Reality in Check by Emily Banting

Reality in Check by Emily Banting. 

Thank you Sapphic publishing and Emily Banting for the ARC to review.

If you've read Broken beyond Repair by Emily, this book is set in the same South Downs. Yet, it is very much a standalone. Having said that, I personally would recommend you read Broken beyond repair first, not only because it helps just set up a general premise, but because it also happens to be a great book! But, I digress. 

This book is an age gap romance, but for those who are more mature in age in general. I admit I'm always wary of age gap books when one character is young, and while they might be within a legal age gap, I find myself uneasy. In fact, one line from this book stood out and I was nodding along when an age difference is mentioned.  

So, if like me age gap books aren't usually something you would necessarily consider, I urge you not to let it discourage you here. 

As I was reading this book, I found myself bookmarking as I went, and jotting notes down, not only for something to look at as I review, but simply because I wanted a reminder as to why it impacted so much - in this instance, positively. 

Arte and Charlotte are the main characters, with a few others who are important or influential in one way or another. 

One thing I appreciated was even though it was an enemy to lovers story - and oh boy, how I loved how all the initial enmity came about - we didn't have to wait ages for the animosity between Arte and Charlotte to dissipate. What Emily as the writer has done so well, is the pacing of the book. Because even though the animosity between them is resolved, the way they build the friendship rather than both immediately start to fall into a dating pattern was something I truly admired, because it allowed us to organically grow into each personality, issues they face, and the people immediately around them, in one way or another influencing their choices. 

Another feature I found was I loved the people around Arte and Charlotte. For a start, we all need a Freddie in our life! But for good or bad, these supporting characters are all seamlessly brought in, and enhance the book as a whole. I admit, there was one character whose personality didn't completely flip 180 degrees, but what change did happen still had me sitting there eyebrows raised, simply not expecting that change to arise. 

Now, from a more personal perspective. Domestic violence has a slight mention. It isn't a large part of the book at all, barely spoken about in fact. I won't go into details, for fear of spoilers, but let me just say, as a IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) survivor, to see how it was written - was heartfelt and hopefully thought provoking for some readers. If nothing else, so others might recognise that DV can happen to anyone, and the toll it can take. 

Of course, as is fairly typical of books like this, we were faced with some angst, but it was not only generally short lived, but fully believable in that moment. We also had moments that had me chuckling out loud. Always a good sign.

Overall, like it's companion, Broken Beyond Repair, this is a book that fits beautifully into most sapphic bookshelves. Even if romance isn't really your thing, I feel the characters alone are interesting enough to make it worth your while reading this. 

An easy, absorbing read that had me wishing for more from the South Downs. 

Easily giving this 5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