First of all, many thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC granted. I've started to like this book from the title (it's pretty genius ) and altough I find it more dramatic than I was expecting, it was a good reading. The narrative touches delicate and yet relevant contents with care. I liked the 90's setting, bringing back that wave of nostalgia for the good times before internet existed.

This was a really good book. Took on some serious issues (addiction, activism, the consequences of life choices, even the small ones) but lightheartedly and with tenderness, with Hudson's and Roz's love (and spice!) grounding the entire story. The back-and-forth timeline added a lot of uncertainty to the read (in a good way, suspenseful), and also made me think about how things can change in the blink of an eye with an impulsive decision. Loved the rose and thorn restaurant, and 90s' vibe. The kitchen banter is lol hilarious. We need to read LuRon and Dara's story next!

Poetic Justice is a quirky love story set in 1990s Portland, with the Rose and Thorn restaurant serving as a unique backdrop. Roz, the protagonist, is compelling, especially as she navigates sobriety, supports her incarcerated sister, and deals with the chaos of restaurant life. Her journey of personal growth and overcoming addiction is a highlight of the book. The supporting characters at the restaurant add a light, entertaining touch with their humour and charm.

The romance between Roz and Hudson has its moments, but the relationship feels imbalanced. While Roz's character is well-developed, Hudson often feels like a secondary figure in what is supposed to be a shared love story. The time jumps throughout the narrative disrupt the flow and can be confusing, leaving the story disjointed. Additionally, there are several filler scenes that don’t add much to the plot, making the pacing drag at times.

Despite these flaws, Poetic Justice is still an enjoyable enough read for those who appreciate off-beat romances and the nostalgia of the pre-internet 90s. The unique setting and quirky characters may appeal to readers looking for something different, though the execution doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

The narrative structure of jumping back in time and forward again doesn't work in this romance. That only works with second chances where you see them as a couple before during and after.

It was hard keeping track of where or what was going on.

I don't know if the writers are sincere or mocking in this portrayal of eco-warriors, vegans and people who write poetry. At times it really felt like it was so serious it was comical and I couldn't work out if it was intentional or not.

Ok this story was SO FUN! I loved the characters, the restaurant setting, the setting in general, the steamy romance, and their activism. The cover is adorable and I loved the throwback to the 90’s.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great romcom!! This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last. It was such a cute story! The writing style is great and I loved the characters chemistry.

I thought this was a wonderfully done romance novel, I thought the use of the restaurant setting worked overall and thought the use of 1990s worked well in the story. The characters felt like they were supposed to be there and was hooked from the journey. Kathleen McFall & Clark Hays write this in a strong way and left me wanting to read more from them.