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true14216's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so good that I finished it in a day! This story is really good to read during the summer for the fact that this book is set during the summer. Alex the main has to go to summer which doesn't really want to do but from this he meets Ethan who makes takes chances and grows. The like the relationship between Alek and Ethan as they grow together. Also this book is pretty funny enjoyed the humor. Overall good book and great summer read!
elliel_nook's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
linda_1410's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a pretty straightforward read: boy meets boy, boy kisses boy, etc. I was worried that things seemed to be going a bit too fast on Alek's side. He just barely realized he's gay and already getting pretty serious about Ethan in less than a week. I would think that would take some time to process and build up to, but I can also understand getting caught up in the moment.
The best friend Becky cracked me up. She was the right balance of supportive and put upon. We should all have Beckys in our lives. Ethan's friends are pretty great too, once you get past the first impression "bad boy" vibes they give off. ;)
The thing that I really enjoyed about the book though was Alek's family. I'll be upfront and say I don't know any Armenians, but I know the author is Armenian. This could have felt like a stereotypical portrayal, but Barakia gives these characters depth as the story continues. The difficult parents aren't quite as difficult, the perfect older brother has his own issues to deal with, and the family has to come to terms with some of their own prejudices. I didn't know anything about the Armenian genocide by the Turks in WWI, so it was interesting - and sad - to read about that and how it still has influence a century later. I really liked the touch of the recipe at the end for the stuffed grape leaves, and I wish there had been more recipes included.
There were very few unexpected turns that the story makes, but I found the characters engaging enough that this didn't bother me. This is a comfort read if I ever saw one, perfect for when you're feeling down or just finished a difficult book.
The best friend Becky cracked me up. She was the right balance of supportive and put upon. We should all have Beckys in our lives. Ethan's friends are pretty great too, once you get past the first impression "bad boy" vibes they give off. ;)
The thing that I really enjoyed about the book though was Alek's family. I'll be upfront and say I don't know any Armenians, but I know the author is Armenian. This could have felt like a stereotypical portrayal, but Barakia gives these characters depth as the story continues. The difficult parents aren't quite as difficult, the perfect older brother has his own issues to deal with, and the family has to come to terms with some of their own prejudices. I didn't know anything about the Armenian genocide by the Turks in WWI, so it was interesting - and sad - to read about that and how it still has influence a century later. I really liked the touch of the recipe at the end for the stuffed grape leaves, and I wish there had been more recipes included.
There were very few unexpected turns that the story makes, but I found the characters engaging enough that this didn't bother me. This is a comfort read if I ever saw one, perfect for when you're feeling down or just finished a difficult book.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I was looking forward to this book since the time it appeared on Goodreads. I love LGBT books, especially if they are done right, and this one is done perfectly right.
Alek was a wonderful character and I really loved him. I was also cheering for him to speak up or at least do something so his parents would know why he is acting the way he is acting. While I loved his romance/relationship with Ethan, I also felt that Ethan wasn't always a good influence. Alek started skipping school, started to care less about his homework and a few other things. The first time they skipped school I was like, ah finally. But after a few times, I just was waiting for the moment it would go wrong and everything would go boom.
But still, I loved Alek, and I loved how he changed. From silent guy with a bit of an attitude, to someone who dares to speak up, who dares to say no to people, and someone who discovered his sexuality.
Ethan was a great guy, but again, I didn't think he was that good of an influence on Alek. He did a lot of things right for Alek (getting him out of his shell, helping him with clothes/hair and also being there for him), he also did things wrong by promoting skipping and other things.
I loved those two together though, they make a wonderful couple and I was also happy to see that no one had too much of a problem with them. I know how it often goes when parents find out their child is gay, and it is terribly sad.
And then we have my second favourite character of the whole book: Becky. My, she was a totally awesome character. She has spunk, spice and kicks ass on a daily basis. I loved how she was always there for Alek. And even when things took an awkward turn (you can partially guess what will happen), she still stuck with Alek and helped him out on numerous occasions.
I would truly recommend this story. It is sweet, cute and you will be cheering for Alek on multiple occasions. Read this book!
Review first posted on http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Alek was a wonderful character and I really loved him. I was also cheering for him to speak up or at least do something so his parents would know why he is acting the way he is acting. While I loved his romance/relationship with Ethan, I also felt that Ethan wasn't always a good influence. Alek started skipping school, started to care less about his homework and a few other things. The first time they skipped school I was like, ah finally. But after a few times, I just was waiting for the moment it would go wrong and everything would go boom.
But still, I loved Alek, and I loved how he changed. From silent guy with a bit of an attitude, to someone who dares to speak up, who dares to say no to people, and someone who discovered his sexuality.
Ethan was a great guy, but again, I didn't think he was that good of an influence on Alek. He did a lot of things right for Alek (getting him out of his shell, helping him with clothes/hair and also being there for him), he also did things wrong by promoting skipping and other things.
I loved those two together though, they make a wonderful couple and I was also happy to see that no one had too much of a problem with them. I know how it often goes when parents find out their child is gay, and it is terribly sad.
And then we have my second favourite character of the whole book: Becky. My, she was a totally awesome character. She has spunk, spice and kicks ass on a daily basis. I loved how she was always there for Alek. And even when things took an awkward turn (you can partially guess what will happen), she still stuck with Alek and helped him out on numerous occasions.
I would truly recommend this story. It is sweet, cute and you will be cheering for Alek on multiple occasions. Read this book!
Review first posted on http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
toucansam23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bluebeereads's review against another edition
5.0
Istyria book blog ~ B's world of enchanted books
This was such a nice surprise! I went into One Man Guy with mixed expectations and I just ended up loving it to bits. It's such a surprisingly light and fun summer read. In one word: adorable.
One Man Guy tells the story of Alek. Alek's family is Armenian and very much grounded in their own traditions. Alek doesn't always feel like he belongs though. When his parents force him to go to Summer School, his whole summer seems to be ruined. But then the cool and handsome Ethan notices him and Alek's summer just got a whole lot better. Ethan seems to want more than just be friends, but what does Alek want?
Wow, talk about diversity! This book is not only about a young man/boy discovering he's gay. It's also about that boy's Armenian heritage. I was surprised by how much I loved that aspect of the book! I was a bit hesitant about it going into the book, but Michael won me over immediately! The stuff we learn about the Armenian people was really interesting and yes, I did get a bit hungry from all that talk about the foods they have. Makes me want to try Armenian food.
While this may not be the best writing ever, it's still very good. I was sucked into the story right from the start and it didn't let me go! Alek was such a great main character and I liked him a lot! I think a lot of people can relate to him. He's stuck between being who his parents want him to be and being who he really is. I really did feel for him and with him. I was just as annoyed by his parents as he was and I loved that! His parents were a bit annoying at first. They really stick to their traditions and beliefs and while I respect that, it did annoy me a bit. They grew up in America themselves so they can expect their kids to be a bit more modern than they are too! But they grew a lot in this book and I really liked that! Alek's brother Nik, who seems like the perfect son, also grows! The character development in this book is fantastic! Everyone grew in this book. They all learned from their mistakes.
I loved Becky, Alek's best friend. She was fun, quirky, a bit of a nerd, ... She's such a great friend to Alek and I loved their friendship. It felt so real and genuine. And then you have Ethan. I loved him so much. He's confident and free spirited. Almost the opposite of Alek. He has a really good influence on Alek, learning him that it's not wrong to want something and be yourself. Their romance was absolutely perfect. It built up slow in the first half and the second half was just one swoon-worthy moment after another. So sweet and adorable!
One Man Guy is a very fun, sweet, adorable summer read that I'd recommend to everyone who loves a good contemporary romance book with a little more diversity in it. I loved it and I can't wait to see what the author brings us next! And yes, Kat, I did want to hug everyone in this book by the end.
“You know, when I came home after our day in the city, I just crashed, thinking about Remi and how much I missed him. And then the next day was worse, And when you walked up to me at that ice cream machine, I just felt myself crumble inside. Around Remi, I felt like I was always trying to act like I was good enough. But around you, I don't want to pretend or hide. That's why I didn't say anything in the cafeteria that day, I knew that in five seconds, I'd be crying on your shoulder."
"That's what it's there for, Ethan."
Alek leaned in, took Ethan's face in his hands, and kissed him.”
catpanda1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0