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A Girl Like Her

Book 1 in the series:Ravenswood

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Who Would Like This Book:

This book is a breath of fresh air in contemporary romance! If you love stories with prickly, authentic heroines, sweet cinnamon roll heroes, and a romance that blooms over food, comics, and genuine connection, you’ll be hooked. Ruth, an autistic Black webcomic artist, and Evan, a big-hearted blacksmith who just wants to make her lasagna, bring a new kind of magic to the genre. Anyone craving diverse, ownvoices representation, nuanced looks at consent, or just a romance that makes you smile and think at the same time will find something special here. Plus, if you like your heroes patient, gentle, and a little Captain America-esque, swoon away!

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the drama a little over the top and the small-town setting a bit suffocating. A few felt the hero was almost too perfect - bordering on unrealistic - and wanted a bit more depth or messiness in his character. Others wished Ruth’s autism was explored more deeply and didn’t always love the heavy dose of angst, miscommunication, or melodrama. If you need your heroines immediately open, your heroes a little rough around the edges, or dislike stories that delve into trauma and heavy backstory, this one might not be your jam.

A Girl Like Her is a heartwarming, sexy, and thoughtful romance with fantastic representation and a hero to swoon for. Not perfect, but it’s a charming must-read for anyone craving character-driven love stories with real depth.

About:

'A Girl Like Her' by Talia Hibbert is a contemporary romance novel set in Ravenswood, featuring Ruth, an autistic, plus-sized web comic creator who has isolated herself due to a past abusive relationship. When Evan, a kind ex-military neighbor, moves in next door, their friendship blossoms over food and comics. The story explores themes of consent, survivor's guilt, and the power of self-acceptance. Talia Hibbert's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions and realistic character interactions that draw readers in.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, with Ruth as a flawed yet relatable protagonist and Evan as a sweet and supportive hero, creating an engaging dynamic.

Writing/Prose:

Talia Hibbert's prose is engaging, combining humor with relatable themes and emotional depth. It captivates readers and maintains their interest throughout.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Ruth, a black autistic webcomic creator, as she navigates her past trauma and budding romance with her neighbor Evan. The story highlights themes of acceptance, love, and resilience.

Setting:

Set in a small English town, the environment enhances the story's themes of community, acceptance, and isolation.

Pacing:

While generally maintaining good momentum, the pacing experiences fluctuations, particularly in the latter half where the story can feel prolonged.
Inside her mind, the sort of excitement she struggled to process in real life became accessible. She could slow it down and compartmentalise it, like a TV show she controlled utterly. And she could tr...

Notes:

The main character, Ruth, is a black autistic woman.
Ruth is a webcomic creator who has faced past trauma from an abusive relationship.
Evan, the male lead, is characterized as a cinnamon roll and is very supportive to Ruth.
The book discusses important topics like consent and the complexities of relationships.
Talia Hibbert, the author, is also autistic and brings authentic representation to her characters.
The story is set in a small English town with themes of isolation and community dynamics.
The book mixes humor and drama, making the narrative engaging.
Ruth experiences social difficulties and is often misunderstood by the town's people.
Evan's cooking skills play a significant role in fostering their relationship.
Readers appreciate the focus on strong female relationships and character authenticity.
Some reviews highlighted the lack of depth in certain plot elements but still loved the overall sweet nature of the story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include past emotional abuse, bullying, social isolation, and explicit sexual content.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central focus of the book, featuring rich emotional development between the characters.

From The Publisher:

She's the town pariah. He doesn't give a damn.

In Ruth Kabbah's world, comic books are king, silence is golden, and human contact is a pesky distraction. She doesn't like people, which works out just fine, because the people in this small town don't like her. The exception to that rule? Evan Miller, her way-too-charming next-door neighbour...

Ex-military man Evan is all tattooed muscle on the outside-and a big, cuddly teddy bear beneath. He's used to coaxing prickly people from their shells, but he's never met a woman quite like Ruth. Blunt, sarcastic, and secretly sad, she's his exact opposite. She's also his deepest desire.

Soon, Evan's steady patience and smouldering smiles are melting Ruth's reserve. But when small-town gossip from her past begins to poison her future, she's forced to make a choice. Should she trust Evan completely? Or is her heart safest alone?

March 2018
307 pages

Ratings (27)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (8)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (82):

Read It (30)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (24)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (25)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
3 weeks

this is my second talia hibbert read and i wish i could get into her books more but they're so slow and it's hard to get into them. i love her focus on neurodivergent characters and wish i could enjoy her books.

 
Did Not Like
4 months

2.5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Talia Hibbert lives in a bedroom full of books. Supposedly, there is a world beyond that room-but she has yet to drum up enough interest to investigate.

 
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