writingqueerfic's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Just good humour.
bloemr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
sarful's review
3.0
3.4 Noah is one big ole hot mess of a kid, but Harry loves him anyway.
I found this book funny and endearing overall, but the first one was just that much better. This one has too much hi-jinx for no discernible reason other than to put Noah in stickier and sticker situations for a laugh. I wanted more Noah and Harry being Noah and Harry really. These two together are adorable.
Cute series.
I found this book funny and endearing overall, but the first one was just that much better. This one has too much hi-jinx for no discernible reason other than to put Noah in stickier and sticker situations for a laugh. I wanted more Noah and Harry being Noah and Harry really. These two together are adorable.
Cute series.
finlaaaay's review against another edition
3.0
I read the first in this series, [b:Noah Can't Even|33961524|Noah Can't Even (Noah Can't Even, #1)|Simon James Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485023412s/33961524.jpg|54938978], last year, and I quite liked it, although I found it a bit melodramatic. I actually bought this second book partly because there was a signed copy in the gay bookstore in London.
This one was more of a slog to read. In some ways, it was better, the characters more rounded, and the boyfriends' relationship was super cute. But the melodrama is ramped up here, and Green's writing style has gone a bit over the top - too many keysmashes for something printed in ink on paper. It just makes it way more cringey to read. I know that's the kind of humour he's going for, but I've never been that big a fan of cringe humour. (Perhaps that just means the book isn't for me)
I'm pretty glad that Harry got to say all that he did to Noah near the end of the book and that they started talking to each other like normal human beings, really. I'll let them off because they're teenagers, but if they'd just talked about their feelings, insecurities and jealousies in the first place, half of the ridiculous events in this story wouldn't have happened.
I just saw on the author's page that the next book is being written. Let's be real here, I'm probably going to read it. This book wasn't as good as the first, but I still enjoyed it.
This one was more of a slog to read. In some ways, it was better, the characters more rounded, and the boyfriends' relationship was super cute. But the melodrama is ramped up here, and Green's writing style has gone a bit over the top - too many keysmashes for something printed in ink on paper. It just makes it way more cringey to read. I know that's the kind of humour he's going for, but I've never been that big a fan of cringe humour. (Perhaps that just means the book isn't for me)
I'm pretty glad that Harry got to say all that he did to Noah near the end of the book and that they started talking to each other like normal human beings, really. I'll let them off because they're teenagers, but if they'd just talked about their feelings, insecurities and jealousies in the first place, half of the ridiculous events in this story wouldn't have happened.
I just saw on the author's page that the next book is being written. Let's be real here, I'm probably going to read it. This book wasn't as good as the first, but I still enjoyed it.
sophiemart_n's review
4.0
Did anyone else find the ending way too cheesy and anti-climatic? Noah and Harry’s final discourse felt too short and I ended the book wanting more. All the same, it’s a fantastically-written book.
booking_it_112221's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
whatjanereads's review
4.0
If you have the humour of a 12 year old boy (just like me) this book will be perfect for you. Noah is so awkward and there’s so much second hand embarrassment, I laughed my ass off!
And that’s what this book intends to be I think, just a funny story for young readers to enjoy. It’s not a story to educate.
If that’s enough for you, I think you can enjoy it. I read both books on my holidays and they were a perfect easy and funny read!
Some situations were a bit over the top, but over all I totally fell in love with our weird bean Noah and I felt really sorry for him on many levels.
I liked the first book a little more than the second one, but only because I‘m not a huge fan of miscommunication as a huge part of the plot.
I absolutely loved though, that it showed, that boys can have insecurities and body issues either! Also that it showed how everyone has their own definition what ‘perfect’ means.
And that’s what this book intends to be I think, just a funny story for young readers to enjoy. It’s not a story to educate.
If that’s enough for you, I think you can enjoy it. I read both books on my holidays and they were a perfect easy and funny read!
Some situations were a bit over the top, but over all I totally fell in love with our weird bean Noah and I felt really sorry for him on many levels.
I liked the first book a little more than the second one, but only because I‘m not a huge fan of miscommunication as a huge part of the plot.
I absolutely loved though, that it showed, that boys can have insecurities and body issues either! Also that it showed how everyone has their own definition what ‘perfect’ means.
lilyrooke's review
2.0
Noah and Harry are now boyfriends, but Noah's extreme insecurities and low self-esteem mean he can't help but keep sabotaging their fledgling relationship, despite Harry's support and loyalty. With countless wacky subplots and misadventures, it looks like Noah is going nowhere fast.
Unfortunately, the sequel to Noah Can't Even leans heavily into the aspects I didn't enjoy from the first book, and basically goes in the opposite direction to where I was hoping. Despite the 'what even is this' plot, it's still immensely funny, especially with Noah's ridiculousness and the wordplay, especially with Pierre and Harry. Harry alone raised the rating, because he's a wonderful character. I wish we saw more of him, and more of him and Noah together. Their interactions were incredibly sweet and moving. I was impressed at how Harry raises the issue of Noah's insecurity damaging their relationship and making him doubt his own worth.
My main problem is that Noah doesn't change or grow, or show any sign of intending to do so, beyond words, which is what he's always been saying throughout the course of the books. Due to this frustration, I'm left not wanting Noah and Harry to be together, because I fundamentally agree with Harry that their relationship isn't healthy for either of them. It's hard, because I understand why Noah is so insecure, and SJG writes his low self-esteem very well, but we also see no indication of any sign of character development from Noah, so I can't feel all fuzzy and happy at the end of the story. Which sucks, because I would love nothing more than to happily say goodbye to Noah and Harry knowing they'll be happy forever.
I will say, SJG writes absolutely beautiful romantic moments, and the romance between Noah and Harry is gorgeous, even with everything else going on, so I can't wait for the day when he writes an incredible romance.
Unfortunately, the sequel to Noah Can't Even leans heavily into the aspects I didn't enjoy from the first book, and basically goes in the opposite direction to where I was hoping. Despite the 'what even is this' plot, it's still immensely funny, especially with Noah's ridiculousness and the wordplay, especially with Pierre and Harry. Harry alone raised the rating, because he's a wonderful character. I wish we saw more of him, and more of him and Noah together. Their interactions were incredibly sweet and moving. I was impressed at how Harry raises the issue of Noah's insecurity damaging their relationship and making him doubt his own worth.
My main problem is that Noah doesn't change or grow, or show any sign of intending to do so, beyond words, which is what he's always been saying throughout the course of the books. Due to this frustration, I'm left not wanting Noah and Harry to be together, because I fundamentally agree with Harry that their relationship isn't healthy for either of them. It's hard, because I understand why Noah is so insecure, and SJG writes his low self-esteem very well, but we also see no indication of any sign of character development from Noah, so I can't feel all fuzzy and happy at the end of the story. Which sucks, because I would love nothing more than to happily say goodbye to Noah and Harry knowing they'll be happy forever.
I will say, SJG writes absolutely beautiful romantic moments, and the romance between Noah and Harry is gorgeous, even with everything else going on, so I can't wait for the day when he writes an incredible romance.