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jun_liuyue's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A bit disappointed by the plot, I feel like some things were unnecessary and meaningless. Still good either way but the most interesting characters could have been more developed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
mmcz26's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia
cdoubet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Medical content
fridayoddity's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was nice reading a novel that focuses on the journey through discovering ones identity and all that surrounds this journey in a light-hearted way. I also enjoyed a lot the plot surrounding the music, I encourage all readers to listen to the concerto Miles is playing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Infidelity
callidoralblack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Infidelity, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
ruby_02's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Loved it!! Such a cute and inspiring story about queer joy and finding and accepting yourself. Listened to on audio and it was great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Deadnaming
Minor: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
rbjennings's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
piperclover's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
This had some really interesting themes and nuanced young characters who are struggling to make the right decisions. Miles and his parents remind me a little bit of of May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor. In that book, Jeremy's mother is a independent professional woman who champions feminism and liberal ideals but struggles to connect those to her now transitioning son.
In this book, its the father who champions feminism and loved having a daughter to support but now doesn't know how to communicate with a son, even if he is fundamentally the same child. Miles's mom is perfectly accepting and supportive of his gender transition but can't accept his new found sexuality as gay. Both of his parents love him but they struggle to accept his new identities because they don't align with what they expected their child to be like. This tension made for an interesting dynamic between Miles and each of his parents and, like in May The Best Man Win, illustrates how even the most liberal and supportive parents often do fail to apply their general beliefs of equality and acceptance to their own children.
Eric is a really great character. He's sweet and provides a quiet, calm acceptance of Miles's identity so he makes a great emotional rock for Miles. He had one line that really cracked me up laughing: "You're the one who sat in my lap Miles". It was so funny because it was early on in their relationship so it was the first time we saw his sassy or playful behavior. He has his own struggles with being bisexual/pansexual (I can't remember which was used) and I think it was handled in a really authentic but was to digest and still fun to read about way. His sister Nina has down syndrome and it was nice rep. She isn't a focal point and her down syndrome isn't a plot point but its mentioned and her needs are discussed often. Plus she's just a cute character.
There are a few things that bothered me. 1) The first 40% is so slow I almost dnf'ed multiple times. 2)Miles cheats on Eric with his ex Shane by kissing Shane but its never called cheating. It is cheating no matter the reason and it concerns me that the author didn't feel the need to make that clear. When one of Mile's friends cheats on her girlfriend, its very clearly called out as cheating and as being bad and harmful but Miles gets away with it not being called cheating.
In this book, its the father who champions feminism and loved having a daughter to support but now doesn't know how to communicate with a son, even if he is fundamentally the same child. Miles's mom is perfectly accepting and supportive of his gender transition but can't accept his new found sexuality as gay. Both of his parents love him but they struggle to accept his new identities because they don't align with what they expected their child to be like. This tension made for an interesting dynamic between Miles and each of his parents and, like in May The Best Man Win, illustrates how even the most liberal and supportive parents often do fail to apply their general beliefs of equality and acceptance to their own children.
Eric is a really great character. He's sweet and provides a quiet, calm acceptance of Miles's identity so he makes a great emotional rock for Miles. He had one line that really cracked me up laughing: "You're the one who sat in my lap Miles". It was so funny because it was early on in their relationship so it was the first time we saw his sassy or playful behavior. He has his own struggles with being bisexual/pansexual (I can't remember which was used) and I think it was handled in a really authentic but was to digest and still fun to read about way. His sister Nina has down syndrome and it was nice rep. She isn't a focal point and her down syndrome isn't a plot point but its mentioned and her needs are discussed often. Plus she's just a cute character.
There are a few things that bothered me. 1) The first 40% is so slow I almost dnf'ed multiple times. 2)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Infidelity
novella42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Always the Almost was a contemporary fiction romantic drama about a trans boy (he/him) who loves piano and has just recently come out of the closet, only to be dumped by his boyfriend. This is a lighthearted and emotional coming of age story that doubles as a gorgeous love letter to classical piano music.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Deadnaming, Racism, and Sexual content