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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Cam's character arc is particularly devastating. He is on an increasingly downward spiral after moving back to Houston from Los Angeles after the death of his partner Kai. He is grieving and engaging in risky and harmful behaviors in order to avoid dealing with his emotional state. When the people around Cam try to buoy him through this self-harm, Cam takes actions that contribute to pushing his friends away.
The bulk of the story focuses on TJ. His work, his family dynamics, his mixed race identity (Black/Asian), his messy romantic and sexual relationships, memories of his deceased father, and his longstanding friendship with Cam. To some degree, he is a very isolated character, similar to Cam in his self-destructive spiral prior to entering rehab. TJ's story felt the most unfocused until the very end of his chapter - when he finally comes to the realization that connection and family (chosen or by blood) are necessary.
I enjoyed how Houston itself became a character within the story. Washington manages to weave together unique neighborhoods, city life observations, and aspects of gentrification into a place setting that helps set the scene for these characters exceptionally well. And the food descriptions and references...man I am really craving some Korean food now.
Family Meal reminded me a lot of All Friends Are Necessary by Tomas Moniz with its earnestness and exploration of grief and queerness.
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Grief
lns242'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Grief
djpenpal'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
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship
magis1105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The characters, the writing style, the pacing, the amount of meaningless sex and drug use, everything just rubbed me the wrong way.
I understand this is probably a me thing.
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
virgcole398's review against another edition
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Police brutality
Minor: Racism and Classism
queenoftheharpies's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
carlytenille'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: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kaywhiteley'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
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Death of parent
jimins'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Grief
kmsander4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Police brutality