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chig_flicks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Car accident, and Death of parent
nikolas_fox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
This book was something else. I received this in a subscription box and I was unsure if it was a book I would enjoy, and I was so wrong. This book was so honest and raw and hit straight into me at so many times. It looks generationally from East Indian immigrants to England, in the Black Country, all the way through 2016. We hit hard on the AIDS epidemic and all the loss that's involved with that. This book was just so amazing in so many ways, and there are lines that hit me hard from beginning to end. I am so glad I gave this book the chance it deserved and I expect to see great things from Paul Mendez in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Miscarriage and Sexual assault
booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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? No
4.25
I thought this book was an incredible debut and a really back-story for a character. A young black man who's life has been restricted by familial religious practices in Wolverhampton, soon transforms into someone who is exploring themselves and a new way of life in London. One thing I particularly loved about the novel was the depth of Jesse's character - particularly the ways he was shaped by his life at home and how he completely changes direction and I love his period of exploring what he likes and who he really is.
The writing style was also good and I thought it flowed well and really brought the characters, their love and friendship to life. I will definitely give this a re-read and it is something that has stuck by me as one of my favourite LGBTQIA+ novels with a lot of representations across lots of different communities.
The writing style was also good and I thought it flowed well and really brought the characters, their love and friendship to life. I will definitely give this a re-read and it is something that has stuck by me as one of my favourite LGBTQIA+ novels with a lot of representations across lots of different communities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage