Reviews

Learned Reactions by Jayce Ellis

thomasr417's review

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

scrow1022's review

Frustrated with the main characters (but loved the friends and children). Almost DNF'd a couple of times and ending up skimming at the end, not satisfied with ending (satisfied with results but not how it was told). But like the setting of this series and the other MCs in play, assume there will be a final one and I'll read it.

leahkarge's review against another edition

DNF @ 45%

richardwriteson's review

5.0

Jayce is filling such a vital niche in the Black m/m romance space, she brings us smart, thoughtful, romantic stories that are relatable to anyone of any gender or sexual orientation. I can’t wait for the next entry in this series. Professional gay black men need love too!

cleo_reads's review

3.5

3.5 stars / B-

joeyrei's review

emotional funny reflective fast-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

2.5

20sidedbi's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Most of the book was meh, but the ending made me cry big ol happy tears

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse

oceans's review

2.0

if this was more over the top i could've enjoyed campy best friends but there was so little narrative immersion i thought the author couldn't possibly want me to suspend this much disbelief? like the way adoption and children with parental trauma are written also just so much inconsistency in the past relationship and everything and everyone is a plot device instead of believable characters jsksjk. queer bipoc on cover still have my heart tho and some moments were genuinely cute.

marzi's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I really wanted to like this book, but sadly I do not buy the whole "I' m stringing you along for 20 years, but I promise to stop, let's get married!" thing. I enjoyed D and his relationships, especially with Ollie, the family dynamics and the happy adoption. But I couldn't help thinking that D should've gone to therapy and learn there that his relationship with C really, really isn't great for him. And that should've happened 15 years before this book. 

beblackbeloved's review

4.0

This was an absolutely adorable novel. While it had its flaws (i.e. some pacing issues, realism etc.), the love that Jayce Ellis puts into these characters and their stories is apparent. Romances like Learned Reactions are pure pleasure reads for me, and I honestly feel it best to critique them as such. It had the drama, the sensuality, and family all wrapped into one. You will hands down enjoy this.