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royalflu's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ahoeft09's review against another edition
3.0
Stretched out a little long, and I was hoping for a more dramatic climax, but man is the angst good in this one.
botal93's review against another edition
5.0
Jeez. This was too good, and so, SO addictive.
I honestly picked it up without even reading the blurb. I'd had it on my Kindle for months and just skipped over it, for some reason not expecting much.
How wrong I was. It was fabulous .
I've really been struggling with M/M lately, nothing has really grabbed me. And now I know why. I've read a few mostly if not completely sexless, angst free stories that looking back, were fairly mundane. And then I found this. This beautiful, gripping story.
It was hot right off the bat - Adam felt so real that I even found myself fancying him a bit at the start. He was everything I think every gay guy dreads. Seemingly perfect, but unable to be his true self - all you can see is the guy you think you love, but gradually, he's just treating you like crap. I liked him, but also raged at him and loathed him more than once.
Peter is just the cutest little doll. He's so relatable and so interesting. I enjoyed how real his naivety felt, and I so badly want him to realise how much better he can do and deserves.
The side characters are also perfectly crafted and really bring a lot to the story. I was fascinated by Peter's parents and the story of his Uncle. Robert/Renée was fabulous, and everyone else was great. I felt awful for Leslie consistently.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me. I fully and unashamedly blubbed through parts of it, swooned & melted at others, and lost track of time constantly while whizzing through it- even pretty much abandoning other reads (which never really happens.)
I should also mention the steam. This is packed with sex, and it's written really, really well. It's hot, brings a lot to the story and plot and is just what I needed right now to restore my interest in M/M. *chef's kiss*
I usually find it impossible to rate my top books of the year, but this is right up there with The Heart's Invisible Furies and Bear, Otter & The Kid . An absolute must read and an easy 5 stars.
I honestly picked it up without even reading the blurb. I'd had it on my Kindle for months and just skipped over it, for some reason not expecting much.
How wrong I was. It was fabulous .
I've really been struggling with M/M lately, nothing has really grabbed me. And now I know why. I've read a few mostly if not completely sexless, angst free stories that looking back, were fairly mundane. And then I found this. This beautiful, gripping story.
It was hot right off the bat - Adam felt so real that I even found myself fancying him a bit at the start. He was everything I think every gay guy dreads. Seemingly perfect, but unable to be his true self - all you can see is the guy you think you love, but gradually, he's just treating you like crap. I liked him, but also raged at him and loathed him more than once.
Peter is just the cutest little doll. He's so relatable and so interesting. I enjoyed how real his naivety felt, and I so badly want him to realise how much better he can do and deserves.
The side characters are also perfectly crafted and really bring a lot to the story. I was fascinated by Peter's parents and the story of his Uncle. Robert/Renée was fabulous, and everyone else was great. I felt awful for Leslie consistently.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me. I fully and unashamedly blubbed through parts of it, swooned & melted at others, and lost track of time constantly while whizzing through it- even pretty much abandoning other reads (which never really happens.)
I should also mention the steam. This is packed with sex, and it's written really, really well. It's hot, brings a lot to the story and plot and is just what I needed right now to restore my interest in M/M. *chef's kiss*
I usually find it impossible to rate my top books of the year, but this is right up there with The Heart's Invisible Furies and Bear, Otter & The Kid . An absolute must read and an easy 5 stars.
elyxyz's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Questo è il primo libro di una tetralogia che ci porta indietro nel tempo di qualche decennio, in una piccola città del Tennessee, dove incontriamo il diciottenne Peter, costretto a cambiare scuola all'ultimo anno a causa del bullismo e dell'omofobia di cui è stato vittima.
Peter è gay e sa di esserlo, ma non è facile dichiararlo ai nostri giorni, figurarsi allora, con la mentalità ristretta tipica dei paesi rurali del sud e con lo spettro dell'AIDS come punizione divina.
Peter vive mantenendo un profilo basso, senza amici e senza attirare l'attenzione di nessuno, con una famiglia presente, sì, ma solo in modo superficiale.
La sua unica passione-ossessione, la sua valvola di sfogo, il suo contatto col mondo è la fotografia, per la quale dimostra notevole abilità.
La vita di Peter cambia il primo giorno del nuovo anno scolastico nella nuova scuola, dove finisce suo malgrado per essere notato dall'affascinante Adam, che lo 'adotta' come amico e lo porta a elevarsi, almeno in parte, dal suo ruolo di sfigato perenne.
Adam ha girato il mondo assieme alla sua famiglia e al padre diplomatico, che lo ha spedito in America a causa dell'imminente conflitto in Medio Oriente: la Guerra del Golfo è alle porte e Adam, con la sua gemella Sarah, passerà l'anno del diploma a casa del fratello maggiore Mo.
Sia Peter che Adam hanno due situazioni familiari non propriamente convenzionali e il romanzo è ricco di personaggi 'particolari' che influenzano le loro scelte e le loro convinzioni: parenti, amici, professori, conoscenti che arricchiscono la trama ritagliandosi degli spazi.
La storia rientra nel filone 'new adult', perché in tutta la trama – l'arco temporale di un anno scolastico – Peter vive una serie di esperienze e scelte (volute o subìte) che lo traghetteranno nel mondo adulto, con un'iniziazione ai compromessi, alle bugie, al sesso che nel testo è presente tramite numerose scene esplicite e particolareggiate.
La storia tocca tantissimi temi anche molto diversi fra loro, dall'omofobia al tradimento, passando per l'amicizia con benefici, le etichette, la bisessualità, la violenza fisica e verbale, la manipolazione, la depressione, ecc... Come ho accennato poco sopra, Peter e Adam sono accompagnati in questo viaggio da molti personaggi interessanti, alcuni positivi e altri negativi, anche se spesso è più una questione di scala di grigi. I protagonisti stessi, molto umani nei loro turbamenti, negli errori, negli egoismi e negli istinti, suscitano sentimenti ambivalenti nel lettore per ciò che fanno o non fanno. Si parteggia per Peter (si soffre con lui, si ama con lui), ma un po' lo si odia pure, e così è anche per Adam, anche se in parte li si giustifica.
Quest'amore tormentato e segreto mi ha tenuta incollata al lettore ebook e devo dire che, anche se il libro è corposo e complesso, ha un buon ritmo e la resa italiana è piacevole e curata.
Essendo questo il primo volume, si chiude una parentesi della storia ma non c'è una vera fine, pertanto spero che il seguito tradotto arrivi presto. Nel frattempo, vi consiglio vivamente questa lettura.
Questo è il primo libro di una tetralogia che ci porta indietro nel tempo di qualche decennio, in una piccola città del Tennessee, dove incontriamo il diciottenne Peter, costretto a cambiare scuola all'ultimo anno a causa del bullismo e dell'omofobia di cui è stato vittima.
Peter è gay e sa di esserlo, ma non è facile dichiararlo ai nostri giorni, figurarsi allora, con la mentalità ristretta tipica dei paesi rurali del sud e con lo spettro dell'AIDS come punizione divina.
Peter vive mantenendo un profilo basso, senza amici e senza attirare l'attenzione di nessuno, con una famiglia presente, sì, ma solo in modo superficiale.
La sua unica passione-ossessione, la sua valvola di sfogo, il suo contatto col mondo è la fotografia, per la quale dimostra notevole abilità.
La vita di Peter cambia il primo giorno del nuovo anno scolastico nella nuova scuola, dove finisce suo malgrado per essere notato dall'affascinante Adam, che lo 'adotta' come amico e lo porta a elevarsi, almeno in parte, dal suo ruolo di sfigato perenne.
Adam ha girato il mondo assieme alla sua famiglia e al padre diplomatico, che lo ha spedito in America a causa dell'imminente conflitto in Medio Oriente: la Guerra del Golfo è alle porte e Adam, con la sua gemella Sarah, passerà l'anno del diploma a casa del fratello maggiore Mo.
Sia Peter che Adam hanno due situazioni familiari non propriamente convenzionali e il romanzo è ricco di personaggi 'particolari' che influenzano le loro scelte e le loro convinzioni: parenti, amici, professori, conoscenti che arricchiscono la trama ritagliandosi degli spazi.
La storia rientra nel filone 'new adult', perché in tutta la trama – l'arco temporale di un anno scolastico – Peter vive una serie di esperienze e scelte (volute o subìte) che lo traghetteranno nel mondo adulto, con un'iniziazione ai compromessi, alle bugie, al sesso che nel testo è presente tramite numerose scene esplicite e particolareggiate.
La storia tocca tantissimi temi anche molto diversi fra loro, dall'omofobia al tradimento, passando per l'amicizia con benefici, le etichette, la bisessualità, la violenza fisica e verbale, la manipolazione, la depressione, ecc... Come ho accennato poco sopra, Peter e Adam sono accompagnati in questo viaggio da molti personaggi interessanti, alcuni positivi e altri negativi, anche se spesso è più una questione di scala di grigi. I protagonisti stessi, molto umani nei loro turbamenti, negli errori, negli egoismi e negli istinti, suscitano sentimenti ambivalenti nel lettore per ciò che fanno o non fanno. Si parteggia per Peter (si soffre con lui, si ama con lui), ma un po' lo si odia pure, e così è anche per Adam, anche se in parte li si giustifica.
Quest'amore tormentato e segreto mi ha tenuta incollata al lettore ebook e devo dire che, anche se il libro è corposo e complesso, ha un buon ritmo e la resa italiana è piacevole e curata.
Essendo questo il primo volume, si chiude una parentesi della storia ma non c'è una vera fine, pertanto spero che il seguito tradotto arrivi presto. Nel frattempo, vi consiglio vivamente questa lettura.
krystal6's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
brim010's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
angie11290's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Outing, Infidelity, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, and Biphobia
bexbookrex's review
5.0
Emotional and real...
Pictures of You by Leta Blake is an incredible journey. I think it truly resonates with me because I was in high school a few years before Peter. I was just beginning to understand my bisexuality in my senior year. Peter and Adam go through so much. They cheat and lie and make a big mess of their lives. I wanted to be mad at one or both them off and on throughout the entire book but I couldn't stay angry; maybe because I understood what they were going through. The book is beautiful, the writing excellent, and the characters multidimensional. I love this book. It will forever be one of my favorites.
Pictures of You by Leta Blake is an incredible journey. I think it truly resonates with me because I was in high school a few years before Peter. I was just beginning to understand my bisexuality in my senior year. Peter and Adam go through so much. They cheat and lie and make a big mess of their lives. I wanted to be mad at one or both them off and on throughout the entire book but I couldn't stay angry; maybe because I understood what they were going through. The book is beautiful, the writing excellent, and the characters multidimensional. I love this book. It will forever be one of my favorites.
katkejt's review against another edition
5.0
Peter ♾️.
….
“Now I want a picture of that.”
.
“Clinging to lies and denying reality is a dangerous and hurtful way to live.”
….
Reading this masterpiece of a book I only repeated this question like mantra:
Will I make it out alive?
Barely.
M A S T E R P I E C E.
On to the next. I’m consumed. Full of compassion. The brilliant mess I got myself into. A war between the heart, a conscience and a want. Read in a day. I am locked in a permanent chokehold. I couldn’t breathe properly from the start. I’m mad, I’m heartbroken. I am hopeful.
….
Lane Del Rey - Summertime Sadness
.
The Cure - Pictures Of You
….
“Adam, on the other hand, sauntered along next to me as if he were quite at home already.” // “You can’t get something if you don’t even ask, Peter.” // “I’m sorry.” // “Yeah. I’m looking. I still like what I see.” // “I could take a whole roll of you.” // “You’re so damn sweet, Peter. You scare me.” // “I’d forgotten to protect my heart.” // “but this physical pleasure, this closeness—it was something that was mine.” // “I wish I didn’t, but I really do.” // “…because I was so tired of hurting and not having what I wanted, of being punished for who I was even when I tried to do the right thing.” // “That’s going to have to be up to you.” // “For once in my life, I wanted to win.” // “Have you seen the moon?” // “This is for making me love you.” // “The Sunsphere.” // “A summer.” …
….
….
“Now I want a picture of that.”
.
“Clinging to lies and denying reality is a dangerous and hurtful way to live.”
….
Reading this masterpiece of a book I only repeated this question like mantra:
Will I make it out alive?
Barely.
M A S T E R P I E C E.
On to the next. I’m consumed. Full of compassion. The brilliant mess I got myself into. A war between the heart, a conscience and a want. Read in a day. I am locked in a permanent chokehold. I couldn’t breathe properly from the start. I’m mad, I’m heartbroken. I am hopeful.
….
Lane Del Rey - Summertime Sadness
.
The Cure - Pictures Of You
….
“Adam, on the other hand, sauntered along next to me as if he were quite at home already.” // “You can’t get something if you don’t even ask, Peter.” // “I’m sorry.” // “Yeah. I’m looking. I still like what I see.” // “I could take a whole roll of you.” // “You’re so damn sweet, Peter. You scare me.” // “I’d forgotten to protect my heart.” // “but this physical pleasure, this closeness—it was something that was mine.” // “I wish I didn’t, but I really do.” // “…because I was so tired of hurting and not having what I wanted, of being punished for who I was even when I tried to do the right thing.” // “That’s going to have to be up to you.” // “For once in my life, I wanted to win.” // “Have you seen the moon?” // “This is for making me love you.” // “The Sunsphere.” // “A summer.” …
….
tmac61's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, Young Love
This was a wonderful book about young love and sexual awakening. I loved this book. It is well written and flows so well. I couldn’t stand to put it down for the night…I wanted to keep reading until I was finished. Can’t wait to start the next book in this series.
This was a wonderful book about young love and sexual awakening. I loved this book. It is well written and flows so well. I couldn’t stand to put it down for the night…I wanted to keep reading until I was finished. Can’t wait to start the next book in this series.