geo_ix's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I really loved this book, but somewhere towards the end it seemed to tie up a little too easily and personally I didn't seem to connect to the characters emotions like I like to when reading so nothing really felt like it hit that dramatic high.
I LOVED the fact that Noah was a virgin. Yes, he was engaged in his youth to a woman, but put off anything more than kissing claiming he wanted to wait for marriage because he's Christian. Which is a huge struggle in this book to be honest. His Christianity, faith and beliefs and the fact he's working at a college that will fire him if he ever comes out.
Adrian is the black sheep of the family because they're all have jobs as lawyers and such, while he develops games, has tattoos and dyes his hair and stuff. He feels like his family are disappointed in him, his mother is in a way because she wants to push him to do things a certain way and that means not being himself.
These two meet when they're at a trailer park, Adrian's on a trip with a guy he met online and gets abandoned, while Noah is working on a book for his job as a professor and working at moving up and stuff and he ends up driving him to his family and attending his sisters wedding with him.
Adrian's flirting is adorable, and seeing Noah blush and clam up at the thought of someone knowing he's gay was sad, but adorable also. This book is a great look at following your heart and leaning to love yourself. I'm unsure if I'll read the next book at this point, only because I have so many unfinished series, mainly because I know they'll be a standalone series not a continued one, probably about the new guy starting on the game where Adrian works.
I LOVED the fact that Noah was a virgin. Yes, he was engaged in his youth to a woman, but put off anything more than kissing claiming he wanted to wait for marriage because he's Christian. Which is a huge struggle in this book to be honest. His Christianity, faith and beliefs and the fact he's working at a college that will fire him if he ever comes out.
Adrian is the black sheep of the family because they're all have jobs as lawyers and such, while he develops games, has tattoos and dyes his hair and stuff. He feels like his family are disappointed in him, his mother is in a way because she wants to push him to do things a certain way and that means not being himself.
These two meet when they're at a trailer park, Adrian's on a trip with a guy he met online and gets abandoned, while Noah is working on a book for his job as a professor and working at moving up and stuff and he ends up driving him to his family and attending his sisters wedding with him.
Adrian's flirting is adorable, and seeing Noah blush and clam up at the thought of someone knowing he's gay was sad, but adorable also. This book is a great look at following your heart and leaning to love yourself. I'm unsure if I'll read the next book at this point, only because I have so many unfinished series, mainly because I know they'll be a standalone series not a continued one, probably about the new guy starting on the game where Adrian works.
roryta86reads's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t fall in love with this one. From the reviews I expected more! Although, I have to say that I found the writing to be really good. And the story was cute.
demckee's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elenajohansen's review
emotional
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
2.5
I generally like forced-proximity romances because two characters rubbing each other the wrong way, before they get to the right way, is usually a lot of fun even when the conflicts or theme of the story are serious.
There wasn't a lot of fun in this, unfortunately, because the contrast between buttoned-up religious virgin and happy-go-lucky geek was less grumpy/sunshine and more hurt/comfort. I see how the various plot hooks and character tropes are supposed to fit together and create a romance full of sparks and energy, but I never felt it.
The sweet moments were still sweet, but the religious issues were painted as so grim and condemning that the story seemed to rush through overcoming them. Either Noah's internalized homophobia shouldn't have been so central to his character, or more time should have been taken to let him grapple with it.
And I'm disappointed with the nerd branding on this one. With the series title being "Gaymers" I expected gaming to be more important than it is. With the title being "Status Update" I expected social media to be a reasonable presence in the story, and it wasn't. (Whether that's a good or bad thing is mostly down to how it would have been handled if it were present.) I constantly felt like there was a serious mismatch between the branding and the actual content of the story, like this was a story the author wanted to write, but had to somehow make it fit a series concept already underway--but this is the first in the series, so that doesn't seem to be the case.
There wasn't a lot of fun in this, unfortunately, because the contrast between buttoned-up religious virgin and happy-go-lucky geek was less grumpy/sunshine and more hurt/comfort. I see how the various plot hooks and character tropes are supposed to fit together and create a romance full of sparks and energy, but I never felt it.
The sweet moments were still sweet, but the religious issues were painted as so grim and condemning that the story seemed to rush through overcoming them. Either Noah's internalized homophobia shouldn't have been so central to his character, or more time should have been taken to let him grapple with it.
And I'm disappointed with the nerd branding on this one. With the series title being "Gaymers" I expected gaming to be more important than it is. With the title being "Status Update" I expected social media to be a reasonable presence in the story, and it wasn't. (Whether that's a good or bad thing is mostly down to how it would have been handled if it were present.) I constantly felt like there was a serious mismatch between the branding and the actual content of the story, like this was a story the author wanted to write, but had to somehow make it fit a series concept already underway--but this is the first in the series, so that doesn't seem to be the case.
cheri_champagne's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait to read the next in the series!
loishojmark's review
4.0
3.5 stars
»...he was left with absolute confirmation that love did indeed hurt. Giving everything and having it rejected sucked way more than holding back.«
This was a sweet book with a closeted man, a guy with a commitment fobi, two dogs, a bit of angst and a happy ending. It won't change my life or cause thoughtful, unforgettable thoughts. But there was a bit of tears and enjoyable moments.
»...he was left with absolute confirmation that love did indeed hurt. Giving everything and having it rejected sucked way more than holding back.«
This was a sweet book with a closeted man, a guy with a commitment fobi, two dogs, a bit of angst and a happy ending. It won't change my life or cause thoughtful, unforgettable thoughts. But there was a bit of tears and enjoyable moments.
cheye13's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I know it's one of Albert's older/earlier published works, but I am a little tired of a character being penetrated as a symbol of trust and relationship growth. The characters always have such healthy "we don't have to" sexual outlooks and I've yet to see that reflected in the actual events of the story.
I am, however, always moved by the way Albert handles inexperienced or aspec characters with such care. I've yet to find an author in the genre that does so as well and as often as she does.
As a whole with this one, I found the relationship unbalanced and the religious storyline rushed and overlooked. Noah's internalized homophobia and general anxiety about his sexuality is resolved far too quickly. And beyond the religious bigotry plotline, there's not a specific hook for this book. Those who've read her other nerdy series, True Colors, will likely be disappointed with this one. But if you'd like something in the same vein but approach it with reasonable expectations, it's a perfectly serviceable book.
I am, however, always moved by the way Albert handles inexperienced or aspec characters with such care. I've yet to find an author in the genre that does so as well and as often as she does.
As a whole with this one, I found the relationship unbalanced and the religious storyline rushed and overlooked. Noah's internalized homophobia and general anxiety about his sexuality is resolved far too quickly. And beyond the religious bigotry plotline, there's not a specific hook for this book. Those who've read her other nerdy series, True Colors, will likely be disappointed with this one. But if you'd like something in the same vein but approach it with reasonable expectations, it's a perfectly serviceable book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent