystery and dark appeal that pulls and holds reader interest.
Even though the majority of this book takes place over a three day wedding event, the character developments feel like they are a slowly evolving revelation. The MC's are both open to learning and self-improvement which can spin out to tangential topics but eventually comes back to the original issue being addressed. So, be prepared for some peripatetic conversations. Reiko and Yolande are both likeable and thoughtful, so while these conversations are sometimes frustrating to watch, they are never terribly hard to bear witness to.
The thesis choice for Reiko seemed very random, and to ignorant me, inflated in significance. I'm glad it wasn't discussed over many paragraphs.
The way everyone was willing to forgive Helen for obviously being a long-term cheater on Yolande seemed a bit strange. Unless Helen had magically convinced a man to marry her upon their first meeting she has been unfaithful for quite some time.
I liked the presence of the pet cats and how they were used to highlight the main personal issue that Reiko and Yolande were each struggling with.
Overall, this story is built on the interesting foundation of a fun setting with more potential issues than some would give it credit for, likeable MC's, minority representation, found family, and the old 'one bed ' trope. The writing is good and the pace is consistent. I'd definitely recommend this book.
Even though the majority of this book takes place over a three day wedding event, the character developments feel like they are a slowly evolving revelation. The MC's are both open to learning and self-improvement which can spin out to tangential topics but eventually comes back to the original issue being addressed. So, be prepared for some peripatetic conversations. Reiko and Yolande are both likeable and thoughtful, so while these conversations are sometimes frustrating to watch, they are never terribly hard to bear witness to.
The thesis choice for Reiko seemed very random, and to ignorant me, inflated in significance. I'm glad it wasn't discussed over many paragraphs.
The way everyone was willing to forgive Helen for obviously being a long-term cheater on Yolande seemed a bit strange. Unless Helen had magically convinced a man to marry her upon their first meeting she has been unfaithful for quite some time.
I liked the presence of the pet cats and how they were used to highlight the main personal issue that Reiko and Yolande were each struggling with.
Overall, this story is built on the interesting foundation of a fun setting with more potential issues than some would give it credit for, likeable MC's, minority representation, found family, and the old 'one bed ' trope. The writing is good and the pace is consistent. I'd definitely recommend this book.
April 21, 2022
Due to my almost pathological inability to read blurbs or publisher summaries of books, I for some reason thought this was an historical romance. And due to my reading slump I was really set on reading historical.
Luckily this misapprehension was cleared up before the story even started. And in the end I got kind of what I was looking for in an historical with this book, because there were sons of Earls, Duchesses, fancy dress, snooty people, even some Regency jewels.
So it was great!
We have friends-to-lovers, fake dating, I've-loved-you-so-long, class differences, sex worker heroine.
Yolande has just been dumped by Helen for the son of an Earl. Yolande takes Reiko, who has been in love with Yolande forever (unbeknownst to Yolande), as her plus one to the wedding. They pretend to date to show Helen that Yolande is doing just fine. Fake love turns to real love as they navigate the society wedding in a post-Covid world, and Yolande finds out that Reiko's background is not what she always thought it was.
In the end I really enjoyed this, though I don't think the audio narrator was the best fit. The snooty posh people didn't sound snooty enough or posh enough to me.
I thought COVID was handled well, in that the effects of the pandemic were mentioned but not super intrusive. If we are going to have to integrate the pandemic into Contemporary Romance going forward, I thought this felt natural.
Since this takes place mostly outside of the burlesque club, I'd like to see another of this series spend more time inside the club.
Luckily this misapprehension was cleared up before the story even started. And in the end I got kind of what I was looking for in an historical with this book, because there were sons of Earls, Duchesses, fancy dress, snooty people, even some Regency jewels.
So it was great!
We have friends-to-lovers, fake dating, I've-loved-you-so-long, class differences, sex worker heroine.
Yolande has just been dumped by Helen for the son of an Earl. Yolande takes Reiko, who has been in love with Yolande forever (unbeknownst to Yolande), as her plus one to the wedding. They pretend to date to show Helen that Yolande is doing just fine. Fake love turns to real love as they navigate the society wedding in a post-Covid world, and Yolande finds out that Reiko's background is not what she always thought it was.
In the end I really enjoyed this, though I don't think the audio narrator was the best fit. The snooty posh people didn't sound snooty enough or posh enough to me.
I thought COVID was handled well, in that the effects of the pandemic were mentioned but not super intrusive. If we are going to have to integrate the pandemic into Contemporary Romance going forward, I thought this felt natural.
Since this takes place mostly outside of the burlesque club, I'd like to see another of this series spend more time inside the club.
August 21, 2022
Despite the writing style being somewhat wooden and preachy, especially in dialogues, I enjoyed this book up to the super-weird anti-vegan rant disguised as one the main characters, Reiko’s, PhD research about racism within the vegan movement. Which I was okay with when it had been mentioned for the first time, because I assumed it was about white vegans foaming at the mouth about Chinese people boiling dogs alive, while completely ignoring white people boiling lobsters alive etc. – yeah, so there are racist vegans and a lot of them, sure. I’m all for criticizing racist vegans or vegans who are jerks or entitled etc. But to describe the whole vegan movement as being inherently racist? What? The character Reiko is Japanese, doesn’t she know anything about vegan traditions/culture in Japan and in other Buddhist countries? Veganism is racist because poorly paid workers who pick up vegetables are POC? Who do you think works in slaughterhouses, then? I almost put the book down at 90%, it angered me so much.
Two stars for the good things: the high society intrigues, the mentions of Covid, and the gorgeous cover. But I won’t read this author ever again.
June 13, 2022
A lot of inconsistencies
Possible spoilers!
There were so many weird things about this book, so I’m not entirely sure where to start.
The book starts out alright but once Helen leaves Yolanda, the “wtf’s” start. Like Helen has clearly been cheating on Yolanda long enough to get married to somebody else and yet this isn’t even mentioned and everyone is somehow happy for her.
The main character Reiko goes from being super timid to super confident to super timid every 5 minutes without any pattern or logic.
Yolanda is pissed at Reiko when Reiko wants to move in together, repeatedly saying “it’s only been one weekend” but 2 weeks later Yolanda is already saying “I love you forever”.
Overall, the characters were inconsistent, the pacing is weird and the way the entire crew at the bar reacts to Helen leaving and getting married is unrealistic. At first I thought I had found a good one but it quickly turned out not to be the case. Don’t bother with this.
Possible spoilers!
There were so many weird things about this book, so I’m not entirely sure where to start.
The book starts out alright but once Helen leaves Yolanda, the “wtf’s” start. Like Helen has clearly been cheating on Yolanda long enough to get married to somebody else and yet this isn’t even mentioned and everyone is somehow happy for her.
The main character Reiko goes from being super timid to super confident to super timid every 5 minutes without any pattern or logic.
Yolanda is pissed at Reiko when Reiko wants to move in together, repeatedly saying “it’s only been one weekend” but 2 weeks later Yolanda is already saying “I love you forever”.
Overall, the characters were inconsistent, the pacing is weird and the way the entire crew at the bar reacts to Helen leaving and getting married is unrealistic. At first I thought I had found a good one but it quickly turned out not to be the case. Don’t bother with this.
December 1, 2022
3⭐️
Show Up dove straight into the plot with a cast of characters who all knew each other well. The initial plot seemed rushed and didn’t quite ring true. There were times when it wasn’t clear which character a thought process belonged to, which led to me having to go back and re-read to try and make sense of it when something contradictory happened.
I’m not a fan of the “my ex is getting married so I’ll take someone I barely know to the wedding as a decoy and magically end up falling in love” trope but this did have some redeeming qualities. The class and wealth divide between the main characters was an interesting addition, however the characters themselves could have done with more fleshing out. There was very little character development, with characters accepting whatever criticism was thrown their way and then apologising profusely.
Show Up dove straight into the plot with a cast of characters who all knew each other well. The initial plot seemed rushed and didn’t quite ring true. There were times when it wasn’t clear which character a thought process belonged to, which led to me having to go back and re-read to try and make sense of it when something contradictory happened.
I’m not a fan of the “my ex is getting married so I’ll take someone I barely know to the wedding as a decoy and magically end up falling in love” trope but this did have some redeeming qualities. The class and wealth divide between the main characters was an interesting addition, however the characters themselves could have done with more fleshing out. There was very little character development, with characters accepting whatever criticism was thrown their way and then apologising profusely.
May 20, 2023
3.5 stars
I’ve always thought that burlesque and the idea of it was really cool so I was excited to read this book! The height difference between them Ugh so cute😍. Reiko’s love for Yolande way before they even became a thing only added to their story and love unfolding the rest of the book making the story that much better. Their sexual chemistry and spicy scenes so good! Over all I’d say it was a pretty easy/fast read and I enjoyed the story.
I’ve always thought that burlesque and the idea of it was really cool so I was excited to read this book! The height difference between them Ugh so cute😍. Reiko’s love for Yolande way before they even became a thing only added to their story and love unfolding the rest of the book making the story that much better. Their sexual chemistry and spicy scenes so good! Over all I’d say it was a pretty easy/fast read and I enjoyed the story.
March 31, 2022
Entertaining but about a third of the way in, the dialogue and prose because really repetitive. That continued throughout a good portion of the book. I liked the setting and characters at the beginning, but towards the end, I just wanted it to be over. Not sure if I’ll continue with the series. 2.5 stars
November 7, 2022
It took me a few chapters to get into the book and even then it felt more like reading a list of facts then reading an actual story. The sex scenes did add more to it with the main characters, but for some reason I had a hard time really enjoying the rest of the story.
November 13, 2021
This book is amazing I love the characters and storyline. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book and author.
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September 9, 2023DNF. Rich people house party romances don't do it for me.
January 14, 2024
I really loved the relationship between the two main characters! It was adorable can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
December 10, 2021
Show Up by Renee Dahlia touches on the topic of how knowing the financial worth changes how a person is viewed and treated accordingly, even by those trusted. It's quite logical for someone to develope hangups, even a broken heart because of such behavior. It makes it difficult to move past this fear at times, but it can lead to happiness. Reiko, Yolande and Helen are examples of this in one form or another.
Reiko is definitely the one who I empathize with the most and how she deals with a certain situation that pops up in the book. I was also happy to see more beyond her quiet exterior.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reiko is definitely the one who I empathize with the most and how she deals with a certain situation that pops up in the book. I was also happy to see more beyond her quiet exterior.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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