Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Xeni

Okay, I needed an X book for the A to Z reading challenge and X titles are few and far between but I figured this would be cute enough. Friends? I was wrong. This was a miss. I was fine with the ridiculous plot of “you have to marry a stranger for your inheritance” but everything else was both too much and also super boring. You can go ahead and pass on this one.

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yourbookishbff's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a fun, fast-paced read with fantastic bi representation. Both main characters are bi, and there is really authentic on-page dialogue between Mason and Xeni as he shares the biphobia he’s experienced - both generally from family and from intimate partners he had trusted - and it tackles head-on some of the more frustrating misconceptions about bi folks (the biphobic idea that we can’t be monogamous rearing its ugly head in Mason’s prior relationships). You would think a modern-day, marriage-of-convenience story would feel like a stretch, and while, sure, it does, it also brings incredible levity to a story that still handles tough topics like grief, emotional abuse and abandonment, and more.

This is also an incredibly sex-positive story, where our main characters speak openly and honestly about what they like and dislike, about their sexual histories and health and about how they plan to enjoy their (supposedly limited) time together. I loved glimpses of Xeni’s friend group and Mason’s family and am absolutely going back to read Rafe very soon.

And, critically important: I loved this small-town rep. Cranky county clerk who really blows the wedding vibes? Check. Found family among the handful of people of color in an otherwise extremely white town? Check. Everybody in everybody’s business? Check. And my absolute favorite part: big-city girl falls in love with cute boy-in-henley working at the cozy small-town cafe and PLOT TWIST.

Anyways, I won't spoil anything, but if you're looking for a sweet, hot bi4bi read, this is it.

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crystalisreading's review

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lighthearted relaxing

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Xeni is a delightfully cozy and affirming queer interracial romance. There's a lot of emotional angst, but there's just as much sex and food scenes. dogs. a diverse, accepting community (that heavily involves characters from other Weatherspoon romances, although this only adds value for those who've read those books; for readers who haven't read her wider catalog, the story is still easy to understand). Two MCs who are delightfully confident in their own physical attractiveness, and open to their physical attraction to each other. Some unexpected but well-written kink. And the financial stability that comes with an enormous inheritance. I was honestly not sure how the romance would work out, so maybe it was less cozy than I remember, but the ending was satisfying and believable, and the overall story was enjoyable. How could I expect anything else from Rebekah Weatherspoon? #23for23

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traceyanderson's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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kerrythefire's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Xeni and Mason. 💛 These characters, their vulnerability and honesty, was just so refreshing.

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Revisited this one again and had forgotten how funny the dialogue is. It's quick, witty, deadpan, and Xeni and Mason have the most clever retorts (when talking to each other or other characters). I chuckled so much because of their banter. In general, I absolutely love their communication style... they're just so open and authentic. They say what they mean and what they think and give each other grace when they misunderstand something and it's just so healthy!!

This book was just all around inclusive. I loved the representation woven in throughout - in subtle and more overt ways. Whether regarding the experiences (good and challenges) around race, sexuality, gender, reproductive choice, kinks... even nods to the realities of things like systemic racism and gentrification and the toxic power of the corporate class. And shoutout to therapy! This was such a progressive book without beating you over the head with an advocacy message. It was, to borrow a word from my previous review, refreshing.

Xeni and Mason will forever be some of my favorites.

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downtown_kb's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was kind of too much drama for me. I hated Xeni’s family and the side characters all had very loud personalities and side stories and it was overwhelming, taking away from the romance. There were some cheesy moments weird character traits that seemed like it was trying too hard and weird inconsistencies. It was set in New York and Xeni was from LA but kept saying things only someone from England would say like telling someone they did a “bang up job” for example.

The kinky scene was really the only part I enjoyed. It was realistic with great communication

Maybe this would have been better not on audio. Definitely a weird choice to have a British man read a predominantly female American POV. He couldn’t really add inflection when he read in his American accent.

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bookish_afrolatina's review

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emotional funny hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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