ladyvictoriadiana's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
robinpawley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-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
5.0
katebull's review against another edition
1.0
This oscillates between uncomfortable sexual assault and broad strokes about BLM. The sentences are badly written and the musical references are heavy-handed.
lisettemarie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down. I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book. However the last 1/3 I felt like jumped so far ahead in time and didn’t give enough of a summary of the years in between and they felt rushed to tie everything up at the end it just didn’t feel very satisfying but the character of Jesse felt so real and I felt a lot of empathy for him
rachalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kelle_surprise's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Remarkable.
Best book I’ve read this year so far.
From the first chapter, I knew it was going to be a 5 star read.
I thoroughly enjoyed EVERYTHING about this book.
From the song references, the nostalgia from the 00’s, the windrush generation, religion, childhood trauma, race, mental health, growing up in the midlands, sexuality, broken families, friendships. So much has been covered with this book.
This book will stay with me forever and I cannot recommend it enough.
karrative's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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? No
3.25
Spoiler
This book reads incredibly personal. Not just intimate to the on-looker, but as though the author is processing through writing, as though this is a work of self-discovery too. The beginning of Jesse's storyline I initially found very hard to read - almost at the verge of trauma-dumping with all the horrors of his childhood and dangerous sexual behaviours after coming to London. The unrestricted gay male gaze was very punchy adding to the heaviness of the book, especially all the sexual commnets about men looking like Jesse's steppfather.THe pacing of the book I found really interesting. One, extended evening Jesse spends with Owen takes about sixty pages of the book which I think might be more than all of the Norman's story. Elsewhere, months in Jesse's life only take pages. But it works. You feel that that evening was to an extent a pivotal point in his journey.
At the very end, the two plotlines come together in a way that is not surprising but still satisfying. The more hopeful ending blaances out some of the heaviness earlier in the story and overall, whilst it wasnt my favourite, i am glad i read this book.
larryleex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5