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minadaisy's review against another edition
3.0
The book is ok. The romance didn’t really pull me in as much as I thought it would. And that ending was… not the strongest. But one thing I really felt was Nate’s anxiety. I really struggle with it, and reading about Nathanial’s struggles was almost too real for me. Phenomenally portrayed, in my opinion.
3 stars… might recommend? idk, it’s too fresh to really remain objective, and like i said, that ending was kind of ass so i’m not sure yet. but it was a cute lil story.
3 stars… might recommend? idk, it’s too fresh to really remain objective, and like i said, that ending was kind of ass so i’m not sure yet. but it was a cute lil story.
toni_reads07's review against another edition
5.0
This is just one of those books that’s made just for me. Like certain films (too many for me to name here), this book excels at begging life’s most important questions by filling its characters brimful of passion, gusto, self-exploration & self-judgment & self-doubt, plus the desire to be loved for everything that you are—flaws and all. It’s perfectly balanced, plot-wise, and nothing at all strains belief, particularly if you’re familiar with the classic romantic story. Not enough good can be said for, yet plenty good will come from, this book.
Read it—run, don’t walk.
Read it—run, don’t walk.
connorbookinit's review against another edition
4.0
My Video Review:
https://youtu.be/vCAsunnMUl8
Oh boy! This is definitely one that is pretty polarizing for readers. The characters are messy and flawed (cheating and being absolute turds to each other)! Teens in high school can be chaotic and make mistakes especially in the romance department. At least, that was the case when I was in high school. People fall in and out of love a lot at that age. They don't always do the morally correct thing, and I thought this was a pretty realistic depiction of that.
I also will say that this has a more explicit on-the-page sex scene than I've read in many YA books, so know that before going in. Like, it's not overly graphic, but you know which parts of which characters are going where.
https://youtu.be/vCAsunnMUl8
Oh boy! This is definitely one that is pretty polarizing for readers. The characters are messy and flawed (cheating and being absolute turds to each other)! Teens in high school can be chaotic and make mistakes especially in the romance department. At least, that was the case when I was in high school. People fall in and out of love a lot at that age. They don't always do the morally correct thing, and I thought this was a pretty realistic depiction of that.
I also will say that this has a more explicit on-the-page sex scene than I've read in many YA books, so know that before going in. Like, it's not overly graphic, but you know which parts of which characters are going where.
em_who_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I hate to say it, but there wasn't anything epic about this love story. Sure, sure, I see the point of ANY love story being epic because that's the nature of love, but the ones I want to read have to be a little more epic than this.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with Nate and Ollie's story, it just felt like they weren't the most important part of it. Nate was still hung up on Flo, who is a very, very selfish girl who I couldn't like despite her sometimes helpful "friendship." Nate's relationship with his mother and sister were on par with his relationship with Ollie. The most important parts of their relationship were brushed over or faded to black.
Beyond all of this, Nate is kind of a jerk. He said hurtful things to not just Ollie, but everyone in defense of his fear. It wasn't okay and I didn't feel like he really learned anything by the end
The best praise I can give this book is that it's full of diversity and representation. The words gay or bisexual weren't even used, they were just assumed and accepted. You just have to overlook some major character flaws to find those shining moments.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with Nate and Ollie's story, it just felt like they weren't the most important part of it. Nate was still hung up on Flo, who is a very, very selfish girl who I couldn't like despite her sometimes helpful "friendship." Nate's relationship with his mother and sister were on par with his relationship with Ollie. The most important parts of their relationship were brushed over or faded to black.
Beyond all of this, Nate is kind of a jerk. He said hurtful things to not just Ollie, but everyone in defense of his fear. It wasn't okay and I didn't feel like he really learned anything by the end
Spoiler
, except that if you turn your life into a screenplay people will forgive you. And I don't think that will work a second time...The best praise I can give this book is that it's full of diversity and representation. The words gay or bisexual weren't even used, they were just assumed and accepted. You just have to overlook some major character flaws to find those shining moments.
sydneypeca's review against another edition
3.0
*SPOILERS AHEAD. About a 3.5
This book was pretty adorable. It was short and sweet which I think a lot of YA contemporaries miss. It knew the perfect place to end and didn't drag on unnecessarily.
Was it a perfect book? No. There were definitely a few issues I had (mainly with the best friend, Flo), however, I think this book was a really great piece specifically for the LGBT genre.
It was nice to read a YA romance that featured LGBT characters without the coming out scenario. Although coming out is very important to young LGBT stories, I also think it's important to normalize characters who have already come out and go about the romance like a cis het relationship might be written. We have so many YA romances where its just a given the guy will fall for the girl so to see that the boy will obviously fall for the boy without needing to describe it any further was so nice!
It just adds another level to what sort of LGBT rep we can get especially in the YA genres where we need it the most. This was the sort of story I wish my younger self could have read. It honestly made me tear up because I remember reading YA romance when I was younger and always wondering "but what if she didn't fall for the guy?" and thinking I was weird not shipping what other people shipped. To see that the YA genre is opening up to the representation it needs to have is just so so nice. And, to read a bisexual main character who didn't explain that he was bisexual at every turn made me emotional. It gave me hope that young LGBT babies could read this novel and think "I'm normal. I'm seen. I don't have to explain my label to anybody." As one of the characters says: "You like who you like."
Now, I do understand a lot of people were frustrated with the cheating and almost cheating plotlines. I understand that completely as I am NOT a fan of cheating, however, in this specific novel I was more willing to forgive. Perhaps because I have just read so many cis het relationships in other YA romances that are formed around cheating and have heard people rave about the ship anyway. Or, perhaps, because I felt a bit more connected to the characters. Or maybe its just because they're in high school and I don't really expect any less? I definitely get where people are coming from but I didn't knock the entire book down for that.
I thought the romance was cute and I'm always a sucker for friends to lovers plots ESPECIALLY when it's reconnected friends becoming lovers. I also appreciated a mention at how sex can be scary and appreciated the awkward first time scene but I would have liked more of a follow up discussion. Something that said it wasn't just a scene put in there to say "see he's not a virgin anymore!"
In the end, if you're looking for a cute little romantic contemporary, I say pick this up! It's worth a quick read and I think the LGBT rep is really nice.
This book was pretty adorable. It was short and sweet which I think a lot of YA contemporaries miss. It knew the perfect place to end and didn't drag on unnecessarily.
Was it a perfect book? No. There were definitely a few issues I had (mainly with the best friend, Flo), however, I think this book was a really great piece specifically for the LGBT genre.
It was nice to read a YA romance that featured LGBT characters without the coming out scenario. Although coming out is very important to young LGBT stories, I also think it's important to normalize characters who have already come out and go about the romance like a cis het relationship might be written. We have so many YA romances where its just a given the guy will fall for the girl so to see that the boy will obviously fall for the boy without needing to describe it any further was so nice!
It just adds another level to what sort of LGBT rep we can get especially in the YA genres where we need it the most. This was the sort of story I wish my younger self could have read. It honestly made me tear up because I remember reading YA romance when I was younger and always wondering "but what if she didn't fall for the guy?" and thinking I was weird not shipping what other people shipped. To see that the YA genre is opening up to the representation it needs to have is just so so nice. And, to read a bisexual main character who didn't explain that he was bisexual at every turn made me emotional. It gave me hope that young LGBT babies could read this novel and think "I'm normal. I'm seen. I don't have to explain my label to anybody." As one of the characters says: "You like who you like."
Now, I do understand a lot of people were frustrated with the cheating and almost cheating plotlines. I understand that completely as I am NOT a fan of cheating, however, in this specific novel I was more willing to forgive. Perhaps because I have just read so many cis het relationships in other YA romances that are formed around cheating and have heard people rave about the ship anyway. Or, perhaps, because I felt a bit more connected to the characters. Or maybe its just because they're in high school and I don't really expect any less? I definitely get where people are coming from but I didn't knock the entire book down for that.
I thought the romance was cute and I'm always a sucker for friends to lovers plots ESPECIALLY when it's reconnected friends becoming lovers. I also appreciated a mention at how sex can be scary and appreciated the awkward first time scene but I would have liked more of a follow up discussion. Something that said it wasn't just a scene put in there to say "see he's not a virgin anymore!"
In the end, if you're looking for a cute little romantic contemporary, I say pick this up! It's worth a quick read and I think the LGBT rep is really nice.
shiloniziolek's review against another edition
4.0
I flew through this book in two days & while I didn't love it quite as much as Felix Ever After, it was still really sweet, sincere, and heartfelt. Nothing like a YA romance to set me to rights.
knotejay's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Loved the diversity. Did not like how all the toxic friendships and relationships were completely normalised.
kovecs's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
2.5