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cristinareading's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
tj_thenerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Somehow Alice Osman's book always manage to hit me somewhere I'm sensitive about my own life. Loveless made me cry in ways I don't think we're intended but as a result I feel deeply connected to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual assault
hopestar's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
lenorayoder's review against another edition
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
I really liked this! 4 stars because I feel like this book is missing something, but not sure how to articulate that. The closest I can get is that this book feels more concerned with conveying a message than telling a story. I think Oseman should consider writing non-fiction - maybe a memoir or collection of essays about different people’s experiences with self-discovery.
After reading Solitaire, it’s nice to see how Oseman’s writing and awareness of aro/ace identities has evolved. I think I’m a little too old for her books, but I enjoy her work and am looking forward to reading more of it.
I was frustrated that Pip hadn’t apologized to anyone by the end of the book - everyone else owned up to their shit, and I think Pip was in the wrong about some stuff too. I don’t like that her mistakes weren’t addressed in a book that clearly wants to show characters learning how to communicate with each other.
After reading Solitaire, it’s nice to see how Oseman’s writing and awareness of aro/ace identities has evolved. I think I’m a little too old for her books, but I enjoy her work and am looking forward to reading more of it.
I was frustrated that Pip hadn’t apologized to anyone by the end of the book - everyone else owned up to their shit, and I think Pip was in the wrong about some stuff too. I don’t like that her mistakes weren’t addressed in a book that clearly wants to show characters learning how to communicate with each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Transphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
lolasbooks12's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
it took me a while to read but it was worth it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Outing, and Alcohol
anjh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
this book was very good. very well written. i related a lot to Georgia’s descriptions of asexuality but also very much appreciated the aro rep too. i think Alice Oseman’s writing really conveyed the feeling of the process of figuring out your LGBTQIA+ identity through confusion, self hatred, denial and sadness.
i also really loved how the book showed that love isn’t just a romantic thing, but can also absolutely and very much be a platonic thing which is just as strong and just as meaningful, if not more so. it also showed the importance of friendships and how romance can get in the way of these.
this book was also v gay which i appreciated, very much recommended for anyone questioning/figuring out their identity or already identifying as queer (tho please read the content warnings as always!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
totallywickedruth333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is sooo good! I have read all of Alice Oseman’s books and I really like them all but this one is my favorite. It might take a while to read, but it’s worth it. I am a theater kid and I love their idea of making a Shakespeare medley. I think the scenes with Rooney and Pip are cute and the characters are really interesting. Overall I think this is a really good book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Cursing
librarymouse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
5.0
I kept having to put down this book and take a moment because every one of Georgia's milestones in discovering her aro-ace identity were nearly beat for beat my own. I feel so lovingly, astoundingly, kind of uncomfortably seen by this book, and by Alice Oseman.
Her wonderful additions of mentor characters at different stages of their self acceptance journeys was everything I wished for (and still wish for, tbh)
I love this book. I knew, going into it, that I was not alone - not the only ace or aro-ace person in the world, but after reading this book, I feel less alone in a far more profound way.
I want to try going dancing now, again, with friends and without the weight of sexual or romantic expectations like Georgia. I think I'd like it too.
Her wonderful additions of mentor characters at different stages of their self acceptance journeys was everything I wished for (and still wish for, tbh)
I love this book. I knew, going into it, that I was not alone - not the only ace or aro-ace person in the world, but after reading this book, I feel less alone in a far more profound way.
I want to try going dancing now, again, with friends and without the weight of sexual or romantic expectations like Georgia. I think I'd like it too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit
proza's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
This book was a really enjoyable read.
It's safe to say that my AroAce self-discovery experience is not exactly the same as Georgia's, but they are quite similar in many ways and there were so many aspects of it that felt so relatable to me, and reading those parts made me feel seen and valid.
This book also provided me with the vocabulary I needed to express my feelings and my desires, and for that I am very greatful to Alice Oseman.
Now I'll go over the other parts of the book.
The general plot – while predictable at times – was enjoyable. All main characters were extremely likeable, and they each felt like their own individual people with unique personalities.
I feel like Oseman used the first-person perspective remarkably well; Georgia's narrated the story using her own voice and it made me understand her perspective and motives much better.
That being said, the story is fast from perfect. I felt like most of the problems and obstacles that Georgia went through were resolved much too quickly and easily (one example would behow Jason forgave her way too quickly and seemed to forget she ever hurt him after her apology ), and that other characters reacted to things in a way that felt out of place for them.
Another problem I think I need to cknowledge is that the book only presents one AroAce experience , and I think that it doesn't clarify the fact that there are other ways to be aromantic or asexual well enough. It is important to remember that there are infinitely many ways to be AroAce, and that all of them are completely valid.
Overall, I think that while it has many flaws, it is a very good book that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and I am glad to have read it.
It's safe to say that my AroAce self-discovery experience is not exactly the same as Georgia's, but they are quite similar in many ways and there were so many aspects of it that felt so relatable to me, and reading those parts made me feel seen and valid.
This book also provided me with the vocabulary I needed to express my feelings and my desires, and for that I am very greatful to Alice Oseman.
Now I'll go over the other parts of the book.
The general plot – while predictable at times – was enjoyable. All main characters were extremely likeable, and they each felt like their own individual people with unique personalities.
I feel like Oseman used the first-person perspective remarkably well; Georgia's narrated the story using her own voice and it made me understand her perspective and motives much better.
That being said, the story is fast from perfect. I felt like most of the problems and obstacles that Georgia went through were resolved much too quickly and easily (one example would be
Another problem I think I need to cknowledge is that the book only presents one AroAce experience , and I think that it doesn't clarify the fact that there are other ways to be aromantic or asexual well enough. It is important to remember that there are infinitely many ways to be AroAce, and that all of them are completely valid.
Overall, I think that while it has many flaws, it is a very good book that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and I am glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Vomit, and Lesbophobia
Content warnings for Loveless from Alice Oseman's website: Internalised aphobia, Verbal aphobia, deliberate aphobic attitudes, accidentally aphobic attitudes due to ignorance/lack of knowledge about a-spec identities, Frank discussions of sex and masturbation, Two brief incidents of exclusionary attitudes, References to past emotionally abusive relationships, References to past bullyingadaora_ble's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
3.75
The story takes us through the first year of 4 Durham fresher, 3 of whom are old friends and it tackles expectations around sexuality, romance, what we're supposed to be doing at uni and fitting in and growing up and I think it handles it all in a really great way. The stakes aren't huge but they're real and personal and for anyone who's ever felt a little bit on the outside for any reason it's very relatable.
The characters make mistakes and assumptions and they don't say what they mean even when they want to and they think people are one way when they're actually another and they make all the mistakes that we can except young adults to make and certainly some I've made myself at uni.
Very glad I didn't read this in my actual first year at uni since I was in the covid year and we barely had any irl events and if we did you had to sit in a group of 6 and not move so reading this would have made me very jealous even if the characters aren't always having fun at said events.
I think it can be hard to write a book about a certain period in your life that you've moved in from and have it remain real to the people who then grow into that age bracket because times change and it's easy to make something that doesn't age well or becomes outdated but between this, Radio Silence and Heartstopper these thoughts, feelings and situations all feel very real and it think it reminds its readers of a very important lesson on the significance of friendships that sometimes gets forgotten in a world where everything seems to be gearing towards romance.
This book may be part of the Osemanverse but it's very much a standalone book and can be read as such, and I definitely recommend it if you like books about friendships, coming of age (when they actually are coming of age) or Shakespeare.
The characters make mistakes and assumptions and they don't say what they mean even when they want to and they think people are one way when they're actually another and they make all the mistakes that we can except young adults to make and certainly some I've made myself at uni.
Very glad I didn't read this in my actual first year at uni since I was in the covid year and we barely had any irl events and if we did you had to sit in a group of 6 and not move so reading this would have made me very jealous even if the characters aren't always having fun at said events.
I think it can be hard to write a book about a certain period in your life that you've moved in from and have it remain real to the people who then grow into that age bracket because times change and it's easy to make something that doesn't age well or becomes outdated but between this, Radio Silence and Heartstopper these thoughts, feelings and situations all feel very real and it think it reminds its readers of a very important lesson on the significance of friendships that sometimes gets forgotten in a world where everything seems to be gearing towards romance.
This book may be part of the Osemanverse but it's very much a standalone book and can be read as such, and I definitely recommend it if you like books about friendships, coming of age (when they actually are coming of age) or Shakespeare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol