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ollie32149'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
therealjessicaaustin_2002's review against another edition
- 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: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
melist6's review
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
ellenkennedy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I hated this entire experience. It's not often that I read books about such important topics depicted in such a shallow, immature way. It was supposed to be about struggle, but I don't think anyone struggled with anything really, they just followed their impulses and hoped for the best. Jake is 28, Felix is 23, and somehow neither of them acts over 17. CJ and Riley are the only likable people in this book, and only CJ wasn't made out of cardboard (Riley was just a background "nice person" which is something I really like for her, but don't care for in general). I didn't like how it talked about addiction, about the military, about recovery... If you want a silly romcom with darker themes, go for it. Otherwise, I'd look for a book that doesn't offensively simplify difficult topics.
A more specific beef that I have with this book is under spoiler.
- Both Felix and Jake have no impulse control, they just act on their whims. Why was Felix flirting with Jake from the beginning? Even though Jake made sure to conceal his sexuality, so it kind of bordered on unwanted advances. They go from "we can't do this" to being officially boyfriends in the span of THREE days! There's not even a lot of pining involved because everything happens so fast. They say that their recovery is the most important thing to them, but neither of them acts this way at any point in this book (maybe Jake did the first few days when he said that he was straight, but that's it).
- Both of them are rather selfish and self-centered. I was on the fence about disliking this about them given their previous experiences and the lives they had, but you cannot excuse every action with a "hard life". Every thought Jake had about CJ's worries annoyed the heck out of me, and even though what CJ said after Riley's miscarriage was harsh and unfair, it was also realistic. I'd snap too, Jake was insufferable. And Felix's POV was a hellscape for me too, because there was very little of a "support system" and a helluva "but does he really really REALLY like me?!" ALL. THE. TIME. I get that he's insecure, I really do, but that's all he thinks about.
- Miguel and Hector were literal cardboard characters. If I had to describe them using two words, it would be "YAAAS KWEEN".
- Why on earth was Jake's layoff even a plot point? Why would Reed lay him off at that exact moment? Other than to lead to the finale. Reed was Riley's brother, not some random character, so he had the insight into what was happening with Jake and CJ. Did he just wake up that morning and think: "I honestly just want to ruin someone's life today"? Because there is no other explanation as to why he chose that exact day to fire Jake.
All the conversations and thoughts were rather infantile and there was quite a bunch of unsafe sex happening (though it was addressed later). I don't feel like either Jake or Felix evolved as characters or made any significant choices. In the end they seemed to be perfect for each other but I get the impression that it was rather the author forcing them than them actively making choices to earn their happy ending.
What I did like?
Anyway, if I could get back in time and DNF, I'd do it.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Excrement, and Abandonment
haileeraye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
alyreadsitall's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Violence