When I read this, I’d been reading a lot of books that I picked up for free or for a dollar. My thumbnail says “oh, this is why we pay for good books.”
I really enjoyed Ten Trends (notes: “I didn’t want this to end”). Winnie is a teacher, and Byron is an author of some renown. He’s clearly on the autism spectrum, but no attempt is made to “redeem” him, make him more “normal,” or suggest that he needs to change in any way. If a character doesn’t like his behaviour or comments, they just logic it through with him. The Penny Reid Extended Universe deals well with characters on the autism spectrum, in my opinion – your feelings may vary – they feel true to my own experiences.
Winnie decides to expand her social media offerings of STEM videos to gain more followers for a potential job. She’s going to expose all sides of herself – proving to her audience that you can love makeup and tiktok at the same time as kicking arse at science – women contain multitudes.
Byron accidentally ends up being her TikTok challenge partner, when her initial choice, henceforth named Icky Jeff, falls through. The slow boil tension between them is amazing, delightful enough to overcome the “oh my god, just have a CONVERSATION” irritant. Again, the Found Family (common to all Penny Reid books) Byron and Winnie share is amazing, and I’d happily read future novels about any or all of them.
Penny Reid romances are a fave.