Scan barcode
kaygo2490's review against another edition
4.0
"There's nothing wrong with chandeliers." That should have been the title.
I should really be upset with this book. I went in thinking it was a story on first love filled with butterflies and rainbows. It was all of that and so much more. In fact, this book was dark. And the ending made me cry. Badly.
If you read More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera, then you kind of understand how unfair the ending truly is.
I just think that if a character is getting crap throughout the book then they deserve a happy ending. Maybe, I'm just cliche.
Still, this was a good story on first love, while being gay men, while living in the deep south and the obstacles that came with that.
It was interesting to read about two characters that were closeted, but were different in how they were closeted.
I do love reading books on family drama and that drama was definitely a strain on the characters lives.
I do wish we had more dialogue, more characters interaction and less internal monologing from Cole. Geesh, I tried not skip some parts when he went on a tangent.
Still, this was solid. But it's very similar to a lot of other depressing contemporary books.
3.75/4 stars
I should really be upset with this book. I went in thinking it was a story on first love filled with butterflies and rainbows. It was all of that and so much more. In fact, this book was dark. And the ending made me cry. Badly.
If you read More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera, then you kind of understand how unfair the ending truly is.
I just think that if a character is getting crap throughout the book then they deserve a happy ending. Maybe, I'm just cliche.
Still, this was a good story on first love, while being gay men, while living in the deep south and the obstacles that came with that.
It was interesting to read about two characters that were closeted, but were different in how they were closeted.
I do love reading books on family drama and that drama was definitely a strain on the characters lives.
I do wish we had more dialogue, more characters interaction and less internal monologing from Cole. Geesh, I tried not skip some parts when he went on a tangent.
Still, this was solid. But it's very similar to a lot of other depressing contemporary books.
3.75/4 stars
brendymegs's review against another edition
5.0
Heart-breakingly brilliant - Everybody should read this book
I don't know what to say about this book except it broke my heart, it left me speechless and I absolutely loved it.
This is a story about first love and loss and it is raw, honest, and heart-breakingly beautiful. Seth King has poured his heart and soul into this book and I felt every emotion with him as I read it. I cried almost the entire book, sometimes so much that I had to stop because I couldn't see the words. Seth's brilliance as a wordsmith shines through again. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more hear-breaking. As for the authors note at the end, Seth's bravery at sharing this personal story is inspiring. I'm so glad you didn't jump Seth
I don't know what to say about this book except it broke my heart, it left me speechless and I absolutely loved it.
This is a story about first love and loss and it is raw, honest, and heart-breakingly beautiful. Seth King has poured his heart and soul into this book and I felt every emotion with him as I read it. I cried almost the entire book, sometimes so much that I had to stop because I couldn't see the words. Seth's brilliance as a wordsmith shines through again. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more hear-breaking. As for the authors note at the end, Seth's bravery at sharing this personal story is inspiring. I'm so glad you didn't jump Seth
ryanpfw's review against another edition
2.0
I want to separate my review of this book with my impression of author.
The afterward tells us that it's based in part on true experiences deeply personal to Seth King, and there are swaths of the story where you can practically see him on his soapbox speaking to the reader. I consider myself to be strongly supportive of equal rights and proudly live nowhere near the south. Honesty presented a clear and powerful perspective on not only being gay in America, but how those of us who fashion ourselves as "gay friendly" aren't as helpful as we think are. Message received.
As a reading experience, I struggled mightily. Meaningful plot developments and the necessary discussion of the gay condition were padded with dozens of pages of repetitious descriptions of just how much Cole loved Nicky. Said once, it was powerful. Said a hundred or so times, it was too much. We didn't see the great love affair. We were told how great it was and were then shown something quite different. Cole remarks at the end of the story that Nicky was remarkable because he was so weak, and I just can't wrap my brain around any of it. He was a troubled character who down the line said one thing and then reversed himself. I sincerely wondered if Cole reacted as he did with Nicky due to lack of experience. It didn't click for me at all, despite being beaten over the head with constant similes describing Nicky's perfection and how his galaxy eyes caused Cole's bones to explode.
In most ebooks, I usually will find one typo or gaffe to report to Amazon to help the author out. Sometimes they call a character by the wrong name or use the wrong verb tense. It happens. Here it happened at least ten times. It was very distracting. It was equally jarring to find Other moments were a bit awkward as well.
Strong message, solid ending, but repetitiously padded and lots of typos on the ebook. It could have easily lost 50 pages and been much improved.
The afterward tells us that it's based in part on true experiences deeply personal to Seth King, and there are swaths of the story where you can practically see him on his soapbox speaking to the reader. I consider myself to be strongly supportive of equal rights and proudly live nowhere near the south. Honesty presented a clear and powerful perspective on not only being gay in America, but how those of us who fashion ourselves as "gay friendly" aren't as helpful as we think are. Message received.
As a reading experience, I struggled mightily. Meaningful plot developments and the necessary discussion of the gay condition were padded with dozens of pages of repetitious descriptions of just how much Cole loved Nicky. Said once, it was powerful. Said a hundred or so times, it was too much. We didn't see the great love affair. We were told how great it was and were then shown something quite different. Cole remarks at the end of the story that Nicky was remarkable because he was so weak, and I just can't wrap my brain around any of it. He was a troubled character who down the line said one thing and then reversed himself. I sincerely wondered if Cole reacted as he did with Nicky due to lack of experience. It didn't click for me at all, despite being beaten over the head with constant similes describing Nicky's perfection and how his galaxy eyes caused Cole's bones to explode.
In most ebooks, I usually will find one typo or gaffe to report to Amazon to help the author out. Sometimes they call a character by the wrong name or use the wrong verb tense. It happens. Here it happened at least ten times. It was very distracting. It was equally jarring to find
Spoiler
a typo in a three sentence eulogy.Spoiler
Nicky's grandmother's death prompted Cole, for the billionth time, to drop everything and rush to Nicky's side, to be stood up the next day despite a promise of change, only to have Cole remark that Nicky had been at Cole's house after the grandmother text, and not vice versa. How the ring got into the dirt at the end of the story is left conveniently a mystery, unless it was found and intentionally placed there by someone. For someone who Facebook stalks as much as Cole, it stretched credibility that he would have not heard a single thing in months. Nothing in the paper? A reread made it clear that Nicky had stood him up for one night before his birthday, but Cole only found that out in retrospect. When someone stands you up and drops off the face of the planet after reconciling with you, perhaps use the Google?Strong message, solid ending, but repetitiously padded and lots of typos on the ebook. It could have easily lost 50 pages and been much improved.
awebster92's review
5.0
Check this review out on my blog -> The Bohemian Housewife
5 Honest Stars
I can say with complete honesty, that I didn't know what to expect with this book. I didn't have a blurb to read, I didn't have any clue what it was about, and to top it off I have never read anything by Seth King. I met him last year at an author event, and he sold out before I even had a chance to grab a copy of one of his books. Now I know why.
This book is something different. I was a little caught off guard within the first few pages. I was expecting the average beautiful couple walking off in the sunset type of romance, but I was presently surprised. It was just two people falling in love. The fact those two individuals happened to be male didn't matter. It was real, and it was heartbreaking. It was one of the most honest 'romances' I have read, and I feel almost dirty calling it that. I'm not sure it was even a romance; it was like I was peeking into someone's heartbreak with every turn of the page. Nick and Cole were a tornado of emotion, and they were real. Their story wasn't some beautiful romance novel; it was broken and begging to be read. To know the novel is based on the Author's first love makes it so much harder to bear. My heart was ripped out multiple times just reading it; I couldn't imagine living it.
Even now, I'm having an issue writing this review without tearing up. Honesty was everything I didn't know I was looking for in a book. I can only hope his other books are half as magnificent as this one because I plan to read them all. I am so happy I was lucky enough to get an ARC, and I cannot wait to make my friends read this book.
5 Honest Stars
I can say with complete honesty, that I didn't know what to expect with this book. I didn't have a blurb to read, I didn't have any clue what it was about, and to top it off I have never read anything by Seth King. I met him last year at an author event, and he sold out before I even had a chance to grab a copy of one of his books. Now I know why.
This book is something different. I was a little caught off guard within the first few pages. I was expecting the average beautiful couple walking off in the sunset type of romance, but I was presently surprised. It was just two people falling in love. The fact those two individuals happened to be male didn't matter. It was real, and it was heartbreaking. It was one of the most honest 'romances' I have read, and I feel almost dirty calling it that. I'm not sure it was even a romance; it was like I was peeking into someone's heartbreak with every turn of the page. Nick and Cole were a tornado of emotion, and they were real. Their story wasn't some beautiful romance novel; it was broken and begging to be read. To know the novel is based on the Author's first love makes it so much harder to bear. My heart was ripped out multiple times just reading it; I couldn't imagine living it.
Even now, I'm having an issue writing this review without tearing up. Honesty was everything I didn't know I was looking for in a book. I can only hope his other books are half as magnificent as this one because I plan to read them all. I am so happy I was lucky enough to get an ARC, and I cannot wait to make my friends read this book.
wiitchycats's review
5.0
This book was lovely it matches [b:Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe|12000020|Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe|Benjamin Alire Sáenz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328320260s/12000020.jpg|16964419] in quality and enjoyment level. Now like that book, this isn't a book I would call happy exactly. It's about two boys born in the wrong place and wrong time that fall hopelessly in love with one another.
Though it is based in modern times just after the supreme court decision to allow gay marriage in all fifty states, it is still a turbulent time for these boys. Even though many places are celebrating the move forward, they can't. They were born in the deep south where "fags" were still seen as the scum of the earth.
This book is tragic, if you want a happy ending I would steer clear of this one because this book doesn't have one. Even though it can be down right depressing at times, it was still a lovely read. It was beautiful to watch them go through a rollercoaster of a relationship as they try to decide whether or not to accept themselves or give it all up.
Coley and Nicky have amazing chemistry that flows right off the pages and into your heart. You will root for them every step of the way because even though Cole is ready, Nick is not, or at least not yet.
Though it is based in modern times just after the supreme court decision to allow gay marriage in all fifty states, it is still a turbulent time for these boys. Even though many places are celebrating the move forward, they can't. They were born in the deep south where "fags" were still seen as the scum of the earth.
This book is tragic, if you want a happy ending I would steer clear of this one because this book doesn't have one. Even though it can be down right depressing at times, it was still a lovely read. It was beautiful to watch them go through a rollercoaster of a relationship as they try to decide whether or not to accept themselves or give it all up.
Coley and Nicky have amazing chemistry that flows right off the pages and into your heart. You will root for them every step of the way because even though Cole is ready, Nick is not, or at least not yet.
liza5326's review
5.0
This book is filled with exactly what the title says, Honesty. It is a raw and uncensored look at growing up gay in the South, trying to love and be loved. This story completely ripped me apart and enraged me at the same time. I wanted so much to gather both Cole and Nick in my arms and protect them from the horrible world they were experiencing and promise them to make it all better. But I also wanted to tear into I am really glad there's a sequel, because I NEED TO KNOW!!!
Spoiler
Nick for letting his world destroy him in the end.rachelp4ba59's review
3.0
I got pretty emotionally invested in the characters, and you definitely felt trapped along with them. Flawed, realistic but likeable characters I was rooting for!
Got a bit rambley at times though, so a bit of skimming happened. I really enjoyed the dialogue and wish there was more of it. With the narrative jumping around sometimes I got confused about the characters locations.
Got a bit rambley at times though, so a bit of skimming happened. I really enjoyed the dialogue and wish there was more of it. With the narrative jumping around sometimes I got confused about the characters locations.
earth2chad's review
3.0
As much as it pains me to write this, especially considering the connection Seth King has to the story, and the note he wrote at the end, this book was exhausting. I wanted to love it, and at points I really did, I just could not get over how ramble-y and quasi-pretentious a lot of it felt. The entire last quarter of the novel felt unnecessary and long. I found myself skimming, or even skipping, entire pages. The length of the paragraphs and the amount of information packed into each one made it hard for me to follow the story at some points. It all felt a bit...messy.
Not to mention how often the author knocked other YA and NA literature. And, if I'm not mistaken, I remember him taking a dig at books that were about gay kids coming out - but that's exactly what this book was. Another story about a boy coming out and struggling with acceptance. I understand it's supposed to be Cole's POV, but still.
I gave this book 3.5 stars, though. Because it was good, and the writing was even great at times. It also featured two flawed characters I was rooting for. Flawed main characters that aren't always likeable aren't the norm, so I give King credit for introducing me to these two boys and making me feel all the feelings. I just wish the writing would've been a little more edited and trimmed down.
Not to mention how often the author knocked other YA and NA literature. And, if I'm not mistaken, I remember him taking a dig at books that were about gay kids coming out - but that's exactly what this book was. Another story about a boy coming out and struggling with acceptance. I understand it's supposed to be Cole's POV, but still.
I gave this book 3.5 stars, though. Because it was good, and the writing was even great at times. It also featured two flawed characters I was rooting for. Flawed main characters that aren't always likeable aren't the norm, so I give King credit for introducing me to these two boys and making me feel all the feelings. I just wish the writing would've been a little more edited and trimmed down.