The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a book about two, flawed, struggling, gay boys on the edge of manhood who desperately need to go to therapy. (Iām happy to report that at least one of them is seeing a councillor by the end of the story.)Ā
In all seriousness, this book really dives into the mess of grief, toxic masculinity, consent without sinking too far into the darkness, which I appreciated. Huge salute to the author for tackling consent and toxic masculinity as a main theme. I donāt see it enough, especially in queer books.Ā
Iām not sure if Iām totally on board with the āitās all meant to beā message at the end but I loved the softness that the author wove into the hearts of Jordan and Max.Ā
Not a huge fan of the carbon copy best friends thing that was going on, it felt a bit lazy, but Iām relieved that the superficial relationships grew into more as the story progressed, even if it felt a bit forced.
The pacing was a bit odd, which sort of messed with the plot twists and relationship developments for me.
I loved experiencing the slow vulnerability that Jordan and Max showed one another. It was like watching the walls of toxic masculinity quietly crumble to the ground.Ā
Overall, it was a surprising and lovely story. One prickly pear lemonade for me!Ā
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
thehmkane's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Rape, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia
_nem_'s review
- 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
This book went through a lot (definitely check the trigger warnings before you read it). It has an amazing found family feeling and the two main characters feeling safe to be their true self and reveal hobbies that they have without thinking they will be judged. It's about hopes and dreams and ambitions and discovering that you can be good at something or enjoy something if you just give it a go. I loved this book.
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Cultural appropriation
a_l_reads's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Racism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, and Homophobia
readingcavern's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape
Minor: Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia
alyxinthestars's review
- 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
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Addiction, Grief, Homophobia, and Death of parent
davidbythebay's review against another edition
- 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
TW: parent death, grief, addiction, gambling, rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, bullyingĀ
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
- 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
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 solvedā¦ 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.Ā
Iām sure I could go on about how Jordan and Maxās relationship was built up without any real chemistry, or how we had random chapters that were full on filler, but Iām gonna end it here by saying it wasnāt all bad, but I donāt plan on reading it againā¦
Graphic: Rape and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Minor: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Homophobia
kcbookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Addiction, Toxic friendship, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia
riella_reads's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, Homophobia, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting