frogy927's review
5.0
This book is somewhere between four and five stars. It was incredibly enjoyable and sweet.
rachelini's review
4.0
There was lots to love in this book - first of all it was a relationship I hadn't read before. And I love reading books set in Toronto. I did sometimes feel like the people were acting out of character in order to move the plot forward. I'll definitely read the next in the series.
kikiduck's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
militarycorecunt's review
1.0
wow. This book made me so fucking angry.
What the FUCK.
Asexual MC was just treated like a fucking doormat and he was so okay with it. Fucking Jonah. Fuuuuucking Jonah. In the beginning, I could tell he was going to be an annoying character, but I was okay with that bcs I expected his character to develop! It absolutely did. Not.
He was overly pushing, disrespected Vaughn's boundaries, was an overall disrespectful, stupid piece of shit. The way he reacted to Vaughn saying 'no' to sex was so so disgusting and the fact VAUGHN FELT HE HAD TO APOLOGIZE. FOR BEING ASEXUAL? as someone who is ace+aro this fuckin book made so fucking angry with how Jonah was so insufferable towards Vaughn.
Even if Vaughn wasn't ace, anger and pettiness (aka going and obviously fucking 3 other people) is NOT an appropriate response to your love interest saying no to sex. And the fact vaugn reacted by waiting for him and wanting to apologize was the worst shit I've ever read. Absolute doormat material.
Look, let me get personal here.
I have "come out" to people by just saying "I've never had a crush on anyone in my life, and I don't have any interest in romance." I only use the term "aromantic" with friends I know will understand.
I get a mix of reactions, mostly shock but luckily most have been positive. But you know what fucking sucks? When people become what I call "accusatory shocked" or seriously accusing me of lying to hide a crush or some bullshit. Yeah it sucks but I understand the confusion.
But if anyone was ever to react the way Jonah did to Vaughn's coming out, I would be so fucking livid. He absolutely made Vaughn feel like he wasn't human for not wanting and saying "that's not normal" and shit. Like??????? My friends would never say that to me and this guy is supposed to be his love interest. So fucking disgusting.
Like Jonah is allowed to be confused and worried and hurt about Vaughn not wanting to have sex with him. But HE NEEDS TO BE RESPECTFUL. AND FUCKING LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT IF HE WANTS TO BE WITH VAUGHN. also btw lol this ends up being an open relationship which um. Okay. That's actually fine irl but I fucking hate Jonah so no it's not fine in this book.
Also what the FUCK is with Jonah's friends just kissing and touching Vaughn without his consent?? I'm 100% sure people who aren't ace would be uncomfortable if some dude just made out with you and felt you up. Ugh. And Jonah just encouraging them?? Pressuring Vaughn to show more skin and be more "sexy" like that is FUCKED. UP.
Also I'm not even going to talk about the stolen painting plot bcs I forgot about it halfway through in anger over this fucking book.
Two points I enjoyed: mention of Portal, Halo Reach and Bioshock. All excellent games and appreciate that the author actually knew about gaming in general.
Second, I appreciate that Vaughn actually had hard limits when it came to sex itself. I've seen a trend of asexual characters still having "normal", penetrative sex, which again is fine, but I always appreciate when ace characters are more restrictive.
Overall,
FUCK THIS BOOK.
What the FUCK.
Asexual MC was just treated like a fucking doormat and he was so okay with it. Fucking Jonah. Fuuuuucking Jonah. In the beginning, I could tell he was going to be an annoying character, but I was okay with that bcs I expected his character to develop! It absolutely did. Not.
He was overly pushing, disrespected Vaughn's boundaries, was an overall disrespectful, stupid piece of shit. The way he reacted to Vaughn saying 'no' to sex was so so disgusting and the fact VAUGHN FELT HE HAD TO APOLOGIZE. FOR BEING ASEXUAL? as someone who is ace+aro this fuckin book made so fucking angry with how Jonah was so insufferable towards Vaughn.
Even if Vaughn wasn't ace, anger and pettiness (aka going and obviously fucking 3 other people) is NOT an appropriate response to your love interest saying no to sex. And the fact vaugn reacted by waiting for him and wanting to apologize was the worst shit I've ever read. Absolute doormat material.
Look, let me get personal here.
I have "come out" to people by just saying "I've never had a crush on anyone in my life, and I don't have any interest in romance." I only use the term "aromantic" with friends I know will understand.
I get a mix of reactions, mostly shock but luckily most have been positive. But you know what fucking sucks? When people become what I call "accusatory shocked" or seriously accusing me of lying to hide a crush or some bullshit. Yeah it sucks but I understand the confusion.
But if anyone was ever to react the way Jonah did to Vaughn's coming out, I would be so fucking livid. He absolutely made Vaughn feel like he wasn't human for not wanting and saying "that's not normal" and shit. Like??????? My friends would never say that to me and this guy is supposed to be his love interest. So fucking disgusting.
Like Jonah is allowed to be confused and worried and hurt about Vaughn not wanting to have sex with him. But HE NEEDS TO BE RESPECTFUL. AND FUCKING LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT IF HE WANTS TO BE WITH VAUGHN. also btw lol this ends up being an open relationship which um. Okay. That's actually fine irl but I fucking hate Jonah so no it's not fine in this book.
Also what the FUCK is with Jonah's friends just kissing and touching Vaughn without his consent?? I'm 100% sure people who aren't ace would be uncomfortable if some dude just made out with you and felt you up. Ugh. And Jonah just encouraging them?? Pressuring Vaughn to show more skin and be more "sexy" like that is FUCKED. UP.
Also I'm not even going to talk about the stolen painting plot bcs I forgot about it halfway through in anger over this fucking book.
Two points I enjoyed: mention of Portal, Halo Reach and Bioshock. All excellent games and appreciate that the author actually knew about gaming in general.
Second, I appreciate that Vaughn actually had hard limits when it came to sex itself. I've seen a trend of asexual characters still having "normal", penetrative sex, which again is fine, but I always appreciate when ace characters are more restrictive.
Overall,
FUCK THIS BOOK.
cramaley's review
emotional
hopeful
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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment and Death of parent
eloise_bradbooks's review
4.0
Second best book I've read that goes into detail about asexuals and their relationships with allos, best book about where to get information on asexuality and the validation of queerness of asexuality I've ever read.
The story was nice too, but let's be honest, it's the ace parts that made me enjoy this book so very much.
Full review to come.
The story was nice too, but let's be honest, it's the ace parts that made me enjoy this book so very much.
Full review to come.
sarahgayflint's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.75
junovverse'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual content, Homophobia, Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Abandonment
liam_of_page's review
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
inkiereads's review
lighthearted
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
4.5
I loved Blank Spaces so much! It showed so well how important it can be to find the labels that describe how you’ve felt for so long, Vaughn's journey in this was so good. A great representation of finding where you might fall in the queer community. It was amazing to see Vaughn and Jonah’s relationship develop, how they found what works for them! Several moments in the book pulled my heart strings and I just couldn’t stop reading!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia