The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
ismildlypoetic'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
4.0
I was initially drawn to the book because it was advertised as an asexual romance with spice level: milk. I do think this is true to its word! But that description leaves out that it's also a story foremost of friendship, found family, and the inner healing of my own (incredibly lonely) first year of college life.
Anyways, I would very much recommend. Please read. And I'll be preordering the author's next book the second it grazes upon my Insta feed <3
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcoholism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
SA is a major theme in this book, from minor descriptions such asrengulick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
seilahuh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
first, let's get technical: the story desperately needed an editor. if it had one, axe them.Â
so many words, phrases, sentences and scenes were terribly redundant. the length of the story is less related to the content of the story itself but more the fact that it's so long-winded because of repetition, despite having little to say. i read the word scowl and all its derivatives 86 times. for snapped it was 113 TIMES, and it was nearly on EVERY page past the 156 page mark. that should *never* happen in a story, especially when it hinders characterization. it truly spoiled the reading experience. at some point it became clear these words and phrases, misused in many scenarios, and all the redundant scowls, snapping, knuckle rapping, pillow throwing, movie watching, and take out food were meant to be characterization in themselves. and it fell flat.Â
every character is essentially the same and simultaneously a terrible clichĂŠ. they are archetypal, the pretty dolled up girl-friend, the patronizing boyfriend, the not like other girls fmc; they are not people i can care for. who were they outside of that, i don't know.
the use of third person perspective here could've elaborated on the nature of the characters, but it doesn't. again, there's just scowls, snaps, knuckle rapping, pillow throwing, movies, and take out food.Â
to be less formal, what i really couldn't get over is this book is not the ace rep it purports itself to be, nor is it really queer nor lgbt, which is shocking considering the author's identity. these labels have *meanings* and draw specific audiences (like me âđ˝) expecting a certain thing when it's promised. aside from the technical issues, that's what made this book so unenjoyable and hard to slug through. it delivers on none of this meaningfully.Â
for one, our ace fmc from the beginning of the story who is supposed to have a *disinterest in sex* manages to make every interaction awkward on the basis of adding a sexual subtext that the 3rd person perspective elucidates to us is not there (the "see something you like" comment haunts me). every interaction became weird and unbearable for me to read. you can't hug somebody without thinking about sex or romance? like everything is related back to there and it was annoying because i thought the no-sex character, ace lead would be ASIDE FROM THAT. i could understand this behavior from the allo characters, but again, they weren't the ones mostly pushing it.
as for the queer rep, nick is bi or whateva and is who the lgbt is mostly referring to as he's most prominent in the story (aside from the ace yet hetero? fmc) but he's never actually engaging with men or demonstrating why it's necessary to outline him specifically as "openly bi" when he just gave toxic straight man (contrary to the "sunshine" character he was said to be). and the nonbinary black character is just a convenient "plot" vehicle for the main character to get in a situation where the mmc could rescue her. when i say the book isn't queer, i also mean that most depressingly it defaults on all the cishetero boring and sexist tropes.
chelsea is the simple whore who only exists to drive a wedge between the main couple, nick is a #good guy despite being an ASSHOLE, and worst of all the story uses instances of near sexual assault to set up situations for the cis man to be the dazzling hero. he is always the hero and our lead the weak damsel. but she's stubborn you might say? or strong? no. she is barely characterized and nothing more than a walking profanity. she's trope-ified and marketed as a grumpy character but there's a difference between grumpy and AGGRESSIVE ankle-biter behavior. she was a caricature that snaps and scowls like a rottweiler. she is not a person on the page, but a concept. and unrefined at that. as she is now she's a mean, spiteful asshole rather than an endearing "grumpy" character. it's hard to root for either of them nor their relationship, but im supposedly meant to. yet nothing is romantic or even friendly abt them especially when most of their interactions was spencer lashing out at nick and him harshly talking down at her.Â
simply, every aspect the book promises is not truly delivered. and it sucks cause i had hope for this story, i didn't dnf it, i wanted it to get better. but as it dragged on, it became clear that the only thing holding the story together was the concept, the promise of more rather than a cohesive, coherent plot. it felt like the author could've done so much better. it was just not ready to be put out into the world.
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
guardianofthebookshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
moodzie's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
naomimcclaughry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
<Spoilers>
The part of the book that confused me the most was Nick rejecting Spencer due to her age. Initially I thought it was because I'm not American and brushes it aside. However, I felt like the process of him deciding he could date her wasn't explained or justified and made it all feel like an obscure plot point to make the book last longer.Â
</Spoilers>
I did find the book enjoyable and thought the main couple was quite sweet together.
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
literarylocd's review against another edition
- 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
I did not have a good time.Â
I think at its core, this book didnât know what it wanted to be. So it ended up being, not very good.Â
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Gaslighting and Death of parent
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Blood
Minor: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse