The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kourteney's review against another edition
While the story between the two LIs was relatively cute, there was no indication of content warnings. While content warnings aren't common place in books currently, the drug abuse is prominent enough that I believe it should have at least been mentioned in the summary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
oakleys_readinglist's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Drug use, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Outing, Body shaming, and Addiction
allforevermore's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content, Car accident, Alcohol, and Addiction
Minor: Chronic illness
flashandoutbreak's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Car accident, Addiction, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
bookish_kirst's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I looooooved this book. Everything about it. From the second I read the blurb I knew I was going to enjoy it, it has everything you could want from a YA romance. LGBTQ+ representation. Strong friendships. Best friends to lovers/forbidden love trope.
The characters are so well developed and easy to love. The plot is fantastic and there's so many serious topics covered throughout but its all handled EXTREMELY well.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the authors for the ARC. I've already preordered my copy💜
Overall rating - 5 stars🌟
Edit: reread 7th October 2023
Still adore this book, still a 5 star read🤷🏻♀️🫶🏻
The characters are so well developed and easy to love. The plot is fantastic and there's so many serious topics covered throughout but its all handled EXTREMELY well.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the authors for the ARC. I've already preordered my copy💜
Overall rating - 5 stars🌟
Edit: reread 7th October 2023
Still adore this book, still a 5 star read🤷🏻♀️🫶🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Homophobia
gcoulsxn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, and Alcohol
bookb1itch's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
this was recommended by a Y7 girl, so i thought I'd read it before buying for our library. I was pleasantly surprised. A little bit more sex than I expected (possibly because I was watching Heartstopper at the same time) but the focus is on the relationship and everything is consensual. Characters other than the main two are well written and the story shows both supportive friends and some adults who struggle to understand. This could so easily be a true story, sadly.camill3's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
i actually enjoyed this book, which surprised me, because i don't really like reading YA anymore. this was different, and because i'm a larrie it hit a little close to home, lol.
it is very easy to read (but there are heavy topics!) and there are lots of cute moments between Zach and Ruben. there are also some cringey sceneslike the one when all the moms met and tried to sue the management?? but overall it was very enjoyable :)
maybe it would have worked a bit better if one of the two MC's faced the problems Angel faced, because this storyline definitely also deserved a book, and in my opinion it took up a bit too much space.we didn't get to see Angel's struggles from his POV, it just doesn't really make sense why he struggled and not the MC's.
it is very easy to read (but there are heavy topics!) and there are lots of cute moments between Zach and Ruben. there are also some cringey scenes
maybe it would have worked a bit better if one of the two MC's faced the problems Angel faced, because this storyline definitely also deserved a book, and in my opinion it took up a bit too much space.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a fun read!
Boy Band public image drama plus friends to lovers romance?! Joy.
I loved the duel authorship of having each author focus on just one half of the couple. It created a realness to the characters, especially in moments of relationship miscommunication/ duality in arguments.
The Angel side story was very interesting, and although YA sugar coated, didn’t shy away from the addiction reality and it’s pain and consequences.
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed and I was honestly surprised when/where the story ended… But, them saying “bye, see you NEVER” to Geoff was as good of a happy ending as any. (What a dick.)
I really wish they had included a “one year later” epilogue. I want MORE.
The main four boys are a very fun group of characters and I could enjoy reading about their bickering and playfulness all day long. I was worried that the story would dissolve into the classic “solo career” angle but the love and commitment these four have for each other is strong and it was a joy to experience.
If this book were a drink:
It would be cherry coke. I have no idea why. It just fits.
Boy Band public image drama plus friends to lovers romance?! Joy.
I loved the duel authorship of having each author focus on just one half of the couple. It created a realness to the characters, especially in moments of relationship miscommunication/ duality in arguments.
The Angel side story was very interesting, and although YA sugar coated, didn’t shy away from the addiction reality and it’s pain and consequences.
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed and I was honestly surprised when/where the story ended…
I really wish they had included a “one year later” epilogue. I want MORE.
The main four boys are a very fun group of characters and I could enjoy reading about their bickering and playfulness all day long. I was worried that the story would dissolve into the classic “solo career” angle but the love and commitment these four have for each other is strong and it was a joy to experience.
If this book were a drink:
It would be cherry coke. I have no idea why. It just fits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
Minor: Sexual content
const_elle_ations's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit