mengzhenreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
3.75
My favorite part about this was the personal growth that the two main characters showed. Honestly it was really beautiful to see how these characters really blossomed, and by the end of it I was 100% on board.
Max was the golden star of this book for sure, I just loved reading about his character and thought that he was wonderfully complex and super endearing. Jordan was also very well written, but something about him just vaguely annoyed by me for absolutely no reason (probably the fact that his narrator in the audiobook had an irritating voice). But, the fact that he was unlikeable in the beginning really showed his growth, as by the end of the book I genuinely felt him maturing.
Initially a bit basic, but really hooks you in and becomes really addicting and heartfelt.
Max was the golden star of this book for sure, I just loved reading about his character and thought that he was wonderfully complex and super endearing. Jordan was also very well written, but something about him just vaguely annoyed by me for absolutely no reason (probably the fact that his narrator in the audiobook had an irritating voice). But, the fact that he was unlikeable in the beginning really showed his growth, as by the end of the book I genuinely felt him maturing.
Initially a bit basic, but really hooks you in and becomes really addicting and heartfelt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, and Rape
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
_yeenaw's review
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Toxic friendship
rayne_1906's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Audiobook - 4 hours 36 minutes - This wasn't quite what I was expecting - it was a lot heavier than it seemed in the synopsis, exploring darker themes than a book just about a summer romance would. I liked Max's character - it took me a little longer to like Jordan. There were some elements I didn't like at first but I realised towards the end of the novel that a fair few of these were intentional and specifically commented on as part of the conclusion. There were parts of this book that were extremely hard for me to read - Max's story in particular hit far too close for home and upset me a lot, but that is on me for choosing this audiobook at random without researching the content warnings. But overall, I liked the structure of this book - it diverted from the 'automatically happy ending' that I've come to expect from YA novels, and it was a refreshing change, that made sense within the context of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Toxic friendship
jesthemess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Rape
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Violence and Vomit
frantic_vampire's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
This book was not what I expected it to be. I thought I was getting one thing and ended up with something completely different. And that’s the thing I liked about it the most. It just grabbed me by the hand and wouldn’t let me go until the very end.
I felt so much for both Max and Jordan. For different reasons, but damn did this book go after my feelings every chance it got. I really liked that this dealt with a whole host of different issues, from mental illness and shitty parents to the aftermath of rape and consent. And none of it felt like it was forced or out of place in this story. Sure, there were some things that could have been handled a little better, but I felt like this book did a really great job getting its point across.
Over all this was a really great read and I would highly recommend it! This is getting a four and a half stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Rape, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
alyxinthestars's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Addiction, Grief, Homophobia, and Death of parent
davidbythebay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
An emotional story touching upon several difficult topics, this was a beautiful exploration of youth, coming of age, and being gay. When two gay boys take over a food truck for the summer, the story looks likes its going to be a sweet unknown/enemies to lovers trope. And it sort of is. But it's more about realizing what our boundaries are, how to communicate, the strength in speaking your truth and in supporting others' truths, and coping with significant trauma. It's about speaking what you want and having someone listen to it and abide by it. Boundaries are the key theme of this book and it handles them beautifully. Really, a sweet read that spoke volumes in a matter of pages.
TW: parent death, grief, addiction, gambling, rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, bullying
TW: parent death, grief, addiction, gambling, rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, bullying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Addiction, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
bitsandbobsdivination's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really enjoyed Openly Straight and it’s Sequel but this one just didn’t hit right.
That being said, most of the plot if this book felt so strange and out of order at times too. Especially since there were a ton of plots mixing together for a climax that never really got solved… It just kinda did an after school special introspection about the title for a moment and then ended?? Plus the mom clearly needed help the whole time and then just got shoved under the bus? It could have been handled so much better!
That all being said, the way in which rape, dissociation, toxic masculinity, and self-esteem were covered were done much better but still, kinda clunky, like it could have been expanded upon in less choppy ways.
I’m sure I could go on about how Jordan and Max’s relationship was built up without any real chemistry, or how we had random chapters that were full on filler, but I’m gonna end it here by saying it wasn’t all bad, but I don’t plan on reading it again…
Spoiler
The friend groups I felt really uncomfortable with right from the beginning and they never really redeemed themselves by the end. The “wives” especially as they felt so over the top and stereotyped. I know it was to make a point of GBF’s but one tiny mention at the end that it changed and suddenly all was good now was weird.That being said, most of the plot if this book felt so strange and out of order at times too. Especially since there were a ton of plots mixing together for a climax that never really got solved… It just kinda did an after school special introspection about the title for a moment and then ended?? Plus the mom clearly needed help the whole time and then just got shoved under the bus? It could have been handled so much better!
That all being said, the way in which rape, dissociation, toxic masculinity, and self-esteem were covered were done much better but still, kinda clunky, like it could have been expanded upon in less choppy ways.
I’m sure I could go on about how Jordan and Max’s relationship was built up without any real chemistry, or how we had random chapters that were full on filler, but I’m gonna end it here by saying it wasn’t all bad, but I don’t plan on reading it again…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Minor: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Homophobia
ranjanireviewsreads's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Ever wondered what it feels like to grow up? During, it's difficult to differentiate one moment from another. In hindsight, it might be easy to merge memories.
The Music of What Happens is what I would recommend if you want the answer to that question. Bill Konigsberg uses witty, snappy language with hidden heartfelt moments to authentically portray the joy, misery, loneliness, and connection felt in the late teen years. Growing up gay, biracial, lonely; it's not something everyone can understand, much less wonder about.
Heartfelt, real, and incredibly beautiful; The Music of What Happens is a reflection of the teenage experience of coming of age, falling in love, and figuring out how to be your own person. A must read for the young adult contemporary reader.
The Music of What Happens is what I would recommend if you want the answer to that question. Bill Konigsberg uses witty, snappy language with hidden heartfelt moments to authentically portray the joy, misery, loneliness, and connection felt in the late teen years. Growing up gay, biracial, lonely; it's not something everyone can understand, much less wonder about.
Heartfelt, real, and incredibly beautiful; The Music of What Happens is a reflection of the teenage experience of coming of age, falling in love, and figuring out how to be your own person. A must read for the young adult contemporary reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Addiction, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Homophobia
Minor: Racial slurs, Vomit, Racism, Grief, and Body shaming
elisabeths_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Rape