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Lessons in Love #1
Camera Shy
A body positive, neighbors-to-lovers romance about a curvaceous beauty who strikes an unlikely bargain with the handsome photographer next door.
"A man is going to treat you how you treat yourself. So please, for the love of God, act like a queen."
I was expecting a ring on my thirtieth birthday. What I didn't see coming was my boyfriend and business partner dumping me because he couldn't bear the idea of our bland sex life for the rest of our lives.
When an opportunity arises to spend my summer in Las Vegas, I stumble upon my hot new neighbor and his photography studio. We strike a simple deal.
He's the teacher, and I'm his student.
My lesson is learning to love the body I have. In exchange, I'm going to save his business. I have exactly one summer to unearth the most confident version of myself before I go home and return to reality.
But after a passion-fueled summer, I'm not sure of who I am anymore, and it's clear that the worst heartbreak of my life might still be yet to come.
"A man is going to treat you how you treat yourself. So please, for the love of God, act like a queen."
I was expecting a ring on my thirtieth birthday. What I didn't see coming was my boyfriend and business partner dumping me because he couldn't bear the idea of our bland sex life for the rest of our lives.
When an opportunity arises to spend my summer in Las Vegas, I stumble upon my hot new neighbor and his photography studio. We strike a simple deal.
He's the teacher, and I'm his student.
My lesson is learning to love the body I have. In exchange, I'm going to save his business. I have exactly one summer to unearth the most confident version of myself before I go home and return to reality.
But after a passion-fueled summer, I'm not sure of who I am anymore, and it's clear that the worst heartbreak of my life might still be yet to come.
446 pages, ebook
Published July 27, 2023
7,344 people are currently reading
80.7k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,809 reviews
August 15, 2023
42% dnf
if i hear him calling her queen one more time i'm going to bash my head against the wall-
i thought i would like this after reading the blurb but no💀 this whole book is full of misogyny.
the fmc is annoying; she's giving "i'm nOt LiKe oThEr gIrLs i'm a size medium so i'm fat and all those thin girls are mean cheater bitches" 🙃 how many times does it need to be said that you don't need to put others down just to show that "she's different" the way it's supposed to be a body positivity story, but yet the fmc is just constantly body shaming other people, and it keeps going and going and it just makes me so uncomfortable reading her povs.
if i hear him calling her queen one more time i'm going to bash my head against the wall-
i thought i would like this after reading the blurb but no💀 this whole book is full of misogyny.
the fmc is annoying; she's giving "i'm nOt LiKe oThEr gIrLs i'm a size medium so i'm fat and all those thin girls are mean cheater bitches" 🙃 how many times does it need to be said that you don't need to put others down just to show that "she's different" the way it's supposed to be a body positivity story, but yet the fmc is just constantly body shaming other people, and it keeps going and going and it just makes me so uncomfortable reading her povs.
August 7, 2023
if i hear the word 'queen' one more time im gonna start crying and throwing up
December 7, 2023
Listen. This book made me so happy. Finn is down BAD for her from the beginning and it made me absolutely FERAL. I finished this book feeling empowered and determined to find my own Finn and not settle for anything less. I have body issues (what person doesn’t tbh), and this book was so healing for me to read.
Also, the smut?? Goddamn. There was way more than I thought there would be. Obsessed.
Things to know:
- No third act breakup
- He likes to ✨watch�
- Curvy FMC
- Praise kink
- He ✨helps� her with shmexy things
Spice:
Also, the smut?? Goddamn. There was way more than I thought there would be. Obsessed.
Things to know:
- No third act breakup
- He likes to ✨watch�
- Curvy FMC
- Praise kink
- He ✨helps� her with shmexy things
Spice:
August 5, 2023
this turned into a hate read and i had to see it through 🫡 lots of regret
January 22, 2024
This was a me thing, mostly, more than an issue with the book. The spice in this book was FANTASTIC and I really liked the MMC, but I had a really hard time connecting with the FMC. I sympathized with her body image issues, but there was no where near enough growth in the book for me and it felt like only in the last 2 percent did she finally feel like she could accept herself. I struggled with the negative self-talk and how repetitive it was becoming when she was having so much positive reinforcement to help her through the issues.
Mostly though, I had an issue with a lot of women vs women in this book. I HATE the catty jealous trope in books and it happened with every single woman except for his cousin in this book. Every woman the FMC interacted with was somehow fat shaming her, trying to steal the MMC from her, or treating her like shit. I know it was to create drama but it got old fast and really turns me off of a book.
This one just wasn't a win for me but I really do think it can be enjoyed by others. The spice is GREAT and I think if you're able to connect with the FMC you'll really like it more than I did.
Mostly though, I had an issue with a lot of women vs women in this book. I HATE the catty jealous trope in books and it happened with every single woman except for his cousin in this book. Every woman the FMC interacted with was somehow fat shaming her, trying to steal the MMC from her, or treating her like shit. I know it was to create drama but it got old fast and really turns me off of a book.
This one just wasn't a win for me but I really do think it can be enjoyed by others. The spice is GREAT and I think if you're able to connect with the FMC you'll really like it more than I did.
August 21, 2023
The first half of this book was good, the second was shit. The conflict was the worst and so boring. I really should stop reading books that I read one quote of out of tiktok.
June 3, 2024
RATING: Finally settling on 3.75�
SPICE: 🌶🌶🌶
Trope/Setting Highlights:
� Little over ~480 pages
� Standalone cotemporary romance
� Neighbors for the summer setup
� FOB/sex lessons contract setup
� Trauma bonding
� BDSM-elements in spice
� Brand strategist FMC x boudoir photographer MMC
� Curvy FMC
� Gentleman in the streets, dom in the sheets MMC
� HEA
Review:
Camera Shy by Kay Cove begins on the FMC Avery’s 30th birthday, her golden year, according to the waitress at the fancy restaurant her long-term boyfriend Mason took them out to to celebrate. She thinks he’s going to propose � it’s not like she accidently found the ring in the drawer or anything � and is ready. She thinks. I mean, she’s happy. Right? They have a perfectly content life, own and run a business together, and have been dating for over 4 years. This is what should come next with Mason� isn’t it?
Until Mason drops a bombshell.
“I can’t do this.� His breath is ragged as a single tear turns into a small stream � “I’m—I’m so sorry, Avery. I love you so much, but, I� I really was going to ask� but seeing it…� His eyes lock on the ring choking my finger. “Not like this. I’m so sorry.�
Mason dumps her. Breaks up with her right there at the table, stupid ring stuck on her finger and all. Not only does he dump Avery, he keeps digging the knife in deeper and deeper, every word a crack in Avery’s crumbling self-confidence.
I’ll admit, that shit hurted. I felt eviscerated with every word out of Mason’s mouth on Avery’s behalf. But I thought, OK, get away from that toxic sewer rat and let’s START this self-love journey while having the hottest, filthiest sex imaginable.
And that is what happened� and kind of not. I’m not sure I’ll be able to put all my feelings into words on this book. I think the most accurate to my feelings are that while I respect, admire, and appreciate the premise of a story like this, parts of the actual execution missed the mark. I’ll go deeper into the areas that affected me negatively later, but first a bit more on the story for context.
When an opportunity to pet and house sit for the summer in Las Vegas for a client of hers presents itself, Avery jumps at the chance to get away from Mason and think through everything. Her life, her relationship, her business� herself. Feeling like her lack of sex appeal and prowess may have been the catalyst for the downfall of the relationship (just another toxic lie from Mason), Avery comes up with a potential solution.
She had a chance meeting with the neighbor next door, Finn, and he was hot. Like waaaaay out of her league hot (or so Avery believes). But waaaaay out of her league hot, the kind of hot that someone like Avery believes she has no chance in hell with, is the kind of hot she can preemptively put in the friend zone. So with no chance of actual romance or feelings, maybe she’ll have the courage to ask him to teach her all about the things in sex she may be missing�
Finn, the MMC, comes from money, but in his mind, it’s dirty money. It’s his family’s money. It’s his father’s money. And after the way his father treated his mother, hell if Finn wants anything from that man. His real source of income is the boudoir (and general!) photography studio he runs with his cousin Lennox, though the business is barely staying afloat.
Avery and Finn decide they can help each other out � Finn will explore sex with Avery and show her ways to love herself, both through a man’s/romantic partner’s view, as well as the view she holds for herself, and Avery can use her business acumen to revive Finn’s floundering livelihood. But will they be able to keep their emotions out of it, and keep from falling in love before the summer ends and Avery leaves?
Now onto my personal feelings, because this book did feel personal for me. And I think because I connected so much with it, and with the struggle with body image of FMC, I had higher expectations or truly different expectations of how I thought the story would go, which knocked me off kilter.
Actually, let me talk about my two favorite things about this book first. If I had to base the rating on those alone, it would be an EASY 5 stars. Kay Cove is a masterful writer, her prose flows with ease and I never felt the overall tone of the dialogue lose its steam at any point. While yes, some word choices in the dialogue could’ve been better (ahem, queen), I enjoyed her writing, I really did. Even more than that, I really enjoy the way Kay Cove writes spice. It’s hot without going over the top, it’s sweet when it needs to be, in the best ways, without crossing the line to cringe, and when the kink started getting involved? Honestly, Kay Cove's writing shined during the spice scenes, she never missed (well, until one fateful scene).
I’ll also get this out of the way first � I hated the way Finn called Avery “queen�. As a pet name, in place of her first name, as a descriptor word, all of it. Once would’ve earned a good-humored eye roll, but it’s used 53 times. FIFTY-THREE TIMES. Honestly this is such a personal gripe I know and I’m sure this worked for some, but I couldn’t stand it at all.
OK, that was my petty issue.
Now onto my real disappointments (I’ll go into more detail with spoiler warnings):
First, the attempted threesome scene.
And second, the bloated overuse of the women against women trope during Avery’s overall body confidence journey.
Spoilers for the last act of book!
The attempted threesome scene.
This all leads into my other issue, the bloated overuse of the women against women in Avery’s overall body confidence journey.
This story connected with me because I am Avery. And I wanted the journey to be different for me.
Now the question is, would I recommend this book? I would. It was a well-written book, and I felt Kay Cove's heart on those pages. I have to give another shout out to the spice, which was phenomenal. Just because some things didn't work for me personally, doesn't mean this book wasn't enjoyable in other ways, and that other readers won't enjoy it for everything it is.
But if you are sensitive to any of the tropes listed at the top of my review, or usually shy away from excess OW stuff or cheating of ANY level or kind, then I hope you find this helpful to your reading experience, whether you read or not.
If you read all this, love u💕
SPICE: 🌶🌶🌶
Trope/Setting Highlights:
� Little over ~480 pages
� Standalone cotemporary romance
� Neighbors for the summer setup
� FOB/sex lessons contract setup
� Trauma bonding
� BDSM-elements in spice
� Brand strategist FMC x boudoir photographer MMC
� Curvy FMC
� Gentleman in the streets, dom in the sheets MMC
� HEA
Review:
Camera Shy by Kay Cove begins on the FMC Avery’s 30th birthday, her golden year, according to the waitress at the fancy restaurant her long-term boyfriend Mason took them out to to celebrate. She thinks he’s going to propose � it’s not like she accidently found the ring in the drawer or anything � and is ready. She thinks. I mean, she’s happy. Right? They have a perfectly content life, own and run a business together, and have been dating for over 4 years. This is what should come next with Mason� isn’t it?
Until Mason drops a bombshell.
“I can’t do this.� His breath is ragged as a single tear turns into a small stream � “I’m—I’m so sorry, Avery. I love you so much, but, I� I really was going to ask� but seeing it…� His eyes lock on the ring choking my finger. “Not like this. I’m so sorry.�
Mason dumps her. Breaks up with her right there at the table, stupid ring stuck on her finger and all. Not only does he dump Avery, he keeps digging the knife in deeper and deeper, every word a crack in Avery’s crumbling self-confidence.
I’ll admit, that shit hurted. I felt eviscerated with every word out of Mason’s mouth on Avery’s behalf. But I thought, OK, get away from that toxic sewer rat and let’s START this self-love journey while having the hottest, filthiest sex imaginable.
And that is what happened� and kind of not. I’m not sure I’ll be able to put all my feelings into words on this book. I think the most accurate to my feelings are that while I respect, admire, and appreciate the premise of a story like this, parts of the actual execution missed the mark. I’ll go deeper into the areas that affected me negatively later, but first a bit more on the story for context.
When an opportunity to pet and house sit for the summer in Las Vegas for a client of hers presents itself, Avery jumps at the chance to get away from Mason and think through everything. Her life, her relationship, her business� herself. Feeling like her lack of sex appeal and prowess may have been the catalyst for the downfall of the relationship (just another toxic lie from Mason), Avery comes up with a potential solution.
She had a chance meeting with the neighbor next door, Finn, and he was hot. Like waaaaay out of her league hot (or so Avery believes). But waaaaay out of her league hot, the kind of hot that someone like Avery believes she has no chance in hell with, is the kind of hot she can preemptively put in the friend zone. So with no chance of actual romance or feelings, maybe she’ll have the courage to ask him to teach her all about the things in sex she may be missing�
Finn, the MMC, comes from money, but in his mind, it’s dirty money. It’s his family’s money. It’s his father’s money. And after the way his father treated his mother, hell if Finn wants anything from that man. His real source of income is the boudoir (and general!) photography studio he runs with his cousin Lennox, though the business is barely staying afloat.
Avery and Finn decide they can help each other out � Finn will explore sex with Avery and show her ways to love herself, both through a man’s/romantic partner’s view, as well as the view she holds for herself, and Avery can use her business acumen to revive Finn’s floundering livelihood. But will they be able to keep their emotions out of it, and keep from falling in love before the summer ends and Avery leaves?
Now onto my personal feelings, because this book did feel personal for me. And I think because I connected so much with it, and with the struggle with body image of FMC, I had higher expectations or truly different expectations of how I thought the story would go, which knocked me off kilter.
Actually, let me talk about my two favorite things about this book first. If I had to base the rating on those alone, it would be an EASY 5 stars. Kay Cove is a masterful writer, her prose flows with ease and I never felt the overall tone of the dialogue lose its steam at any point. While yes, some word choices in the dialogue could’ve been better (ahem, queen), I enjoyed her writing, I really did. Even more than that, I really enjoy the way Kay Cove writes spice. It’s hot without going over the top, it’s sweet when it needs to be, in the best ways, without crossing the line to cringe, and when the kink started getting involved? Honestly, Kay Cove's writing shined during the spice scenes, she never missed (well, until one fateful scene).
I’ll also get this out of the way first � I hated the way Finn called Avery “queen�. As a pet name, in place of her first name, as a descriptor word, all of it. Once would’ve earned a good-humored eye roll, but it’s used 53 times. FIFTY-THREE TIMES. Honestly this is such a personal gripe I know and I’m sure this worked for some, but I couldn’t stand it at all.
OK, that was my petty issue.
Now onto my real disappointments (I’ll go into more detail with spoiler warnings):
First, the attempted threesome scene.
And second, the bloated overuse of the women against women trope during Avery’s overall body confidence journey.
Spoilers for the last act of book!
The attempted threesome scene.
This all leads into my other issue, the bloated overuse of the women against women in Avery’s overall body confidence journey.
This story connected with me because I am Avery. And I wanted the journey to be different for me.
Now the question is, would I recommend this book? I would. It was a well-written book, and I felt Kay Cove's heart on those pages. I have to give another shout out to the spice, which was phenomenal. Just because some things didn't work for me personally, doesn't mean this book wasn't enjoyable in other ways, and that other readers won't enjoy it for everything it is.
But if you are sensitive to any of the tropes listed at the top of my review, or usually shy away from excess OW stuff or cheating of ANY level or kind, then I hope you find this helpful to your reading experience, whether you read or not.
If you read all this, love u💕
August 16, 2023
Umm, no.
July 28, 2023
PSA: don’t read after watching Barbie
PSA 2: don’t read
This author is so not a girls girl to the point where this might as well have been written by a man.
Smut is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 and that and the fish are the only saving grace here.
PSA 2: don’t read
This author is so not a girls girl to the point where this might as well have been written by a man.
Smut is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 and that and the fish are the only saving grace here.
May 13, 2024
This VERY quickly became my favorite romance of all time. I've read hundreds of books and only said that ONE other time.
"You are the perfect woman in every single way…� He ducks his head, ashamed. “Except the way that matters to me the most. I tried to get past it. You were always on the cusp of being beautiful, but then the business started and I handled my stress by working out and you handled it by…eating"
This man plans to propose and then ends up breaking up with her ON HER BIRTHDAY. These words are almost word for word what my ex of 8 years said to me. There are MANY things that Mason says to Avery that I've heard from the one who's supposed to love me most and though it should've been triggering to read them it was cathartic and honestly healing in many ways.
I have never connected this much with a character. And I know that weighs heavily on why this was so good for me but this book. AGH. It's so good. I've been on the hunt for a while for THE book that every man should read. And this is it. This is the one. Avery has neglected herself in every way possible to take care of those around her that she loves. And then because of that, they turn on her. That feeling of giving everything and STILL being inadequate...it's so so hard to experience.
I understand completely how you can be so in love with who you are and someone that "loves" you can make one comment that makes you disgusted with yourself. It alters everything you BELIEVED about yourself. Finn is amazing in this story. He is GOD TIER book boyfriend but honestly the selling point is Avery. And her journey.
If you have been in an emotionally or mentally abusive relationship. Or you have deep rooted self image issues. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
Blindly trust me, and just jump in. You won't regret it!
*of course do what is best for you mentally, some of these things may be triggering for some!
"You are the perfect woman in every single way…� He ducks his head, ashamed. “Except the way that matters to me the most. I tried to get past it. You were always on the cusp of being beautiful, but then the business started and I handled my stress by working out and you handled it by…eating"
This man plans to propose and then ends up breaking up with her ON HER BIRTHDAY. These words are almost word for word what my ex of 8 years said to me. There are MANY things that Mason says to Avery that I've heard from the one who's supposed to love me most and though it should've been triggering to read them it was cathartic and honestly healing in many ways.
I have never connected this much with a character. And I know that weighs heavily on why this was so good for me but this book. AGH. It's so good. I've been on the hunt for a while for THE book that every man should read. And this is it. This is the one. Avery has neglected herself in every way possible to take care of those around her that she loves. And then because of that, they turn on her. That feeling of giving everything and STILL being inadequate...it's so so hard to experience.
I understand completely how you can be so in love with who you are and someone that "loves" you can make one comment that makes you disgusted with yourself. It alters everything you BELIEVED about yourself. Finn is amazing in this story. He is GOD TIER book boyfriend but honestly the selling point is Avery. And her journey.
If you have been in an emotionally or mentally abusive relationship. Or you have deep rooted self image issues. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
Blindly trust me, and just jump in. You won't regret it!
*of course do what is best for you mentally, some of these things may be triggering for some!
February 15, 2025
I loved this book!!
I think it had such a good message about body confidence - I loved the way Finn worshiped Avery. I melt for a man that makes a woman feel confident in her own body 😭❤️
I think it had such a good message about body confidence - I loved the way Finn worshiped Avery. I melt for a man that makes a woman feel confident in her own body 😭❤️
July 10, 2024
Using a woman’s insecurities and her desire to overcome them as a plot only to then employ some of the most misogynistic and harmful stereotypes to achieve “confidence� is batshit to me. Not to mention it’s harmful, sad and disrespectful.
Trash.
Side note:
How many women would actually go to a strange man (hot or not) and ask him to basically “fix them� or trust him to teach a woman about female pleasure?
I don’t you about yall but I’d rather drink bleach.
If I’m looking to gain confidence, find pleasure and better my sex life I’d ask other women for advice never a man, because this is not just about biology or sexuality but it’s an intrinsic part of being a woman - at some point or another we had to learn to take charge of our pleasure and it’s got nothing to do with men and what they do or don’t do because those things are easy to spot and communicate.
No, this is a purely female experience of learning that men and how they feel about us has never had anything to do with how we experience our own sexuality.
Women are not taught to value sexuality as something on its own, it’s always for a man or with a man .. and this book just reinforced that harmful idea.
A man calling me a “Queen� is not gonna make me feel like one, learning to love and learn myself is gonna do that.
Trash.
Side note:
How many women would actually go to a strange man (hot or not) and ask him to basically “fix them� or trust him to teach a woman about female pleasure?
I don’t you about yall but I’d rather drink bleach.
If I’m looking to gain confidence, find pleasure and better my sex life I’d ask other women for advice never a man, because this is not just about biology or sexuality but it’s an intrinsic part of being a woman - at some point or another we had to learn to take charge of our pleasure and it’s got nothing to do with men and what they do or don’t do because those things are easy to spot and communicate.
No, this is a purely female experience of learning that men and how they feel about us has never had anything to do with how we experience our own sexuality.
Women are not taught to value sexuality as something on its own, it’s always for a man or with a man .. and this book just reinforced that harmful idea.
A man calling me a “Queen� is not gonna make me feel like one, learning to love and learn myself is gonna do that.
September 20, 2023
This shit is so bad imma go back to read monsters smut honestly
August 11, 2023
I’m a little conflicted with this one as on one hand I loved it but on the other there were certainly parts I didn’t like.
Overall I enjoyed the storyline and I loved Finn, he was sweet and supportive, a genuinely all around nice guy. I also loved Avery however there are times she gets a little annoying and I wished she would just grow a back bone and stand up for what she wanted. I hated how she was made to feel ‘less� by literally everyone, eventually this got tiring and felt like a broken record going round and round.
I understand this book is about body positivity but seriously there was too much negativity that it got boring and samesy.
Some parts of this book also made me slightly uncomfortable, especially the scene with Avery, Cass and Finn (I won’t spoil it) but it was completely unnecessary in my opinion and the author added it in for shock factor but in reality it actually did more harm than good. It made me second guess the character’s intentions and their connection with each other. It was also a mark again Finn as up until that scene he was a nice guy and it was a complete juxtaposition of the character that author had built up.
Overall I enjoyed the storyline and I loved Finn, he was sweet and supportive, a genuinely all around nice guy. I also loved Avery however there are times she gets a little annoying and I wished she would just grow a back bone and stand up for what she wanted. I hated how she was made to feel ‘less� by literally everyone, eventually this got tiring and felt like a broken record going round and round.
I understand this book is about body positivity but seriously there was too much negativity that it got boring and samesy.
Some parts of this book also made me slightly uncomfortable, especially the scene with Avery, Cass and Finn (I won’t spoil it) but it was completely unnecessary in my opinion and the author added it in for shock factor but in reality it actually did more harm than good. It made me second guess the character’s intentions and their connection with each other. It was also a mark again Finn as up until that scene he was a nice guy and it was a complete juxtaposition of the character that author had built up.
July 10, 2024
Here’s the deal, “Queen� is not a nickname I ever want to hear come out of the MMC’s mouth. Period. Also it just absolutely kills me when the FMC is a curvy or plus size girl and so much of the plot is just the fact that she doesn’t think she could ever be beautiful bc she’s curvy. AND THEN when she says that she needs to be more confident and have higher self esteem & how that won’t come just from listening to him tell her how gorgeous he thinks she is. YET SHE DOES ONLY THAT
This was originally 2 stars but after recounting it to my coworkers I realized it’s barely 1 star <3
This was originally 2 stars but after recounting it to my coworkers I realized it’s barely 1 star <3
November 23, 2023
first a speed breakdown of the plot:
Avery has just been dumped on her 30th birthday, the day she thought she would be getting engaged to her bf of 4 years (mason) because she’s fat and shit in bed. his words, not mine. here come the tears, the days of sleeping on your best friends couch and of course a call from a friend in desperate need of a pet sitter for the summer, all the way in vegas. in vegas, she meets finn, her new neighbour. between the two of them, they make a deal. he shows her how to have the good sex and in turn she helps him with his failing photography business.
