Scan barcode
jainabee'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
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Kidnapping, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Remarkably realistic and accurate portrayal of rape, dissociation, gaslighting, addiction, and moving through various stages of trauma. The challenging material is handled with great care and shows healthy, functional family and community responses to trauma.pitsikakku's review against another edition
- 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? No
2.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
a_l_reads's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Outing, and Gaslighting
nicolewithbooks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Addiction and Toxic relationship
Languageiksme'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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
justreaditem's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Not only does it show an honest story between two young gay boys, it shows the relationship between mother and son, father and son, and friendships. It shows how men can just as easily be sexually assaulted and raped as women; and and that addiction comes in many forms. If I didn't know any addicts, I wouldn't have been able to sympathise with Jordan's mum. For addicts to truly get the help they need, they have to want it because nothing is more important than their fix, not even their kids. I adored that Max was Hispanic/Latino, as it showed brought another layer of male posturing and homophobia, not only within sports but also within other cultures.
Jordan and Max had a really cute relationship, the way they argued and grew as a couple, with all their own issues before realising that a problem shared is a problem halved, and eventually knew that they could rely on each other no matter what.
I can't wait for this author's next book.
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief
Moderate: Racial slurs and Toxic relationship
rosage's review against another edition
- 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
1.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction and Adult/minor relationship
cozywithnyx'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
4.0
This book is about teenagers having to deal with adult problems, and how some adults have failed them. I love that this book discusses the subjects of sexual assault, mental health, toxic masculinity, internalized homophobia, toxic home dynamics, etc. I think it also has a great portrayal of casual discrimination and how people deal with it.
The characters are my favorite part of this story. Every character has so much more depth to them than you think and they compliment each other in great ways.
Also, I love the "explanation" for the title. So, if you're into that, read this book.
I'd recommend this book to someone that is looking for a more casual read or someone that wants a book that shows you a new perspective and makes you look at life from a different angle.
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
memorable's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
I think it’s even better when you read it as part such as the theatre play were a little confusing to listen to. I also gotta admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of “the wives”, yet I really liked how they all talked about setting boundaries in the end.
Graphic: Rape, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Toxic masculinity Gambling Gaslighting Talks about/ descriptions of food HIV/AIDS Low self esteem/ lots of down talking oneself