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emptzuu's review against another edition
I should have taken Colleen Hoover's praise for this book as a warning sign, but I ignored it and kept reading. Big mistake. This book, written by women for women (and particularly for heterosexual audiences), is highly problematic and is unfortunately touted as a modern classic in M/M relationships. I've since learned that both authors have troubling histories: Sabrina Bowen often includes misogyny in her books. At the same time, Elle Kennedy fetishizes lesbian relationships and body-shames women, and her works frequently contain misogynistic themes. Starting Pride Month with a book filled with homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia, a hint of transphobia, M/M fetishization, sexism, and racism was incredibly disheartening.
The clichés in this book are unbearable, and the "dude-bro" dialogue and behavior are even worse. Wes and Jamie interact like stereotypical teenage girls, despite their macho exteriors. Despite being friends, they never discuss their issues, feelings, or thoughts. Everything is centered around sex.
The bisexual representation is poorly executed. Jamie is depicted as being bi only for Wes. He mentions missing being with girls because of how soft they are and constantly checks out girls even when he's with Wes. Jamie's struggle with his new sexuality is minimal, which felt unrealistic. There's a minor scene where Wes squeezes Jamie's ass in public, and Jamie looks around nervously, but that's about it. When he realizes he is bi, his response is, "My family will love me anyway," which seemed too easy. I wanted more conflict, inner struggles, and mixed feelings. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes about bisexual people being promiscuous or obsessed with sex.
Wes's biphobia towards Jamie is another issue. Wes believes Jamie can't be bi because he has a girlfriend and sleeps with women, a narrow-minded view. Wes fears Jamie will leave him for a woman, reinforcing the stereotype that bisexual people are cheaters or prone to polyamory. It's hypocritical that Wes, a gay man, can flirt with women, but Jamie, a bisexual man, gets called out for merely looking at a woman. Wes also corrects Jamie for a gay stereotype but then calls him "too gay" for anything remotely gay.
The book also fetishizes lesbians. When Jamie is "struggling" with his sexuality, he watches lesbian porn, claiming he loves seeing two women together. Jamie, you can like women without fetishizing lesbians. Additionally, there's a tasteless comment about trans people: "I could announce I wanted to live my life as a transsexual vampire yeti, and they’d still say, ‘Oh, Jamie. You’re so cute.'"
The misogyny in this book is appalling. Women are depicted as bitches, puck bunnies, a pair of tits (or a nice rack), desperate, a good lay, and little else. Wes is portrayed as so attractive that any woman literally foams at the mouth upon seeing him. There are random instances where a woman simply exists, and Wes mentally dismisses her with, "Those (boobs, idk dude) don't work on me sweetheart." Wes constantly calls women "doll," like a caricature from 1920s New York City.
Wes's tribal tattoos are another issue. Though the specifics aren't mentioned, it's in bad taste for an author to include tribal tattoos without cultural context. These tattoos hold deep meaning for the cultures they originate from, and appropriating them is damaging. Wes having "golden-toned" skin is another questionable detail. Moreover, the book includes a racial slur, further highlighting its insensitivity.
The clichés in this book are unbearable, and the "dude-bro" dialogue and behavior are even worse. Wes and Jamie interact like stereotypical teenage girls, despite their macho exteriors. Despite being friends, they never discuss their issues, feelings, or thoughts. Everything is centered around sex.
The bisexual representation is poorly executed. Jamie is depicted as being bi only for Wes. He mentions missing being with girls because of how soft they are and constantly checks out girls even when he's with Wes. Jamie's struggle with his new sexuality is minimal, which felt unrealistic. There's a minor scene where Wes squeezes Jamie's ass in public, and Jamie looks around nervously, but that's about it. When he realizes he is bi, his response is, "My family will love me anyway," which seemed too easy. I wanted more conflict, inner struggles, and mixed feelings. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes about bisexual people being promiscuous or obsessed with sex.
Wes's biphobia towards Jamie is another issue. Wes believes Jamie can't be bi because he has a girlfriend and sleeps with women, a narrow-minded view. Wes fears Jamie will leave him for a woman, reinforcing the stereotype that bisexual people are cheaters or prone to polyamory. It's hypocritical that Wes, a gay man, can flirt with women, but Jamie, a bisexual man, gets called out for merely looking at a woman. Wes also corrects Jamie for a gay stereotype but then calls him "too gay" for anything remotely gay.
The book also fetishizes lesbians. When Jamie is "struggling" with his sexuality, he watches lesbian porn, claiming he loves seeing two women together. Jamie, you can like women without fetishizing lesbians. Additionally, there's a tasteless comment about trans people: "I could announce I wanted to live my life as a transsexual vampire yeti, and they’d still say, ‘Oh, Jamie. You’re so cute.'"
The misogyny in this book is appalling. Women are depicted as bitches, puck bunnies, a pair of tits (or a nice rack), desperate, a good lay, and little else. Wes is portrayed as so attractive that any woman literally foams at the mouth upon seeing him. There are random instances where a woman simply exists, and Wes mentally dismisses her with, "Those (boobs, idk dude) don't work on me sweetheart." Wes constantly calls women "doll," like a caricature from 1920s New York City.
Wes's tribal tattoos are another issue. Though the specifics aren't mentioned, it's in bad taste for an author to include tribal tattoos without cultural context. These tattoos hold deep meaning for the cultures they originate from, and appropriating them is damaging. Wes having "golden-toned" skin is another questionable detail. Moreover, the book includes a racial slur, further highlighting its insensitivity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Cultural appropriation
levilore_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Don't expect much from this book in terms of plot or character growth. The plot was actually interesting, but most of the second half was the characters having sex and nothing else really happening. I would've been fine with that but the main characters often made sexist comments and there was some vague biphobia that made me dislike Wes a lot. I wish there was more time spent on the exploring the characters as people.
Also I really didn't need to hear that much detail about their sex as teens. I could've gotten the highlights.
Also I really didn't need to hear that much detail about their sex as teens. I could've gotten the highlights.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Cursing, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit, Outing, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
abbycasey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Hockey romance, grumpyxsunshine, black catxgolden retriever, childhood friends, second chance, and many more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Cursing
froggydanny's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racial slurs and Alcohol
kaitlyng's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Biphobia
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
this book was definitely...fine. its nothing groundbreaking, its nothing spectacular, but its not horrible either. its just...a fine book. i didnt know it would be so sex-heavy when i got into it so it was a little jarring - it really does turn out to be more porn that substance near the halfway mark - which is fine, i just wish everything else would have been developed more. like there should have been more tension and angst before there was any relationship development, but for what this book is, its okay. i guess the other books in the series can go more into depth on the two characters, but i dont have much hope bc this book was quite shallow :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
lauren717's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Outing, Racism, Alcohol, Homophobia, Cursing, and Racial slurs
voeuxr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Literally just smut…
Didn’t have a developed storyline or stakes. The characters choices and actions sometimes made no sense. The writing was cringy in areas and felt like a wattpad story.
Didn’t have a developed storyline or stakes. The characters choices and actions sometimes made no sense. The writing was cringy in areas and felt like a wattpad story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Hate crime
things100's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Such an amazing m|m story. I loved it. Jamie and Wesley are iconic 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying
ashleycmms's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Cursing, and Alcohol