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thriftedghost'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: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Dementia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
ottolee'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Deadnaming and Fatphobia
All of the graphic content feels “earned”. It’s part of the exploration of homophobia in the Latinx community, esp internalized hatred and shame. But it is very intense and,frqnc22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To sum everything up, I loved how real this book was and how it presented parts of everything Aaron had to go through in *painful* detail. I connected with his character and cried for him probably more than I expected.
As for the topics showed in this book, I truly didn’t expect the memory erasing procedure and the great amount of pain that came with it. I expected the story to leave me with a bittersweet feeling, but clearly didn’t expect such an introspective look on depression, homosexuality or memory loss. I’m glad I didn’t figure out what was gonna happen, because I was amazed by the storytelling. It is worth mentioning that I loved the flashbacks and where they were placed!
The sad reality depicted in the book, homophobia, was hard to read, especially all the fights and slurs. (Aaron: “This is what death feels like, I think.”) It’s hard to even imagine something as traumatic as Aaron’s life, and learning to accept yourself in a situation like his sounds nearly impossible. His whole life changed drastically just because he was brave enough to show his family the real Aaron. The fact that this also happens in real life makes everything worse.
All relationships broke my heart at some point, and some weren’t healthy for the people involved, but they were significant to Aaron’s personal growth.
He made mistakes, but the most important thing is learning from them and understanding what he did wrong in the first place. Fortunately, he understands and tries to do better
As for the ending, I didn’t expect another traumatizing experience for Aaron, but I learnt that this is not a happy book👍🏻
His way of thinking is truly inspiring, even though I was crying while reading the final pages. Truly an emotional rollercoaster, but Aaron’s development is everything! Being “more happy than not” seems difficult to achieve, but he’s doing his best, after going through the worst.
“Don’t forget me.”
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity
jshawreads'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
More Happy Than Not is the story of Aaron, scarred by his past and struggling to find happiness with the help of his friends and girlfriend. Until Thomas shows up, who Aaron gets on with so quickly and so well, and other emotions seem to start up, making Aaron question everything that has gone on before.
I dont want to delve any further into the story, because any spoilers could REALLY throw off what happens. Part of what goes down was so shocking and so unexpected by me that I was literally sat outside in my city's Gay Village, ugly crying into my drink.
A really, really good book, gripping, emotional, and devastatingly sad. Read this when in a good mental state only.
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
growing_haru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
kalin_grace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Dementia, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Abandonment
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
m_riaelle's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Second, as always, I'm here for the sad and intense feelings that I get from Adam Silvera's books, and I'm heartbreakingly satisfied. The twists in his books never failed to shock me.
Third, why not five stars? I would never ever tolerate cheating. I would have let it slide if it was done once due to poor decisions, but it happened for so long and happened again when the characters saw the chance to do so. I know the author tied the loose ends, but I just can't let that go. It does happen in real life, and one of the most things I hated is that.
Fourth, another reason why I didn't give this five stars? It's because I found myself skimming the first few and some middle chapters, which means it didn't give any impact at all. Also, I'm considering what I would've given this without the new final chapter, and for a debut book, this is surprisingly good.
CW: Gun Violence, Drugs, Mention of Armed Robbery, Suicidal Ideation, Grief, Suicide, Death of Parent, Self-harm, Homophobic Slur, Toxic Relationships, Toxic Friendships, Hate Crime, Homophobia, Cheating, Assault, Blood, Depression, Hospitalisation, Physical Abuse, Profanity, Teenage Pregnancy, and Violence (search it up for more specifics or correct CW as mine is what I thought was triggering while I read it)
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
cateemma'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
3.0
THE NARRATIVE
Characters: 4/5
A nice mix of completely loveable and utterly detestable characters, all well-rounded. Aaron especially had a clear voice, though (and perhaps this was deliberate and I'm just dumb) sometimes his feelings were unclear or brushed over.
Plot: 4/5
An extra star for the plot twist I can't believe I didn't see coming, it was so perfect and shocking (usually I guess the ending/twist in books but for some reason I didn't in this one??). Overall, the plot was a bit messy and there was a lot to follow, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout.
Writing: 4.5/5
Objectively, I can see that this book is written super well, but the writing style wasn't particularly to my taste - though that didn't stop me loving the book. This might be a weird thing to notice, but even though there was heaps of swearing, it never felt unnecessary? Like it just fit Aaron's character so well and added a lot to passages that wouldn't have been as impactful otherwise.
THE THEMES
Sexuality: 3.5/5
Honestly, the reason for the low rating is that one, I couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences, and two, there weren't really any lgbtqia+ characters who were happy with themselves and that just got to me a bit. Aaron's mum's support was beautiful, though, I loved that part of it.
I also found it weird how SpoilerAaron was so convinced Thomas was actually gay and in love with him and also there was low-key bi-erasure but that's fine.
Mental illness: 4/5
Once again, I just personally couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences the way I have been able to with other YA characters, so I don't think I can fairly judge the portrayal of mental illness in this one.
Friendship:
I just feel like Genevieve and Aaron would have been beautiful friends, okay? Those two and Thomas would have made an awesome trio if there weren't all the complications and history.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't really know how I feel about this book. I know I couldn't put it down while reading it, but I don't look back on it that fondly. I definitely want to read more of Adam Silvera's books though, I'll be borrowing or purchasing them asap.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Blood
davidbythebay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The original ending was fine and good. But did feel a little bleak. To take that journey and end that way was just unsatisfying. But the newly added epilogue brought that refreshing light to the end of a dark story. Even Romeo and Juliette end in some positivity with the two families realizing they can't sustain this hatred forever.
I do think I'd benefit from a second reading of this book as it hid some many more details and explorations than I gathered this first time around. Overall, a great novel.
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent