Reviews

Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell

agravereader's review

4.0

I really appreciated a story that so wonderfully examined the intersection of sex/relationships and disability. I also wasn't expectin to be so called out for my drinking.. a lot to think about. The end had me in tears... This book was so raw and unadulterated in so many ways that were refreshing. 

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it didn't take place in LA (and the story was so deeply entrenched in the setting, I couldn't escape) because I hate LA so much, but overall, I did really enjoy this book. 

irenescmp's review

2.0

2.25/5

willowkat's review

5.0

yeah this is going to be in my top books I've read this year

rdebarge's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

traumgespinst's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-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

drew03's review against another edition

fast-paced

2.5

finleigh's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Sexual content

dharper87's review

Obnoxious.

tynansal23's review

challenging dark informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The themes of this book are incredibly important, exploring what it’s like to live with a disability and the impacts that has on your emotional development. As an able bodied person it made me think twice about how I navigate the world. But the writing was pretty uninspired, came across as very millennial try-hard. 

While the book explores the complexities of the queer community in a way that sheds light on its issues, it kind of used queerness as a scapegoat for a lot of poor behaviours or placed expectations on queerness that feel a little dated, or at least very “LA” and maybe less relevant to other parts of the world. 

l_prelas's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

4.25