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beekaybee's review against another edition
5.0
Revisited this book before seeing the stage play, this time in audio book format.
Enjoyed it just as much and absorbed more of the details again.
Enjoyed it just as much and absorbed more of the details again.
emilymaymcd's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jaimeekeats's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
kali76's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most incredible book I’ve read in ages, if ever. I found it difficult to tear myself away from this fictional universe each night and when I did I lay awake for ages turning over the images in my mind.
alicehoang's review against another edition
5.0
I surprisingly really enjoyed this book. The first time I read the first few pages, I couldn't understand the story. I tried again after a while and was able to immerse myself into the book.
It was a book that you just couldn't predict where it was going! I couldn't put it down because I had no idea where the plot would go.
The creativity of the plot is on a whole other level - it kept me hooked into the book.
Also my first book based in Australia.
It was a book that you just couldn't predict where it was going! I couldn't put it down because I had no idea where the plot would go.
The creativity of the plot is on a whole other level - it kept me hooked into the book.
Also my first book based in Australia.
purplegrape's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wrote so much. Like 6 stream of consciousness paragraphs then the fucking app reloaded and I lost everything. Fucking fantastic. Before I was speechless because the end of the novel left me without words. Now I'm speechless because I'm pissed as fuck. There's no saying if I'll reread this review (or this book for that matter) but hopefully my future self will find my current suffering amusing.
I love August and that journalist who worked for the competition and told the police to withdraw from the illegal brothels. You know who I don't love? Teddy. Backstabbing bitchass. Also Eli's mom is so fucking annoying how many fucking chances do you fucking need Jesus Christ. And everyone treats her like she's an angel who can do no wrong. All because what, she has a nice smile? Give me a break. She's pathetic for being parented by her preteen children. They've done more for her than she's ever done for them and that's a fucking fact. To keep things somewhat positive, I really liked the relationship between the two brothers as well as with Lyle and Slim.
I can't say I expected anything that happened. To start, I somehow had it in my mind that this novel was about a gay boy coming to terms with his identity (don't ask, I don't know okay, maybe it was the rainbow balloons on the cover?). Not to spoil the book or anything but he does not at any point come out of the closet sorry to disappoint. Though talking about what actually happened, the story was slow to start but really picked up after the spaghetti Bolognese scene. I was shook from that point onwards and I don't think I ever fully recovered.
I cannot call myself a contemporary fiction reader. Historical fiction is my bread and butter, so it was a pleasant surprise that I enjoyed this so much (though maybe Australia as portrayed in this novel feels so much like another would that it passed for the past or at the very least an alternate universe). Finishing this made me interested in picking up more contemporary literature since I need more data points before forming an opinion, though it's safe to say my view of contemporary lit is certainly higher having read this.
I don't know what better word to describe this novel other than addictive. It was a breeze to fly through, especially after Eli "loses his luck" so to speak. It answered enough questions to satisfy my curiosity while leaving enough unanswered to keep me questioning. Who, if anyone, answered the red phone? Why did Lyle have the red phone? Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to let Eli end up with Caitlyn? I feel like she's at least seven years older than him not that I remember exactly. But he hero worships her because she's pretty or something and I'm never going to get over that insane power imbalance (not to mention she "felt" something when she met him? When she had a job and he was in fucking middle school? I think the fuck not).
Anyways, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. Hell, I don't even know if it's my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable while it lasted and that just count for something. There are books like the Count of Monte Cristo that I want to reread immediately upon finishing. And then there are books like this where I genuinely don't know if I ever want to pick it up again. It's not a bad story by any stretch of the imagination, but I really don't know if I can sit through it a second time 😭 I feel like I'm being too dramatic. I guess it just doesn't feel like the kind of story that will sit with me/that I'd want to revisit (hence capping it at 4 stars).
I don't regret reading it. I'm pleasantly surprised by the content (honestly every chapter was a surprise). There were more characters than I expected, but they were all fairly three dimensional which was impressive. I need to wait for Meenakshi to finish it so we can discuss. I haven't heard anyone talk about it on booktube but maybe I'll look up a video or two. I might even watch the show (I'm really curious how it'll be adapted and it'd be nice to see the scenery in Australia).
I love August and that journalist who worked for the competition and told the police to withdraw from the illegal brothels. You know who I don't love? Teddy. Backstabbing bitchass. Also Eli's mom is so fucking annoying how many fucking chances do you fucking need Jesus Christ. And everyone treats her like she's an angel who can do no wrong. All because what, she has a nice smile? Give me a break. She's pathetic for being parented by her preteen children. They've done more for her than she's ever done for them and that's a fucking fact. To keep things somewhat positive, I really liked the relationship between the two brothers as well as with Lyle and Slim.
I can't say I expected anything that happened. To start, I somehow had it in my mind that this novel was about a gay boy coming to terms with his identity (don't ask, I don't know okay, maybe it was the rainbow balloons on the cover?). Not to spoil the book or anything but he does not at any point come out of the closet sorry to disappoint. Though talking about what actually happened, the story was slow to start but really picked up after the spaghetti Bolognese scene. I was shook from that point onwards and I don't think I ever fully recovered.
I cannot call myself a contemporary fiction reader. Historical fiction is my bread and butter, so it was a pleasant surprise that I enjoyed this so much (though maybe Australia as portrayed in this novel feels so much like another would that it passed for the past or at the very least an alternate universe). Finishing this made me interested in picking up more contemporary literature since I need more data points before forming an opinion, though it's safe to say my view of contemporary lit is certainly higher having read this.
I don't know what better word to describe this novel other than addictive. It was a breeze to fly through, especially after Eli "loses his luck" so to speak. It answered enough questions to satisfy my curiosity while leaving enough unanswered to keep me questioning. Who, if anyone, answered the red phone? Why did Lyle have the red phone? Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to let Eli end up with Caitlyn? I feel like she's at least seven years older than him not that I remember exactly. But he hero worships her because she's pretty or something and I'm never going to get over that insane power imbalance (not to mention she "felt" something when she met him? When she had a job and he was in fucking middle school? I think the fuck not).
Anyways, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. Hell, I don't even know if it's my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable while it lasted and that just count for something. There are books like the Count of Monte Cristo that I want to reread immediately upon finishing. And then there are books like this where I genuinely don't know if I ever want to pick it up again. It's not a bad story by any stretch of the imagination, but I really don't know if I can sit through it a second time 😭 I feel like I'm being too dramatic. I guess it just doesn't feel like the kind of story that will sit with me/that I'd want to revisit (hence capping it at 4 stars).
I don't regret reading it. I'm pleasantly surprised by the content (honestly every chapter was a surprise). There were more characters than I expected, but they were all fairly three dimensional which was impressive. I need to wait for Meenakshi to finish it so we can discuss. I haven't heard anyone talk about it on booktube but maybe I'll look up a video or two. I might even watch the show (I'm really curious how it'll be adapted and it'd be nice to see the scenery in Australia).
jaya_the_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
ORIGINAL RATING 3.75
UPDATED RATING: 4 Stars
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
Incredible for a debut. Few times where I was a bit confused but overall what a great read.
UPDATED REVIEW
After some consideration and sleeping a little I decided that 4 stars is more appropriate for this book, I absolutely loved the characters in the story. However some elements of this book still left me a little confused, but I loved how this book was authentically Aussie (especially the fact that it was based in Brisbane). I just wow, for a debut that's incredible.
UPDATED RATING: 4 Stars
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
Incredible for a debut. Few times where I was a bit confused but overall what a great read.
UPDATED REVIEW
After some consideration and sleeping a little I decided that 4 stars is more appropriate for this book, I absolutely loved the characters in the story. However some elements of this book still left me a little confused, but I loved how this book was authentically Aussie (especially the fact that it was based in Brisbane). I just wow, for a debut that's incredible.
sabinewman's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5) An enjoyable book, particularly when everything starts paying off and clicking in place towards the end
laurajaynespooky's review against another edition
3.0
When I first picked up this book, the beginning didn’t keep me too invested but I kept going (honestly because it was a book club book I needed to finish) but as I got further and further through, and the more I was feeling for these characters, experiencing the highs and lows and grinning stupidly at the humour, the deeper I got hooked in. Digs deep. Look It seemed a little to long and a little muddled with tangents but the way it pieced together really hits you in the gut.