Status Updates From Can't Spell Treason Without...

DNFing bc I didn’t like this! I listened to most of it. There’s someone waiting for my Libby copy… best of luck to them! The characters are going on their first date of the whole book atm… yk, the cozy romantasy.

-It’d help if their personalities/character traits were more distinct & unique. Also if we saw them actually open up properly instead of just fighting? Both of them had cases where they were like “I want to HIT YOU bc you put yourself in danger, even though ik that’s your job & you’re in a unique position of power where you’re MORALLY OBLIGATED to help” ??? wtf is wrong with them? Get Uncle Ben in here

-romantically involved for YEARS! Not until the events of this book did they profess their love for one another, begin to unravel their insecurities surrounding their relationship, plan or even discuss their goals (living together, marriage, kids, how their careers may align within their lifestyles)? Yet they’re somehow head over heels for each other & this is constantly told to us via their narration. But why?-

-who’s chapter it is. Moreover, idk why the protagonists love each other. I think the choice to have the romantic protagonists in a preexisting relationship is fine; however, the chemistry, affection, & vulnerability between them isn’t convincing. Sure, they haven’t had a ton of consistency in the years they’ve been together due to their jobs/statuses getting in the way; but they’ve still been-

-but still, who cares? It’s hard to care when the world building is slim & done off the page, simply babbled in bits of dialogue. & not in a way that sparks the imagination of the audience, coaxing them to draw conclusions. Just in a way where certain details are offhandedly explained to give necessary context; but this isn’t interesting. Not to mention, the POVs aren’t very distinguishable; I often forget-

-I’ll stay clear of this author. I gave this book a shot bc I’ve seen so many people praise it, even though I read some less than positive reviews that I’ve come to agree with. “Legends & Lattes” is a much better alternative, & is actually a character driven cozy fantasy experience. There’s a lot going on in this book, yet somehow, I’m still bored. Dragon revenge, cruel queen, political divide, magic-

This isn’t much of a cozy fantasy; there’s lots of tension, high stakes, action. The book/tea shop is but a minor plot point, & it bugs me that they rarely refer to it by name (that they lovingly chose) & more often call it “the barn.” Nothing less cozy. Also, this is more “tell” than “show,” just like Thorne’s “This Gilded Abyss” which I read in print & wasn’t cozy. So now I’m certain-