Reviews

XOXO by Christina Lee

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danisadler's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the idea behind this story, I don't think I've read anything else like this that I can recall.

What bugged me though was the pacing. For so long it was this really slow, gradual build up of a friendship and then more, but the last part of the book kind of went a bit off the rails and then it was just done. I enjoyed the slow burn and the build up but then nothing really happened, which was just disappointing.

I'm not a fan of books where we don't get to see the couple actually be a couple after the climax of the story. We don't get to see Henry and Lark together openly until the epilogue, and that wasn't really enough for me. I wanted to see the reaction to their relationship, not be told what happened in a recap.

The whole way through the tension is building because Henry is afraid of the consequences from everyone finding out that he's gay and in a relationship, and that he survived cancer as a child. But when it's all revealed, the book just ends? Even if it's easy acceptance of the relationship and everything is sunshine and rainbows I still want to see that, not be told it happened!

My best way to sum it up is that reading this book was like watching a balloon being inflated to the point you think it's going to pop, but then it just deflates and zips away with a little whine.

emmyg_photo's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.5

thebookishnic's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.0

brittanymeeks's review

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

megwoman25's review against another edition

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1.0

MM Romance
Boring AF
1 Star ⭐️

DNF @ chapter 26 of 37 (2.5 hrs of audio left)

dsauriol1991's review

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3.75

This is a cute story but it didn’t always hit for me. I really liked both Lark & Henry so I stuck it out even when the beginning kind of bored me. They have such a sweet connection and I truly enjoyed the story the longer that I read. Henry keeping the note Lark gave him when they were kids all this time melted my heart. Lark is also a total sweetheart. I think the one thing that kind of felt off was how much the author kept emphasizing that people with money can have problems too. It just kind of put me off. Not because I don’t think that’s true but because everyone no matter where you come from has something they struggle with. I think this is a super sweet story though!