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amberinpieces's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
thereadinghammock's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my gosh, where to begin with this one! I'd been hearing nothing but great things about this book on Instagram, and after discovering it was free on Spotify, I figured I'd give it a shot. I wasn't sure I was going to make it though, as Lucien is such a pessimistic narrator, especially at the beginning. I figured I'd push on, since so many folks had such good things to say, I figured it had to get better. And it did!! Firstly, I give HUGE kudos to Joe Jameson as an audiobook narrator. Not only did every character have a distinct voice, so you knew who was talking at any given time, but he even used different enunciation to distinguish the James Royce-Royce's so you knew which anyone was referring to at any given time.
Now, on to our wonderful garbage fire of a narrator Luc. As I said, he was so unlikeable at first. He was so despondent that it was clear why he had such a hard time connecting with anyone, even his friends (the ever changing What's App group name was a hilarious running gag). I'm pretty sure I liked Oliver from the start, despite his prickly introduction. He came off as the kind of person who was "Always Right" and although he didn't rub it in your face, also couldn't stand to not correct an error or mistake, if only because he wouldn't want anyone to think he also thought that misinformation was correct. I wasn't expecting, however, for Oliver to also want in on the "fake relationship" deal.
It was clear from early on, Oliver was having real feelings for Luc pretty quickly and he was so panicky about it. He was trying to build up walls so hard and so fast because he clearly had a lot of big feelings, and Luc was being self-defeatist and caught up in his own shit for so long it took him forever to realize he had those big feelings too! I spent a lot of my listening time flapping about in the car to and from work, faux crying about how much they liked each other and they just didn't know it yet!!
I LOVED Luc's mother and she was just the right person to help Luc get out of his own way. I adored Oliver throwing himself at Luc after seeing he [Luc] cleaned his apartment for him [Oliver] and Luc feeling briefly clueless at that moment. But then my heart SHATTERED at seeing how Oliver's parents treated him at their anniversary party!!! I totally get Oliver's mindset of, "they supported me and loved me, and it may not have always been perfect, but they're my family" but BEBE THEY'RE ABUSIVE!! Oh my heart, my poor, sweet bean Oliver. Seeing him fall completely apart after the party and realize no one had ever been there to help him pick up those pieces after an event like that was so heart breaking. I wanted to crawl inside the book and just give him the biggest hug and tell him it was going to be OK.
I definitely wasn't expecting to fall so madly in love with these two adorable train wrecks, and I loved how wildly different they were and how different their issues were from each other. I am SO EXCITED to learn that the sequel is only a few months away and I can't wait to see these two numbskulls navigate their for-real relationship a bit more.
Now, on to our wonderful garbage fire of a narrator Luc. As I said, he was so unlikeable at first. He was so despondent that it was clear why he had such a hard time connecting with anyone, even his friends (the ever changing What's App group name was a hilarious running gag). I'm pretty sure I liked Oliver from the start, despite his prickly introduction. He came off as the kind of person who was "Always Right" and although he didn't rub it in your face, also couldn't stand to not correct an error or mistake, if only because he wouldn't want anyone to think he also thought that misinformation was correct. I wasn't expecting, however, for Oliver to also want in on the "fake relationship" deal.
It was clear from early on, Oliver was having real feelings for Luc pretty quickly and he was so panicky about it. He was trying to build up walls so hard and so fast because he clearly had a lot of big feelings, and Luc was being self-defeatist and caught up in his own shit for so long it took him forever to realize he had those big feelings too! I spent a lot of my listening time flapping about in the car to and from work, faux crying about how much they liked each other and they just didn't know it yet!!
I definitely wasn't expecting to fall so madly in love with these two adorable train wrecks, and I loved how wildly different they were and how different their issues were from each other. I am SO EXCITED to learn that the sequel is only a few months away and I can't wait to see these two numbskulls navigate their for-real relationship a bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Classism
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first half of the book was so tough to get through. Luc is such a deeply unlikeable character who seems to have no redeeming qualities as he is mean to literally everyone in his life and overly critical and negative.
In the second half of the book, he goes through a transformation of being a better person, but that doesn't undo all the time he spent being a jerk.
The last quarter of the book was full of drama and breakups that felt really unecessary and pointless. It almost felt like they were added to give a perceived flaw to Oliver, which was then not really well-explored.
In the second half of the book, he goes through a transformation of being a better person, but that doesn't undo all the time he spent being a jerk.
The last quarter of the book was full of drama
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
pining's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer and Eating disorder
_mineru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Cancer and Eating disorder
maregred's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
lena_loves_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol
marareading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This book was funny, snarky, and filled with truth. I found myself actually sighing, grunting with frustration, and giggling outloud.
The entire story is through the perspective of Luc (ho has a very entertaining internal monologue btw). He is the e list child of c list celebrity musicians from the 80s. Only famous enough for the paparazzi to make his life hell. He needs a boyfriend and along comes Oliver. Uptight, a tad bit controlled... and absolutely adorable.
They are both broken in their own ways. The perfect juxtaposition. I'll definibe recommending this one, and I'm so glad it was gifted to me!
The entire story is through the perspective of Luc (ho has a very entertaining internal monologue btw). He is the e list child of c list celebrity musicians from the 80s. Only famous enough for the paparazzi to make his life hell. He needs a boyfriend and along comes Oliver. Uptight, a tad bit controlled... and absolutely adorable.
They are both broken in their own ways. The perfect juxtaposition. I'll definibe recommending this one, and I'm so glad it was gifted to me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Death of parent
kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Classism