A review by lolajh
Welcome, Caller by M. Dean Wright

emotional reflective medium-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

3.5

Okay I may or may not have cried at least twice reading this. This book made me feel so represented, not only as a trans person but as someone in Peter’s boat of self-diagnosed neurodivergency, and that representation I really came to appreciate. Let’s just say this book unlocked some new stims for me 😋

As for the book itself, the major plot point is, oh my god so predictable! Read the blurb, take a guess what happens, and you probably hit the nail on the head.
God do I think that the whole Rebo is Peter thing could have been done better. If Malcolm had guessed it, I dunno, way sooner, and confessed to Peter, I dunno, way sooner, then maybe that whole plot point (which is the main plot of the book) wouldn’t have been such a chore to get through. Also, the whole enemies to lovers thing was very much rushed. Malcolm was crushing on Peter before they’d even sorted out their rivalry, which was definitely rather petty on Malcolm’s part since he didn’t even remember what they were mad at each other about. But yeah, after they became friends and had an agonising avoidance phase (cmon Mal), they got together pretty quick, and then the book ends so…I don’t know. They’re sweet, they made me cry, and that’s about it.
 

It’s definitely a nice book, impressive for a debut, and I enjoyed it. The characters could have done with some more fleshing out with their backstories and stuff, the rep seemed good as far as I can tell, and I had a good time reading it for the most part. I’m definitely getting out of my reading slump at least wooo
Expand filter menu Content Warnings