samsearle's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide
itsa_mario's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
whoisajax's review
5.0
Type: Audible - Audio
Why: Voted in by Local bookclub for Love to Read Local theme
Thoughts: I am so glad this got chosen!! What an amazing book! If you are from a small town like myself the themes resonate. The impact of all the issues faced by the main characters I feel are still very common and very real today. I loved each and every character and the story. Very much looking forward to bookclub discussion.
Why: Voted in by Local bookclub for Love to Read Local theme
Thoughts: I am so glad this got chosen!! What an amazing book! If you are from a small town like myself the themes resonate. The impact of all the issues faced by the main characters I feel are still very common and very real today. I loved each and every character and the story. Very much looking forward to bookclub discussion.
claire_melanie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book broke my heart and made it soar. What an incredible text about the power of friendship and community and the ways people fail each other. This definitely goes into my top ten reads for the year.
cat55's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Beautiful and important story of growing up gay in conservative Australian towns. So many different emotions that touched me deeply. I loved Zeke and Charlie and they definitely carried the book. Every other character was horrific. I don't think I've had so much fury for so many people. And I guess that's a credit to the author for taking me out of my liberal bubble and saying not everyone thinks the same as you. People are hateful, vengeful, mean and hypocritical and they will hurt people who are just trying to be themselves. There was no way you could read this book through rose-tinted glass because life isn't always like that.
Beautiful and important story of growing up gay in conservative Australian towns. So many different emotions that touched me deeply. I loved Zeke and Charlie and they definitely carried the book. Every other character was horrific. I don't think I've had so much fury for so many people. And I guess that's a credit to the author for taking me out of my liberal bubble and saying not everyone thinks the same as you. People are hateful, vengeful, mean and hypocritical and they will hurt people who are just trying to be themselves. There was no way you could read this book through rose-tinted glass because life isn't always like that.
allanvdh's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing emotional journey.
Amazing emotional journey reading this book, remembering the anguish of understanding and accepting my sexuality. The I’m only looking at the guys shirtless to see how I can improve my gym physique phase.
This book really gets the teenage angst and had me crying at many stages and laughing and loving the friendships made by the invisible boys.
A truly amazing book except there was a lot of Aussie slang that only the Aussies seem to use. Had to look up and Google a number of slang words that made reading a bit disrupted at places.
Amazing emotional journey reading this book, remembering the anguish of understanding and accepting my sexuality. The I’m only looking at the guys shirtless to see how I can improve my gym physique phase.
This book really gets the teenage angst and had me crying at many stages and laughing and loving the friendships made by the invisible boys.
A truly amazing book except there was a lot of Aussie slang that only the Aussies seem to use. Had to look up and Google a number of slang words that made reading a bit disrupted at places.
irv_in_the_books's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookforestsprite's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
halsee's review
5.0
This book broke me.
The way Charlie, Zeke and Hammer are written makes them feel tangible in my hands. Like there were some points in the book that I wanted nothing more then to give them all a big hug and beat them up for their stupidity.
And the fact that it is an Australian author warms my heart, they are honestly so great.
I don’t really have much else to say because I’m still reeling from the surprise reveal at the end.
All I have to say is that I loved the book and Holden Shepard now owes me therapy hours.
The way Charlie, Zeke and Hammer are written makes them feel tangible in my hands. Like there were some points in the book that I wanted nothing more then to give them all a big hug and beat them up for their stupidity.
And the fact that it is an Australian author warms my heart, they are honestly so great.
I don’t really have much else to say because I’m still reeling from the surprise reveal at the end.
All I have to say is that I loved the book and Holden Shepard now owes me therapy hours.