Ina Reads’s Reviews > True Brit > Status Update

I liked how the author handled Pasha’s bisexuality — and how Ed didn’t push when Pasha said he wasn’t gay. There’s a lot of respect around boundaries, which is highlighted, I think, by the fact that they have professional boundaries that are encroached on by their contract and budding social media fame. Pasha and Ed were charming and their banter stays strong throughout the whole story

While it was nice to read a lighter story than the Seattle series (although given the fact that this is yet another grief book, this time over a fallen soldier friend, “lighter story” is very relative), I do think I prefer the Seattle series a bit — the writing there is a bit more polished and all of the story pieces fit together. The music competition was interesting, but also a bit dubious at times.

3.5
Mostly really enjoyed this, but had a few “huh?” moments where Pasha’s actions didn’t make a ton of sense. We get so much backstory and emotional build up to Ed’s background and reason for entering the competition, that the lack of detail and character building around Pasha’s own traumas seemed really unbalanced. I still enjoyed this, but wish Pasha’s backstory wasn’t crammed in in bits and pieces

Did not think this rom-com-y fake dating singing competition book would make me cry, but here I am tearing up over Ed getting emotional while singing Steve’s song. Jeez. Con Riley does not pull her emotional punches

Oooh, I was not expecting this “Pasha isn’t gay” twist. Since this a romance, I’m guessing he’s bisexual, with a heavy preference towards women, (which is how I read/define the Gay For You trope), or demi/ace? Or both? Either way, very interested to see what road this takes us down next. So long as we don’t get into any homophobia/biphobia/acephobia

Why had Ed turned their survival strategy into something personal?
At some point Pasha’s touch had stopped feeling like acting.
When had that change even started?

Pasha spoke again, and this time he sounded exactly like himself. “London wants to know, Ed. What do you like about me?”
Ed looked into eyes that crinkled a little at their corners. It was easy to be honest when those faint crinkles deepened.
“Everything,” he said. “I like everything about you.”

Huh. After the Seattle series being entirely third person POV, limited to one character, was not expecting this book to switch to alternating character POVs every other chapter. Thankfully still third person, though. Will be interested to see if this makes the narrative tone shift?