SPOILERS
now on to what i thought
I HATE HATE YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP TODAY
joking 🙃
no but seriously i hated this book and let me tell you why
1. this man is a fkn loser, he decided to become a boudoir photographer because daddy cheats on mommy, mommy sad and mommy happy when takes nakey photo. WHAT JUST WAHT?? apparently the first time his mother felt like herself after her husband cheating on her was after a boudoir shoot?? and this resonated so much with finny he wanted to do that for other women too 🥺🥺
all kinds of fucked up.
and of course he picked this shite job that pays nothing despite him having a 4 million dollar trust fund waiting for him. 😑
the first scene of him is him photographing an old lady naked too btw.
“can you arch your back and stick your butt out a little more, or will that be bothersome for your arthritis?�
weird. just weird
2. the female lead isn’t as weird but is all kinds of insecure. she is apparently the ugliest female in this book and finny with his washboard abs and huge penis still wants her. barf. i have read many books where a ‘larger� woman is still the most beautiful girl in the book because its HER book. i understand its supposed to be about her journey of coming to love herself but cmon the author could’ve atleast made a side character call her beautiful or something?? numerous times she was called too ugly or too fat to be with him, by extras in the back. show us that she’s gorgeous too. highlight how someone else in the room wants her too not just little finn finn here. especially when absolutely everyone and their mother wants the male lead. 😒
3. he calls her queen� she then goes on to name her business queen consulting. eye roll
5. OH and finn has a yearly tradition where he visits a strip club and takes part in a threesome with the same girl and another person. guess what happens when “ugly duckling� avery joins in.
of course she usain bolts it out of there
then comes a scene where she runs away, catches the next flight to meet her best friend only to find out little miss best friend has been sleeping with avery’s ex (mason) which is why he left her. cue the slut shaming 🙄 whilst mason, the man who should have been loyal to you gets nothing.
6. there’s also finns crazy ex, who he met in the strip club (this damn place again) fell crazy in love with her only to find out he’s the side piece. they then get into a vicious cycle of her leaving him, going back to her main man and back to finn. the one thing i did like was how the gaslighting from the ex gf was portrayed. i felt like the damn wick was under my ass 💀
all in all, this book did not give what it was supposed to give. i was looking forward to reading a book about a plus size woman being loved as all bodies should be but the execution fell short. it was almost as if she should be grateful that this greek god even looked in her direction pfft
Avery has just been dumped on her 30th birthday, the day she thought she would be getting engaged to her bf of 4 years (mason) because she’s fat and shit in bed. his words, not mine. here come the tears, the days of sleeping on your best friends couch and of course a call from a friend in desperate need of a pet sitter for the summer, all the way in vegas. in vegas, she meets finn, her new neighbour. between the two of them, they make a deal. he shows her how to have the good sex and in turn she helps him with his failing photography business.
SPOILERS
now on to what i thought
I HATE HATE YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP TODAY
joking 🙃
no but seriously i hated this book and let me tell you why
1. this man is a fkn loser, he decided to become a boudoir photographer because daddy cheats on mommy, mommy sad and mommy happy when takes nakey photo. WHAT JUST WAHT?? apparently the first time his mother felt like herself after her husband cheating on her was after a boudoir shoot?? and this resonated so much with finny he wanted to do that for other women too 🥺🥺
all kinds of fucked up.
and of course he picked this shite job that pays nothing despite him having a 4 million dollar trust fund waiting for him. 😑
the first scene of him is him photographing an old lady naked too btw.
“can you arch your back and stick your butt out a little more, or will that be bothersome for your arthritis?�
weird. just weird
2. the female lead isn’t as weird but is all kinds of insecure. she is apparently the ugliest female in this book and finny with his washboard abs and huge penis still wants her. barf. i have read many books where a ‘larger� woman is still the most beautiful girl in the book because its HER book. i understand its supposed to be about her journey of coming to love herself but cmon the author could’ve atleast made a side character call her beautiful or something?? numerous times she was called too ugly or too fat to be with him, by extras in the back. show us that she’s gorgeous too. highlight how someone else in the room wants her too not just little finn finn here. especially when absolutely everyone and their mother wants the male lead. 😒
3. he calls her queen� she then goes on to name her business queen consulting. eye roll
5. OH and finn has a yearly tradition where he visits a strip club and takes part in a threesome with the same girl and another person. guess what happens when “ugly duckling� avery joins in.
of course she usain bolts it out of there
then comes a scene where she runs away, catches the next flight to meet her best friend only to find out little miss best friend has been sleeping with avery’s ex (mason) which is why he left her. cue the slut shaming 🙄 whilst mason, the man who should have been loyal to you gets nothing.
6. there’s also finns crazy ex, who he met in the strip club (this damn place again) fell crazy in love with her only to find out he’s the side piece. they then get into a vicious cycle of her leaving him, going back to her main man and back to finn. the one thing i did like was how the gaslighting from the ex gf was portrayed. i felt like the damn wick was under my ass 💀
all in all, this book did not give what it was supposed to give. i was looking forward to reading a book about a plus size woman being loved as all bodies should be but the execution fell short. it was almost as if she should be grateful that this greek god even looked in her direction pfft
July 30, 2023
2 stars is me being generous btw
May 15, 2024
the third act had me GASPing
full rtc
full rtc
July 23, 2023
5⭐️ | 3.5🌶�
Tropes:
📸 neighbors to lovers
📸 curvy FMC
📸 body positivity
📸 SPICY
📸 no third act breakup
I had the honor of receiving this book as an ARC from Kay and I am so lucky to have been able to read this masterpiece.
My rating speaks for itself. It was the easiest thing to read because it was spicy, romantic, funny and relatable, especially for any girlie (or guy) with insecurities.
Kay created Avery, the FMC, with insecurities that really hit home for me and because of that, I connected so deeply with the story and the FMC. I mean wow…at times it felt like I was reading my own inner dialogue.
Let’s not forget to mention our amazing MMC, Finn 😍. I am so in love with his character and thoroughly depressed that I have yet to meet a man even remotely similar to him.
Kay, phenomenal job. Again, you have created a story that I can completely immerse myself in and have to grieve when it’s over. I will never stop shouting praises for you as long as you keep up your amazing talent for romance and banter.
Tropes:
📸 neighbors to lovers
📸 curvy FMC
📸 body positivity
📸 SPICY
📸 no third act breakup
I had the honor of receiving this book as an ARC from Kay and I am so lucky to have been able to read this masterpiece.
My rating speaks for itself. It was the easiest thing to read because it was spicy, romantic, funny and relatable, especially for any girlie (or guy) with insecurities.
Kay created Avery, the FMC, with insecurities that really hit home for me and because of that, I connected so deeply with the story and the FMC. I mean wow…at times it felt like I was reading my own inner dialogue.
Let’s not forget to mention our amazing MMC, Finn 😍. I am so in love with his character and thoroughly depressed that I have yet to meet a man even remotely similar to him.
Kay, phenomenal job. Again, you have created a story that I can completely immerse myself in and have to grieve when it’s over. I will never stop shouting praises for you as long as you keep up your amazing talent for romance and banter.
January 27, 2024
3 stars⭐️
I've been in a such reading slump for weeks and this is my first read for 2024, so I was hoping it would be 5 stars, but it's not, unfortunately.🥲
Avery was in a relationship for 4 years and on her birthday he breaks up with her. There she becomes even more insecure about herself and her body. Then Finn and Avery become neighbors and he is tutoring her how to feel better about her body while sleeping together. Finn is also healing from a previous toxic relationship.
This book was waaay too long than it should be and it was repetitive. Nothing was really happening. Avery was way too insecure and at some point it became frustrating.
About OW and OM, oh boy...😂 I swear her and his ex were mentioned in every single chapter, no joking. I can say that I have a high tolerance for OW and OM, but when that line is crossed you know is that bad.
It had cute moments and it is really spicy and even besides all of the things I mentioned, at some point I was considering giving 4 stars bcs I was in a good mood, BUT the last 20% of the book... what the actual fuck was that???💀 Now it's good I even gave 3 stars... That was the PEAK of other woman drama I have ever read.
Spoilers!!(basically, at the birthday party of some girl Finn gets into a fight with his ex's boyfriend, because of his ex, Avery is then talking to the birthday girl and she makes a move on Avery and tells her that is tradition on her birthday for her and Finn to have a threesome with someone💀. And shy tries, but when Avery sees them kissing she starts crying, and calls an Uber which she has to share guess with who, yeah with his ex🤣. There is more, but I think that is enough😂)
Honestly, you could skip this book, you will not miss anything.🥲
✨️neighbors to lovers
✨️curvy and insecure FMC
✨️s*x lessons
✨️a lot of OW and OM
✨️he loves to spoil her
✨️Dual POV, written in first person
✨️spicy:🌶🌶🌶 (dirty talking, praise)
I've been in a such reading slump for weeks and this is my first read for 2024, so I was hoping it would be 5 stars, but it's not, unfortunately.🥲
Avery was in a relationship for 4 years and on her birthday he breaks up with her. There she becomes even more insecure about herself and her body. Then Finn and Avery become neighbors and he is tutoring her how to feel better about her body while sleeping together. Finn is also healing from a previous toxic relationship.
This book was waaay too long than it should be and it was repetitive. Nothing was really happening. Avery was way too insecure and at some point it became frustrating.
About OW and OM, oh boy...😂 I swear her and his ex were mentioned in every single chapter, no joking. I can say that I have a high tolerance for OW and OM, but when that line is crossed you know is that bad.
It had cute moments and it is really spicy and even besides all of the things I mentioned, at some point I was considering giving 4 stars bcs I was in a good mood, BUT the last 20% of the book... what the actual fuck was that???💀 Now it's good I even gave 3 stars... That was the PEAK of other woman drama I have ever read.
Spoilers!!(basically, at the birthday party of some girl Finn gets into a fight with his ex's boyfriend, because of his ex, Avery is then talking to the birthday girl and she makes a move on Avery and tells her that is tradition on her birthday for her and Finn to have a threesome with someone💀. And shy tries, but when Avery sees them kissing she starts crying, and calls an Uber which she has to share guess with who, yeah with his ex🤣. There is more, but I think that is enough😂)
Honestly, you could skip this book, you will not miss anything.🥲
✨️neighbors to lovers
✨️curvy and insecure FMC
✨️s*x lessons
✨️a lot of OW and OM
✨️he loves to spoil her
✨️Dual POV, written in first person
✨️spicy:🌶🌶🌶 (dirty talking, praise)
August 23, 2023
This reads like self insertion, like it’s everything the author wants for herself which is a massive yikes. This book was such a yuck with the women and horrible ex’s and lying best friends. Why must the women in spicy romance books always be at each others throats and always mean and rude and horrible? I’m not saying some women out there aren’t some mean bitches irl to other women but why can’t these books just have women supporting women? It’s not hard. Please, I just want to see women uplifting each other and having each other’s backs. What’s with all this trashy ass fighting over men??? Especially men like Finn. Gag me with a spoon. And that man is supposed to be worth it? And then we got Finn our hero who is a dreamy ripped 6 ft hung like an elephant Adonis who is also a humble loving man and falls at first sight for the heroine and wants to be with her for eternity and worship her like no other man in her life yadda yadda BORING. He’s so bland. It was a bad book. Not to mention these two are fucking in this rich guys house that’s shes house sitting for and they bone against the fish tank and Avery ends up killing one of the fishes. Like what the fuck? Lmaooo. Where is the respect for peoples property omg girl�. Anyway, Avery just needed therapy and a spa session in the Bahamas for a month, she literally had the dough to do it.
Read
August 11, 2023This is just a self-note for myself in the future for why this book wasn’t for me.
This was not a safe book for me.
FMC’s ex (OM) was cheating on her with her best friend, Palmer. The beginning of this book was the FMC being dumped by her ex because he wasn’t satisfied with their sex life. He had been fantasizing about a woman he went to the gym with (not Palmer). So they break up but it is not a clean break because they still own a business together. Later in the story it comes out that Palmer has been a consistent affair partner since the FMC and OM started dating four years prior.
I’m glad I read ahead because MMC used to have threesomes with his ex (Nora) with their (his) friend Cass every year on Cass� birthday. FMC And MMC attended a birthday party for Cass together, and the FMC finds out from Cass about the birthday tradition. She then feels pressured into doing the threesome to “keep him interested in her�. This MMC has possession over the FMC and not wanting to share her with anyone, but has no issue getting sexual with Cass. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t “hold the FMC back like her ex�. So when the FMC is uncomfortable, and Cass suggests him and her taking the lead (while the FMC watches) he is fine with it.
“She flattens her hand against my chest and rises to her tippy toes to kiss me. Cass is even shorter than Avery, so I have to duck down far for her to reach my lips. Instead, I grab her by the waist and set her feet on top of the sofa so we’re at eye level. Much easier. Eventually, she’s tugging at my belt. She traces my length through my jeans with her hand before she unzips me and teases me through my briefs. She slips her tongue into my mouth, and I almost fall back into the familiar comfort of our old routine until I hear something like a wince from behind me.�
& then after the FMC runs out
“”I’m sorry, I have no idea what happened. I kissed her first but then backed off. She’s the one who wanted to—�
“I know. It’s not your fault. She’s been trying to prove all summer that she can handle sex with me. She’s trying to be more daring so she fits into this scene. This city. She thinks that’s what I want from her.�
“Do you?�
“Not at all,� I reply. “Look, Cass, we’re not doing this anymore. You and I are going to keep our clothes on from now on.� I look around the room. “And I’m not coming here anymore. Gramps can donate Ruby’s for all I care. I don’t want anything in my life that comes between me and Avery.”�
I skimmed the next chapters and it’s never resolved that Cass hit all of the trigger points of Avery not wanting to be boring. She literally called Avery(FMC) “simple� because she wasn’t into a threesome. Then went talking details about how Finn (MMC) loves when the two women get started without him.
Overall, I know some readers will love this story (as they have the right to!!) it just sadly wasn’t for me.
This was not a safe book for me.
FMC’s ex (OM) was cheating on her with her best friend, Palmer. The beginning of this book was the FMC being dumped by her ex because he wasn’t satisfied with their sex life. He had been fantasizing about a woman he went to the gym with (not Palmer). So they break up but it is not a clean break because they still own a business together. Later in the story it comes out that Palmer has been a consistent affair partner since the FMC and OM started dating four years prior.
I’m glad I read ahead because MMC used to have threesomes with his ex (Nora) with their (his) friend Cass every year on Cass� birthday. FMC And MMC attended a birthday party for Cass together, and the FMC finds out from Cass about the birthday tradition. She then feels pressured into doing the threesome to “keep him interested in her�. This MMC has possession over the FMC and not wanting to share her with anyone, but has no issue getting sexual with Cass. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t “hold the FMC back like her ex�. So when the FMC is uncomfortable, and Cass suggests him and her taking the lead (while the FMC watches) he is fine with it.
“She flattens her hand against my chest and rises to her tippy toes to kiss me. Cass is even shorter than Avery, so I have to duck down far for her to reach my lips. Instead, I grab her by the waist and set her feet on top of the sofa so we’re at eye level. Much easier. Eventually, she’s tugging at my belt. She traces my length through my jeans with her hand before she unzips me and teases me through my briefs. She slips her tongue into my mouth, and I almost fall back into the familiar comfort of our old routine until I hear something like a wince from behind me.�
& then after the FMC runs out
“”I’m sorry, I have no idea what happened. I kissed her first but then backed off. She’s the one who wanted to—�
“I know. It’s not your fault. She’s been trying to prove all summer that she can handle sex with me. She’s trying to be more daring so she fits into this scene. This city. She thinks that’s what I want from her.�
“Do you?�
“Not at all,� I reply. “Look, Cass, we’re not doing this anymore. You and I are going to keep our clothes on from now on.� I look around the room. “And I’m not coming here anymore. Gramps can donate Ruby’s for all I care. I don’t want anything in my life that comes between me and Avery.”�
I skimmed the next chapters and it’s never resolved that Cass hit all of the trigger points of Avery not wanting to be boring. She literally called Avery(FMC) “simple� because she wasn’t into a threesome. Then went talking details about how Finn (MMC) loves when the two women get started without him.
Overall, I know some readers will love this story (as they have the right to!!) it just sadly wasn’t for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
I was SO excited to read a book with a plus size main character which focuses on empowering women and all bodies.
No. No, that’s not what happened. ALL women in this are apparently mean fatphobic c*nts who tell the main character that she’s a fat pig and doesn’t deserve a good looking man. Like� All? Every single woman she meets? Where the fuck is the empowerment in this book?
“Queen� is mentioned 53 times. A book about the Royals wouldn’t even use it that much 😩 In chapter 32 he called her queen THREE times during ONE conversation.
He kept calling himself a good guy. Did you know that everytime a man calls himself a good guy, a woman loses her clit?
The “I know we just met but I just got tested so we don’t need a condom�-trope is so ugly. Please, we need to leave that shit in 2023. Don’t fuck strangers without protection.
The man who is supposed to love and appreciate all women and their bodies says this in his second POV:
“the little jolt in my chest tells me she’s pretty. And not in the obvious, thirsty-for-attention way her friend is coming off, but in the subtle mystery way that is kicking up all kinds of curiosity in my male brain� - ok?? let’s bring down other women, why not
Another quote from the man who “appreciates women�:
“Palmer’s the kind of attractive you enjoy for the night�
Mmhmmmhm, putting down, degrading and objectifying other women (if someone said that about my best friend to me, I’d beat his ass).
The dialogues are way too unrealistic.
Boring, repetitive.
I was too busy thinking that this was book was annoying that I missed the most obvious plot twist, lol.
Sorry if this is a spoiler but: blaming the woman when it takes two to cheat? 🤠 okay we’re going there I guess
To the girl on booktok who recommended this: I hope both sides of your pillow are warm for the rest of your life.
No. No, that’s not what happened. ALL women in this are apparently mean fatphobic c*nts who tell the main character that she’s a fat pig and doesn’t deserve a good looking man. Like� All? Every single woman she meets? Where the fuck is the empowerment in this book?
“Queen� is mentioned 53 times. A book about the Royals wouldn’t even use it that much 😩 In chapter 32 he called her queen THREE times during ONE conversation.
He kept calling himself a good guy. Did you know that everytime a man calls himself a good guy, a woman loses her clit?
The “I know we just met but I just got tested so we don’t need a condom�-trope is so ugly. Please, we need to leave that shit in 2023. Don’t fuck strangers without protection.
The man who is supposed to love and appreciate all women and their bodies says this in his second POV:
“the little jolt in my chest tells me she’s pretty. And not in the obvious, thirsty-for-attention way her friend is coming off, but in the subtle mystery way that is kicking up all kinds of curiosity in my male brain� - ok?? let’s bring down other women, why not
Another quote from the man who “appreciates women�:
“Palmer’s the kind of attractive you enjoy for the night�
Mmhmmmhm, putting down, degrading and objectifying other women (if someone said that about my best friend to me, I’d beat his ass).
The dialogues are way too unrealistic.
Boring, repetitive.
I was too busy thinking that this was book was annoying that I missed the most obvious plot twist, lol.
Sorry if this is a spoiler but: blaming the woman when it takes two to cheat? 🤠 okay we’re going there I guess
To the girl on booktok who recommended this: I hope both sides of your pillow are warm for the rest of your life.
December 8, 2024
I want to love Camera Shy more than 3 stars. However what is missing is authentic plot and story. I feel like Miss Cove is copy and paste many plot into her story.
I am not entirely entertained with the story. Finn POV needs more focus.
3 stars
I am not entirely entertained with the story. Finn POV needs more focus.
3 stars
July 27, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ The mildest of spoilers ahead:
can I start by saying that 9 times out of 10, a plot twist is a MILLION times better than a third act breakup? I've never read Kay Cove before, but I think I need to go ahead and order some more of her books.
Avery was such a fun, multifaceted adult and I loved watching her come out of her shell in different areas. She's a rare FMC where you actually feel like you are her best friend (or wish you were!).
If you ever needed a sign to treat yourself like a queen, go read this book! Bump it up on your TBR and thank me later 😉
Please do note that this is a romance and there is spice
can I start by saying that 9 times out of 10, a plot twist is a MILLION times better than a third act breakup? I've never read Kay Cove before, but I think I need to go ahead and order some more of her books.
Avery was such a fun, multifaceted adult and I loved watching her come out of her shell in different areas. She's a rare FMC where you actually feel like you are her best friend (or wish you were!).
If you ever needed a sign to treat yourself like a queen, go read this book! Bump it up on your TBR and thank me later 😉
Please do note that this is a romance and there is spice
![Profile Image for Tea [trying(and failing) to catch up].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1743279192i%2F163357438._UY200_CR10%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 4, 2024
Absolutely not.
- I wanted to die every time the mmc called the fmc Queen
- The whole damn book the fmc was whining about how she’s not beautiful enough, thin enough, how he was out of her league, how he’ll get bored with her soon and on and on and on
- The mc’s are no way in love🤚🏻 Break up will be happening before the fmc turn 31�
- Annoying characters, pretty much all of them
- The whole thing was just a big mess
1.75 stars
- I wanted to die every time the mmc called the fmc Queen
- The whole damn book the fmc was whining about how she’s not beautiful enough, thin enough, how he was out of her league, how he’ll get bored with her soon and on and on and on
- The mc’s are no way in love🤚🏻 Break up will be happening before the fmc turn 31�
- Annoying characters, pretty much all of them
- The whole thing was just a big mess
1.75 stars
August 29, 2023
do not understand the hype. what the fuck was that almost 3some at the end i actually wanted to dnf. the mason plot twist was great but man. i �. Do not understand how people are crying over this book and feeling seen but u do u
July 27, 2023
5 stars!!
Instantly sucked in from chapter one until the end. It made me so happy.. the messaging of learning to love your body, how much Finn was a goner for her. The respect he had for her. This book is a guaranteed BINGE READ and will make you GO FERAL.
This is my favorite by far from Kay Cove and that's saying a lot because I loved her last series so much!
📸 neighbors to lovers
📸 body positivity
📸 curvy FMC
📸 dual pov
📸 praise
📸 he teaches her
what are you waiting for?!?
Instantly sucked in from chapter one until the end. It made me so happy.. the messaging of learning to love your body, how much Finn was a goner for her. The respect he had for her. This book is a guaranteed BINGE READ and will make you GO FERAL.
This is my favorite by far from Kay Cove and that's saying a lot because I loved her last series so much!
📸 neighbors to lovers
📸 body positivity
📸 curvy FMC
📸 dual pov
📸 praise
📸 he teaches her
what are you waiting for?!?
July 13, 2024
3.5/5
Cute little story, just a bit classic.
Cute little story, just a bit classic.
January 9, 2024
Finn, the main character existance was based only to boost Avery's self esteem, and calling her queen, obviously. Anyway, I'm just a girl who has seen too many tiktoks about this book and I was really curious. It wasn't that bad, but either that good, so take whatever you need from this review. Both characters are really nice and both of them are going through some past bad experiences but together are doing quite well to go over them.
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