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jess_polishedcomma's review
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Cursing
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I cannot say enough good things about this book and its author!!! We NEED more platonic love stories (because platonic soulmates ARE a thing)!! Casey and Hayden's friendship was so beautiful. Both started closed off but slowly opened themselves up to each other.
This book has OwnVoices Deaf-Hard of Hearing representation (through Casey) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder representation (through Hayden). Casey is Polish-American and bisexual, and Hayden is Cuban-Italian American and aroace. I could relate SO much to both their storylines! Sydney Langford really captured not only what it's like to be a teenager but also what it's like to be a (newly) disabled teenager. I'm not Deaf-Hard of Hearing like Casey, but I was born with a vision impairment that didn't get diagnosed until I was a teen. So let me tell you the medical ableism against children and teenagers is alive and well. I had multiple doctors who didn't believe me and told my parents (while I was in the room, no less!) I was making it up for attention (which... if I wanted attention, there were far more effective ways to get it). It broke my heart to hear Casey (and I'm sure the author as well) go through a similar experience. Here's a radical idea... why don't we just... believe kids?
I also loved the discussion of grief related to Casey's sudden hearing loss. Grief doesn't just happen after a loved one dies, and I think we need to talk about non-death related grief more.
There's also a splash of romance in this (obviously not between the MCs, but between Casey and someone else...) that I really enjoyed, but it was not the main focus (nowhere near it).
Sydney Langford's sophomore release can't come soon enough (but unfortunately the world needs to wait until 2026) (srsly sydney if u need alpha beta and/or arc readers hmu ily) !!!
This book has OwnVoices Deaf-Hard of Hearing representation (through Casey) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder representation (through Hayden). Casey is Polish-American and bisexual, and Hayden is Cuban-Italian American and aroace. I could relate SO much to both their storylines! Sydney Langford really captured not only what it's like to be a teenager but also what it's like to be a (newly) disabled teenager. I'm not Deaf-Hard of Hearing like Casey, but I was born with a vision impairment that didn't get diagnosed until I was a teen. So let me tell you the medical ableism against children and teenagers is alive and well. I had multiple doctors who didn't believe me and told my parents (while I was in the room, no less!) I was making it up for attention (which... if I wanted attention, there were far more effective ways to get it). It broke my heart to hear Casey (and I'm sure the author as well) go through a similar experience. Here's a radical idea... why don't we just... believe kids?
I also loved the discussion of grief related to Casey's sudden hearing loss. Grief doesn't just happen after a loved one dies, and I think we need to talk about non-death related grief more.
There's also a splash of romance in this (obviously not between the MCs, but between Casey and someone else...) that I really enjoyed, but it was not the main focus (nowhere near it).
Sydney Langford's sophomore release can't come soon enough (but unfortunately the world needs to wait until 2026) (srsly sydney if u need alpha beta and/or arc readers hmu ily) !!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
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