hatcubed's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like the main character, but that's part of what this story is all about. I appreciated that the main character is disabled, it's something I like to see in characters in books. Representation matters!
agmaynard's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
This was wonderful! So strong with character, dialogue, plot. Emerson’s health struggles aren’t swept away by steadfast love; growth of relationship feels organic and real. As in Butch and the Beautiful, a caring teacher environment is a meaningful subplot. (And only seeds for the serial killer storyline in other books.) Highly recommended!
scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
Such a strong voice (1st person POV), you're either going to hate it or love it. I loved it, I could identify with aspects of both Emerson and Obie (and Mildred and Zane for that matter) and with their contrasting outlooks on life, so the way their relationship developed felt very natural (and especially liked how the ending wasn't a big emotional mush). And this might have my favorite last paragraph of a book ever.
araleith's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I loved that it wasn't happy and perfect and that characters were sometimes grumpy and very very human.
ran_the_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book but there were some things I couldn’t get past. The writing felt like a wattpad fan fiction, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but not something I expect from a book not on wattpad. The main character is purposely not likable, but some thoughts he has took me by surprise nonetheless in a not so comfortable way. The book was a lot of telling the reader what to think rather than showing the reader. The dialogue was fairly human. I didn’t really feel much real chemistry between the characters, not just the love interest but the side characters as well. Also there was something that kept being brought up that I can only assume will be touched upon in a book later in the series because absolutely nothing was done with it in this book and felt very awkwardly placed. I liked the book for all the representation it has but I’d like to think there’s better out there. It’s heartbreaking but I don’t recommend this book :’)
eemms's review against another edition
4.0
Obviously overall I really liked this book - I gave it 4 stars and I mean it - and this is DESPITE being really, really mad at one of the main characters for 70% of the book. Full review on my blog ->
https://dukedukegoose.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/gays-of-our-lives-kris-ripper/
https://dukedukegoose.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/gays-of-our-lives-kris-ripper/
chocolatemeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
It was cute and sweet but also meandered and ended abruptly.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
4*
A first person narrative from Emerson's pov - and whilst he is fairly jaded and pee'd off with life in general, the overall feel is upbeat and the story moved along at a quick pace.
Emerson's character has MS and this certainly gave me a good insight for when I next see two friends who have MS. He is definitely a glass half empty guy and this did get a bit wearing, especially as regards looking after himself. I get that there is bound to be a mourning for the life you wont get to live and maybe he is still in that.
In contrast, Obie chooses to live his glass half full life despite also having issues, not on an MS scale though. Not sure who will win the battle for how they look at life together!!
Their relationship development stalled on the back of Emerson's attitude and I would have liked to have more development there.
However, all in all it was a good enjoyable light hearted read with little angst.
A first person narrative from Emerson's pov - and whilst he is fairly jaded and pee'd off with life in general, the overall feel is upbeat and the story moved along at a quick pace.
Emerson's character has MS and this certainly gave me a good insight for when I next see two friends who have MS. He is definitely a glass half empty guy and this did get a bit wearing, especially as regards looking after himself. I get that there is bound to be a mourning for the life you wont get to live and maybe he is still in that.
In contrast, Obie chooses to live his glass half full life despite also having issues, not on an MS scale though. Not sure who will win the battle for how they look at life together!!
Their relationship development stalled on the back of Emerson's attitude and I would have liked to have more development there.
However, all in all it was a good enjoyable light hearted read with little angst.
pam_h's review against another edition
3.0
I've realized it's hard for me to read such realistic MCs who are in the early days of diagnosis/acceptance of any chronic illness. It's been five years for me, and I'm pretty far down a path that I'm fully expecting to lead to permanent remission, and this shit is still too fresh! Especially the emotions involving doctors/other people in general that I still have to deal with during my much milder and much rarer flares. It resonated maybe a little too much!!
I liked so much about this, but I have no idea how to objectively judge what someone who hasn't dealt with chronic diagnoses personally would take from this. If you have, heads up: It will most definitely bring any lingering emotional trauma to the surface. And then you'll want to lecture Emerson about all the things he could do better, which will make you feel like a total asshole :) #JuicingIsTheDevil'sWork
I liked so much about this, but I have no idea how to objectively judge what someone who hasn't dealt with chronic diagnoses personally would take from this. If you have, heads up: It will most definitely bring any lingering emotional trauma to the surface. And then you'll want to lecture Emerson about all the things he could do better, which will make you feel like a total asshole :) #JuicingIsTheDevil'sWork
veritytease's review against another edition
4.0
I'll have you know I haven't met a pun I didn't find hilarious.
Lowest form of humour?
BS, only fabulous intelligent people can appreciate them (that's my story and I'm sticking to it...).
Having said that...
Based on the tittle you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a silly MM story with a few LOL's thrown in for good measure, but luckily it has a depth to it that you wouldn't anticipate if you indeed judged the book by it's cover.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will be checking out the next books in the series.