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booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the first book in a series, which slightly hints at the direction of the ending. The ending fits their relationship very well, and I like their overall dynamic. The ongoing status of their relationship is established for future books, and several major plot points are resolved. There are secondary plots related to each of their relationships with their parents. Luc's father walked out of his life twenty-five years ago, and has walked back into it with no warning and a declaration that he has cancer and would like to get to know Luc better. Luc's mother, who was also abandoned by Luc's father (her husband and musical collaborator), is supportive of any decision Luc might make, all the way from reconciliation to telling his father to go fuck himself. I adore Luc's mother, she's written very well and I love the audiobook performance for her. Oliver's parents only appear briefly, during the event for which he needed Luc as a fake boyfriend, but they cast a long shadow which has implications for later books.
The dung beetle charity and Luc's co-workers there are an endless source of exasperation and delight for me. Between his co-workers, his friends, and Oliver's friends, there are so many vibrant and specific people that it wasn't difficult for me to keep track of anyone. Normally I have trouble keeping track of characters (let alone their names) when the cast gets past five or so, but I had no issues here.
Things I love, in no particular order: Luc telling jokes to Alex, everything dung-beetle-related, Oliver being pedantic about law, Luc's friends, Bridget's publishing fiascos.
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
levilore_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I would highly recommend the audio book because the narrator was so incredible that I actually liked the book more than the last time I read it.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
lalu's review against another edition
- 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
I wanted something lighthearted and all the side characters are so over-the-top in the best way possible so that was perfect. But also everything between Luc and Oliver was so so good and pure and ugh I love it! (probably helped that I'm newly in love myself)
And I'm honestly in awe of Hall's ability to make this not extremely cringy. So good!
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
beccaruthe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy