nyxiabel's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing amazing amazing. Did I say AMAZING? It was set in my hometown (which is awesome because I could picture the setting so perfectly and even think I know which high school it would have been at). The relationship was so sweet and heartbreaking and terrifying all at once and I simply could not put the book down (I had to yesterday just so I could sleep). I really want to obtain Eileen's other books now.
ettegoom's review
4.0
A really sweet gay romance, with some really awful child abuse thrown in. A good read though.
Initially, I found Felix to be a bit cliché, with his stereotypical aspergers type behaviour. That gets pretty tedious as a character feature when it's all there is to the character, but it settled a bit, as the story progressed, and the character filled out a bit.
I appreciated Bailey as a character, with the fears and responsibilities that come with being the oldest in a family that is struggling to make ends meet, and an alcoholic, abusive father. The family dynamic was very well constructed, with the different roles and the shifting sands in each interaction.
I appreciated the New Zealand context, and the little comments throughout the story pointing out the inequality and senselessness of that inequality in a heteronormative world.
Initially, I found Felix to be a bit cliché, with his stereotypical aspergers type behaviour. That gets pretty tedious as a character feature when it's all there is to the character, but it settled a bit, as the story progressed, and the character filled out a bit.
I appreciated Bailey as a character, with the fears and responsibilities that come with being the oldest in a family that is struggling to make ends meet, and an alcoholic, abusive father. The family dynamic was very well constructed, with the different roles and the shifting sands in each interaction.
I appreciated the New Zealand context, and the little comments throughout the story pointing out the inequality and senselessness of that inequality in a heteronormative world.
em_lavender's review against another edition
4.0
this was very cute! it did deal with some serious topics but i thought it was done in a very good way. it’s also nice to read a book set in my country
anjalikay's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Penguin NZ for the review copy.
I haven’t read anything by Merriman before (although I keep seeing Pieces of You around the place), but I really enjoyed this book. There were definitely aspects to it that I thought didn’t quite sit right in the Wellington context (a few phrases here and there that I don’t think Kiwi teens would use, no matter what year this is meant to be set in), and the whole idea of ‘invisibly breathing’ and but on the whole, an enjoyable read.
Read the full review on This Splendid Shambles.
I haven’t read anything by Merriman before (although I keep seeing Pieces of You around the place), but I really enjoyed this book. There were definitely aspects to it that I thought didn’t quite sit right in the Wellington context (a few phrases here and there that I don’t think Kiwi teens would use, no matter what year this is meant to be set in), and the whole idea of ‘invisibly breathing’ and
Spoiler
it being an anagram of Bailey Hunter (and adding the missing letters) a little far-fetched,Read the full review on This Splendid Shambles.
krissyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
For the reasons that others gave this a 3 or a 4, I absolutely give it a 5. Read in one day.
The two boys (Felix and Bailey) have very real character quirks. Their internal monologues and personalities feel not as fleshed out as they could have been, but not in a way that detracts from the book - after all, too many epithets that add nothing would have taken a star away.
Plus very real scenarios that myself and others have been through. From coming to terms with sexuality, divorce, familial abuse, poverty, not fitting in with peers. I appreciated the very kiwi tone of voice.
The ending wrenched my heart so hard. I'll be thinking about this book for a while.
The two boys (Felix and Bailey) have very real character quirks. Their internal monologues and personalities feel not as fleshed out as they could have been, but not in a way that detracts from the book - after all, too many epithets that add nothing would have taken a star away.
Plus very real scenarios that myself and others have been through. From coming to terms with sexuality, divorce, familial abuse, poverty, not fitting in with peers. I appreciated the very kiwi tone of voice.
The ending wrenched my heart so hard. I'll be thinking about this book for a while.
moniquemct's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher Penguin Books NZ in exchange for an honest review
Another stunning book by Eileen Merriman.
I do plan on putting together a full review but I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this gem of a book and Invisibly Breathing took me by surprise.
Merriman has such a phenomenal writing style and develops her characters with such care that you can't help but be taken by Bailey and Felix. These two are sah cute and I really enjoyed watching them grow as a couple and as their own people. The more heavy and emotional topics were touched sensitively and you can't help but be wrapped up in this book that is full of heart.
Another stunning book by Eileen Merriman.
I do plan on putting together a full review but I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this gem of a book and Invisibly Breathing took me by surprise.
Merriman has such a phenomenal writing style and develops her characters with such care that you can't help but be taken by Bailey and Felix. These two are sah cute and I really enjoyed watching them grow as a couple and as their own people. The more heavy and emotional topics were touched sensitively and you can't help but be wrapped up in this book that is full of heart.
she_who_reads_'s review
3.0
3.5⭐️
I have some conflicting feelings about this one, but I think if I had read this as a teenager I would have absolutely loved it.
What I liked-
-This is set in New Zealand!
-Bailey is a fantastic character, and I really connected to him.
-There is some beautiful writing to be found in this book.
What I didn’t like so much-
-I found it extremely difficult to figure out when this was set. Smart phones and social media exist, but so much of the dialogue and the kids interests was really dated.
-The adults in this are so uninvolved and make some horrifically poor decisions, especially where Bailey is concerned.
-There are a lot of loose ends, and a lot of storylines/sub plots that go nowhere.
I have some conflicting feelings about this one, but I think if I had read this as a teenager I would have absolutely loved it.
What I liked-
-This is set in New Zealand!
-Bailey is a fantastic character, and I really connected to him.
-There is some beautiful writing to be found in this book.
What I didn’t like so much-
-I found it extremely difficult to figure out when this was set. Smart phones and social media exist, but so much of the dialogue and the kids interests was really dated.
-The adults in this are so uninvolved and make some horrifically poor decisions, especially where Bailey is concerned.
-There are a lot of loose ends, and a lot of storylines/sub plots that go nowhere.
mad_taylh's review
4.0
"History repeats. Nothing changes. Nothing will change unless I do something about it."
missusb21's review
4.0
Tough life for both boys, but together they find their ways.
Gritty, realistic read.
Gritty, realistic read.
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