alexrambles's review against another edition
3.0
Sharing a Pond is a bittersweet experience that really lingered after I finished reading it. Whitehall's book is about a frog shifter, Brent, who experienced an unexpected gender change when he shifted into his frog form at puberty. He was... dissuaded from staying with his largely wolf shifter family. Brent has tough break after tough break until he eventually decides to try and track down the two men he remembers from his childhood as his mates.
This story is absolutely adorable. It's really tender and it handles references to abuse and abandonment very respectfully while still driving home the hurt those events cause. Brent's transformation and the difficulties he experienced due to his gender changing were sad but he never lingered on that aspect of his past. In fact, he was very matter-of-fact about it, saying that he really felt like he found the body he was meant to have when the transformation happened. The depiction of Brent's reaction to triggers that remind him of the abuse was very realistic. Shane and Corey are a wonderful counterpoint to Brent's indecision without becoming stereotypes. Shane and Corey have distinct personalities, and I really appreciate that at no point did I have trouble distinguishing between any of the characters.
The only thing that stuck out as awkward to me was the inclusion of John and the negative reaction he had. It seemed to come a little out of the blue to be honest. I understand that there needed to be a catalyst or some sort of criticism for Brent to start doubting himself so severely, but honestly I wish we'd known more about John before he just reacted like that. It's not illogical that he would it just seems a little sudden within the realm of the story.
Other than that small criticism, I really loved this story!
This story is absolutely adorable. It's really tender and it handles references to abuse and abandonment very respectfully while still driving home the hurt those events cause. Brent's transformation and the difficulties he experienced due to his gender changing were sad but he never lingered on that aspect of his past. In fact, he was very matter-of-fact about it, saying that he really felt like he found the body he was meant to have when the transformation happened. The depiction of Brent's reaction to triggers that remind him of the abuse was very realistic. Shane and Corey are a wonderful counterpoint to Brent's indecision without becoming stereotypes. Shane and Corey have distinct personalities, and I really appreciate that at no point did I have trouble distinguishing between any of the characters.
The only thing that stuck out as awkward to me was the inclusion of John and the negative reaction he had. It seemed to come a little out of the blue to be honest. I understand that there needed to be a catalyst or some sort of criticism for Brent to start doubting himself so severely, but honestly I wish we'd known more about John before he just reacted like that. It's not illogical that he would it just seems a little sudden within the realm of the story.
Other than that small criticism, I really loved this story!
thequeerbookish's review against another edition
2.0
This book's description had me hooked. The book itself? Not so much. I was expecting lots of drama, because going into a relationship with a couple, that's been together for years? That's complicated, or should be. It didn't seem complicated to me here.
The sex happens really fast, there are little problems on how to handle the new relationship and... that's it. There isn't really a lot happening. If there would have been more show than tell, then maybe I would have liked the relationship/s.
I would have loved if the frog shifter thing (totally new for me by the way) would have received more attention. And maybe explanations, because the parents are wolf-shifters... wolf plus wolf equals sometimes frog? What?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
The sex happens really fast, there are little problems on how to handle the new relationship and... that's it. There isn't really a lot happening. If there would have been more show than tell, then maybe I would have liked the relationship/s.
I would have loved if the frog shifter thing (totally new for me by the way) would have received more attention. And maybe explanations, because the parents are wolf-shifters... wolf plus wolf equals sometimes frog? What?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
ally_lester's review against another edition
5.0
Trans polyamorous frog shifters for the win. This book was just what I needed the day I read it, charming, touching and funny, with a bit of angst. The characters communicate, there's explicit negotiation of consent and a lovely happy ending.
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