Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Music of What Happens

This book took me completely by surprise.

Not only does it show an honest story between two young gay boys, it shows the relationship between mother and son, father and son, and friendships. It shows how men can just as easily be sexually assaulted and raped as women; and and that addiction comes in many forms. If I didn't know any addicts, I wouldn't have been able to sympathise with Jordan's mum. For addicts to truly get the help they need, they have to want it because nothing is more important than their fix, not even their kids. I adored that Max was Hispanic/Latino, as it showed brought another layer of male posturing and homophobia, not only within sports but also within other cultures.

Jordan and Max had a really cute relationship, the way they argued and grew as a couple, with all their own issues before realising that a problem shared is a problem halved, and eventually knew that they could rely on each other no matter what.

I can't wait for this author's next book.

Content Warnings

rosage's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

1.0

my high school self would have loved this book. however it’s is very much trauma bonding and their whole relationship is built bc of their two personal traumas.

Content Warnings

phoebusnight's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

This book definitely wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought this was going to be another MLM YA contemporary romance and it is but it's also more.
This book is about teenagers having to deal with adult problems, and how some adults have failed them. I love that this book discusses the subjects of sexual assault, mental health, toxic masculinity, internalized homophobia, toxic home dynamics, etc. I think it also has a great portrayal of casual discrimination and how people deal with it.
The characters are my favorite part of this story. Every character has so much more depth to them than you think and they compliment each other in great ways.
Also, I love the "explanation" for the title. So, if you're into that, read this book.
I'd recommend this book to someone that is looking for a more casual read or someone that wants a book that shows you a new perspective and makes you look at life from a different angle.

Content Warnings

memorable's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-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

4.75

Wow! I just finished this book as an audiobook and I’m deeply moved. Jordan and Max faced so many obstacles, so many sad moments, and are so different from each other, yet they find their way and accept each other for who they are. This book has lots of topics that are dealt with and are challenged, so you have to be in the right mindset to be able to deal with them. But in the end, this book is really hopeful. I loved it!
I think it’s even better when you read it as part such as the theatre play were a little confusing to listen to. I also gotta admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of “the wives”, yet I really liked how they all talked about setting boundaries in the end.

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