Scan barcode
chaleyah's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Infertility
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Much of the story here centered on acceptance (both internal and external) and communication. Ana is doing just about everything she can in pursuit of acceptance and validation from her family, her boyfriend, her therapist, etc all to the detriment of herself. This also plays into the way she masks her behaviors as a response to her Autism Spectrum diagnosis. She wants to please everyone and constantly holds herself back and remains silent when it comes to disagreements, which leads to the theme of communication. She's left wondering, "Why is it so hard to say what I really think? Or to just say no?" When it comes to communicating her physical needs to Quan, saying the words is even more challenging. Because if you've never explored what you desire physically, how can you even begin to communicate that to an intimate partner. Quan, like the consent king he is, exudes patience and builds trust with Ana so she is comfortable exploring that side of her sexuality. For his part, Quan also has a character arc centered around acceptance. After an illness changed his physicality, a physical part of himself that is typically associated with "manhood," he is coming to terms with what that means for him in intimate situations and the way it has impacted his future. Layered on top of this is the challenge he faces professionally when it comes to his apparel company's acquisition deal.
Other interesting themes/ideas addressed:
- Sibling relationships in Chinese culture
- Anxiety, grief, and suicidal thoughts
- End of life caretaking
- Assumptions made based on physical appearance
- Internalized ableism
Overall, really happy that I finally read this series. All the books can standalone but are best read in order.
Moderate: Ableism, Infertility, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
bettysbookshelf'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
Moderate: Cancer, Infertility, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
skbat'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: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, and Car accident
rlpdean's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
dua_liepard'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
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
nbreezy17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
chi__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Death of parent
mackie9999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
hayleyvem'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
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and War