A review by tami_teshima
Glitterland by Alexis Hall

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It's difficult to summarize why I really enjoyed this book. I am always a big fan of contemporary romance and ESPECIALLY so for the opposites-attract-trope, so it was likely that this was already going to be at least 3.5/5 stars for me. However, I had a hard time getting into this book at first. Having to walk with Ash during his often disjointed, frenetic, and always unkind self-loathing made this book somewhat difficult to read. The juxtaposition of Darian - his warmth, his kindness, his humor, his ESSEX ACCENT! (dang, Alexis Hall) - gave the book appropriate balance and only added to both characters' development. 

Bonus points for mental illness representation, frequent literary references, and steamy romance scenes!

Marks off for Niall and his persistent ableist rants and perhaps a slight oversimplification of being in relationship with someone with a mental illness (I say this as a person with mental illness). 

Overall, I highly recommend this read!
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