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tankytoon's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I have mixed feelings about this follow-up to Blue and Kelly's story.
Firstly, there was Blue trying his best to have his cake and eat it to, by living his life in the status quo while keeping Kelly happy. Then there was Kelly, expecting his best-friend-turned lover, to drop everything Blue loves to please him.
By the third argument that they tried to sweep under the rug by having sex, I was tired of all the avoidant behavior from both of them. They were clearly upset with each other but don't want to say anything, and expecting the other to be mind-readers so they don't have to communicate their problems.
By the second half of the book, I was exhausted from Kelly's gaslighting. I see Kelly's refusal to move in with Blue to be a threat held over Blue's head: "I'm not moving in until you come out of the closet." Though Kelly did not actually say this, I interpreted his actions to be reflective of that.
Kelly keeps convincing himself that he's patient when it comes to Blue, but I feel that he's being greedy after having a taste of heaven. Blue wasn't a saint either. He flicks Kelly away like an unwanted gnat whenever he thinks somebody may be watching.
At one point, I almost wanted them to break up just to put myself out of this misery.
Although I did expect the novel to conclude with Blue coming out to the public, I wasn't quite happy that it took the threat of almost being caught, that fueled Blue's decision to do so.
Let's just say I wasn't that deeply impressed with A Deeper Blue, as I was of the first novel.
Firstly, there was Blue trying his best to have his cake and eat it to, by living his life in the status quo while keeping Kelly happy. Then there was Kelly, expecting his best-friend-turned lover, to drop everything Blue loves to please him.
By the third argument that they tried to sweep under the rug by having sex, I was tired of all the avoidant behavior from both of them. They were clearly upset with each other but don't want to say anything, and expecting the other to be mind-readers so they don't have to communicate their problems.
By the second half of the book, I was exhausted from Kelly's gaslighting. I see Kelly's refusal to move in with Blue to be a threat held over Blue's head: "I'm not moving in until you come out of the closet." Though Kelly did not actually say this, I interpreted his actions to be reflective of that.
Kelly keeps convincing himself that he's patient when it comes to Blue, but I feel that he's being greedy after having a taste of heaven. Blue wasn't a saint either. He flicks Kelly away like an unwanted gnat whenever he thinks somebody may be watching.
At one point, I almost wanted them to break up just to put myself out of this misery.
Let's just say I wasn't that deeply impressed with A Deeper Blue, as I was of the first novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Violence
unusablebooklore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Picks up a year after the end of The Blueprint.
I liked the characters and the story was most definitely big enough for the second novel.
I listened to it immediately after the first book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
heartstrings's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Wow what a frustrating read. Harmon’s writing is sharp and precise as usual, as well as being both appropriately witty and touching. But it’s the evolution of Blue and Kelly’s relationship in this sequel that I found most irritating. As a couple they don’t really seem to grow that much throughout the book. Even while they deal with what to do about Blue coming out or not, nothing about their relationship feels at risk. And I get that they’re solid, they’re in love, and that’s not changing, but even with the foundation of their relationship being grounded, there didn’t seem to be much at stake with them, even as they fought, even as Blue lost some of his family. It all felt too easy.
The one thing that probably turned me off the most about this sequel was the development of their sexual relationship. At times it seemed Harmon wrote things to be subversive for the sake of being subversive more than because it fit organically with the characters.
Also, Kelly being comfortable with himself and his sexuality and yet acting offended by being referred to as a WAG, like this feminine term is dirty, was also incredibly off-putting for several reasons.
Ultimately I really wanted to like this book, I’d been looking forward to the sequel for months, but I really didn’t. And it’s disappointing to know I’ll have to be more selective and cautious when considering reading Harmon’s books in the future.
The one thing that probably turned me off the most about this sequel was the development of their sexual relationship. At times it seemed Harmon wrote things to be subversive for the sake of being subversive more than because it fit organically with the characters.
Also, Kelly being comfortable with himself and his sexuality and yet acting offended by being referred to as a WAG, like this feminine term is dirty, was also incredibly off-putting for several reasons.
Ultimately I really wanted to like this book, I’d been looking forward to the sequel for months, but I really didn’t. And it’s disappointing to know I’ll have to be more selective and cautious when considering reading Harmon’s books in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
shinysue's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Omg I love this book. Harmon does amazing character depth, and shows conflict between characters as they both have good intentions. It was incredibly well done, how even as they're allowing their emotions to get away from them, they recognize it and call themselves out. They're mature and feel like real people. I want more of these two!
The book seemed to flip the perspectives, much more of the book is from Blue's perspective instead of Kelly's, compared to the first book. Despite the emotional nature of the book, it's about average angst, still quite lighthearted. Both characters make mistakes, and they're so good at overcoming them.
The book seemed to flip the perspectives, much more of the book is from Blue's perspective instead of Kelly's, compared to the first book. Despite the emotional nature of the book, it's about average angst, still quite lighthearted. Both characters make mistakes, and they're so good at overcoming them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
romantiquesplendor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
yoda32's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Fatphobia
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