Truth and Measure

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Complex Characters. Reader says the character work makes the book stand out, praising how Sinclair humanizes the ice queen subtly and perfectly; Characterisation is called nothing short of perfect, with Vivian praised as one of the best Ice Queens the reviewer has read; Both leads are praised as brilliantly drawn, with Vivian especially multifaceted. Supported by 4 sources (source 425, source 426, source 10900, source 10903).
• Power Imbalance. The boss/employee dynamic creates a power imbalance, but the characters actively discuss and resist the inequality, which the reviewer finds thrilling; The romance is between an assistant and her boss, and the book examines its healthiness; The story begins with a boss/employee relationship and openly addresses its optics and reality. Supported by 3 sources (source 425, source 426, source 10903).
• Strong Chemistry. The dynamic between the characters is described as everything, with scorching hot scenes; The two leads have chemistry in spades with potential to explode in the sequel; The review calls their chemistry excellent. Supported by 3 sources (source 425, source 10903, source 10905).
• Well Paced. Reader explicitly praises the pacing as excellent; The pacing is described as perfection, giving the story full believability. Supported by 2 sources (source 10900, source 10903).
• Strong Prose. Reader considers it the best-written sapphic ice queen story they’ve read, rereading it 15 times, and praises its excellent syntax; Reader praises the writing as good while reading another recommended book, referencing T&M as a benchmark; The reviewer describes the books as well written and so good they low-key ruin the next few books read. Supported by 2 sources (source 10900, source 10903).
• Emotional Intimacy. Vivian opens up to Jules, sharing parts of herself she never shared with any of her husbands, and allows herself to be vulnerable; Their care and gradual move toward equality are celebrated. Supported by 2 sources (source 426, source 10903).
• Healthy Communication. The characters have conversations about the power imbalance and Vivian respects Jules’s principles and boundaries; The leads repeatedly negotiate boundaries and how to show love without overstepping. Supported by 2 sources (source 426, source 10903).

What readers repeatedly flagged

• Power Imbalance. The boss/employee dynamic creates a power imbalance, but the characters actively discuss and resist the inequality, which the reviewer finds thrilling; The romance is between an assistant and her boss, and the book examines its healthiness; The story begins with a boss/employee relationship and openly addresses its optics and reality. Supported by 3 sources (source 425, source 426, source 10903).

Where reader reactions differ

• Power Imbalance. The boss/employee dynamic creates a power imbalance, but the characters actively discuss and resist the inequality, which the reviewer finds thrilling; The romance is between an assistant and her boss, and the book examines its healthiness; The story begins with a boss/employee relationship and openly addresses its optics and reality. Supported by 3 sources (source 425, source 426, source 10903).

Individual observations

• Strong Narration. Abby Craden is praised as an extraordinary narrator.
• Character Growth. Vivian learns to be emotionally giving with Jules and considerate of her wants and needs, despite being sharp and aloof by nature.
• Strong Heroine. Jules is described as bolder and a stronger protagonist who sticks to her principles, stands her ground, and advocates for herself within the relationship.
• Cheating. The caution list includes infidelity.
• Pregnancy. The review explicitly flags a surprise pregnancy.
• Easy Comfort Read. Reader reread the book multiple times and calls it the best ice queen book, saying it hits different.
• Explicit Heat. The reviewer calls the scenes some of the most scorching hot she has ever read and describes the romance as profoundly sexy.
• Slow Build Heat. Sex scenes are scorching hot but less explicit and varied than the author’s other books due to the slow buildup, described as an edging type of hotness.
• Explicit Recommendation. The reviewer calls both instalments of the Carlisle Series wonderful, explicitly praising the sequel Above All Things.
• Obsessive Partner. The reviewers explicitly describe the relationship as mutually obsessed.

Reader sources

1. lesbrary.com – Independent review
2. smartbitchestrashybooks.com – Independent review
3. Reddit discussion
4. loumorganauthor.wordpress.com – Independent review
5. lezreviewbooks.com – Independent review