Scan barcode
jeffrey's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jemima_reads15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
msjacquip's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
TW: homophobia; hate crime
Sean had been out since he was 19 and, at 26, he thinks everything is a-ok. He’s living with his boyfriend (of 3
months) and everything is fine and dandy. Until he spots a hickey on his boyfriend’s neck and he realises things aren’t so peachy. He hates his job, his boss is a homophobe and everything is exacerbated by the impending plebiscite on same-sex marriage in Australia. But then he meets William, a shy nurse who works at the nursing home where he visits Meridian, an 87 year old resident, and an unlikely friendship sparks.
First and foremost, I was drawn to the cover of the book in the library. The colours are so vibrant that they can be spotted across the room. So, sometimes, you CAN judge a book by its cover.
Secondly, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book. I liked Sean but grew to love him as the book progressed and William is the kind of person that I would want to wrap in a hug.
I loved that the story was set in Brisbane and that Luke didn’t shy away from real, raw emotions through his writing. I also loved that I had a feeling there was some kind of interconnection but couldn’t work out what that was until very late in the book.
Whilst this book does include themes of homophobia and hate crimes, overall, the book is lighthearted and, as a reader, you’re left with a case of the warm and fuzzies and a feeling of hope for the future.
Highly recommend this book!
Sean had been out since he was 19 and, at 26, he thinks everything is a-ok. He’s living with his boyfriend (of 3
months) and everything is fine and dandy. Until he spots a hickey on his boyfriend’s neck and he realises things aren’t so peachy. He hates his job, his boss is a homophobe and everything is exacerbated by the impending plebiscite on same-sex marriage in Australia. But then he meets William, a shy nurse who works at the nursing home where he visits Meridian, an 87 year old resident, and an unlikely friendship sparks.
First and foremost, I was drawn to the cover of the book in the library. The colours are so vibrant that they can be spotted across the room. So, sometimes, you CAN judge a book by its cover.
Secondly, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book. I liked Sean but grew to love him as the book progressed and William is the kind of person that I would want to wrap in a hug.
I loved that the story was set in Brisbane and that Luke didn’t shy away from real, raw emotions through his writing. I also loved that I had a feeling there was some kind of interconnection but couldn’t work out what that was until very late in the book.
Whilst this book does include themes of homophobia and hate crimes, overall, the book is lighthearted and, as a reader, you’re left with a case of the warm and fuzzies and a feeling of hope for the future.
Highly recommend this book!
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Violence
laurafrances's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Transphobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Dementia, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
tynansal23's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Luke Rutledge has a way developing characters until they feel like familiar figures in your life you’ve met 1000 versions of before. As a young gay Aussie I’d met these characters before and he did an excellent job of displaying them in a way the reader can relate to best.
With this, I smiled, laughed and cried all throughout the book as I became deeply invested in the characters.
Despite knowing the characters so well, the plot remained fresh and surprised me often. A mysterious backstory around the main character developing in the background as you piece together where all of his flaws might be coming from.
Absolute slam dunk of a book, a joy to read.
With this, I smiled, laughed and cried all throughout the book as I became deeply invested in the characters.
Despite knowing the characters so well, the plot remained fresh and surprised me often. A mysterious backstory around the main character developing in the background as you piece together where all of his flaws might be coming from.
Absolute slam dunk of a book, a joy to read.
jamatkinson's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
stressejesse's review
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Vomit, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
elginmarbles's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
More...