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heart0flife's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity
mallorypen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
I liked this book! I found it to be a quiet coming of age story, with a sweet second chance with a childhood love, mixed in with a soft storyline about the importance of family and acceptance.
All of the main characters - Kito, Mr. C, Emmett, Ojima - had strong character voices. I felt like I got a really solid sense of who they were, without leaning too heavily on stereotyping to get the reader there. That’s not to say there weren’t tropes, but I thought they were used with sensitivity. The longing Kito feels throughout his life - for music, for acceptance, for Emmett, for a purpose for his gifts - was a consistent theme throughout the story, and the music of music as a metaphor wasn’t overdone.
There were a few things that brought my overall rating down. The pace of the story was overall rather slow - it allowed for a really beautiful slow burn between Emmett and Kito, but sometimes I just wanted the story to pick up. I also felt that there wasn’t anything surprising about the story, and part of that was in the author’s (sometimes heavy handed) use of foreshadowing. Obviously the relationship with Mark wasn’t going to work and he was set up with the perfect person to cheat with; obviously Emmett was in love with Kito since high school. Obviously Kito was going to find his voice and purpose by following his father’s footsteps into the main thing that tied his family together, and the writing was on the wall that Emmett and Kito would end up together. I wasn’t expecting the assumed assault, but it ended up being something of a non-issue when the story was all told. For all the beauty of the slow burn, there just wasn’t much tension throughout the plot. And lastly, there were a few moments where the sentimentality got a little thick for me.
The reader did a GREAT job - accents, singing, near-tears delivery and all!
All of the main characters - Kito, Mr. C, Emmett, Ojima - had strong character voices. I felt like I got a really solid sense of who they were, without leaning too heavily on stereotyping to get the reader there. That’s not to say there weren’t tropes, but I thought they were used with sensitivity. The longing Kito feels throughout his life - for music, for acceptance, for Emmett, for a purpose for his gifts - was a consistent theme throughout the story, and the music of music as a metaphor wasn’t overdone.
There were a few things that brought my overall rating down. The pace of the story was overall rather slow - it allowed for a really beautiful slow burn between Emmett and Kito, but sometimes I just wanted the story to pick up. I also felt that there wasn’t anything surprising about the story, and part of that was in the author’s (sometimes heavy handed) use of foreshadowing. Obviously the relationship with Mark wasn’t going to work and he was set up with the perfect person to cheat with; obviously Emmett was in love with Kito since high school. Obviously Kito was going to find his voice and purpose by following his father’s footsteps into the main thing that tied his family together, and the writing was on the wall that Emmett and Kito would end up together. I wasn’t expecting the assumed assault, but it ended up being something of a non-issue when the story was all told. For all the beauty of the slow burn, there just wasn’t much tension throughout the plot. And lastly, there were a few moments where the sentimentality got a little thick for me.
The reader did a GREAT job - accents, singing, near-tears delivery and all!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Homophobia
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
kshertz's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was cute! I don’t know if movie star falling in love with a regular guy is a trope that’s hard for me, even though they are childhood friends but it was! But otherwise, this is an adorable book about falling in love and what it means. They grow up together and navigate together. It’s sweet and a must for musical fans
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Bullying, Death of parent, Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Outing
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.0
[Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a gifted copy for review!]
Rating: 4/5 stars
Quito Cruz is forced to reconnect with his high school friend (and crush) Emmett Aoki when Quito’s father insists the two perform together in his retirement concert.
I chose to listen to this one on audio and I am SO glad I did because the audio production was one of my favorites of all time. The narration was phenomenal, and because it is narrated by an actual Broadway actor, it also features real music and (incredible) singing, which really helped bring the story to life.
I was not necessarily expecting the emotional gut punch that this book had, but, yes, I definitely cried. Even though I don’t share any of the “main” characteristics of the MCs (I’m straight, I’m white, I’m a woman, etc) I still found so many aspects of the story to be relatable, and I really really loved the characters and the message it delivered. If this one sounds good to you, I wholeheartedly recommend it (especially on audio!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: second chance romance; dynamic audiobooks; books about music/theater
CW: Death of parent; grief; mentions of sexual assault
Rating: 4/5 stars
Quito Cruz is forced to reconnect with his high school friend (and crush) Emmett Aoki when Quito’s father insists the two perform together in his retirement concert.
I chose to listen to this one on audio and I am SO glad I did because the audio production was one of my favorites of all time. The narration was phenomenal, and because it is narrated by an actual Broadway actor, it also features real music and (incredible) singing, which really helped bring the story to life.
I was not necessarily expecting the emotional gut punch that this book had, but, yes, I definitely cried. Even though I don’t share any of the “main” characteristics of the MCs (I’m straight, I’m white, I’m a woman, etc) I still found so many aspects of the story to be relatable, and I really really loved the characters and the message it delivered. If this one sounds good to you, I wholeheartedly recommend it (especially on audio!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: second chance romance; dynamic audiobooks; books about music/theater
CW: Death of parent; grief; mentions of sexual assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Outing
cassiebartelme's review against another edition
3.5
A queer Filipino novel about family and music and love? I hadn’t read that story before but I’m glad I did. This was delightful and adorable. I loved all the relationships in this one- romantic love, familial love and friendship love. My only regret is that I didn’t listen to the audiobook, I hear it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Homophobia
vivieeeeeeenn's review
emotional
medium-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
5.0
This queer Filipino love story was a total joy to read! I adored the characters, Tagalog, and mentions of Filipino food throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
sammies_shelf's review
2.0
I wanted to love this so badly that I looked past "nonconsensual sex" in the content warnings. Which is not a thing, by the way. Until the plot point came up. The tension between Quito and Emmett is set up to be based on a big misunderstanding of sorts that occurred when they were in college. I'm not going to mark this as a spoiler because I honestly haven't seen a review mention this. Quito penetrates Emmett when he thinks he's asleep. Oh, but, turns out that Emmett was ACTUALLY taking advantage of how intoxicated Quito was. Y'all, this is simply not it. I was so disappointed that this topic was handled so poorly, and then we're supposed to root for this couple! The event causing them not to speak to each other referred to for the first 213 pages could have been literally anything else.
The only relationship I could root for was between Quito and his father. His father is the most dimensional character, in my opinion.
The only relationship I could root for was between Quito and his father. His father is the most dimensional character, in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Rape, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Drug use, Blood, Medical content, Body shaming, Racism, Outing, Car accident, Vomit, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Death
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I did the audiobook route with this one and oh my gosh. It was so well done! I had some concerns with the writing of the characters (minus Dad Cruz - he was my favorite) but if you like rom coms with some angst, music and reuniting in the big city - this one is for you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent