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A review by tankytoon
Cali Boy by Charli Meadows
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Taboo romances are my guilty pleasure but insta-love, not so much.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
I was expecting a little hesitance or pushback from Finn at the beginning at the idea of getting a new stepfamily so soon after his mother's death, especially how he was combative in the beginning. How Finn took to Oliver so quickly didn't seem believable to me, but his protectiveness over his new stepbrother was endearing.
The high school drama wasn't new nor unpredictable: the jilted ex-lover and the jealous asshole who made Oliver's life miserable was indeed horrible but not at all implausible. There are always those who prey on the weak to compensate for their shortcomings.
What is surprising is how Finn's other friends rally around them, including Finn's father who was initially cold and distant to his son, but came around with the influence of his new wife's sunny disposition.
Cali boy is a decent read if you are looking for a predictable romance with low angst and high school shenanigans that wrap up nicely because that's how rich kids roll.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Outing