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pjmurphy3's review
5.0
is a really nice changeling story in the knowing the main characters attitudes change but the characters around them also change and grow. the great story arc and characterization made it fun to read. I recommend this book to anyone who likes the idea of changing and growing as a person and male male Romance.
whatthefridge's review
5.0
A highly unlikeable character learns to clean up his act and let love back into his life.
Oscarthe Grouch starts off living in a dump. He loves to smell nasty, make nasty comments, and keep a nasty amount of garbage in his apartment. He also works in sewage, which explains his insanely high tolerance for filth.
Noah is the complete opposite-- loving and clean and soft spoken. He is incredibly naive, but he's not some sweet innocent cinnamon roll for Oscar to corrupt.
And I quote:
What I liked most is how Noah isn't solely responsible for Oscar's character development. Oscar needs to remember how to open up his heart again, and that process includes his family and friends. So even though the ending is sappy and very "Hollywood," I appreciated how Noah wasn't treated like a panacea.
Overall, a very feel-good story, with just enough angst to counter Oscar's insufferable attitude.
--
As a side note: I looked up ASMR (the thing Noah is into), and it's actually pretty cool. I found a video that's similar to the physical examination role-play Noah does, and while it's somewhere between awkward and boring, I decided to dig deeper. Turns out I get tingles from ASMR, but it's very specific to the trigger sound (e.g. it's never phone calls--phone calls only stress me out). So yay for learning something new!
Oscar
Noah is the complete opposite-- loving and clean and soft spoken. He is incredibly naive, but he's not some sweet innocent cinnamon roll for Oscar to corrupt.
And I quote:
“Fine. Let’s say you’re a traitorous, hateful coward. I’ve been celibate my entire life up until I met you, and you fuck like a porn star. Don’t you think I deserve that?”
What I liked most is how Noah isn't solely responsible for Oscar's character development. Oscar needs to remember how to open up his heart again, and that process includes his family and friends. So even though the ending is sappy and very "Hollywood," I appreciated how Noah wasn't treated like a panacea.
Overall, a very feel-good story, with just enough angst to counter Oscar's insufferable attitude.
--
As a side note: I looked up ASMR (the thing Noah is into), and it's actually pretty cool. I found a video that's similar to the physical examination role-play Noah does, and while it's somewhere between awkward and boring, I decided to dig deeper. Turns out I get tingles from ASMR, but it's very specific to the trigger sound (e.g. it's never phone calls--phone calls only stress me out). So yay for learning something new!
lillian_francis's review
4.0
Don't give up on this book. I'm in no way condoning internet trolls but this is worth persevering with.
Oscar is the most vile character at the start of this book. How on earth could the author redeem him in the eyes of the audience?
Well, she managed it and without him having a complete character transplant. He ends the bonus story still gruff and somewhat acerbic but with softer edges and much less self-revulsion.
Noah is sweetheart, maybe a little too perfect but it is Oscar that stole my heart and made me cry.
The main story ends quite abruptly after the major conflict but in the audio there's a lovely hour long bonus story of Noah and Oscar's wedding.
Talking of audio, the (new to me) narrator does a good job.
Oscar is the most vile character at the start of this book. How on earth could the author redeem him in the eyes of the audience?
Well, she managed it and without him having a complete character transplant. He ends the bonus story still gruff and somewhat acerbic but with softer edges and much less self-revulsion.
Noah is sweetheart, maybe a little too perfect but it is Oscar that stole my heart and made me cry.
The main story ends quite abruptly after the major conflict but in the audio there's a lovely hour long bonus story of Noah and Oscar's wedding.
Talking of audio, the (new to me) narrator does a good job.
emmajaye's review
5.0
One of the most extraordinary books I've read in a long time, and right up my street being an angst filled m/m romance with two damaged characters. No Billionaires, no high powered jobs, no model good looks. Refreshing and unique, even if you do need to hold your nose for a lot of the book.
A man hurting on the inside, shows his self hatred by being disgusting and like most bullies, taking delight in making other people as miserable as him.
This is an 'onion' story, with levels being revealed slowly, as the author takes the reader on a journey from revulsion, disgust and hatred to acceptance and sympathy as the main character makes the same journey with the help of a new person in his life.
Highly recommended.
A man hurting on the inside, shows his self hatred by being disgusting and like most bullies, taking delight in making other people as miserable as him.
This is an 'onion' story, with levels being revealed slowly, as the author takes the reader on a journey from revulsion, disgust and hatred to acceptance and sympathy as the main character makes the same journey with the help of a new person in his life.
Highly recommended.
relly's review
4.0
Good
3.5 ⭐️
I read books all the time that have characters that you wonder how the author is going to redeem them and make you care about them and the job Sera Trevor gave herself was huge but she delivered.
I’m glad one of my book buddies had read this and recommended it, as I don’t think I would have finished it otherwise.
Oscar was really unlikeable at the beginning a truly horrible person who had it seemed had no redeeming qualities, but enter Noah and we begin to see the breakdown of the walls and understand why Oscar was the way he was. It didn’t excuse his actions but they made more sense.
Turned out a good read
3.5 ⭐️
I read books all the time that have characters that you wonder how the author is going to redeem them and make you care about them and the job Sera Trevor gave herself was huge but she delivered.
I’m glad one of my book buddies had read this and recommended it, as I don’t think I would have finished it otherwise.
Oscar was really unlikeable at the beginning a truly horrible person who had it seemed had no redeeming qualities, but enter Noah and we begin to see the breakdown of the walls and understand why Oscar was the way he was. It didn’t excuse his actions but they made more sense.
Turned out a good read
ld2's review
5.0
Oscar Lozada is a troll. Not one of those trolls that hides under a bridge and demands a toll before you can cross. He worst than that. He’s the kind of troll that hides behind anonymous accounts and attacks others for the pure vicious pleasure of causing other people pain. Oscar is hurting so deeply himself that his only dysfunctional coping method is to lash out at others, and he has no intention of ever stopping. Until he meets Noah. Sweet, gentle Noah with his ASMR videos and laundry duties. A troll has no power against true love, and soon Oscar finds not only his life, but his heart, changing in ways he could never imagine.
Hands down, I fell in love with this book. This book had angst, fluff, romance, hot sex, and so much humor and love. For a short book, it dealt with some difficult issues in a masterful way. Although the main focus of the story was the romance, the plot was deeper than just that. It examined relationships from many different angles. Oscar had to revaluate and take a look at his relationships not only with Noah, but also with his family, his friends, his work, the internet, and himself. Oscar’s pain broke my heart, but his healing and redemption made me feel joyful – I’m not ashamed to say I squealed in delightful celebration at certain moments near the end.
Michael T. Bradley narrated the audiobook and did a phenomenal job. One of the first things I notice with narrators is whether I can differentiate the characters based on the narrator’s voices and if the narrator is consistent with the voices. Bradley did a great job on all fronts. His character voices were distinct and dynamic – I could feel the emotions in his performance. I definitely recommend this audiobook, especially for anyone who wants an interesting romantic comedy.
Plus, the short story, The Pink Wedding, was included in this audiobook as a bonus. The Pink Wedding was just as wonderful and funny as the rest of the book, and definitely a wonderful addition to this audiobook.
Hands down, I fell in love with this book. This book had angst, fluff, romance, hot sex, and so much humor and love. For a short book, it dealt with some difficult issues in a masterful way. Although the main focus of the story was the romance, the plot was deeper than just that. It examined relationships from many different angles. Oscar had to revaluate and take a look at his relationships not only with Noah, but also with his family, his friends, his work, the internet, and himself. Oscar’s pain broke my heart, but his healing and redemption made me feel joyful – I’m not ashamed to say I squealed in delightful celebration at certain moments near the end.
Michael T. Bradley narrated the audiobook and did a phenomenal job. One of the first things I notice with narrators is whether I can differentiate the characters based on the narrator’s voices and if the narrator is consistent with the voices. Bradley did a great job on all fronts. His character voices were distinct and dynamic – I could feel the emotions in his performance. I definitely recommend this audiobook, especially for anyone who wants an interesting romantic comedy.
Plus, the short story, The Pink Wedding, was included in this audiobook as a bonus. The Pink Wedding was just as wonderful and funny as the rest of the book, and definitely a wonderful addition to this audiobook.