Review by Booklist Review
In Wilsner's latest, Ginny is at a job they hate, and has been in love with their best friend, the chronically indecisive Elsie, since they were both kids. After Elsie's fiancé surprises her with the wedding she had been putting off, she realizes she cannot marry him, and breaks it off. The only hang up is the non-refundable honeymoon that he had already paid for, and insists she take. Elsie convinces Ginny to come with her on the romantic vacation. Armed with a plan to find herself and decide what she really wants in life, under Ginny's thoughtful urging, Elsie slowly discovers that her best friend is the one thing she knows she wants. The problem is, Ginny failed to mention that in order to come on the trip, they had to quit their job. Elsie as a character may sometimes frustrate readers with her inability to make a decision, but the true friends-to-lovers story will enchant many. Fans of spice with sweet romance will love Ginny and Elsie, as will any reader searching for queer and/or non-binary romance.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This escapist queer contemporary from Wilsner (Cleat Cute) takes readers from snowy Minnesota to a tropical and steamy Caribbean island. Elsie's future is all figured out: she works at her family's hardware store alongside her parents and siblings, and she's engaged to her long-term boyfriend, Derrick. But as the wedding approaches, she panics, suddenly unsure if this is the life she wants. Only after calling things off does she learn that their Caribbean honeymoon package is nonrefundable, so she invites her lifelong best friend, Ginny, to come along with her. What follows is a fairly predictable and trope-heavy friends-to-lovers story against a gorgeous backdrop: Elsie and Ginny, it turns out, have been mutually pining for each other since high school, but not wanting to ruin their friendship, have kept their feelings hidden. Ginny, who is fat and nonbinary, makes a refreshing protagonist, especially as, through Elsie's eyes, Wilsner makes their attractiveness perfectly clear. The matter-of-fact queer representation enhances the solidly constructed, if unsurprising, plot. Wilsner's fans and anyone looking for nonbinary romance will want to check this out. Agent: Patrice Caldwell, New Leaf Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Lifelong best friends consider their relationship in a new light in the latest from Wilsner (Cleat Cute). Elsie Hoffman has drifted into an engagement with college boyfriend Derrick but doesn't seem to want to plan her wedding. It's not until Elsie's fiancé decides to surprise her with an already planned wedding and honeymoon that Elsie finally realizes that this relationship isn't what she wants and breaks up with him. Elsie's best friend, Ginny Holtz, has secretly been in love with Elsie for most of their life and will take whatever Elsie wants to give them. When Elsie and Ginny go on her and Derrick's nonrefundable honeymoon to a gorgeous tropical island, Ginny discovers that what Elsie really wants is Ginny. As the two finally explore their sexual desires, bigger questions emerge, such as whether people so wrapped up in each other's lives know who they are on their own. VERDICT Readers looking for nonbinary main characters, sapphic friends-to-lovers romance, and sexy vacation novels will appreciate this heartfelt exploration of what it means to fall in love with someone you have known almost your entire life.--Sierra Wilson
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An island resort vacation allows longtime best friends to realize and act on their deeper feelings for each other. Elsie Hoffman has not been sure about many things in her life, but when her fiancé surprises her by planning their whole wedding and setting the date for one week away, she realizes she doesn't want to marry him and breaks it off. The planned honeymoon is nonrefundable, so Elsie decides to go on it with her best friend, Ginny Holtz. Even before Ginny figured out their gender, they'd fallen in love with Elsie. In high school, they asked Elsie out, but Elsie said no. Ginny kept on loving Elsie while telling themself friendship was enough. At the Caribbean resort, Ginny tries to help Elsie figure out what she wants in life and find the courage to go after it by setting a rule that Elsie gets whatever she wants on this vacation, but only if she asks for it. Elsie admits to herself that what she wants is Ginny, and their trip turns into a series of sexual encounters. When the honeymoon is over, though, the pair have to figure out how their lives fit together back home, particularly as they each pursue their professional aspirations. Wilsner's fourth queer romance delivers high heat but suffers from uneven pacing and slight conflict. Elsie and Ginny learn about their sexual preferences through open communication as they explore new territory together. Outside of the bedroom, though, there isn't much development of them as a couple; there is some individual growth in the latter part of the book, but it feels more tacked on than integral to the story. Super spicy but lacking a robust romantic relationship arc. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
