Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - This Doesn't Mean Anything

This book held such a good promise. A young adult romance with ace representation? Sounds right up my alles! Sadly the book didnt live up to my expectations. While the characters of Nick and Spencer are lovable and their relationship is cute I think the book contained too much unnecessary drama. Almost a third of the story could have been cut out if the protagonists just talked with another... This was very frustrating to witness. But not in the usual sense.

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literarylocd's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

O KAY

I did not have a good time.

So, the ace rep was fine(ish) and i loved that Spencer was firm in her decisions with what she 100% knew she wasn’t comfortable in. I liked that she was flawed, had to learn how to adapt in a new environment and let people in. I think a lot of college stories seem to ignore the massive change it is to leave your home and familiarity to something new. It’s not as easy for some to assimilate to the new environment (esp whilst figuring out your sexual identity etc etc).

I really loved the supporting characters Joselyn, Hunter and Reese. love love love.

what I did not love was Sam. (the roommate)The whole idea of him and the conversations his character inevitably brought about. The fmc Spencer is 18. As in, was in high school a couple months ago. The love interest is three years her senior. Does this make Nick a nonce? No. Is it weird that he keeps referencing her age whilst still being attracted to her? Yeah. It is not enough for him to be disgusted at his roommate Sam only sleeping with freshly 18 year old girls. Nor is it enough for him to find it disgusting that Sam slept with a high schooler. His insistence on pointing out that Spencer was younger and inexperienced made me HATE the romance. Violently. It was so unnecessary and just took me out of the story.

and the *first* SA scene at the party where Nick “rescues” her from Sam and Spencer affirms she didn’t need his help. He throws it back in her face ‘Nick snorted loudly. “Sure, sweetheart, sure. Definitely looked like you had it under control from where I’m standing.”’

Another issue with the ace rep is that the character unfortunately fell prey to the “baby ace person” stereotype. in the sense that they had to be protected from the big bad world. ace adults are exactly that, adults. let them be that.

And that ending with her mum…be so serious

I think at its core, this book didn’t know what it wanted to be. So it ended up being, not very good.

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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

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