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cicizzy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love this aroace representation. We need more of that. The focus on friendship in all her books is really great. Rooney’s declaration about her friendship to Georgia nearly made me cry. Isn’t that exactly what many of us want to hear?
For people who aren’t Ace or Aro the book will probably be a bit slow, especially in the beginning. It didn’t bother me because I could relate to Georgia so well even if our stories were very different.
There were also several fights and miscommunication tropes that I wasn’t the biggest fan of.
The relationship of a few “side characters” wasn’t exactly healthy in my opinion. And there was a big focus on romance. So it might have been a bit annoying for aromantic people to read the book.
It is also a book focused on coming to terms with being aroace so that is the main focus. And it takes Georgia a while to figure it out and she is never really ok with it, even at the end of the book. So if you are looking for proud representation or a book where being aroace is just a small part of the story this book isn’t for you.
Despite the weaknesses I love the ace representation so much that I can’t bear to give the book less than 4 stars. It will definitely be a comfort book for me.
We are really lucky to live in a time where we have books about Aromance and Asexuality like that.
Minor: Biphobia, Toxic relationship, and Acephobia/Arophobia
lolasbooks12'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? N/A
4.5
Moderate: Biphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Outing, and Alcohol
sophieamreacher'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
blue_birdy'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? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Biphobia and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Misogyny
jordan_noel'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? It's complicated
4.75
Despite everything that fell apart in the book, there was continual love, shown in many different forms. There was an overall sense of togetherness that can make practically any “un-belonging” reader feel welcome.
The only thing I really have to criticize about this book was the placement of the last scene. It showed a depth to Rooney and Pip that I thought would’ve fit in great had it been in its chronological position. But because it was at the end of the book, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore that same depth throughout the book in all of the main characters. I did enjoy its inclusion, I just wish it had been in its chronological place.
Moderate: Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
kits_den'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
5.0
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
theaceofpages'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
This was a bit of a tough book to rate. I can tell why some people hate it, but I loved it.
So. First from a technical aspect. I can tell why some people don't like this book. The writing is a little frustrating at times. And the pacing was a little annoying. It started off kind of slow and repetitive. Until she realised she was ace. Then it picked up! I liked the pacing in the middle of the book but then the end felt rushed. And the ending was not the greatest?
The representation however? So good! And I think that this is exactly why the book is so popular. That confusion and desperation to feel like you belong. That's you're normal. A lot of her feelings and emotions are definitely high school me. Although I went the opposite route and told myself that I didn't want a relationship because I needed to work on myself as it's not fair for someone to have to deal with the wreck I was. But that the right person would come along eventually and if it happened, it happened. So I never really went through that "oh my goodness I need to find someone" experience. Despite that, I still related to her. And both those experiences simply stem from a lack of representation. I'm glad people can at least find things online and in books now, even if it's still not taught in schools. But yes. Seeing someone who's emotions are the same as mine in a deep level for the first time is great, even if they manifest themselves differently! But I do also think that this is where a lot of the hate comes in from ace readers. One of the biggest complaints about the book I've seen is that it doesn't represent their experiences. I'm pretty sure it was clear that there are multiple experiences through other characters, especially Sunil's explanations! And they are also not aro and Jess is aro but not ace, so there's that. I've also seen that some people are unhappy with how other identities are represented. I mean, I kind of get it, but all the characters are well-developed. We also need to remember that the book focuses on an aroace person - and a lot of us have a lot of confusion about why romantic and sexual love are placed on such a pedestal and are such a focus for some people. That being said, I loved the focus on friendship. It's so often underplayed and represented as lesser, even though it can be just as if not more powerful than romantic love.
I feel like Georgia is the type of person who would actually look up what asexual means so I feel like her discovery was a bit drawn out. I would have loved it if she had found the term, panicked, and then tried to convince herself that nope, she can have those things! She got got on my nerves a bit at times, but it's okay. Her cousin seems cool. I liked that that was a way to show how verbally aggressive parents can be. Although, again, why does no one in this book seem to do any research? I love Sunil! Can we please have more about them? I just resonated so deeply with a lot of what they said. I just want to be their best friend and give them a big hug. I definitely preferred them to Georgia. I'd LOVE a book about them. And how they learned to accept themselves. And about how they help others accept themselves too. It's sad that everyone uses he/him pronouns though (although they are okay with either)
Be aware that this book contains a lot of internalised aphobia (as well as some external aphobia, including from parents and LGBT spaces) and can be rather painful to read at times. I had to take breaks to process at times.
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
percys_panda_pillow_pet'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
I'll admit my first impression within the first couple of pages was low. I had a hard time getting into Oseman's writing style, which I found a bit juvenile at times, and had me questioning the placement of the book in my local library (it was in Adult fiction since the main character is 18 and entering college, as well as presumably due to the mentions of drinking). However, it was easy to get into the rhythm of the tone and feel of Georgia's voice as the narrator.
I also felt unsure about relating to the story. I identify as aromantic aceflux at this point in time, but my journey was not typical. Whereas I feel like Alice Oseman, who might've been pulling from her own experience, wrote Loveless with a more common lens. I was also much farther into my journey than Georgia who didn't even know what aroace is at the beginning of the book. However, I held on and found I loved the relationships between Georgia and her friends. The feelings Georgia has about being "broken" or "loveless" are very much relatable and caused some mistiness in my eyes.
Even though I have known about my identity for most of my life before I recently started using specific labels, and though it's been a long while since I entered college, I felt connected to Georgia on a deep level and rooted for her at every turn and twist. I definitely recommend Loveless if you are even a bit curious about the aroace identity. Except for my own personal hang-ups, I think this could've been a solid 5-star book.
Graphic: Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
grimdark_dad'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
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
malachinelson'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Confinement, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol