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brianamorganbooks's review against another edition
5.0
After seeing the cover and hearing about the book, I couldn't wait to dive in. This book did not disappoint! I love the witty tone, Leo's personality, and the deep truths explored throughout the book. The author does an excellent job of capturing the existential angst and ache for something more we all feel at some point in our lives. I highly recommend this book.
colinspk's review against another edition
5.0
Liked the way this book dealt with mental health.
The story got quite deep at times, which I really liked.
It was nice to follow the main character along his journey and I liked the ending, it was quite realistic.
The total end confused me a little though, I can't make out if the last sentence was a joke or meant.
The story got quite deep at times, which I really liked.
It was nice to follow the main character along his journey and I liked the ending, it was quite realistic.
The total end confused me a little though, I can't make out if the last sentence was a joke or meant.
netslummer's review against another edition
4.0
Leo is orphaned and separated from his older husband. He works a job he absolutely hates selling high end clothing that he can't afford. His best friend is getting married and has a destination hen do and wedding that he can't afford.
This leads him down a road if selling sex for money.
It's better to go into this book further without knowing any more.
I was frustrated at a lot of the situations that Leo got himself into. The depression felt heavy and accurate. There is, by design, way too much sex but almost none of it feels sexy.
This is such a hard book to rate. It was a really good read but it made me uncomfortable; which I think it is meant to do. The relationship Leo builds with Duncan is adorable. My favorite part of the book was the relationship between Leo and Sara. And the ENDING. I hope there will be a second book.
A couple of times I would get confused with the number of characters and not remember if this was the friend that worked with Leo or the hot one that told him about the escorting app and all of the supporting female characters did sort of feel like various shades of the same person. That all said, I think the important message here about mental health and coping with bipolar makes these slight negatives worth dealing with. Your mileage may vary as well with these negatives. I was pretty put off by the amount of sex in the book, as that's not my vibe, so maybe I'm being a bit nit-picky? Overall I know this will stick with me and I would read a sequel in a heartbeat.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This leads him down a road if selling sex for money.
It's better to go into this book further without knowing any more.
I was frustrated at a lot of the situations that Leo got himself into. The depression felt heavy and accurate. There is, by design, way too much sex but almost none of it feels sexy.
This is such a hard book to rate. It was a really good read but it made me uncomfortable; which I think it is meant to do. The relationship Leo builds with Duncan is adorable. My favorite part of the book was the relationship between Leo and Sara. And the ENDING. I hope there will be a second book.
A couple of times I would get confused with the number of characters and not remember if this was the friend that worked with Leo or the hot one that told him about the escorting app and all of the supporting female characters did sort of feel like various shades of the same person. That all said, I think the important message here about mental health and coping with bipolar makes these slight negatives worth dealing with. Your mileage may vary as well with these negatives. I was pretty put off by the amount of sex in the book, as that's not my vibe, so maybe I'm being a bit nit-picky? Overall I know this will stick with me and I would read a sequel in a heartbeat.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
madisonn's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
thebookboy's review against another edition
4.0
A fast, funny, shamelessly gay adventure that doesn't shy away from the more graphic side of real life.
First of all, the best thing about this novel is definitely the friendship between Leo and Sara - Sara especially is a really fun and enjoyable character, acting not only as a pillar of support for Leo but shining in her own right. She very much typifies a sort of London girl that you don't see in fiction very often, and I loved her feisty spirit and more vulnerable side too.
Another huge positive of the novel is that the author doesn't shy away from the grim realities of things such as sex work, gay sex in general and mental health. In fact mental health is handled really well in this debut, and it's good to see an honest portrayal of these issues and how this can impact an individual's life in all areas, whether that's love, sex or anything else. Of course, this not shying away from certain topics does mean that the book is pretty graphic (lots of sex scenes, all well-written) which may be a bit of a turn off for some readers.
Down to more technical details, and I do think that some parts of the plot were contrived and a bit too cheesy considering the rest of the book has a more gritty feel. I also think that some of the writing needed further tweaking here and there - there are moments where it doesn't feel as strong as other sections which is a shame as when it's good, it's really good.
These are minor blips though, and I can see why other people definitely loved this one - it's a strong debut and definitely a fun frolic through a certain part of gay culture that isn't often spoken about. Looking forward to seeing what the author does next!
4 stars
First of all, the best thing about this novel is definitely the friendship between Leo and Sara - Sara especially is a really fun and enjoyable character, acting not only as a pillar of support for Leo but shining in her own right. She very much typifies a sort of London girl that you don't see in fiction very often, and I loved her feisty spirit and more vulnerable side too.
Another huge positive of the novel is that the author doesn't shy away from the grim realities of things such as sex work, gay sex in general and mental health. In fact mental health is handled really well in this debut, and it's good to see an honest portrayal of these issues and how this can impact an individual's life in all areas, whether that's love, sex or anything else. Of course, this not shying away from certain topics does mean that the book is pretty graphic (lots of sex scenes, all well-written) which may be a bit of a turn off for some readers.
Down to more technical details, and I do think that some parts of the plot were contrived and a bit too cheesy considering the rest of the book has a more gritty feel. I also think that some of the writing needed further tweaking here and there - there are moments where it doesn't feel as strong as other sections which is a shame as when it's good, it's really good.
These are minor blips though, and I can see why other people definitely loved this one - it's a strong debut and definitely a fun frolic through a certain part of gay culture that isn't often spoken about. Looking forward to seeing what the author does next!
4 stars
buntphase's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug use
crow7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
marie07's review
3.5
This book had the same vibe as "just by looking at him" but this one was actually really fucking good
joannasbookshelves's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0