A review by nglofile
Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith
3.0
Setting a sweet relationship narrative in the lion's den of online (and real world) harassment can be a tricky endeavor, and this story winningly uses the flirty romance as an oasis amidst the darker issues.
The detail of the gaming and streaming worlds is thick, which begs a bit of a question of balance. Those who already know these spheres may be impatient, and those who aren't already fans will drown in more information than they need or want. It's difficult to please dual audiences, so the plus is the extreme likability of both Divya and Aaron that makes the reader not mind too much, and this extends beyond their budding connection to the life challenges each navigates apart from each other. Some plot developments are directly transported from '80s teen flicks (complete with obvious villainy), and whether that's a plus or a minus to the reader is a good indicator of how satisfying the journey will be.
Bonus points for personal empowerment, but the real draw is characters with whom you enjoy spending time.
The detail of the gaming and streaming worlds is thick, which begs a bit of a question of balance. Those who already know these spheres may be impatient, and those who aren't already fans will drown in more information than they need or want. It's difficult to please dual audiences, so the plus is the extreme likability of both Divya and Aaron that makes the reader not mind too much, and this extends beyond their budding connection to the life challenges each navigates apart from each other. Some plot developments are directly transported from '80s teen flicks (complete with obvious villainy), and whether that's a plus or a minus to the reader is a good indicator of how satisfying the journey will be.
Bonus points for personal empowerment, but the real draw is characters with whom you enjoy spending time.