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womanwill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this queer second chance romance by Dominic Lim. The rich language and Filipino food descriptions had me drooling at parts. I absolutely loved Mr. Cruz as a meddling father, and it read as a love note to immigrant parents.
The story follows Quito, a Filipino pianist, and Emmett, a Japanese and white movie star, as they reconnect after a college fallout 20 years later. Told in alternating chapters from their meeting in high school and reconnect in modern day, I was particularly impressed with how Lim pulled off alternating flashback chapters that actually worked.
However, I do wish that what drove Quito and Emmett apart was revealed earlier and that they had discussed and processed it more together. It didn't really make sense to me that they didn't talk for 20 years. The miscommunication trope was heavy in this book, which isn't my favorite, but I think the shame and self-doubt driving the lack of communication made it more believable.
Thanks to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
The story follows Quito, a Filipino pianist, and Emmett, a Japanese and white movie star, as they reconnect after a college fallout 20 years later. Told in alternating chapters from their meeting in high school and reconnect in modern day, I was particularly impressed with how Lim pulled off alternating flashback chapters that actually worked.
However, I do wish that what drove Quito and Emmett apart was revealed earlier and that they had discussed and processed it more together. It didn't really make sense to me that they didn't talk for 20 years. The miscommunication trope was heavy in this book, which isn't my favorite, but I think the shame and self-doubt driving the lack of communication made it more believable.
Thanks to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, and Outing
Minor: Transphobia and Car accident
moonjelifish's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Outing, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail