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ceruleanshelves'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
4.25
“You”—I gave a thwarted sigh—“are a terrible fake boyfriend.”
“I’m building fake anticipation.”
“You’d better be fake worth it.”
“I am.”
this had no right being as adorable & sweet & funny & clever as it was!
i loved watching their relationship develop. i thought both characters were really lovable. luc constantly sticking his foot in his mouth is literally me 😭 and oliver was so adorable as the stern on the outside, sweet on the inside LI (and vegetarian king 👑). watching them learn to open up to each other and be each other's support was a delight.
“I don’t want fine. Fine isn’t enough. It’s not about the open fire or whatever other clichés you can conjure up, but yes, I want a connection. I want you to care as much as I care. I want you to need it and want it and mean it. I want it to matter.”
alexis has very clever writing and makes scenes with all the eclectic side characters really fun, it adds a lot of charm to an already quite enjoyable story. also shout out to the 10 things i hate about you reference 💖
the narrator was excellent. i already have a harder time w processing audio vs reading, and accents typically make it all the more difficult, but i didn't really have an issue with this one and i thought he captured all the characters' essences very well!
i will definitely be reading the next book and checking out more of alexis hall's books!
Minor: Cancer, Homophobia, and Alcohol
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
amyteurhour's review against another edition
4.25
I thought this was really cute! I know some people have found Luc to be annoying, but I actually found him endearing and I was rooting for him almost right away. The banter flowed well between the characters. (view spoiler) Basically all of the side characters are a bit one dimensional, but to be honest I didn't mind that.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I see that there's a sequel. I'm looking forward to find out what happens next. I got a bit annoyed Luc's friends for pushing him to do a grand gesture at the end, so I'm glad that Oliver ended up doing a grandish gesture the next day for Luc for the resolution. I think that having more time with Luc's friends would have made me like them a bit more, but what we got just made me feel like they were kind of mean to each other. I did enjoy the scenes with Luc's coworkers and Oliver's friends although I do feel like the conflict that was hinted at between Oliver and Brendan(? tbh I don't remember his name) during the birthday party never got any follow through or a clear resolution.
I really enjoyed the audiobook by Joe Jameson.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Graphic: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Eating disorder, and Abandonment
kathis_wonderland'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
5.0
This book was a roller-coaster of feelings. The first five chapters were really not my cup of tea. I was thinking what the hell I've gotten myself into. Luc really annoyed me (and did throughout the whole book). He is 28 years old, but behaves like an unreasonable teenager. No communication, being annoying, only seeing the worst in everything and being quite mean to his friends and other people. He behaved more like a 17-year-old. BUT THEN Oliver came along. And I feel in love with this book.
I can't even describe all the emotions I felt while reading. I was jumping up and down with this book in my hands, had the biggest smile on my face and couldn't regulate my feelings at all. Still not sure what happened there. I just know that I want an Oliver in my life. He is pretentious and just so intelligent, but he is so wonderful. Both Luc and Oliver really do have their personal problems and they are the opposite of each other. But they fit so well together. They brought out the best in the other and had each other’s backs. I ROOTED FOR THEM! As soon as their fake relationship started, I started to love this book. It's by far one of my favourites now. It made me feel so happy!
This book blew me away. I did not expect to love it that much, but I can't help myself. It's one of my favourite books now. I can't wait to read the next book!
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder
hiddenstaircase's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Only major gripe is with the excess of side characters and some of the dialogue feeling off. I cannot keep track of all the friends and coworkers and their relationships and then the other’s friend group. The dialogue between Luc and Oliver is teasing and cute.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer and Toxic relationship
lalu'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
I wanted something lighthearted and all the side characters are so over-the-top in the best way possible so that was perfect. But also everything between Luc and Oliver was so so good and pure and ugh I love it! (probably helped that I'm newly in love myself)
And I'm honestly in awe of Hall's ability to make this not extremely cringy. So good!
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
danisanerd's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
My favorite part of the book was the main couple, luc and Oliver. once they actually became friends and luc decided that maybe he should try to be a better person. Both of their friend groups were also pretty good, i wish we got more development from them.
the main problem i had with the book though, was pretty much everything not relating to them. I guess its the point, but i really didnt like any of Luc's coworkers. I feel like they we're either stereotypes or just plan annoying to read. (alex) The beetle drive felt convoluted, just kinda thrown in there to give them a reason to be boyfriends.
ending spoilers:
the ending is what ended up dropping my score down the most i think. It very much felt like it came out of nowhere. Oliver breaks up with Luc, ignores him, and then is rude when Luc tells him he loves Oliver? and then later that night, oliver shows up, apologies and the book ends. i feel like i am missing a chapter or something. wheres the rest?
Moderate: Cancer and Eating disorder
vicixyz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Drug use, and Death of parent
willoughby'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
4.75
Moderate: Cancer and Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder and Toxic relationship
livlamentloathe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Pro’s:
- When they were actually being semi-serious boyfriends, post-dinner with the two rich dummies, Oliver and Luc were super cute and sweet
- I appreciated the idea of the bathroom door and Luc vocalizing his fear/longing for intimacy
- Luc’s mom and Judy — who totally should’ve been in love but oh well
- James Royce Royce and James Royce Royce (spelling? I listened to the audiobook so who’s to say?) — at first this annoyed me but by the end, I found the whole bit hilarious
- Luc’s friends helping him clean
- Bridgette’s work emergencies and terminal lateness
- I cried for a bit in the middle when Oliver and Luc were super cute and boyfriendy and so caring for one another at the gala! Luc’s need for support mirrored my own there so it was personal watching him be cared for in just the way he needed.
- The realism of Luc’s absentee father being shit still and not deserving Luc. I also liked that Luc didn’t let him off lightly at any point despite “having cancer.”
Con’s:
- But on the other hand: Luc’s dad. First because, it was unnecessary for him not to have cancer in the end! I’d have preferred an explanation like the doctor misread an X-Ray, or some meds were working and he’d be okay, or there was a surgery option with a high success rate! Anything but “oh that was an overdramatic lie”
- And further: his whole bit was so random. Somehow despite never being in Luc’s life, and Luc being more or less a random, the paps cared about Luc like he was a dang Kardashian. Instead of like… idk I pictured Howard Stern but if Stern was a narcissist rocker Lennon-type who lived to have a sad pithy comeback on The Voice. And he cares aww, then shows time and time and time and time again he doesn’t care, then ghosts again. If it looks like a duck…
- Tom????? No proper explanation for the status of Luc’s relationship with him, what it had been, why it ended, how he picked Luc’s friend over Luc? And the lack of proper understanding for Luc’s feelings post-relationship! Of course he’s bitter and sad!!!! Who wouldn’t be in that situation?! (That said, he seemed to be the only character with his head on “straight”)
- The ending, the ending, the fucking ending!!!!
- How defensive and snappy and mean Oliver was at and after Luc met his family! Especially after Oliver had practically begged for a game plan and Oliver hadn’t said anything to warn him!!
- The rude guy at the pub in the first scene being overly offended by Luc making the REALISTIC assumption a journalist would want to write about him! Then Luc was in so much mental conflict and dragging himself through the mud for being anxious and not wanting to be exposed again and said journalist acted like Luc was a narcissist for even making a joke about it! THEN having the fucking GALL to write about it!!!!!!!!!!! You can’t fucking act offended when someone thinks you’re using them for a story and then turn around and use them for a fucking story!!! What a fucking jackass.
- Oliver’s awful friends and awful awful family!!! The family were sincerely fucked up people, but how could Oliver let them talk about Luc like that??! It’s one thing that he let them tear into him, that’s a personal issue based on clear trauma and toxic familial abuse, but it bothered me that he was okay with Luc being the back-up target for defending Oliver!
- The idiots Oliver worked with! They were characatures of people! Reese (Rhys?) was one thing. He was a believable older man who shouldn’t be in charge of socials and was bumbling his way through it. But the other guy was such a fucking idiot that it’s beyond me how he even had a job! How can you be both that inept and so up and up with society-folk???????? Was this an obvious metaphor I missed? All in all, the only good bit of them for me was when Luc told the joke about the interrupting cow.
- THE HOMOPHOBIA!!! I could not connect with Luc’s desire to work at that company. It’d have been one thing if there was a micro-aggression and he needed the job. But he didn’t seem to need the work considering his rich dad, and mom living off royalties!! There was too much homophobia and him wanting to work there was beyond me. He should’ve quit. He should’ve sued them.
- I hated how all the homophobes got away with it. Like the queer characters would acknowledge it was homophobic after the fact (or mentally during) but rarely did anyone answer for their own ignorance! And this is re: cis white gay men. They were the first group of lgbtq+ to be palatable to the public, so there’s no real excuse! Luc stayed at and actively helped his homophobic boss. And bent over backward to make a bunch of other rich homophobes happy! Gross af.
- Luc’s self-awareness was frustrating. He’d think the right thing and say something bananas or just not say anything at all! It was so frustrating.
- Their communication was just bad. Most of the problems could’ve been solved with one honest conversation. How are we supposed to believe in the romantic ending when they broke up like 5 times during the book??
- The intensity of Oliver’s breakup with Luc. It floored me cause it seemed out of nowhere! Beyond their clear communication issues and the family thing, Oliver had not been anything less than loving and all in, and then he just up and decides it’s over? Sorry but it felt forced. It wasn’t organic enough to be believable.
- And THEN: Luc was made to jump through hoops and run an entire obstacle course (by his friends who were not being helpful kind nudgers trying to match make, but instead were brutal, harsh, and way too overly-involved. Good outside intervention would've been Bridge (?) giving Oliver a scolding or trying to help them communicate. Not kidnapping Luc and locking him out of the car to force him to beg Oliver back!! Oliver DUMPED Luc. Oliver should be the grand-gesture-er. Not Luc. I was so frustrated by the whole thing at that point. Much too frustrated to think the ending was romantic. I cannot believe they won’t just break up for good post-book.
Anyway, most of my thoughts are specific to spoilers. But my tldr/you haven’t read the book review is: The romantic relationship of the two central characters was plagued by poor communication, assumptions, and a desperate need to see a therapist (3 therapists—one each for them as individuals and another for them as a couple). The background characters are such bananas caricatures of humans, that they read as cartoonishly mean, dumb, and self-obsessed. I think they were meant to be jovially mean with the implication that Luc isn’t good to them so it’s mutual, but in my opinion, they just sucked. Sorry that was very mean.
If you want a simple book with stereotypical relationship problems, gay romance (that feels written by a str8 despite that very much not being the case??), and a sweet if not dragged out plot, this may be for you. Oh an actual selling point is that if you want a romance that’s entire plot is about the romance, and the subplot is so sub that it’s barely plot, read this! We’ve all been there. Sometimes you read SJM for the dreamy str8 faeries and sometimes you read a fluff romance book without a plot—escapism is escapism!
I’m mean.
Graphic: Cancer, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol