anagmartin's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t stop crying, this is si beautiful written but I’m in so much pain.
ctwntn's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
3.25
A book that starts as a sweet love story that turns into unnecessary heartbreak.
When I decided to read this book, I had no prior knowledge. I knew nothing about the series, the author, or its reviews. All I had to convince me to read this book was the short description that was available. Based on that description alone, I expected to read a story similar to that of Simon vs. the Homo Sapien Agenda, and for the first part of the book, that’s exactly what I got. A cute love story was what I expected throughout the book, but it was not what I got. About two-thirds of the way through the book the mood shifts significantly and I was completely unprepared for what would happen next.
The book was well written, apart from some continuity errors that I noticed along the way. It reads like a diary and is a pretty quick and easy read. The main characters are likable, and I found myself becoming connected to the characters and their stories. When I finished, I was left wishing I had more time to spend with them.
Up until the giant mood shift, I was very much enjoying it. I couldn’t put it down, and when I did have to put it down, I kept thinking about what would happen next.
Had this book had the ending it deserved, it would have definitely had a higher rating from me. However, because the author decided to write an ending that was completely unnecessary, its rating suffered.
I read this book hoping for a heartwarming, gay teen romcom, and ended up with a heart shattering book that I wish had ended differently.
Finding a queer love story with a happy ending shouldn’t be so hard. This book came close, but it was ruined in the end.
If you are looking for a book that will start out heartwarming, but by the end rip your heart out and stomp all over it, this is the book for you.
The book was well written, apart from some continuity errors that I noticed along the way. It reads like a diary and is a pretty quick and easy read. The main characters are likable, and I found myself becoming connected to the characters and their stories. When I finished, I was left wishing I had more time to spend with them.
Up until the giant mood shift, I was very much enjoying it. I couldn’t put it down, and when I did have to put it down, I kept thinking about what would happen next.
Had this book had the ending it deserved, it would have definitely had a higher rating from me. However, because the author decided to write an ending that was completely unnecessary, its rating suffered.
I read this book hoping for a heartwarming, gay teen romcom, and ended up with a heart shattering book that I wish had ended differently.
Finding a queer love story with a happy ending shouldn’t be so hard. This book came close, but it was ruined in the end.
If you are looking for a book that will start out heartwarming, but by the end rip your heart out and stomp all over it, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide and Religious bigotry
Minor: Car accident
cjhastings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
0.75
mnmmorgan123's review against another edition
emotional
sad
0.25
This book is the reason I read trigger warnings now.
The biggest beef i have with this book, is not that it triggered the worst panic attack of my life while driving, but the timeline and use of exact dates. In particular "Sunday" February 25, 2019. My beef is that my friend committed suicide on Feb 24, 2019 and that day is burned into my memory as most definitely being Sunday. Every date in this book is correct, except when we get to Feb and somehow the days of the week don't match the dates.
The biggest beef i have with this book, is not that it triggered the worst panic attack of my life while driving, but the timeline and use of exact dates. In particular
Spoiler
the funeral took place on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, and Homophobia
roonies's review against another edition
2.0
This book was entertaining, the Love Interests were sweet, and the romance was feel good (for the most part).
BUT, there was no emotional depth. I never understood the characters down to their core—they were shallow and boring. Their issues were almost repetitive in nature, often it felt like the author even forgot about their issues and didn’t revisit them.
Speaking of forgetting key plot points, there were scenes that should’ve been very impactful and then NEVER mentioned again. It left me feeling like this whole book was just: oh look at how cute the MC and Love Interest are and don’t worry about plot holes.
The ending (spoiler free) was such a let down. I never felt emotional during the big shock and awe and getting to that point was so rushed and invalidating that I feel like the author just got tired of writing the story and called it quits.
I didn’t leave feeling connected to the story or the characters emotions in the ending. The only thing saving this book was that I really liked the beginning…I only wish I would’ve stopped at 66%.
BUT, there was no emotional depth. I never understood the characters down to their core—they were shallow and boring. Their issues were almost repetitive in nature, often it felt like the author even forgot about their issues and didn’t revisit them.
Speaking of forgetting key plot points, there were scenes that should’ve been very impactful and then NEVER mentioned again. It left me feeling like this whole book was just: oh look at how cute the MC and Love Interest are and don’t worry about plot holes.
The ending (spoiler free) was such a let down. I never felt emotional during the big shock and awe and getting to that point was so rushed and invalidating that I feel like the author just got tired of writing the story and called it quits.
I didn’t leave feeling connected to the story or the characters emotions in the ending. The only thing saving this book was that I really liked the beginning…I only wish I would’ve stopped at 66%.
stori_time's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
stackedboxes's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The problem that I have with this book comes partially from the book itself and partially from the author.
This is definitely an emotional read and deals with very real topics, however, I just can’t escape the odd writing style that feels somewhat elementary.
Additionally, there are many times when casually racist moments occur. At times the book even feels homophobic in that it excludes other identities that aren’t skinny gay white men. Examples of this are littered throughout this book and even more so in the author’s other titles. In his other works, the black best friend is almost exclusively referred to as “sassy” EVERY TIME.
The pacing also falls short for me. There are many times when the author focuses on things that feel unnecessary or like they were left in for padding.
I just can’t excuse the harm that this book may do or the weird writing style/tone it uses. The story itself was decent but I can’t help but dislike it overall because of the aforementioned issues.
This is definitely an emotional read and deals with very real topics, however, I just can’t escape the odd writing style that feels somewhat elementary.
Additionally, there are many times when casually racist moments occur. At times the book even feels homophobic in that it excludes other identities that aren’t skinny gay white men. Examples of this are littered throughout this book and even more so in the author’s other titles. In his other works, the black best friend is almost exclusively referred to as “sassy” EVERY TIME.
The pacing also falls short for me. There are many times when the author focuses on things that feel unnecessary or like they were left in for padding.
I just can’t excuse the harm that this book may do or the weird writing style/tone it uses. The story itself was decent but I can’t help but dislike it overall because of the aforementioned issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Bullying
chloeje74's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.5